A Q&A with the College of Medicine’s new OB-GYN chair
Shireen Madani Sims, M.D., was appointed chair in April
Shireen Madani Sims, M.D.
May 15, 2025 — After serving as interim chair since September, Shireen Madani Sims, M.D. ’01, was appointed chair of the University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in April.
A nationally respected expert in women’s health, Madani completed her undergraduate studies, medical degree and OB-GYN residency training at UF before joining the faculty in 2005. Her accomplishments in the clinical space include piloting a program to screen patients for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer during their annual exams, with the goal of increasing early detection and improving outcomes.
She has held several roles during her time with the College of Medicine, most recently serving as the associate dean for student affairs, where she spearheaded the creation of a career advising program for medical students, an initiative she now leads.
In addition to training the next generation of Gator physicians at UF, Madani sits on several national committees for OB-GYN education, including serving as chair of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics’ Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, where she helps to shape the OB-GYN curriculum for medical schools across the country. She is also a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a role in which she helps identify and develop competency requirements for OB-GYN physicians nationally. In addition, she has authored several test preparation books that are widely used by medical students around the country.
Throughout her career, she has been recognized with multiple accolades as a physician and educator, from the UF Health Customer Service is Key Award to the National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Learn more about Madani, her passion for women’s health and her goals for the future of the department in the Q&A below.
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology?
A: My dad is a retired OB-GYN and practiced in a rural Florida community, and he was my first inspiration. When I arrived at the UF College of Medicine as a medical student, I met tremendous mentors and teachers — such as Drs. Pat Duff, Ken Kellner and Keith Stone — who further inspired me to not only be an OB-GYN but to also be an educator.
Q: Can you share an experience from your career that shaped your leadership style or approach to medicine?
A: My experience with the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the national level has shaped my leadership style and approach to medicine. Working with cherished colleagues from diverse institutions across the country, I’ve learned from exceptional mentors and gained insights into health care policy, practice patterns, education and research. Through this, I’ve developed a leadership approach that prioritizes collaboration, innovation and patient-centered care. I strive to replicate this model in my practice and leadership roles, recognizing the power of collective expertise and empowering others to drive positive change.
Q: What is your vision for the future of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology?
A: I want to further develop a top-tier department where people want to work, learn and grow. We’ll do this by building on our strengths in clinical care, education and research, and by fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity and mutual respect. Ultimately, I hope our department will truly be a destination of choice for trainees, faculty and patients alike — a place where we’re not just delivering high-quality care but also advancing the field of OB-GYN through innovative research and outstanding education programs.
Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for the field?
A: One of the things that is so exciting about OB-GYN is the vast array of opportunities for growth because the challenges facing women’s health are diverse and complex. There is so much opportunity for progress and research. There are exciting advances in precision medicine that hold great promise for improving treatment outcomes for gynecologic malignancies, particularly when combined with our outstanding surgical care.
Maternal health outcomes are influenced by many factors, including social determinants of health, mental health and substance use. By developing and implementing evidence-based guidelines, we can improve access to quality care and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.
We are also working to address the unmet needs of women with endometriosis, fibroids, urinary incontinence and other conditions that affect millions of women every day.
Q: How do you approach supporting faculty, staff and trainees in their clinical, research and educational missions?
A: For me, it’s about creating a department where our team members feel valued, supported and empowered to do their best work. My goal is to provide them with opportunities to excel in their roles and to contribute to our tripartite mission of education, research and clinical care. I always have an open-door policy, and it’s important to do a lot of listening.
Q: Are there any new initiatives or areas of focus you’re especially excited to introduce or expand within the department?
A: We are excited to grow our educational programs by developing more subspecialty fellowship programs and expanding the number of residency positions we can support, which will help to sustain the workforce in our state and beyond. The ability to serve our community has been greatly enhanced by our OB/GYN Mobile Outreach vehicle, which supports patients who face various barriers to accessing care. We are lucky to have several gifted investigators in our department who are making a difference in their work, particularly in the areas of substance use disorders, endometriosis, breastfeeding and placental factors that impact maternal outcomes.
