June 16, 2023
Message sent on behalf of Carlos del Rio, MD, Interim Dean, Emory School of Medicine, and Ravi Thadhani, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Emory University
Dear colleagues:
We are pleased to announce that Penny Castellano, MD, FACOG, professor of gynecology and obstetrics, has accepted the role of interim chair for the department beginning July 15, 2023. Dr. Castellano currently serves as executive vice chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and associate clinic director and chief medical officer for The Emory Clinic and Emory Specialty Associates.
A trusted and accomplished leader both within the department and across our academic health care system, Dr. Castellano is well equipped to guide the department through this transition and maintain the level of excellence achieved under the direction of former chair Denise Jamieson.
Dr. Castellano earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology from Drew University and an MD from Emory School of Medicine. She stayed at Emory for postgraduate training, completing a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in June 1989, then joined the Emory faculty in July 1990. Dr. Castellano has held the positions of student clerkship director for gynecology and obstetrics, division director for general GYN/OB, and vice chair for clinical affairs. She has also previously served as interim chair of the department.
Dr. Castellano serves on several executive and advisory committees for both AAMC and Vizient. Her research interests include menopause and its impact on the health of the female patient, particularly the cardiac and central nervous system effects of estrogen. She also has a strong focus on health care delivery and quality, including electronic health information technology and its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
In the near future, a national search will begin to recruit a chair of the department. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Castellano as interim chair.
Carlos del Rio, MD
Interim Dean, Emory University School of Medicine
Interim Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
Leon L. Haley, Jr. MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine
Ravi Thadhani, MD, MPH
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Emory University