College of Medicine – Phoenix names inaugural division chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Niraj R. Chavan, MD, MPH, FACOG, FASAM, will join the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and Banner – University Medical Group in June 2026 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 comes to the University of Arizona 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.

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 he 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, the 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 College of Medicine – Phoenix's strategic priorities in high-risk obstetrics, quality and safety, and innovative care delivery models. His vision and leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our clinical programs, expanding research initiatives and enhancing our impact on maternal health outcomes across Arizona and beyond.