2012 SMFM Board of Directors Candidate Statements - Society for ...

4. What other service have you given to SMFM (for example, as a course speaker,
Scientific Forum/Special Focus Group organization)?
I joined the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in 1993 and have presented over 4 dozen abstracts at the annual meetings since
1992. I have attended every meeting since 1995, except in 2006 when a prior commitment to a meeting of the World Health
Organization (WHO) precluded my attendance. I am pleased to report that I have been invited to present five lectures for the SMFM:
four at post-graduate courses at annual meetings (2003, 2005 and two in 2009), and the other at the 25th Annual Meeting,
Luncheon Round Table Meeting in 2005. All were lectures related to my areas of research expertise: cervical ripening and labor
induction and infectious diseases in pregnancy. I have served as a judge of posters and oral presentations at several meetings over
the years, and moderated an oral plenary session in 2010 (see roster below). With my interests in clinical research, I would endeavor
to conscientiously contribute to the selection of relevant topics and presenters for our meetings to ensure that bright leaders in our
field have the forum to disseminate relevant research. Scientific Poster Judge, Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, 31st Annual
Meeting, 2011. Moderator, Oral Plenary Session on Clinical Obstetrics, Labor and Computers, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Annual Meeting, 2010 Moderator, Oral Plenary Session on Clinical Obstetrics, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Annual Meeting,
2009 Oral Plenary Judge, Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine Annual Meeting, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 Abstract Judge,
Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Annual Meetings, 1999-present. Scientific Poster Judge, Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine 21st
Annual Meeting, 2001. Scientific Poster Judge, Society of Perinatal Obstetricians Annual Meeting, 1998.
5. Please write a brief statement indicating your interest in serving, any special
qualifications you have for the SMFM Board, and the ways in which you will enhance the
diversity of the Board.
Thank you for your consideration of me as a nominee to the SMFM Board of Directors. I believe that I live up to the Hebrew
translation of my first name, Deborah, which translates to “the bee” or “industrious”. My personal and professional attitude is
characterized by continual growth and change, and consistent pursuit of new challenges. I seek out leadership opportunities and
strive to expand the training, careers and pursuits of those around me. I will regard selection for the SMFM Board of Directors as
service to the subspecialty and those affiliated with it, and will bring to this appointment the same energy and drive with which I
approach each of my other professional commitments. I am currently a Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at University
of California, Irvine Medical Center and the director of its Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Currently, we have 17 members within
the division. I am also the fellowship director, and run one of the largest MFM fellowships in the country. I am proud of the fact that at
nearly 60% of the fellows that I have trained both here at UCI and at the University of Southern California are currently in academic
positions. I believe that solid training in the conduct of clinical research is integral to the fellowship program, and the effects of such
training leave a legacy in the provision of evidence-based health care and the attainment of optimal clinical results. I am privileged to
be able to serve the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a member of its Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and
in that role, oversee the conduct of subspecialty training for MFM across the nation. Since joining the University of California, Irvine
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department in 2003, I have been involved in bringing about changes to the department through progressive
thinking and a re-focus on research and large scale grant pursuits. I am a Principal Investigator for the NICHD-funded National
Standard for Normal Fetal Growth and for the NICHD-sponsored study of Preterm Birth in Nulliparous Women. I propose to commit
this same level of assiduous dedication as well as administrative acumen to the Board should I be elected. Thank you for the honor
of considering me for nomination to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Board of Directors. I am uniquely qualified to participate
as a Board member and would passionately contribute in all endeavors of the SMFM Board of Directors. With the changing
demographic of obstetrical and gynecological practitioners in this country, I believe the presence of an Asian woman will serve the
needs of the Board for diversity well.
6. What other volunteer leadership positions have you held with medical/professional
societies?
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Speaker and Section leader, US Food and Drug Administration, Division of Radiologic
Devices: Hearing on Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Computer-Assisted Devices, November 2008. Consultant, United
States Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Medical Devices Advisory Committee, Obstetrics
and Gynecology Devices Panel, 2003-present. INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES OR ORGANIZATIONS Advisor,
World Health Organization and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Guidelines for the Use of Misoprostol in
Reproductive Health, 2006–2009. NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES OR ORGANIZATIONS Member (elected), Division of
Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2008-present. Oral Examiner, American Board of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Subspecialty, 2004-present. Oral Examiner, American Board of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, General Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2003-2008. Moderate/Poster Discussant, Session on Clinical Perinatology, Society
for Gynecological Investigation Annual Meeting, 2011. Moderator/Poster Discussant, Session on Clinical Perinatology, Society for
Gynecological Investigation Annual Meeting, 2010 Abstract Reviewer/Judge, Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 2002-2008,
2010. Consultant, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Conference: “The Menstrual Cycle of Adolescent Health”, New
York, 2007 Panel Member, Stanford-UCSF Evidence-Based Practice Center, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
2007. Speaker, National Youth Leadership Forum Medicine, 2002. LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES OR ORGANIZATIONS
Member, Program Committee, Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, 2003-2007.
7. What other societies/membership associations do you belong to?
1. - Society for Gynecologic Investigation
2. - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists