Carolyn Westhoff, MD, MSc named as one of “10 Women Over 50 Who Are Changing the World” by Good Housekeeping
Carolyn Westhoff, MD, MSc, Chief of the Division of Family Planning and Preventative Services at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, was recently named as one of “10 Women Over 50 Who Are Changing the World” by Good Housekeeping, in recognition of her research to optimize oral contraceptives for women.
In addition to her role at Division Chief, Dr. Westhoff is the Sarah Billinghurst Solomon Professor of Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Population and Family Health and Epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Her clinical and research focus is on contraception, the development of new contraceptive technology, and the evaluation of current methods.
Dr. Westhoff has served as principal investigator on numerous research studies and has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2010, the Society of Family Planning recognized her accomplishments honoring her with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
She has also received numerous others awards recognizing her research and clinical work, including the Roy Pitkin Award for Best Article in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2011 and 2008; the American Women’s Medical Association’s Women in Science Award in 2010; the NFPRHA Dr. Allan Rosenfield Award for Access to Quality Family Planning in 2009; and the NAMS/Warner Chilcott Innovations in Perimenopausal Contraception Research Award in 2007.
She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Westhoff received her B.S. and medical degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Westhoff was honored alongside nine other women in diverse fields including philanthropy, reproductive justice, education, advocacy, civil rights, and the arts. The “10 Women…” series is part of a campaign by Good Housekeeping called #theperfectage, highlighting inspiring and motivational stories centered on women who are over 50.