The Wayne State University (WSU) department of obstetrics and gynecology took center stage at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's 1999 annual meeting. Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center (DMC) faculty members presented 63 abstracts--more than double the number of presentations from any other institution.

The meeting, which was held in San Francisco in January, is considered the premier meeting for scientific research related to high-risk obstetrics.

"Wayne State's national and international presence in this field is unquestionable," said Mark Evans, MD, professor and interim chair of ob/gyn, who co-authored 14 of WSU's abstracts. "Our strong showing at this and other meetings displays our reputation as a world-class academic medical center. Wayne State faculty members are clearly recognized around the globe for their significant contributions to research regarding genetics, fetal therapy, prenatal diagnosis, and maternal-fetal health. We are proud our faculty has such a remarkable impact and, in many cases, leads the research in particular specialties."

Roberto Romero, MD, professor of ob/gyn at Wayne State and director of the perinatology research branch at the National Institutes of Health, was honored with a research excellence award for his presentation, "A Novel Form of Fetal Cardiac Dysfunction in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes." Dr. Romero was also Wayne State's busiest presenter, with co-authorship on 19 abstracts.

A best poster award was presented to Virginia Miller, ob/gyn research associate, for her project entitled "The Fiscal Impact of a Potential Legislative Ban on Second Trimester, Medically Indicated Abortions."