ACOG Mourns the Passing of Ezra C. Davidson, Jr., M.D.

Washington, DC—Hal C. Lawrence III, M.D., executive vice president and CEO of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the following statement regarding the death of Ezra C. Davidson, Jr, M.D.:

“The ACOG community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Ezra Davidson, a dedicated physician who devoted his life to the ob-gyn specialty and the health of women. Dr. Davidson served as ACOG president from 1990–91 and led the organization in many achievements, including securing site funding for the National Fetal-Infant Mortality Review Program and the publication of ACOG’s prenatal book for patients, ACOG Guide to Planning for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. As a leader in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Davidson blazed a trail for African-American doctors to succeed in the medical profession.

“Dr. Davidson served as professor (past chairman 1971–96), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and associate dean, Primary Care (1997–2007). He was also a professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA. He was chief of staff, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles (1971–1996). In this position in 1971, he developed a new and subsequently nationally-recognized, full-service academic department of obstetrics and gynecology.

“Born in Water Valley, MS, Dr. Davidson received his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and MD from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. His residency training was at Harlem Hospital, and his fellowship in blood coagulation was at Columbia University, both in New York City.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 58,000 members, ACOG strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women’s health care. www.acog.org