IN MEMORIAM

Howard L. Judd, M.D.

Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emeritus

UC Los Angeles

1935 – 2007

Dr. Howard L. Judd, emeritus professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was born on December 28, 1935 in Los Angeles, California. He received his M.D. from George Washington University in 1963. He subsequently received his internship training at the Los Angeles County General Hospital, his residency training in general surgery at Malden Hospital in Massachusetts and his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston Hospital for Women. He undertook a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and an NIH training fellowship at Harvard Medical School. After completing his fellowship training in 1970, Dr. Judd became an assistant professor in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. He was promoted to associate professor at that institution in 1974. In 1977 he joined the faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles as a professor and chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. In 1988 he became the executive director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at both Cedars-Sinai and UCLA Medical Center, prior to his assuming the position of chair at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and a vice chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA from 1994 through 2003. He retired on September 30, 2005.

 

Dr. Judd was on many committees at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, including the Medical Executive Committee, and the Service Chief’s Committee. He was on the Advisory Board of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Assembly of Southern California. He was a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, of which he served as president, and the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society. He was awarded the Keith P. Russell Service Award by the Los Angeles Obstetrical and Gynecological Society in 1999. He was a reviewer for many prestigious journals in the specialty such as the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and was on the Advisory Board of Fertility and Sterility

 

Dr. Judd was nationally and internationally recognized for his research in menopause, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian disease. His many contributions included the concept of a transdermal method for estrogen therapy as well as the use of GnRH analogue for medical oopherectomy. He trained numerous fellows from all over the world. He was the principal investigator of the Woman’s Health Initiative Grant (UCLA Site) funded by the National Institutes of Health from 1994 until his retirement.

 

Dr. Howard Judd was one of the staunchest advocates for medical student, resident and fellowship training and for helping junior faculty establish an academic career. He was a strong supporter of developing clinician scientists in women’s health and stimulating research in women’s health issues. He was also one of the major contributors in the country to women’s health research.

 

Dr. Judd passed away peacefully Thursday, July 19, 2007 at approximately 7:30 p.m. at his home in Santa Monica. He was surrounded by his family. Dr. Judd is survived by his loving wife Susan Judd and his three children, Hilary, Wendy and Leslie. He will be missed by everyone.

 

Gautam Chaudhuri