Elizabeth Puscheck, M.D., M.S., has been appointed Chair of the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and specialist in chief for the Detroit Medical Center.
Dr. Puscheck serves as a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the WSU In Vitro Fertilization and Gynecologic Ultrasound programs. She also serves as medical director of the Wayne State University Physician Group's University Women's Care clinical site in Southfield.
"Liz embodies the attributes of a modern leader. She thinks strategically, acts decisively based on data gathering, and has the vision required to advance our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in this new world of health care reform," Dean Valerie Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., said. "She innately understands the value of relationships to a leader's success, and finds ways to build consensus. As a reproductive endocrinologist, Liz uniquely understands the issues facing both the world of obstetrics and the world of gynecology, often inhabited by different individuals, and has been able to maintain a healthy work-life balance despite her many responsibilities."
Dr. Puscheck graduated from the University of Chicago in 1983 with a bachelor's degree with honors in Biology. She then completed her master's of science degree in Human Biology at the University of Chicago and earned her medical degree in 1987 from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Mo. She performed her residency training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, where she was selected to serve as chief resident. Dr. Puscheck completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Genetics at the Medical College of Georgia in 1993. She then joined the faculty at Northwestern University Medical School as an assistant professor. She was recruited to the WSU School of Medicine in 2000 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 2004, and to professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2009.
Under her leadership, the In Vitro Fertilization Program had its most successful year ever in 2009, helping couples achieve pregnancy. She also serves as a mentor to medical students, residents and fellows at her Wayne State University Physician Group practice site.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to chair the Wayne State University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology," said Dr. Puscheck, F.A.C.O.G., C.C.D. "This department has a national reputation for excellence in research and training OB/GYN physicians."
During her 10 years on the faculty at WSU, Dr. Puscheck has assumed numerous leadership roles, including her election to the School of Medicine's Faculty Senate Executive Committee, where she played an active role in shared governance with main campus leaders. She also has served on the Wayne State University Academic Senate, the WSU Faculty Affairs Committee and the WSU Taskforce on the Strategic Plan for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Puscheck has been a member of the Department of Internal Medicine's Internal Review Committee and chaired the WSU Factors and Guidelines for Promotions and Tenure Clinician Educators Subcommittee.
"Faculty development has been a keen interest of mine over the last few years," Dr. Puscheck said. "While on the School of Medicine Executive Committee, it became clear to all of us that our promotion and tenure guidelines needed revision; we needed new tracks since our faculty has become more diverse. As chair of the clinician educator subcommittee, I sought faculty input and input from the individual departments. It was this input that helped to guide our promotion and tenure revisions so that they apply to our faculty. Recently, the faculty voted by an overwhelming majority to support these guideline revisions. These new guidelines will allow for many of our faculty to get promoted on these newer tracks. It is such a joy to be involved with faculty development."
Dr. Puscheck is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
She has shared her expertise nationally as an examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and an item writer for the USMLE, and has held several leadership positions within the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, including Chair of Publications, Chair of Women's Council and member of the Board of Directors. She serves on the Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology Editorial Board, and has served as editor or on the boards of several other peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Puscheck has authored more than 50 peer-review publications in the field of infertility, as well as a multitude of invited presentations, chapters and clinical guidelines in her field.
"The DMC congratulates Dr. Puscheck on this great accomplishment," said Mike Duggan, president and CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. "Elizabeth's leadership skills and distinguished background show her commitment to medical advancement as well as academic development."
Dr. Puscheck takes special pride in the work and success rate of the department's IVF team. "This team consists of receptionists, nurses, laboratory technicians, embryologists and physicians who together we have developed a full-service IVF program with pregnancy rates among the best in the nation," she said. "It has been a pleasure and a privilege serving this team, where every member goes the extra mile for each patient. It's this practice that makes all of the difference."
Her many honors include the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award, International Health Professional of the Year from the International Biographical Center at Cambridge, inclusion in "Who's Who Among American Teachers & Educators," and selection this year for the competitive Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for Women at Drexel University.
Dr. Puscheck said she looks forward to sharing her ideas for the department with its members. Those goals include maintaining and strengthening the reputation of the department, aggressively addressing new revisions for higher education and actively recruiting "first-rate" faculty to help meet the challenges of the future. "Our overall goals will continue to be to strive for excellence in clinical care, education and research," she said.