SMFM Announces Neal Kovach as New Chief Executive Officer
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The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the organization representing more than 6,500 members who care for high-risk pregnant people, is pleased to announce that Neal Kovach, MBA, has been selected as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective June 1. As CEO, Kovach will work closely with the SMFM Board of Directors and staff to advance the field of high-risk pregnancy care by strengthening and expanding educational and clinical guidance for its members, promoting and supporting research in maternal-fetal medicine, and advancing the Society’s advocacy agenda. He will also oversee the Foundation for SMFM, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers opportunities to improve pregnancy outcomes through research and clinical training grants, global health initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians and scientists. |
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"We are excited to introduce Neal as the Society’s new CEO,” said SMFM President Alison G. Cahill, MD, MSCI. “Neal is a thoughtful, mission-driven leader with a strong track record of advancing organizational strategic goals, fostering member engagement, and driving growth. With his depth of experience and successes across corporate affairs, global strategy, and philanthropy, he is well-positioned to lead SMFM and our membership into our next chapter.”
Kovach comes to SMFM from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), where he serves as Global Chief Commercial Officer, leading the ACC’s corporate, global, and innovation strategies. At the advocacy and policy level, he has worked with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academic partners worldwide to focus on cardiovascular disease and broader non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within the NCD Alliance, a leading global civil society network dedicated to improving noncommunicable disease prevention and control. Over his 19-year tenure at ACC, he has served in several key leadership roles, including as Director of International Affairs (2012-2017), as well as serving on the board of several of ACC’s technology partners.
“I am thrilled to join SMFM at this pivotal time in healthcare. SMFM’s strategic vision has never been more critical as we navigate the maternal mortality crisis, unprecedented levels of health misinformation and disinformation, and the intersection between technology and healthcare delivery that has the potential to be transformative for the future of healthcare here in the USA and globally,” said Kovach. "Throughout my career, I have been motivated by the belief that medical societies play a unique role in improving health outcomes when they successfully align three priorities: advancing their clinical mission, building strategic programs that support that mission, and engaging members in meaningful leadership and community.”
Mr. Kovach received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and American Studies from the University of Maryland in College Park, and a Master of Business Administration from Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. A native of Ridgewood, NJ, he lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and three children.
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About SMFM
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 6,500 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. www.smfm.org
Media Contact: Greg Phillips, Director of Communications, press@smfm.org