American Society for Reproductive Medicine

04/09/2021 | Press release | Archived content

Ricardo Azziz to step down as ASRM CEO; longtime COO Vickie Gamble to serve as interim CEO through 2021

Ricardo Azziz to step down as ASRM CEO; longtime COO Vickie Gamble to serve as interim CEO through 2021

Apr 09, 2021
Author: ASRM
Origin: ASRM Bulletin

Hugh Taylor MD, President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, today announced the resignation of CEO Ricardo Azziz MD, MBA, MPH effective June 30, 2021. Vickie Gamble, ASRM's long-term Chief Operating Officer, will serve as interim CEO through the remainder of 2021. 'We want to thank Dr. Azziz for his skillful leadership during what was certainly one of the most challenging times in our 77-year history', said Dr. Taylor. 'When searching for a CEO in 2019, we did not have '…ability to manage during a global pandemic' in the job description, but that is exactly what Dr. Azziz has had to do.' Dr. Azziz, remarked, 'It has been my great honor leading the ASRM, an organization for which I have great respect, during these trying times, all with the goal of making the ASRM a stronger, more sustainable, and more relevant organization.'

During his tenure, Dr. Azziz was able to lead the ASRM to a very successful virtual Scientific Congress & Expo, enhanced communication with members, established a very successful podcast and webinar program, founded the Center for Policy and Leadership, transitioned the ASRM Research Institute to an endowed model, updated Society bylaws, completed the 2020-25 Strategic Plan, purchased a Washington, DC headquarters building, began to transition the ASRM corporate home to Delaware, created limited liability corporations for Society property, facilitated a crucially important COVID-19 Task Force, improved and codified a myriad of organizational processes, and much more. And very importantly, managed finances in a way which allowed ASRM to avoid any reduction in services to members or furloughs of staff. Efforts that have created lasting benefits to the organization, its members, and the broader reproductive medicine community. Moving forward, Dr Azziz intends to focus on his growing consulting business in drug and device development, change management in higher education, and leadership development.

'We are fortunate to have our long-time COO step into the role of interim CEO', said Dr. Taylor. 'Over the last decade, Vickie has done an outstanding job and I have great confidence in her ability to lead our staff over the next few months to ensure ASRM continues to provide the outstanding services to our members for which we are known.'

For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org

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