Marta Ann Crispens named chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
A nationally respected gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Crispens has dedicated her career to advancing clinical care, clinical trials and mentorship in women’s cancer.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson welcomes Marta Ann Crispens, MD, MBA, as the new chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, effective February 16.
Dr. Crispens comes to Arizona from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she served as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, a role she had held since 2012. Since joining Vanderbilt in 2002, she helped grow the division from a small, single-site group to a regional program with six faculty physicians, three advanced practice providers and four additional outreach clinic locations. She also served as the inaugural program director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, which welcomed its first fellow in 2023. Prior to Vanderbilt, she was an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Dr. Crispens has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and has led or contributed to numerous clinical trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes for gynecologic malignancies. Her leadership extends broadly across the field: She has served on multiple committees within the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, including work in diversity, inclusion, health equity and national education initiatives. She was elected president of the Felix Rutledge Society in 2015 and currently serves on the advisory board of OvarCome, a national ovarian cancer support and research organization.
Widely recognized for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Crispens was named one of Nashville’s “Top Doctors” every year since 2014 until her move to Arizona. She considers the mentorship of students, residents, fellows and junior faculty among her most meaningful professional accomplishments.
Dr. Crispens completed her medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), followed by residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at UAB. She completed a gynecologic oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and later earned an MBA in healthcare management from Western Governors University.