Physician-Scientist Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman Elected to National Academy of Medicine

Story by:

• Stephanie Healey - [email protected]

Share This:

• Share this story on Linkedin
• Share this story on Facebook
• Share this story on Threads
• Share this story on Twitter
• Share this story via email

Article Content

Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Samuel S.C. Yen Endowed Chair at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Election to the National Academy of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health and inspires positive actions across sectors.

Recognized as an international leader in maternal-fetal medicine, Gyamfi-Bannerman was elected for her pioneering landmark clinical trials that expanded the use of antenatal corticosteroids to improve respiratory outcomes for infants born late preterm and changing obstetric practice internationally. The follow-up studies provided novel insights on hypoglycemia, neurodevelopment and growth in children born late preterm.

"Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman's election to the National Academy of Medicine is a tremendous honor for her and for UC San Diego," said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "Her research has transformed care for mothers and infants worldwide, and her leadership exemplifies the impact of rigorous science translated into better health outcomes. This recognition also reinforces the quality of our world-renowned faculty and medical providers who are advancing breakthroughs across research and patient care every day. We are proud to celebrate her well-deserved recognition."

Gyamfi-Bannerman is a perinatologist at UC San Diego Health and is dual board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine. She spent 16 years on faculty at Columbia University Irving Medical Center prior to her appointment as chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences in 2021.

As a physician-scientist, Gyamfi-Bannerman has dedicated her career to translating research into improved patient care for mothers and their children, with an emphasis on obstetric complications and preventing preterm birth. In her 2016 landmark clinical trial, Antenatal Betamethasone for Women at Risk for Late Preterm Delivery, Gyamfi-Bannerman demonstrated that administration of the antenatal corticosteroid, betamethasone, to women at risk for late preterm delivery showed a significant reduction in the rate of respiratory complications for infants born late preterm. These findings changed clinical practice across the world for women at risk for late preterm delivery. A follow-up study published in 2024 examined the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes the children born during the clinical trial and showed no adverse outcomes at age 6 years or older.

"I am very proud to have Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman honored by the National Academy of Medicine for her scientific impact to the field of women's health," said Barbara Jung, MD, associate vice chancellor and dean at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman's work has made significant progress in improving health outcomes for mothers and infants across the world. Her leadership as department chair has elevated the department to the No. 8 spot in the country and continues to advance the School of Medicine's mission to become a leading destination for education, discovery and clinical care."

Gyamfi-Bannerman earned her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Miami, completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She also holds a master's degree in biostatistics in the clinical research methods track from Columbia University. She is a member of several professional societies including the Association of American Physicians, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Gynecological & Obstetric Society. She is also a past president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, where she was the first UC San Diego faculty member to serve as president of a leading national medical society for high-risk pregnancy subspecialists.

"I'm deeply humbled by this recognition," said Gyamfi-Bannerman. "I share this honor with the fantastic colleagues who have contributed to this work over the years, the extraordinary mentors, both inside and outside academics, that helped shape my path and the patients and families that trusted us to help advance science in obstetrics."

About the National Academy of Medicine

Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine and related policy. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. With their election, NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their service in National Academies initiatives. The newly elected 100 members for 2026 brings NAM's total membership to more than 2,600 across the globe.

Read more news about: School of Medicine