DURHAM, N.C. -- Following national searches, Duke University School of Medicine has named two new department chairs.

Matthew D. Barber, M.D., will become chair of Duke Obstetrics and Gynecology effective May 1, and Moira Rynn, M.D., will chair the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences starting July 1.

Barber is a nationally-recognized educator, researcher and surgeon specializing in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery. He is currently professor of surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and vice chair for research in the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He is also the fellowship program director for female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Barber’s current research focuses on the surgical treatment of gynecologic conditions, particularly urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, and developing and accessing research outcomes in pelvic floor disorders.

Barber earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and a master’s degree in health science in clinical research from Duke University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.

Rynn is an internationally-renowned expert in the treatment of pediatric mood and anxiety disorders. She is currently professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. At the former, she serves as director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division in the Department of Psychiatry and medical director of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. At the latter, she is director of the Children’s Research Day Unit.  

Rynn has spent her career focused on improving treatments for children, adolescents and young adults with treatment refractory mood and anxiety disorders. Her most recent studies have examined novel augmentation treatment strategies for pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and treatment models for adolescent depression in the primary care setting.

Rynn received her medical degree from Rutgers University. She completed her internship and residency in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and served as chief resident. After completing her adult psychiatry training, she completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia followed by an NIMH-sponsored neuropsychopharmacology research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

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