Professional Bio
Dr. Howard is Associate Chair for Academic Affairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director of the Division of Obstetric/Gynecologic Specialties, and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He earned his bachelors degree at Berea College in 1969, his masters degree at Purdue University in 1972, and his medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1976. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado and served as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Georgia and South Carolina. Dr. Howard was in private practice and on the faculties of the University of South Carolina Medical School and Medical University of South Carolina before moving to Rochester in 1991. He was Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rochester General Hospital, where he established the first center in upstate New York dedicated to the treatment of endometriosis and pelvic pain, prior to becoming a Division Director at Strong Memorial Hospital in May, 2000.
Dr. Howard is an internationally-recognized expert on chronic pelvic pain in women, and is senior editor of the textbook Pelvic Pain: Diagnosis and Management, published by Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. He is the author of numerous scientific papers on pelvic pain, endometriosis, and laparoscopic surgery. In collaborative research with his wife he has also co-authored scientific papers on breastfeeding and neonatal circumcision. His current primary areas of research interest are in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery and chronic pelvic pain in women.
Dr. Howard is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and holds Certification in Advanced Operative Laparoscopy and Advanced Operative Hysteroscopy by the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy. He is Chairman of the board of directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society where he has served as president and vice president. He is on the Advisory Board of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
Dr. Howard has received a number of honors and awards. He was awarded a National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education in 1999 and 2007 by the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency each year from 1995 to 2000. He was awarded the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics APGO Excellence in Teaching Award in 1993. He received the Residents' Teaching Award from the department of Obstetrics ad Gynecology at the University of Rochester in 1992 and 1993. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
Dr. Howard's practice is primarily a referral practice for the care of women with chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis, and for advanced operative laparoscopic surgery.
Current areas of clinical and research interest:
Gynecologic laparoscopic surgery and chronic pelvic pain women.
Patient Care Bio
When it comes to caring for chronic pelvic pain in women, Dr. Howard wrote the book. Literally. An internationally-recognized expert, Dr. Howard is senior editor of a definitive textbook on the subject, Pelvic Pain: Diagnosis and Management, published by Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. Yet in spite of that impressive accomplishment, when asked what he's most proud of in his career he replies that it's the faith his patients place in him.
Dr. Howard chose his specialty 20 years ago when he saw that too many women with pelvic pain were not getting the care, or respect, they deserved. Today, he's the doctor of last resort for many. His philosophy of care can be summed up in two words. Collaboration and persistence. He believes in his patients' own assessment of their symptoms and encourages them to be active in their own care. And, because chronic pain can take time to control, he makes a pact with patients' he tells them that if they "hang in" with him, he'll "hang in" with them.
Dr. Howard is Associate Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director of the Division of Gynecologic Specialties, and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He completed his medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1976 and his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and holds Certification in Advanced Operative Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy by the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy. He is Chairman of the board of directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society and he has served as president and vice president. He is on the Advisory Board of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the Editorial Board of The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
Dr. Howard is the author of numerous scientific papers on pelvic pain, endometriosis, and laparoscopic surgery and has received numerous honors and awards. He also continues to be an active researcher.
| Speaker of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada | Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada | Toronto, Canada |
2006 |
| Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology National Faculty Award | American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
2006 - 2007 |
| Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education. |
1999 |
| Excellence in Teaching Award
Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
1999 |
| Excellence in Teaching Award
Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
1998 |
| Excellence in Teaching Award
Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
1997 |
| Excellence in Teaching Award
Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
1996 |
| Excellence in Teaching Award Rochester General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
1995 |
| Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics APGO Excellence in Teaching Award. |
1993 |
| Residents' Teaching Award
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry |
1992 |
| Residents' Teaching Award
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry |
1992 |
| Outstanding Chief Resident Award
Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. |
1980 |
| Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Vanderbilt University. |
1975 |
| Perley F. Ayer Memorial Award Berea College. |
1968 |
| Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Berea College |
1967 |
| Austin Scholar Berea College |
1967 |
