Since beginning my role as interim chair in March of 2025, both our department and women’s health have experienced many changes and transitions. What has not changed: our steadfast commitment to caring for our patients, their loved ones and each other.
To facilitate our efforts, our department, in partnership with Duke Health, has officially launched a new Women’s and Newborn Service Line. I am honored to announce that I have been appointed as the physician vice president for the new service line.
The augmented service line is a health systemwide, integrated clinical initiative dedicated to advancing women’s health, with an emphasis on reproductive care. It promotes a coordinated, patient-centered approach. A shared vision for excellence in women’s and newborn health is our strategic goal.
As we expand our role in the Duke University Health System, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Joe English, MBA, MHA, will now also serve as vice president for the Women’s and Newborn Service Line. In this expanded role, Joe will continue to serve as CAO for Duke Ob/Gyn. Joe and I are excited for the progress and innovation the new service line will bring.
Research Saves Lives
As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with a research focus on infectious diseases in pregnancy, I was privileged, along with many department members and experts in our field, to present at the recent Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Pregnancy Meeting (learn more at duke.is/SMFM). I had the opportunity to share data about the importance of vaccines in pregnancy. As ob/gyns, our dedication to producing science that can influence societal guideline development is more important than ever. Members of our department continue to work with American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and SMFM.
Collectively, our department advocates for practicing medicine with the interests of mothers and their infants at the forefront. Our department supports care based on science and research, and that remains our priority.
This is one example of our commitment to how Research Saves Lives.
Throughout this issue of our annual magazine, you will see many more, as well as highlights in education and patient care. I am extremely proud of this extraordinary work, and importantly, our commitment to live the department’s mission: Deliver better health and hope to all women and their families through compassionate care, innovation, education and discovery. Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Sincerely,
Brenna L. Hughes, MD, MSc
E.C. Hamblen Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Duke University Medical Center
Physician Vice President
Women’s and Newborn Service Line
Duke University Health System