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Faculty member reflects on major OB-GYN mentorship award

Deanna McCullough, MD, recognized by American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Deanna McCullough, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, remains humbled and thrilled about a major honor she recently received.  

In May, McCullough won the 2016 Mentor Award from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The accolade is given to a physician who has actively mentored OB-GYN residents and junior physicians as they enter independent practice.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, is a leading national body that serves and advocates for women’s health physicians. McCullough’s award was for the group’s District XII, which covers Florida.

McCullough was nominated based on her involvement with ACOG’s Armed Forces District. She served as an active duty OB-GYN physician in the Army from 2007 through most of 2015, being stationed at Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and then Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.

While in the Armed Forces District, she organized and implemented a developmental course that helped junior fellows navigate the board-certification process and prepare for oral board exams, and helped prepare medical students for careers in OB-GYN. She also served as site director of OB-GYN resident rotations at Fort Belvoir and mentored residents at nearby Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

“I feel honored to have received this award and be recognized among the great leaders in our OB-GYN community,” McCullough said. “One of my passions is developing ways to ensure junior physicians continue to have meaningful, ongoing mentorship after residency in order to help them transition to practice as independent physicians.”

McCullough, whose clinical interests include pediatric and adolescent gynecology and family planning, joined the UF COMJ faculty in November 2015. Since that time, she has been appointed to serve as associate program director of the obstetrics and gynecology residency program. She is developing and implementing a mini-curriculum for the program that covers topics such as job interviews, job contract reviews, and financial planning and asset protection.

Guy Benrubi, MD, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UF COMJ, said McCullough has been an excellent addition to the department.

“Dr. McCullough has superb clinical skills and has a gracious and endearing demeanor in her interactions with patients, fellow physicians and staff,” Benrubi said. “She is an excellent teacher and mentor to our residents. But most of all, she is an inspiring role model. Her organizational skills are well suited for the many demands that training of residents entails.”

Featured Faculty

Deanna C. McCullough, MD, FACOG

Deanna C. McCullough, MD, FACOG

Associate Professor