Dr. David Mutch Honored with 2022 President's Achievement Award

David G. Mutch, MD, the Ira C. and Judith Gall Professor and the vice chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine, has received the 2022 President's Achievement Award from The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Each year, the Foundation presents the President's Achievement Award to an accomplished physician, researcher or faculty partner who upholds the Barnes-Jewish Hospital mission, advances medical knowledge, continuously improves the delivery of world-class patient care, and educates the next generation of clinicians.

Dr. Mutch's career is deeply rooted at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish. He graduated from the university in 1980 and completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency at Barnes-Jewish. After his fellowship training in gynecological oncology at Duke University Medical Center, he joined the faculty at Washington University in 1987. (Photographed: Dr. John Lynch, Dr. David G. Mutch, and Dr. Katie Henderson)

Over Dr. Mutch's 35-year span at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish, he has become a nationally renowned clinical expert in the field of gynecologic oncology and has played a vital role in establishing clinical practice guidelines used across the country.

From 1991-2015, Dr. Mutch served as director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Within his first 10 years at Washington University, Dr. Mutch was honored with two Teacher of the Year Awards within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and became a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which he continues.

Research has been an integral part of Dr. Mutch's career. He has received multiple research grants from the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health as well as project awards from the Foundation. He also has served as principal investigator of an endometrial cancer SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) at Washington University. The prestigious SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fosters collaboration that speeds research.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Mutch plays an instrumental role in ensuring highly skilled young investigators are well trained and prepared to lead cancer research projects.

Dr. Mutch is currently chair emeritus of the NCI Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, and he chairs the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Foundation for Women's Cancer, among many other leadership positions and scientific appointments he has held. In addition, he has published more than 430 papers on gynecologic malignancies and is an editorial board member and reviewer for multiple medical journals.

His commitment to women's health has earned him numerous awards over his career, including the Washington University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2016 Teal Spirit Award for his years of dedicated service and leadership as medical advisor for the St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness.

"His patients not only benefit from his sharp clinical acumen and his excellent surgical skills, but they also reap the rewards of his pioneering efforts to bring humanism and survivorship to women's cancer," says Lindsay Kuroki, MD, MSCI, assistant professor and associate fellowship director in gynecologic oncology at Washington University. Dr. Mutch was her mentor when she was a fellow. 

Dr. Mutch has mentored hundreds of residents, fellows and junior faculty throughout his career. Of the more than 50 fellows he has mentored, nearly half have gone on to assume leadership roles in various academic gynecologic oncology programs throughout the country.

Dr. Kuroki (photographed with Dr. Mutch) credits his mentorship for the 100% board pass rate of the fellows in the obstetrics and gynecology program at Washington University. "Even amidst the peak of the pandemic, his leadership was unwavering and our division emerged stronger and more cohesive because of his guidance and stability," she says.

"Dr. Mutch has pioneered the field of gynecologic oncology and put St. Louis on the map. His contributions to women's health are unparalleled."

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About The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Gifts to The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital support Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, BJC Home Care and Hospice, Evelyn’s House, and Washington University School of Medicine.

Donors make possible lifesaving research, essential patient services, nursing scholarships, nursing and medical education, assistance for patients in financial need, community outreach programs, and so much more.