Joseph Cioffi, M.D., who has worked for decades in academic medicine and clinical private practice, has been named the new Chief of the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Cioffi said it is an honor to join UT Southwestern, which has a storied history for not only the development of specialties within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology but also for providing cutting-edge, high-quality, patient-centered access to quality care. His appointment took effect March 1.

“The opportunities that lie ahead for the General Division to continue, expand, and to elevate these standards are limitless,” he said. “UT Southwestern’s diverse, talented team of generalists will continue to elevate this legacy of health care equity and outstanding patient-centered care.”

Since 2011, Dr. Cioffi has served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty member at NYU Langone-Long Island School of Medicine, recently serving as Director of the Hospitalist Division and the Hospitalist Fellowship Program. From 2003 to 2011, Dr. Cioffi served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chief of Gynecologic Services, Director of Gynecologic and Robotic Surgery, and Director of Labor and Delivery Inpatient Clinical Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

“Dr. Cioffi has a passion for teaching, performance improvement, and increasing patient safety while advancing health care outcomes,” said Catherine Spong, M.D., UTSW Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In addition to his work in academic medicine, Dr. Cioffi has 16 years of clinical private practice experience for both groups and as a solo practitioner.

“His combined experience in these areas makes him an invaluable asset to lead our team,” Dr. Spong said.

Dr. Cioffi received a Master of Science in psychology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in biomedical sciences from C.W. Post College. He then earned his medical degree from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, in 1982 and completed an internship in obstetrics and gynecology at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1983. He went on to a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in 1986. In 2009, he received a Master of Business Administration in health care management from George Washington University.

Since 1988, Dr. Cioffi has been board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He serves on committees for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.

At NYU Langone, Dr. Cioffi served on the OB Performance Improvement, Residency Education, and Residency Evaluation committees. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, he served as Chair of the Gynecologic Steering Committee and as a member of the OR, Physician Advisory Board, and Ob/Gyn Performance Improvement committees.