The Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine focuses on the care of the high-risk mother and fetus. The section is also responsible for all antepartum admissions to their high-risk service as well as medical, surgical and other obstetrical complications of pregnancies.

Howard T. Strassner, Jr., MD received his undergraduate and MD degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. His postdoctoral clinical training includes a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, the Sloan Hospital for Women in New York, and a two-year fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the Women’s Hospital, the University of Southern California/Los Angeles County Medical Center. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in maternal-fetal medicine. He is the John M. Simpson Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also director of the Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and co-director of the Rush Perinatal Center and the Rush Regional Perinatal Network. His clinical and research interests include premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, cervical ripening, medical disorders in pregnancy and preconception counseling.

Dr. Strassner has received two gubernatorial appointments to statewide bodies: the Infant Mortality Reduction Advisory Board and the Governor’s Task Force on AIDS in Healthcare. In 2001, Chicago magazine featured Dr. Strassner as one of Chicago’s top doctors.

Michael Hussey, MD, is an attending physician and assistant professor in the Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He is also director of the obstetrics and gynecology medical student education program at Rush Medical College. Dr. Hussey is board certified in maternal-fetal medicine.

He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. In 1993, Dr. Hussey completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Rush. He also completed a year of research in obstetrical ultrasound at the University of Colorado in Denver. During that year, his focus was the study of fetal abnormalities, including central nervous system abnormalities.

His current clinical interests include central nervous system abnormalities, Level II targeted ultrasound and fetal growth abnormalities. Additional research interests include use of ultrasound in diagnosing fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Dr. Hussey is active in many professional organizations, including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis.

Xavier Pombar, DO, completed his training at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, in 1991. He served as a clinical director for obstetrics and gynecology at Union and Saint Barnabas Hospitals in the Bronx. During this time he was also the educational coordinator for obstetric medical students at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 1994, Dr. Pombar completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal Medicine at Rush. Dr. Pombar has also completed a year of research in obstetrical ultrasound at the University of Colorado in Denver. His current clinical interests include diabetes in pregnancy, Level II targeted ultrasound and prenatal diagnosis. Additional research interests include premature rupture of membranes and the use of ultrasound during the first trimester and in labor. Dr. Pombar is active in many professional organizations and is currently on the Board of Ethics for the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine.

Jacques Abramowicz, MD, received his medical degree from Sakler, Tel Aviv University, in Israel. He completed his residency at Sapir Medical Center in Israel. He completed a fellowship in ultrasound at King's College Hospital in London and a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va.