Catalin Buhimschi, MD, MMS, MBA Appointed Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Article text Heading link
Catalin Buhimschi, MD, MMS, MBA has been appointed as the new head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Buhimschi has served as the department’s interim head since August 2021. He first joined the College of Medicine in 2018 as professor and director of obstetrical services and patient safety.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Buhimschi has made significant contributions to basic science, translational research, and clinical practice. He has authored more than 180 original research articles in leading journals such as Circulation, Hypertension, The Lancet, Science Translational Medicine, and JAMA Pediatrics. He also served as co-editor of the textbook Drugs for Pregnant and Lactating Women and as an associate editor for the American Journal of Perinatology. Most recently, Dr. Buhimschi was named editor of the UpToDate “Preterm Labor” section and co-editor of the High Risk Pregnancy: Management Options textbook. Dr. Buhimschi has received numerous accolades, including the March of Dimes Award for Best Research in Prematurity from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Dr. Buhimschi has been continuously funded as a principal investigator (PI) by the NIH since 2005, focusing on uterine healing, fetal injury, and antenatal damage. Prior to joining the College of Medicine, he led teams at The Ohio State University and Yale University.
At UIC and the College of Medicine, Dr. Buhimschi has played a key role in fostering a collaborative and innovative clinical and research environment across a variety of disciplines. He envisions the Department of OBGYN as a dynamic workplace where all individuals are inspired and empowered to reach their full potential. As interim head, Dr. Buhimschi has made several priorities central to the department’s success, including enhancing patient safety and care quality, reducing malpractice risk, improving operational efficiency, offering exceptional education for trainees, engaging with the community, and building strong intra- and inter-institutional partnerships. Under his leadership, the department has seen significant growth, with notable increases in the number of births, gynecologic procedures, outpatient ultrasounds, and patient visits. During his tenure as interim head, over 20 new faculty and advanced practice providers were recruited, and a new urogynecology division was established.