Chesson Awarded National Inaugural Mentor of the Year Honor

Ralph R. Chesson, Jr., MD, the Jack Andonie Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, is the recipient of the SGS 2018 Mentor of the Year Award. The award was presented at the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons 44th Annual Meeting. Although mentors are honored each year, this was the first time a mentor of the year was chosen.

Founded to improve the practice and training of gynecologic surgeons, the Society greatly values mentorship. “The Society of Gynecologic Surgeons has a long history of providing mentoring opportunities for individuals in varying stages of their careers in Gynecologic Surgery. The literature and anecdotal experience would support the fact that mentorship helps to facilitate the future success of mentees. This results in increased research productivity, career satisfaction, preparedness regarding career decisions, and enriched opportunities for professional networking. SGS by virtue of its size and the commitment of its members to foster excellent care in women’s health has always facilitated mentoring.”

Dr. Chesson earned his undergraduate education at the U.S. Naval Academy and his Medical Degree at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. He completed his internship and residency at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Following a three-year tour at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in North Carolina, he returned to be part of the teaching faculty at Portsmouth Naval Hospital where he started a urogynecology clinic. After retiring from the Navy, he opened a private practice in Norfolk, Virginia, and in 1985 started a Urogynecology clinic at Eastern Virginia Medical School for its residency program. In March 1995, Chesson left private practice to join the faculty of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine in the Section of Urogynecology. In July 1998, he was named Residency Program Director, and since March 1999, he has served as Section Head of Urogynecology, as well as the Fellowship Director.

“We congratulate Dr. Chesson on receiving the inaugural SGS Mentor of the Year Award,” said Lisa Peacock, MD, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, who was also at the meeting. “It is a great and well-deserved honor.”