October 2025 Member Spotlight: Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME

October 2025 Member Spotlight: Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME

Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME

When Dr. Divya Kelath Shah joined ASRM as a third-year resident in 2006, she was ready to immerse herself in the world of reproductive medicine. Just one year later, she stood "on the big stage" at the ASRM Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., presenting her first abstract as an oral presentation-a moment that solidified her passion for the field and the vibrant professional community that surrounds it.

Today, Dr. Shah is an Associate Professor in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Pennsylvania and serves as Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her path through medicine has been defined by a blend of clinical precision, academic inquiry, and an enduring commitment to education.

After earning her medical degree from Columbia University, Dr. Shah completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan and fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her first faculty appointment took her to the University of Iowa, where she also earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education in 2014, an experience that continues to shape her approach to teaching and mentoring. Since joining Penn in 2015, she has been a driving force in shaping educational programs and surgical training for the next generation of reproductive specialists.

Dr. Shah's clinical focus is in reproductive surgery, and her academic interests center around curricular design and educational outcomes, particularly in gynecologic surgery.

"I've always been fascinated by how we teach surgical skills effectively and how education can evolve alongside technology and patient needs," she says.

Her long-standing involvement with ASRM has provided a vital professional home. Over nearly two decades of membership, Dr. Shah has served in several leadership roles, including with the Society of Reproductive Surgeons (SRS), the ASRM Education Committee, and the KEEPR Resident Education Program. She is currently completing a three-year term on the ASRM Program Planning Committee and serves as Postgraduate Program Chair for the 2025 Annual Meeting.

For Dr. Shah, ASRM represents both breadth and depth-a rare organization that brings together an extraordinary range of expertise under one roof. "One challenge in reproductive medicine is how to define a field whose practitioners may have vastly different occupations and expertise," she reflects. "As it is difficult to be all things to all people, I love that ASRM provides both an international forum where these varied individuals can convene and exchange ideas, as well as affiliated societies and professional groups where one can 'dig deeper' with those who share similar interests and backgrounds."

Dr. Shah's career exemplifies the collaborative spirit she values in ASRM. Whether in the operating room, the classroom, or the conference hall, she continues to elevate the standard of education and care within reproductive medicine, helping ensure that the next generation of physicians is not only technically skilled but also deeply connected to the larger mission of advancing reproductive health.

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