Drs. Daniel and Kathleen “Katchy” Clarke-Pearson speak with tenderness and humor towards each other, yet remain modest when discussing their noteworthy accomplishments. This engaging pair have always been true partners—supporting one another’s careers in obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, respectively, as they raised four children. Now, they choose to give back and support the careers of UNC’s future leaders.
Dan attended Harvard College, majoring in Biology, and was a two-year football varsity athlete. He spent a year as a research technician at a Boston Veterans Affairs Hospital where he developed his personal research interest in the diagnosis and prevention of venous thromboembolic events (blood clots), which has continued as his research focus for the past four decades.
He entered Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine at a time when ObGyn subspecialty expertise was just being recognized and certified. He saw that there would be many opportunities to develop a career based in academics (education and research).
When Dan graduated in 1975, Katchy, who was teaching elementary school, noted that there were 16 women in his graduating class, many more than in most medical schools. This observation, coupled with the role of medicine in her own family (her father was a doctor in private practice in Queens, New York), would eventually lead the mother of two to apply to medical school herself. After Dan’s graduation, the family moved to North Carolina where Dan began a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Duke University. Katchy taught elementary school at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School, at the same time taking premedical courses at UNC.
Katchy received an acceptance letter from UNC’s School of Medicine three days after delivering Mary, their third child, and on the second birthday of their daughter Emily. It was July 8, and classes began in just six weeks. Katchy’s adept problem solving, a trait she shares with her husband, served her well in medical school as she worked with administrators and faculty to balance her academic and family obligations.
She completed medical school in five years instead of the conventional four-year track. After her education and training, she became an accomplished pediatric physician in rural areas south of Chapel Hill, serving many who relied on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage.
Meanwhile, Dan rose to tenured Professor and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Duke. He developed his research in the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of blood clots in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. Over the past 40 years, the clinical application of his research has saved the lives of countless women and has set the “standard of care” for all ObGyn physicians. Throughout his tenure, he was the fellowship director for Gynecologic Oncology. Dan’s commitment to train and mentor the next generation of gynecologic oncologists produced 16 of 18 fellows who accepted academic positions in university medical centers—a testament to his commitment to academic medicine.
In 2005, Dan joined the faculty at UNC’s School of Medicine as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a position he still holds. Katchy’s legacy at UNC was still memorable in 2005; when Dan came to interview, one faculty member remarked, “Clarke-Pearson, she’s the one who broke the glass ceiling.” No one before her had requested a five-year medical school journey.
“I have known Dan and Katchy for over 10 years, and they truly wear their values on their sleeves. Their mission to advance the health and safety of women and their children has always been front-and-center of not only the work they do, but also in who they are as people. They are both talented clinicians and tireless advocates for their patients. They also want to make sure there is momentum for the creation of new knowledge and the freedom for academicians to search for solutions to our biggest problems. It is incredibly fitting that their legacy at UNC leaves the healthcare landscape for women better than they found it.”
Kim Schneider, MPH, CMPE
Vice Chair for Administration
UNC Department of OB-GYN
Director of Strategic Alignment – Women’s Services UNC Hospitals
Dan and Katchy firmly believe providing and creating opportunities for discovery and research is critical to improve the health of women. To that end, they envision a professorship within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; the vehicle to provide faculty with resources not funded through traditional grants and sponsored research.
In spring of 2017, Drs. Clarke-Pearson were working together on a fundraising project for the physician who delivered their youngest two children. As they were raising funds, it became apparent to both of them that if they wanted to create the professorship they envisioned they should lead the way. They took the unprecedented approach of establishing the professorship themselves with a lead gift of $500,000. Katchy presumed the professorship would hold Dan’s name, as he was the one serving as Chair of the UNC ObGyn department, but that was not his plan. As with everything else in their life, this professorship would be a partnership, holding both of their names.
While they remain humble about their personal achievements, they understand that a premier ObGyn department faces many challenges to fulfill its academic mission. They believe strongly that the UNC Department of ObGyn needs their support to fulfill the academic missions in the years ahead. As Katchy says, “If there is something you really want, you will find a way to support our potential leaders.” The Clarke-Pearson endowed professorship will certainly aid in that endeavor.
To learn more about the inspiring work in women’s health at UNC, or how you can contribute to the Drs. Daniel and Kathleen Distinguished Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology, please contact:
Jodie Gisser, Director of Development – Women’s Health
P 919.843.9898
E jodie_gisser@med.unc.edu