National OB-GYN group inaugurates new president
Dr. Marydonna Ravasio has been inaugurated as president of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists for 2021 and 2022.
According to a news release from ACOOG, Ravasio is a D.O., or doctor of osteopathic medicine, is a part of Greater Pittsburgh OB/GYN along with practice partner Dr. Emily Curtin and is affiliated with Magee Women's Hospital, Passavant Hospital and the surgery center in Cranberry Township.
Valerie Bakies Lile, executive director of ACOOG, said as president, Ravasio will represent the organization and be part of its committees and meetings.
“The president is the face of our organization,” Bakies Lile said. “She's involved in virtually everything we do as president.”
According to the news release, Ravasio graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where she earned her first bachelor of science degree by completing a dual major in Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation in 1989. She was the only woman to graduate with the dual-major distinction that year.
After working as an engineer aboard ships in support of Operation Desert Storm, she returned to the classroom to complete her pre-med curriculum at the University of Pittsburgh. Ravasio graduated summa cum laude, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. After graduating from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and finishing her residency at York Memorial Hospital, Ravasio began her career as an OB/GYN at Reynolds Army Community Hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Bakies Lile said many presidents of the organization spend years as part of ACOOG, and Ravasio has been a member since she was in clinicals.
“Usually by the time they become president they have been ingrained in the organization for 10 years or more,” she said.
ACOOG is a national nonprofit organization focused on women's health and education. In addition to the career and professional education it provides, ACOOG is also a hub for networking and fellowship between members and OB/GYNs, Bakies Lile said.
“One of the more important things is the collegiality and fellowship,” Bakies Lile said. “There's a personal touch that you get with our organization that you may not get with a large one.”
Editor's Note: This story was updated May 7 to reflect that Dr. Marydonna Ravasio is not longer affiliated with Butler Memorial Hospital, but rather is a part of Greater Pittsburgh OB/GYN along with practice partner Dr. Emily Curtin.
