Katharine O’Connell White, MD, Named Chief and Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Katharine (Kate) O’Connell White, MD, has been named Chief and Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, beginning March 2.

Since joining the department in 2015, White has demonstrated her leadership and dedication to advancing reproductive health. In her roles as Vice Chair of Academics, the Associate Director of the Complex Family Planning Fellowship, and the Director of BEACON Research at BMC, she is a highly respected thought leader with a deep commitment to patient care and passion for eliminating disparities in health outcomes. Her strategic leadership will build on the expert care the department provides.

White’s expertise and research spans across critical areas in the field, including contraception, patient-centered outcomes, and advocating for historically marginalized birthing individuals. She is the co-chair of the national Complex Family Planning Fellowship Council, a fellow of both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and of the Society of Family Planning, and a member of the American Public Health Association. White is committed to mentoring the next generation of obstetrician-gynecologists, co-leading our efforts to develop one of the most diverse OBGYN residency programs in the country. In 2011, she received the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education. White also is the author of two books, Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss and  Your Sexual Health.

White received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a master’s in public health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate and a fellowship in family planning at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.

White will succeed Aviva Lee-Parritz, MD, who last November announced her plans to step down as Chief and Chair on March 1.

Congratulations to Dr. White and thanks Dr. Lee-Parritz for her contributions to the hospital, medical school and community for the past two-plus decades.