Anjali Kaimal, MD, MAS, was drawn to medicine because of her strong desire to help people feel cared for and supported during some of the most challenging — and exciting — moments of their lives.
When she enrolled at Harvard Medical School, she initially imagined a future in primary care. But that changed during her OB-GYN rotation, when she delivered her first baby and realized she had found her professional home.
“For many women, their OB-GYN visits are their first significant contact with the health care system. There’s nothing more meaningful than supporting people during such a powerful time in their lives,” Dr. Kaimal said. “I was also excited by how many complex questions there were to explore — from understanding what matters most to each patient, to designing and implementing interventions to improve health and well-being. The ‘right’ answer was never one-size-fits-all, and that blend of art and science continues to inspire me every day.”
Dr.Kaimal with her children.
That passion for patient-centered care, rigorous and innovative research, cultivating the next generation of doctors, and thoughtful leadership has defined Dr. Kaimal’s career and led to her next chapter. This month, Dr. Kaimal became the new chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, lauded Dr. Kaimal as the ideal candidate to maintain and elevate the department’s growth and momentum. As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, former chair and now Distinguished University Professor in OB-GYN, he knows firsthand what is needed to excel in this field.
“Dr. Kaimal brings to this role a rare blend of clinical excellence, a rich academic background, strong leadership skills and deep compassion for patients,” said Dr. Lockwood. “Her commitment to advancing obstetric and gynecological health and driving academic excellence not only aligns completely with our mission but is the reason that our Department of OB-GYN is the No. 6 program in the nation. I have every confidence she is the perfect person to lead this department forward.”
Initially appointed interim chair following the selection of Dr. Judette Louis as dean of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, Dr. Kaimal was unanimously chosen to lead the department on a permanent basis.
Dr. Kaimal was recruited to join USF Health in 2022 as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, professor and vice chair of clinical operations for the Department of OB-GYN, as well as medical director for operations and strategy at the Tampa General Hospital Women’s Institute. In that time, she has played a key role in expanding access to care through new and innovative clinical programs, while also mentoring students, advancing clinical research and helping guide the department’s strategic goals.
As the new chair of one of the nation’s top OB-GYN programs — ranked No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in Florida by U.S. News & World Report — Dr. Kaimal is excited to build upon the department’s rich history and past distinguished leaders.
Founded five decades ago, OB-GYN was the medical school’s first clinical department, with James Ingram, MD, serving as its inaugural chair. Dr. William Spellacy, who became chair of the department in 1988, was one of the principal architects of the first three subspecialties of OB-GYN and one of the field’s first maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Dr. Spellacy was known not only for his educational and research accomplishments but also for his dedication to improving patient care and access. Under his leadership and in the years since, most recently under the leadership of Dr. Louis, the department has pioneered innovations in maternal-fetal care and advanced treatments for complex gynecologic conditions, while building partnerships that improve access to women’s health services throughout Florida. Its graduates and faculty leaders have also gone on to shape OB-GYN care at institutions across the nation.
“I came to USF and TGH to be a part of a department rooted in excellence and energized by innovation,” said Dr. Kaimal. “It’s an honor to now step into this role and help build on that legacy — strengthening our research, growing our clinical impact, and supporting our students and faculty as we serve this incredible community.”
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Dr. Kaimal’s introduction to medicine began early. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and growing up in small-town Louisiana, she followed her father, a pulmonary critical care physician, on hospital rounds. She remembers spinning around on the stools at the nurses’ station and eavesdropping as he worked.
Dr. Kaimal with her father.
“He was an old-school hands-on physician who always had his stethoscope around his neck. Being able to help people as a doctor meant the world to him. And I admired that passion and dedication to his work.”
She was also inspired by her mother, who had worked with underserved populations as a social worker and a teacher. Dr. Kaimal knew that she also wanted to make a strong contribution to her community. As an undergraduate at Rice University, she studied psychology and health policy but ultimately decided on a career in medicine after a summer internship with the Alzheimer’s Association public policy office.
“I realized in D.C. that while health policy was going to be world-changing, being a doctor was an opportunity to work with people to build a deeper understanding of health issues and their solutions while taking care of patients,” Dr. Kaimal said.
One early experience helped solidify her decision to become a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. During a sub-internship, she cared for a mother expecting twins who had developed complications while traveling far from home and away from her family. The patient was admitted for a month, and Dr. Kaimal had the opportunity to care for her daily, forming a deep bond over weeks of conversation.
“When you are a student, you are learning so much so fast — it is exciting but also daunting. It was amazing to have the opportunity to feel like I was the one caring for her,” she said. “It was incredible to deliver her two beautiful babies. I will always be grateful to the fellow I was working with for that experience.”
Dr. Kaimal has built a nationally distinguished career as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, educator and researcher. After earning her medical degree from Harvard Medical School, she completed residency training at the Brigham & Women’s/Massachusetts General Hospital integrated program. She went on to complete a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the University of California San Francisco while also earning a master’s degree in clinical research.
Before coming to USF, Dr. Kaimal served as division chief of MFM at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She also directed the Deborah Kelly Center for Clinical Research in OB-GYN and was the founding obstetrics director of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children’s Multidisciplinary Fetal Care Program.
Alongside her clinical work, her research, which focuses on the optimization of risk-appropriate, patient-centered care in pregnancy, has yielded more than 140 peer-reviewed publications. She has been consistently supported by federal grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
Dr. Kaimal has also earned numerous teaching awards and built an extensive educational portfolio, from lecturing medical students to serving as program director for the MFM fellowship at Massachusetts General. The opportunity to work closely with students and see them grow is among her favorite parts of her job.
“Some of the most rewarding moments are when I’m in a conversation with a colleague, a mentee or student and something clicks — they realize they already had what they needed to answer to the question they’re asking,” she said.
Stepping into her new role as USF Health’s chair of OB-GYN, Dr. Kaimal is excited to build on the department’s longstanding reputation for research, clinical and educational excellence, finding ways to widely communicate the scale of its innovations and achievements.
“This is a department and an institution full of extraordinary people — clinicians, researchers, educators, and learners — all deeply committed to improving lives,” said Dr. Kaimal. “My job is to make sure they have the support, recognition, and resources to thrive. When we invest in our people, our impact multiplies — not just here in Tampa Bay, but across the field of women’s health.”