Catherine Y. Spong

Catherine Y. Spong, M.D. serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she also holds clinical responsibilities at the Parkland Health and Hospital System. Prior to her current position, she served as Vice Chair for the Department and Chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UT Southwestern, having joined the faculty in 2018 after a distinguished 23-year career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Spong earned her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 1991, followed by serving as Chief Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Her extensive NIH career included leadership positions at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), where she served as Deputy Director, Acting Director, Associate Director for Extramural Research, Director of the Division of Extramural Research, and Chief of the Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch. She chaired the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Federal Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women.

Dr. Spong's research focuses on maternal and child health with emphasis on prematurity, fetal complications, and improving child outcomes. She directs significant research on the developing fetus, neuroprotective peptides, and fetal development. Her work spans fetal alcohol syndrome, Down syndrome, stillbirth, fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, Zika virus in pregnancy, and the human placenta. She launched the Human Placenta Project during her NIH tenure and is a passionate advocate for inclusion of underrepresented groups in research, stating 'We must recognize that inclusion is better than absence of data on treatment.'

Analysis of Dr. Spong's recent publications reveals a strong focus on critical issues in maternal-fetal medicine, particularly Zika virus and pregnancy, placental research, and health disparities. Her work spans multiple disciplines including obstetrics, infectious disease, public health, and medical ethics, with consistent emphasis on improving outcomes for mothers and children through evidence-based research.

• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Achievement Award
• UMKC Alumnus of the Year Award
• Multiple NIH Director's Awards
• Surgeon General's Certificate of Appreciation for work on prematurity

Dr. Spong has made significant editorial contributions as Editor of 'William's Obstetrics,' 'Management of High Risk Pregnancy,' 'Protocols for High-Risk Pregnancies,' and 'Stillbirth: Prediction, Prevention and Management.' With over 270 peer-reviewed publications, she has appeared on national media including The CBS Early Show, Diane Rehm Show, NPR's All Things Considered, CNN, and Voice of America to discuss women's health topics. Her research on fetal neuroprotection has led to several patents for neuroprotective agents that help prevent fetal injury.

As Chair at UT Southwestern, Dr. Spong oversees one of the premier academic departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the United States, with ongoing leadership in major research initiatives including the Human Placenta Project and continued advocacy for inclusive research practices that improve maternal and fetal outcomes.