As Mary Donofrio finishes her term as President of the Fetal Heart Society, we have a great opportunity to recognize and acknowledge her contributions to the field of fetal cardiology and the organization. Dr. Donofrio is a true pioneer in the field of fetal cardiology and her dedication to improving the care of fetuses with heart disease is truly remarkable. Her leadership as President of the Fetal Heart Society has been invaluable in promoting excellence in fetal cardiology through education, research, and advocacy.
Dr. Donofrio received her medical degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Cornell University. She completed her fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with her fetal cardiology training under Dr. Charlie Kleinman at Yale University. Her first faculty position was at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond in 1995. She has been on faculty at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, where she holds several leadership positions including Director of the Fetal Heart Program, Co-Director of the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program, and Director of the Advanced Imaging Fellowship. She is a Professor of Pediatrics and holds the VanMetre Endowed Chair of Fetal Cardiology. She is a leading expert in fetal cardiology and has made significant contributions to the field over the course of her career. Her research has focused on the diagnosis and management of fetal heart disease, and she has published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her findings at conferences around the world. Her research has led to improvements in the detection of fetal heart disease, as well as advances in the treatment of these conditions. In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Donofrio is also committed to educating the next generation of pediatric cardiologists. She has mentored many fellows over the years and has been recognized for her outstanding teaching skills.
Mary’s passion for her work and her commitment to research is truly inspiring. She has worked tirelessly to advance the diagnosis and management of fetal heart disease and has been a driving force in the development of new approaches to fetal hemodynamic assessment. Her contributions to the Fetal Heart Society have been numerous, from her involvement in the organization’s founding to her leadership as President over the last 8+ years. Under her guidance, the Fetal Heart Society was founded and has continued to grow and flourish; anyone who has had the privilege to work with her will testify that her dedication to the organization’s mission has been absolutely unwavering.
As Dr. Donofrio completes her term as President of the Fetal Heart Society, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a commitment to improving fetal cardiovascular research as well as provider and patient education. Her contributions to the field will have a lasting impact, and she will continue to inspire and motivate those who work in this important area of medicine.
In summary, Mary Donofrio’s contributions to the field of fetal cardiology and the Fetal Heart Society have been immeasurable, and she deserves our utmost respect and admiration as she finishes her term as President. I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of a leader like Mary. However, with a great team on the Board and our collective experience and expertise in fetal cardiology, I’m confident that we will continue to advance the mission of the Fetal Heart Society and make significant contributions to the field. As the new President, I have the opportunity to build upon the successes of my predecessor and bring my own unique perspective and vision to the organization. I will continue to promote excellence in fetal cardiology through research and education, while also exploring new ways to advance the field and our organization, and improve the care of fetuses with heart disease and the families that support them. My experience, dedication, and passion for this work will be essential in leading the Fetal Heart Society into the future. Though I will be responsible for guiding the organization, setting goals and objectives, and ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of fetal cardiology, I only stand on the shoulders of giants—and I can only hope to join giants like Mary in the history that we are writing in this field.
– Anita Moon-Grady, MD
President-Elect, Fetal Heart Society
