Kimberly Leslie, MD, has been named head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The appointment will be effective April 1.

Leslie replaces Jennifer Niebyl, MD, who is stepping down as department head, a position she has held since 1988, when she joined the UI faculty. Niebyl will continue seeing patients. Leslie currently is professor of obstetrics and gynecology and chief of obstetrics at the University of New Mexico, where she also is director of maternal-fetal medicine.

"We're grateful to Dr. Niebyl for her dedicated leadership that has helped the UI Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology grow tremendously over the past 20 years, and we welcome Dr. Leslie to carry on this tradition of excellence," said Paul Rothman, MD, dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine. "Dr. Leslie has depth and accomplishments in all areas of the UI Health Care mission—patient care, research and teaching. We're looking forward to working with her as our colleague, and patients and students will benefit immensely from her leadership."

Ken Kates, CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics, added, "Women's health care is a major focus at the UI, thanks in large measure to the commitment and successes of Dr. Niebyl and her team. We're excited to bring Dr. Leslie on board to lead a team of physicians and staff with an unmatched breadth and depth of clinical expertise in providing the best in both general and specialized patient care and to continue our strong growth in women's health services."

Leslie's patient care specialization includes maternal-fetal medicine, fetal echocardiography, cancer in pregnancy, cholestasis (an estrogen-induced disease) during pregnancy and operative obstetrics. Her research interests include molecular biology of estrogen and progesterone receptors, anti-estrogens in the female reproductive tract, endometrial cancer, interactions between epidermal growth factor and hormone receptors, and cholestasis.

"I am very pleased and honored to be joining the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Iowa," Leslie said. "The institutional leadership is very strong, and I believe I am coming at an exciting and pivotal time in the history of the university. I look forward to partnering with Dr. Rothman, Mr. Kates and the exceptional faculty in the department to enhance all aspects of women's health care in Iowa."

Leslie earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Baylor University and a bachelor of science degree in biology and biochemistry from Texas Christian University. She holds a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Leslie completed residencies at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and Georgetown University Affiliated Hospitals, where she also completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine.

Kimberly Leslie, MD

For more information:

Jennifer Niebyl, MD

Paul Rothman, MD

Ken Kates, CEO

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine