Dr. John Curtin Elected 43rd President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

CHICAGO, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John P. Curtin, MD, MBA, Associate Director for Academic Affairs and Education at the NYU Cancer Institute, NYU School of Medicine in New York City, and Professor and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the NYU School of Medicine, has been elected the 43rd President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) at its 42nd Annual Meeting, held March 6-9, 2011, in Orlando, Florida.

"I welcome the responsibilities, challenges and opportunities that come with serving as SGO president," Dr. Curtin said of his election. "I also share my predecessors' commitment to working with our Society's leadership and members to advance initiatives and programming that will enable us to work toward our shared mission to 'eradicate women's cancers.'

"The health care system itself presents a host of challenges to women's cancer care as it continues to rapidly evolve," continued Dr. Curtin, adding, "SGO will do its part to meet these challenges, viewing them as opportunities to help individuals attain the best health care available with the best outcomes possible."

Dr. Curtin holds a bachelor's degree in biology and his medical degree from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.  He also received a master's in business administration from the Graduate School of Business, Columbia University, New York City.

Dr. Curtin served an internship and residency in family practice at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in Minneapolis and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. He also was a fellow in gynecologic oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

After serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Dr Curtin was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, in 1988. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cornell University Medical College, New York City, in 1991 and became Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology there in 1995.

In 1999, Dr. Curtin was named Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the NYU School of Medicine. During 2002 – 2003, he also served as interim Chairman of the department and was appointed Stanley H. Kaplan Professor and Chair of the department from 2003 – 2008. In 2008, Dr. Curtin was appointed Associate Director for Academic Affairs and Education at the NYU Cancer Institute at the NYU School of Medicine; in 2009, he returned as Director of the school's Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and currently serves in both capacities.

A dedicated researcher, scholar and instructor, Dr. Curtin has held several research appointments, and is the recipient of research grants and awards recognizing his abilities and contributions. His principal research interests include clinical and translational research directed towards gynecologic cancers. He has written, co-authored and contributed to more than 200 professional publications. Since 2004, Dr. Curtin also has served as an Examiner, Oral Board Exams General and Subspecialty for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Curtin is a Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and is a member of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, the Society of Memorial Gynecologic Oncologists, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, and the New York Obstetrical Society. Before becoming SGO President, Dr. Curtin served the society as President-Elect, Vice President and Council Member, and was active on several committees.

The SGO is a national medical specialty organization of physicians who are trained in the comprehensive management of women with malignancies of the reproductive tract.  Its purpose is to improve the care of women with gynecologic cancer by encouraging research, disseminating knowledge which will raise the standards of practice in the prevention and treatment of gynecologic malignancies, and cooperating with other organizations interested in women's health care, oncology and related fields.  The Society's membership, totaling more than 1,230, is primarily comprised of gynecologic oncologists, as well as other related medical specialists including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists.  SGO members provide multidisciplinary cancer treatment including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and supportive care.  More information on the SGO can be found at www.sgo.org.

SOURCE Society of Gynecologic Oncologists