EVANSTON, Ill. --- The Alumnae of Northwestern University is celebrating its 50th year of honoring outstanding alumnae, including this year’s Distinguished Alumnae Award recipient, Dr. Sandra Carson, a pioneer in reproductive medicine, endocrinology and infertility. The award, established in 1976, is presented annually to an outstanding alumna who has made significant contributions in her field and who has attained national recognition. Educators, journalists, doctors, scientists, and artists are included among The Alumnae’s roster of awardees – women who lead, inspire and achieve success.  

Dr. Sandra Carson is a trailblazing physician and researcher whose work has advanced the field of reproductive health and endocrinology. She retired last year as Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Section Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Medical School. She is now an Adjunct Professor. Her research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 18 years. Her research development, the Artificial Human Ovary, was named a Top 10 Medical Breakthrough in 2010 by Time magazine, and the Rhode Island 2011 Innovation of the Year. She holds 14 patents for medical innovations. 

“As the 50th recipient of our Alumnae Award, Sandra will join a distinguished group of women bringing honor to the women of Northwestern University, sharing a legacy of women who shape the world,” notes The Alumnae president Carol Willis.  

Prior to her time at Yale, Dr. Carson served as the Vice President of Education for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). She earned her BS and MD from Northwestern University Medical School, served an OB/GYN residency at Chicago’s Prentice Women’s Hospital, and held an REI fellowship at the University of Chicago/Michael Reese Hospital. Formerly she was professor and REI Director at Women and Infants’ Hospital of 1  Rhode Island, Brown University, and Tufts Medical School. As she told the Northwestern Medicine magazine in a 2021 article, “I had a wonderful career in obstetrics and gynecology, and I loved it. I loved the teaching, the patients, and the education.” 

Dr. Carson contributed substantially to reproductive medicine and endocrinology, publishing more than 130 peer-reviewed papers, 60 chapters, and six books. She was associate editor for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, editor-in-chief of Sexuality, Reproduction and Menopause, and Journal Watch, Women’s Health. She was awarded the 2019 Educator of the Year by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and the 2020 Hero of the Year by Worldwide EndoMarch (a foundation supporting endometriosis research). 

Dr. Carson served as VP of the American Board of Gynecology (ABOG) and director of ABOG’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division, as well as an officer in many other related organizations. She chaired the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reproductive Drugs Advisory Committee and was a consultant to both the FDA’s Center for Devices Radiological Health, and the President’s Council on Bioethics. She is an avid community volunteer and is a board member of the Historic Alexandria (VA) Foundation and a member of the Little Theater of Alexandria. 

The Alumnae will be honoring our 50 Distinguished Alumnae Award recipients, including Dr. Sandra Carson, who receive her award on Thursday, September 25, 2025, during a reception at 3:30 pm, at The Hilton Garden Inn, Evanston. She will be introduced by Meghan Monaghan, associate director of major gifts, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM), Dr. Serdar Bulun, John J Sciarra Professor, chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FSM), and Dr. Melvin Gerbie, chief, Division of Gynecological Surgery (FSM). 

PHOTO:  Meghan Monaghan, Dr. Melvin Gerbie, Dr. Sandra Carson, Dr. Serdar Bulun

The Alumnae of Northwestern University is an all-volunteer organization of women that raises funds for a wide range of projects to benefit the University. It shares the University’s academic resources with the community through its Continuing Education program, which is celebrating its 56th year of bringing daytime noncredit courses to the public. The Alumnae has given more than $10.5 million to the University in the form of grants, fellowships, scholarships, and an endowed professorship, and has provided funds for special university projects and summer internships. For more information, visit The Alumnae website (www.nualumnae.org). # # # 

For the complete news release, click on the attachment below.