Obstetric Medicine is a subspeciality of Internal Medicine with growing importance given the increasingly high maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity rates in the US. Trends reveal women are beginning pregnancy at an older age, with higher BMIs and with more associated diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. These factors likely contribute to worsening pregnancy related morbidity and mortality rates. Further, some pregnancy related disorders portend health risks later in life. For instance, preeclampsia predicts increased future cardiovascular risk, and gestational diabetes mellitus predicts the development of diabetes in the 5 – 10 years following pregnancy. Other medical diseases, such as undiagnosed cardiac disease or renal disease may be unmasked by the physiologic changes in pregnancy.

Internists have expertise in the diagnosis and management of medical diseases but have less experience with pregnancy itself. Obstetricians have extensive experience with pregnancy but have less experience with managing specific medical disorders. The obstetric medicine internist bridges this gap and has expertise in managing medical disease not only during pregnancy, but also in preparation for pregnancy, during the postpartum period, and in between pregnancies. In addition, the obstetric medicine internist integrates information gleaned from the course of pregnancy to plan for future health risk prevention.

The Division of Obstetric Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School was first established over 30 years ago. Faculty members are passionate about their unique specialty. This is reflected in their commitment to patient care, education, research, scholarship, and participation in national and international medical societies.

Vision Statement

All pregnant patients with medical problems receive equitable, collaborative, and patient and family centered care to improve health outcomes.

Mission Statement

1. Statement of Mission

• To improve the quality of health care delivered to all patients with medical problems prior to, during, and after pregnancy through research, education, collaboration, and advocacy.

2. Statement of Core Values

• We value inclusivity and health equity.
• We value culturally sensitive patient and family centered care.
• We value research, evidence-based medicine, and best practices.
• We value collaboration and the various skill sets of all disciplines involved in the care of the pregnant patient.
• We value excellence and professionalism.

3. Statement of Goals and Objectives

• To decrease mortality and morbidity associated with pregnancy through research, collaboration, education, and advocacy.
• To eliminate health disparities related to pregnancy through research, collaboration, education, and advocacy.