Patricia R. Chess

Patricia R. Chess, M.D., M.S., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Neonatology) and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is affiliated with the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) and is a leading academic in neonatal-perinatal medicine. Her roles include Medical Director of ECMO, Fellowship Program Director for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Chair of the National Organization of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Training Program Directors. Dr. Chess' research focuses on lung injury repair, surfactant therapy, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and optimizing neonatal ventilation strategies. She has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles and 18 books, including contributions to Avery's Neonatology Board Review and Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets. Her awards include the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (2020) and the Ruth A. Lawrence Academic Faculty Service Award (2014). Dr. Chess has extensive experience in educational innovation, including flipped classroom curricula and implicit bias training in neonatal medicine. She has led NIH-funded research on myo-inositol supplementation and hydrocortisone therapy for preterm infants. Her clinical expertise spans ECMO management, neonatal critical care, and congenital anomalies. She has received grants from NIH, NYS DOH, and the American Lung Association.

Education: MS in Biomedical Engineering (University of Rochester, 2020); MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (1988). Residency and fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center (1988–1994).

Awards & Honors:

• National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (2020)
• Ruth A. Lawrence Academic Faculty Service Award (2014)
• Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Gold Center of Excellence (2015–2018)
• Executive Council, Organization of Neonatal Training Program Directors (2013)
• Marquis' Who's Who in America (2006)

Grants & Funding: NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Award (K08, 1999–2004), American Lung Association Research Grants, and multiple institutional grants for neonatal ECMO and surfactant research. She has led national trials on inositol supplementation and hydrocortisone therapy in preterm infants.

Education & Training Leadership: Chair of Pediatrics at Unity Hospital, Vice Chair of Education at Golisano Children's Hospital, and Director of Fellowship Education in Pediatrics. She pioneered national standards for neonatal-perinatal fellowship training and assessment, including Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the Biomedical Engineering Department on respiratory monitoring devices and surfactant dysfunction models. Part of the Strong Perinatal Research Team and the NIH-funded Neonatal Research Network (NRN).