Honoring Dr. Maurice L. Druzin, Who Transformed Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Stanford

Maurice Druzin, MD, has retired after a decades-long career that redefined obstetrical care and maternal-fetal medicine research and education. Fondly known as the “Father of Stanford Obstetrics,” he leaves behind a legacy few in academic medicine can match.  

Over the last three plus decades, Druzin worked tirelessly to recruit outstanding faculty, grow and enhance the obstetrics and gynecology residency program and build a renowned maternal-fetal medicine fellowship. Today, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology’s maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics program is considered one of the strongest in the country, and much of that growth can be traced back to his vision, leadership, and relentless work.

When he first arrived from Cornell University in 1991, the Stanford maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics program was largely unknown. Druzin had previously built a successful program at Cornell and brought with him a reputation for excellence and a collaborative and forward-thinking mindset. The 90’s were a time of great transition for Stanford University’s clinical care: a new labor and delivery unit had just opened, and there was a desire to reimagine obstetrics as a whole. The Stanford program was very small, with only one full-time maternal-fetal medicine faculty member, a couple of general obstetricians, and a single room ultrasound unit.

Recruited by the department chair at the time, Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, MPH, Druzin prioritized the creation of a robust academic division through faculty recruitment with a focus on outstanding patient care, education, and research.  Collaborating with David K. Stevenson, MD, in the Department of Pediatrics, he and Stevenson developed the nation’s first comprehensive program for mothers and babies.

This vision came to life as the Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services, a transformative initiative where the disciplines of Obstetrics and Neonatology were brought together under a single Center of Excellence in order to provide the very best of coordinated, patient-centered care.  The creation of the Johnson Center launched an era of tremendous growth in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Neonatology at Stanford, with the creation of community partnerships with hospitals across the greater Bay Area.

Colleagues remember Druzin not just for what he built, but for how he led. He brought people together — from physicians to administrators to trainees — creating a shared sense of purpose. His approach was hands-on and personal. He modeled compassionate patient care and remained deeply committed to the educational mission of the department.

He quickly became known as a builder — not just of clinical programs, but of people. Over the years, he mentored dozens of trainees and faculty, many of whom credit him with shaping their careers. In addition to launching Stanford’s maternal-fetal medicine fellowship program, his impact on the residency training program was profound. Under his guidance, the program emphasized not just clinical skills, but ethics, empathy, and innovation. Druzin also served as Vice Chair of the Department and Gynecology from 2005 to 2020.

Many who trained under him have gone on to lead departments and divisions across the country. One of these trainees was Yasser El-Sayed, MD, who is currently division chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics at Stanford. In fact, El-Sayed was the first maternal-fetal medicine fellow to undertake the program that Druzin developed.

“After completing my residency at Stanford, I made a decision to stay and be their first fellow, and it was the best decision of my life,” El-Sayed remarks. “Imagine being the first and only fellow, so you're on call all the time. It was intense but also an incredible and immersive learning opportunity. Dr. Druzin was hugely supportive of all the ideas that I would come up with, and whatever resources were available— and there were not a lot — he made sure I had access to.”

“There was an expectation of excellence. He was there for both the residents, but also for the faculty. He ran rounds with thoughtful questioning and deep dedication. He would be there all hours of the day and night, delivering babies on labor and delivery, doing ultrasounds, conducting postpartum and antepartum rounds,” El-Sayed recalls. “He was in the trenches and  led by example, as well as administering and growing the program and developing community relationships by driving to locations all over the Bay Area. It’s hard to express the amount of work and the weight of such a heavy lift going on for years — year after year after year.”

Kate Shaw, MD, who trained as Complex Family Planning Fellow at Stanford serves as the division chief of Gynecology and Gynecologic Specialties and served as Residency Program Director of the department from 2016 through 2021, credits Druzin as a mentor and role model.

“He built a transformative residency program that not only shaped countless OB/GYNs, but also fostered a culture of inquiry, compassion, and excellence. Reflecting on my own journey as the former Residency Director and now as the Associate Chair of Education, I am profoundly grateful for Dr. Druzin, a beacon of wisdom, kindness, and honesty,” she shares. “I remember the countless hours spent in his office, where his unwavering support and insightful guidance helped me navigate challenges and celebrate the good times.”

Dr. Druzin was an institution — loved by all — patients, nurses, and colleagues alike, because he taught us that medicine is as much about the heart as it is about the mind.”

Druzin also had a hand in shaping national policy. He contributed to the development of guidelines through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and served on boards that helped advance perinatal care standards nationwide. Notably, he served on the ACOG Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy, collaborating with experts to establish comprehensive guidelines for managing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Additionally, Druzin co-chaired the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative's Task Force on Preeclampsia to create toolkits in 2013 to 2014, and the Task Force on Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in 2020, further advancing perinatal care standards.

His research focused on autoimmune disease and pregnancy, specifically lupus and the antiphospholipid syndrome, as well as fetal monitoring. He later also pursued active investigation into broader issues of maternal morbidity and mortality — especially hemorrhage, hypertension and preeclampsia — serving as a researcher and expert in these areas.

Dr. Druzin’s retirement marks the culmination of a truly transformative career, one defined by his innovative vision and unparalleled generosity of spirit.

Druzin was known for his calm demeanor, his ability to listen deeply, and his dedication to safe, high-quality care. He helped usher in a culture of continuous improvement in obstetrics. In partnership with Kay Daniels, MD, he championed the use of simulation to prepare for obstetrical emergencies and promoted interprofessional teamwork to improve maternal outcomes.

Obstetrics and Gynecology department chair Leslee Subak, MD, shares, “Dr. Druzin’s retirement marks the culmination of a truly transformative career, one defined by his innovative vision and unparalleled generosity of spirit. His ability to foster collaboration across disciplines, inspire excellence in patient care, and mentor generations of physicians has left an indelible mark on our department and the field.”

Druzin leaves behind a legacy that will continue to guide the department. His departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy is stitched into the fabric of the department’s culture and its continued success. He leaves behind a community transformed by his leadership grounded in purpose, commitment, and excellence  — and a generation of doctors who learned from one of the best.