University of Vermont College of Medicine Dean Frederick C. Morin, III, M.D., and Fletcher Allen Health Care President and CEO John R. Brumsted, M.D., have announced that Ira Bernstein, M.D., professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and senior associate dean for research at the College of Medicine, and a specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Fletcher Allen, has been named the John Van Sicklen Maeck Chair of the UVM department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and physician leader of the Women’s Health Care Service at Fletcher Allen.
Bernstein, whose three-year term becomes effective July 1, 2012, succeeds Mark Phillippe, M.D., who will return to his role as professor, clinician, principal investigator, and mentor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. Bernstein will continue as senior associate dean for research, with expanded support, as well as maintain his clinical practice and pursue his active research projects.
In addition to his leadership roles, Bernstein has a successful track record of independent investigation, including basic and clinical research, and his funding has included National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 awards both as principal investigator and in collaboration as co-investigator. He also has a decade of experience serving as a member and chair for numerous committees at the NIH, recently served on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Task Force on Hypertension, and is a 2012 reviewer for the Gates Foundation’s Global Alliance for Preventing Preterm Birth and Stillbirth.
"Dr. Bernstein’s experience as a clinician and significant clinical/translational research and administrative background will bring depth and breadth to this important role at our academic medical center," says Morin.
"Dr. Bernstein is an excellent choice to lead the Women’s Health Care Service and the academic Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences," says Brumsted. "Through the years, I have observed firsthand his commitment to providing the highest quality care to the women of our region, and his equally strong dedication to teaching and research. He has the respect of his peers at our academic medical center and nationally, and I look forward to working with him in his new role."
A native of New York, N.Y., Bernstein graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. degree from Union College in Schenectady, NY, and earned his medical degree from the UVM College of Medicine in 1983. He completed his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., followed by a maternal fetal medicine fellowship at UVM. He subsequently joined the UVM/Fletcher Allen faculty and in 2001, was named full professor.