In Memoriam: Edna B. Foa, Ph.D.
It is with deep sadness that the Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania marks the passing of Edna B. Foa, Ph.D, a foundational force in psychology and a renowned scientist, colleague, mentor, and friend. Dr. Foa’s death is an immense loss to our department, to the University of Pennsylvania, and to the global mental health community.
Dr. Foa’s life and career were defined by intellectual rigor, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to alleviating human suffering. Over the course of many decades, she fundamentally reshaped the understanding and treatment of anxiety-related disorders, transforming clinical practice worldwide and improving the lives of countless individuals.
Dr. Foa was raised in Israel, an experience that shaped both her resilience and her sense of purpose. From an early age, she demonstrated keen curiosity about human behavior and a conviction that science should be used to prioritize solving real-world problems. She pursued her academic training in psychology with distinction, completing advanced graduate education in the United States during a period when women were still markedly underrepresented in the sciences. These formative years laid the groundwork for a career that would combine experimental precision with clinical compassion.
Dr. Foa spent the majority of her professional life at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry and founded the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA). Under her leadership, the CTSA became one of the world’s preeminent centers for research, training, and clinical care in anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
Widely regarded as the leading international expert in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety-related disorders, Dr. Foa’s scientific contributions to the field are unparalleled. Dr. Foa developed two of the gold-standard frontline treatments for anxiety, Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP). These treatments have the strongest evidence base supporting their efficacy in dozens of clinical trials, and they have helped shape clinical guidelines for evidence-based treatment. Her work led to the global dissemination of evidence-based treatments, with PE and EX/RP implemented across healthcare systems, including large-scale initiatives within the VA. She was a leader in the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices worldwide, particularly in Israel, where she did extensive work over the past twenty years. She published hundreds of high-impact scientific papers and books about the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety, with her work cited over 167,000 times. She secured tens of millions of dollars in grant funding, maintaining continuous support for over 30 years. Dr. Foa received numerous awards, including being named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2010, several Lifetime Achievement Awards (including from the from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies), Distinguished Scientist Award from the Scientific section of the American Psychological Association, and humanitarian awards for her work with survivors of sexual assault. She also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel.
Equally important to her scientific achievements was Dr. Foa’s deep commitment to mentorship. She trained generations of psychologists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, and researchers, many of whom now hold leadership positions around the world. Known for her honesty, high standards, and fierce advocacy for her trainees, she demanded excellence while offering unwavering support. For many, she was not only a mentor but also led by example, modeling how to pursue science with curiosity, courage, and humanity.
Beyond her scientific contributions, Dr. Foa’s treatments improved the lives of countless patients, including many who struggled with severe and chronic anxiety. Not only did her treatments save patients’ lives, but they empowered patients to trust again and to heal their deepest wounds.
In her personal life, Dr. Foa was a devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, and friend. She took great pride and joy in her family and remained deeply engaged in their lives. Colleagues and trainees remember her warmth, her sharp wit, and her delight in meaningful conversation. She valued culture, learning, and community, and she approached life with the same intensity and curiosity that characterized her work.
Dr. Edna Foa leaves behind a legacy that is both enduring and deeply human. Her science changed what clinicians do in the therapy room. Her leadership changed institutions. Her mentorship changed lives. And her courage - scientific, personal, and ethical - set a standard that will continue to guide the field for decades to come.
Dr. Foa’s passing represents a profound loss to the field of clinical psychology that will be felt for generations. She would have encouraged her mentees and patients to approach this loss with courage and openness, and to come together in honoring her extraordinary legacy.
On behalf of the Department of Psychiatry, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Foa’s family and loved ones. We honor her memory with profound gratitude and commit ourselves to carrying forward the principles that defined her life’s work.
With sympathy, m
María A. Oquendo, MD, PhD
Ruth Meltzer Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry
54e
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Psychiatrist in Chief, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
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