Endowed Chairs
Marcia Stenn Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology
Incumbent: John R. Lurain, MD
Marcia Stenn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1987. In 1991, with her husband Irving Stenn Jr. and their family, she created the Stenn Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research to support the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and to help patients and families suffering with ovarian cancer. Marcia succumbed to the disease in 1999. In memory of his late wife, and in honor of Dr. Lurain, Marcia Stenn's physician and former chief of the division, Mr. Stenn, his family, and friends launched a fundraising initiative in 2008 to create the Marcia Stenn Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology. This goal was accomplished in January of 2010 with Dr. Lurain being recognized for his outstanding achievements as the inagural recipient in April 2010. For more information about Dr. Lurain's investiture, please click here.
Anna Ross Lapham Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Incumbent: Lee P. Shulman, MD
The Anna Lapham Professorship was created in 1954, one year after Dr. Lapham died at age 83. It was later renamed the Anna Ross Lapham Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology in memory of Dr. Lapham’s devotion to women’s health. Dr. Lapham received her medical degree cum laude from Northwestern University in 1898. In 1919, she joined the faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as the first female professor of the medical school, and was named professor emeritus in 1946. For many years, she also worked closely with Dr. Joseph DeLee, noted obstetrician and founder of the Chicago Lying-In Hospital. For more information about Dr. Shulman's investiture, please click here.
Thomas J. Watkins Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Incumbents: Michael Socol, MD and Teresa Woodruff, PhD
This permanently endowed professorship honors Thomas J. Watkins, M.D., distinguished gynecologic surgeon and chairman of gynecology at Northwestern from 1919 until his death in 1925. In 1952, the Thomas J. Watkins Memorial Fund was established for research in gynecology, and in 1986, the endowment became the Thomas J. Watkins Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology. For more information about the investiture of Dr. Socol and Dr. Woodruff, please click here.
George H. Gardner Chair of Clinical Gynecology
Incumbent: Serdar Bulun, M.D.
This permanently endowed professorship was established in 1984, in recognition of the long and distinguished service of George H. Gardner, M.D., chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern from 1945 until 1965, whose abiding interests were in teaching and the clinical application of scientific knowledge. Lane J. Mercer, M.D., the initial occupant of this chair, served until March of 1996. Melvin V. Gerbie, M.D. was the second occupant; his investiture occurred in November 1997.
John and Ruth Brewer Professor of Gynecology and Cancer Research
Incumbent: Julian Schink, M.D.
This permanently endowed professorship was established in 1986 to honor John I. Brewer, M.D., renowned Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern and, from 1958 to 1990, editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For more information about Dr. Schink's investiture in April 2010, please click here.
Albert B. Gerbie Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Incumbent: Sharon Dooley, M.D., M.P.H.
This permanently endowed professorship was established to honor Albert B. Gerbie, M.D., who served the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern for more than 40 years. The professorship recognizes academic physicians who share the qualities exemplified by Dr. Gerbie – excellent clinical skills combined with a broad knowledge of medicine – and it supports teaching efforts in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Dooley’s investiture occurred in November 1995.
John J. Sciarra Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Incumbent: Vacant
This permanently endowed professorship was established in April 2000 by the board of trustees of Northwestern University in honor of the lifetime achievements of John J. Sciarra, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School from 1974 to 2003. The endowment will support ongoing program of education and research in obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern.
Special Honors
Friends of Prentice Distinguished Physician in Women’s and Infants Health
Recipient: Alan Peaceman, M.D.
This award, the highest honor Northwestern Memorial Hospital can bestow on a member of its medical staff, honors an outstanding clinician who is also a leader in his or her field. Established in 1996, the award is funded with an endowment of $500,000.
