Sherman Elias, MD

John J. Sciarra Professor Emeritus and Past Chair, Department of Obstetrics,
Division of Clinical Genetics
Feinberg School of Medicine

Faculty Biography

Sherman Elias, MD is a Professor Emeritus in the Division of Clinical Genetics in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Previously, he was Professor and Henry and Emma Meyer Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (1994-98), and the William G. Arends Chair and Phillip and Beverly Goldstick Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1998-2003).

Dr. Elias has served as President of the Society of Gynecologic Investigation, Director of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Secretary of the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis, President of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vice President for Clinical Practice of the American College of Medical Genetics, and President of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation. Dr. Elias has had continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health and other sources since 1987. He has been the recipient of the Basil O’Connor Award and the Jonas Salk Health Leadership Award in Research from the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg National Fellowship Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Kentucky, and named a University of Illinois Scholar. He has authored over 375 articles, reviews and chapters and 6 books. Dr. Elias’ research focuses on prenatal genetic diagnosis, reproductive genetics and medical ethics.

Dr. Elias earned his MD degree from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He began his OB-GYN residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, completing it at the University of Louisville, where he served as chief resident. He served postdoctoral fellowships in genetics at Yale University School of Medicine and at the Feinberg School of Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Genetics.

Dr. Elias continues his research interests in prenatal genetic diagnosis and ethics in medical genetics.