Dr. Norman Gant is a world-renowned expert on hypertension in pregnancy and a pioneer in the study of vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II in human pregnancy.

A 1964 graduate of Southwestern Medical School, he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital (1965–1968) under the direction of Jack Arthur Pritchard, M.D. Appointed to the Ob/Gyn faculty in 1968, he continued his studies in reproductive physiology under Dr. Pritchard (1968–1970) and Dr. Paul C. MacDonald (1972–1973).

Dr. Gant became the fourth Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1977 and held that position through May 1983. During his tenure, deliveries at Parkland Memorial Hospital went from 8,620 to 11,244, and services were expanded to include genetic counseling for risks of hereditary diseases. With the Board of Regents’ approval to build an ambulatory care teaching center at UT Southwestern, the Department also made plans to expand its private referral services.

Following his resignation as Chair, Dr. Gant continued covering the high-risk pregnancy unit at Parkland Memorial Hospital, teaching trainees, and doing research. He was active nationally and internationally.

In 1993, he succeeded James Merrill, M.D., as Executive Director of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a position he held until December 31, 2009. On January 1, 2010, he became the second department chairman and the fourth faculty member to be named Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology.