Niraj R. Chavan, MD, MPH, FACOG, FASAM, has joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and Banner – University Medical Group as a professor and the inaugural division chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetric Services in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Chavan is a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine and addiction medicine subspecialist and an accomplished physician leader with a nationally recognized focus on advancing maternal health. He joins the college from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and brings deep expertise in the care of complex pregnancies, perinatal substance use disorders, maternal mental health, and health system–level quality and safety.
“His work is distinguished by a commitment to improving outcomes across the continuum of care, particularly for vulnerable and high-risk populations,” said Rosanne M. Kho, MD, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the college.
Throughout his career, Dr. Chavan has led innovative clinical programs and multidisciplinary initiatives that integrate evidence-based care with systems-level improvement. He has developed and directed programs addressing perinatal substance use and maternal mental health, and has led regional efforts to improve obstetric quality and safety across multiple hospitals. His leadership reflects a distinct ability to bridge clinical excellence with scalable health system impact.
Dr. Chavan’s scholarly work spans maternal medical complications, perinatal addiction, health equity and implementation science. He has been widely published in leading journals and has contributed as a reviewer for national funding agencies and academic publications. His work has been supported by major funding organizations, including the NIH, CDC and PCORI, and he has received multiple awards for teaching, research and mentorship.
Nationally, Dr. Chavan is a recognized leader in women’s health. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and contributes to key committees focused on clinical practice guidelines and quality and safety. He is also actively engaged with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, reflecting his unique dual expertise at the intersection of maternal-fetal medicine and addiction care.
In his new role, Dr. Chavan will lead the growth and integration of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetric Services, advancing the department’s strategic priorities in high-risk obstetrics, quality and safety and innovative care delivery models.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chavan to our department and look forward to the leadership, expertise and energy he will bring to our community. His vision and leadership will be instrumental in strengthening the department’s clinical programs, expanding research initiatives and enhancing our impact on maternal health outcomes across Arizona and beyond.” said Dr. Kho.
About the College
Founded in 2007, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix inspires and trains exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders to advance its core missions in education, research, clinical care and service to communities across Arizona. The college’s strength lies in our collaborations and partnerships with clinical affiliates, community organizations and industry sponsors. With our primary affiliate, Banner Health, we are recognized as the premier academic medical center in Phoenix. As an anchor institution of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the college is home to signature research programs in neurosciences, cardiopulmonary diseases, immunology, informatics and metabolism. These focus areas uniquely position us to drive biomedical research and bolster economic development in the region.
As an urban institution with strong roots in rural and tribal health, the college has graduated more than 1,000 physicians and matriculates 130 students each year. Greater than 60% of matriculating students are from Arizona and many continue training at our GME sponsored residency programs, ultimately pursuing local academic and community-based opportunities. While our traditional four-year program continues to thrive, we will launch our recently approved accelerated three-year medical student curriculum with exclusive focus on primary care. This program is designed to further enhance workforce retention needs across Arizona.
The college has embarked on our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. Learn more.