The Nancy & Richard Wolfson Professorship of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Established in 1993 by the generosity of Nancy and Richard Wolfson, the Professorship enhances the resources of Penn’s world-renowned Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Nancy Wolfson, daughter of Madlyn and Leonard Abramson, is a very active member of the philanthropic community in Philadelphia and plays a leading role in many programs at the Abramson Cancer Center. Mrs. Wolfson serves on the Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Leadership Council and the Board of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. As co-chair of the Philly Fights Cancer Committee, she has helped to galvanize a community in raising funding and awareness for cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center.
Current Chairholder
Clarisa Gracia, MD, MSCE
Clarisa Gracia, MD, MSCE, is Professor and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gracia is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist who has practiced at Penn Fertility Care since 2004 and has appointments at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has an active clinical practice in the area of reproductive endocrinology and infertility including IVF and reproductive surgery. Given her particular interest in the reproductive effects of cancer therapies and fertility preservation, Dr. Gracia established the Fertility Preservation Program at Penn. She currently serves as the Medical Director of IVF and Director of Clinical Operations. Teaching and mentorship are integral parts of all of her activities.
Dr. Gracia received formal training in epidemiology and has been actively involved in reproductive research throughout her career. The primary focus of her research has been in the areas of reproductive aging and Oncofertility. She has designed and led a number of NIH-funded prospective studies assessing the reproductive effects of cancer therapies and has received funding as principal investigator on several studies including a K01 award as part of the Oncofertility consortium roadmap grant, an R03, and an RO1. Additionally, Dr. Gracia has collaborated as co-investigator on a number of NIH funded projects including the Penn Ovarian Aging Study, Reproductive Medicine Network, NatPRO study, and most recently a study investigating circadian rhythms and sleep over the menopausal transition.
Dr. Gracia has published more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and over 60 reviews and committee opinions, and has edited a book. She has been actively involved in several national and international organizations. Within the ASRM, Dr. Gracia has been on the Board of Directors, chaired the Scientific Program Committee, held the role of consultant epidemiologist for the Practice Committee, and now serves as Chair of the ASRM Practice Committee. She has also served on the ACOG Gynecologic Practice Committee, Subcommittee for REI. She also helped to develop infertility guidelines for the World Health Organization. She is an examiner and member of the REI Division at the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Finally, she has served on the Reproduction Andrology and Gynecology NIH Study Section.
Dr. Gracia has received several awards including The Emily Hartshorne Mudd Award, given for significant contributions to the field of family health, and the Ira and Ester Rosenwaks New Investigator Award, presented by the Board of Directors of the ASRM. She was also named one of the “64 Rising Stars: The Next Generation of Great Philly Docs” and "Top Doc” in the Philadelphia Magazine.
Dr. Gracia received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Pennsylvania. During her fellowship at Penn, she also completed a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Previous Chairholders
- Luis Blasco, MD 1993–2006
- Christos Coutifaris, MD, PhD 2006–2016