After a remarkable career dedicated to advancing gynecologic oncology, Dr. Leslie Stewart Massad Jr., Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, retired on April 1, 2026.
Dr. Massad completed his undergraduate studies at Williams College, earning a B.A. in Biology magna cum laude and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to receive his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an internship in Internal Medicine at Albany Medical Center and a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in gynecologic oncology here at WashU Medicine, where he would build the hallmark of his academic career.
Since joining WashU Medicine in 2007, Dr. Massad has served as a Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, bringing with him a deep commitment to education, clinical excellence, and research. His dedication to teaching has been recognized repeatedly, earning him the Clinical Teacher of the Year Award on six occasions, as well as the prestigious ACOG/CREOG National Faculty Award in 2011. As Co-director of the OB/Gyn Advanced Clinical Rotation and Assistant Program Director for the Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology since 2018, he has played an integral role in shaping the curriculum and training the next generation of specialists in the field.
Dr. Massad’s contributions extend well beyond the classroom. As chair of the Gynecology Quality Improvement Committee, he developed protocols that significantly improved patient outcomes across the department. He has served on numerous committees at WashU Medicine, including the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Committee and the Phase 2 Curriculum Renewal Committee, contributing his expertise to the ongoing evolution of medical education and institutional practice. He is best known for his contribution to cervical cancer prevention. His prolific record of publications and his editorial responsibilities with prominent journals in the field further underscore his influence and leadership in gynecologic oncology.
We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Massad on this well-deserved milestone. He will remain involved in the department as Professor Emeritus and as a Lifetime Member of the Nelson Alumni Society. We are deeply grateful for his many contributions to our patients, our trainees, and our department, and we wish him all the best in the years ahead.