The Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. Professorship of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Luigi MastroianniThe Professorship was created in 1989 through the contributions of friends, colleagues, and grateful patients of Luigi Mastroianni, Jr., MD (1925–2008), a pioneer in the study of reproductive biology.

When Dr. Mastroianni assumed the Chairmanship of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1965, his reputation already had been established. As Director of the Division of Reproductive Biology at Penn Medicine, Dr. Mastroianni earned worldwide acclaim for research in the field of female hormone action, the development of in vitro fertilization, and scientific leads for new methods of contraception. Dr. Mastroianni was President of the American Fertility Society and the editor of the journal Fertility and Sterility. He received the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine in 1989 and the Distinguished Service Award of the Society for the Study of Reproduction in 1992. Dr. Mastroianni was appointed a member of the National Academy of Medicine in 1993.


 

Deborah A. DriscollCurrent Chairholder
Deborah A. Driscoll, MD

Deborah A. Driscoll, MD is the Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice Dean for Professional Services at the Perelman School of Medicine. She also serves as the Chief Physician Executive for Penn Medicine Medical Group and Senior Vice President of CPUP. Dr. Driscoll graduated from Smith College and New York University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in clinical and molecular genetics at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Driscoll has achieved international recognition for her research on DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome and the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Dr. Driscoll served as the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health for 14 years. Dr. Driscoll has held numerous leadership roles at Penn and nationally, including President of the Council of University Chairs in Obstetrics and Gynecology and President of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2011.

Previous Chairholders

  • Jerome F. Strauss, III, MD, PhD 1992–2005