Christian Pettker, MD
Biography
Research & Publications
News
Locations
Appointments
Biography
In addition to his role as professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, Dr. Pettker is Chief of Obstetrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital and oversees Yale’s comprehensive obstetric patient safety program. The program aims to improve patient care by standardizing treatment methods and encouraging communication and collaboration between physicians and departments.
“A safety and teamwork culture is not something you can just implement, then walk away from and expect to continue,” Dr. Pettker says. “The really hard thing is the daily work you need to do to keep it going.”
After graduating magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1995, Dr. Pettker taught at Eton College in England on an Annenberg Fellowship. He received his MD from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his Ob/Gyn residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Pettker then completed a three-year fellowship at Yale in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and joined the faculty. He was promoted to Professor in 2020.
Dr. Pettker primarily treats high-risk pregnancies. He notes that maternal-fetal medicine is the only branch of medicine where doctors much consider the needs of two patients at one time. “Something I do for a fetus may put the mother at risk, or something I do for the mother may put the fetus at risk,” he explains. “It’s intellectually challenging to balance the two, and it’s emotionally satisfying to help the family through a difficult time.”
Dr. Pettker also works across the Yale New Haven Health system on quality improvement and patient safety as the Chief Patient Safety Officer and Associate Chief Quality Officer.
Dr. Pettker is the recipient of the 2018 Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Excellence in Teaching Award, the 2013 Nathan Kase Faculty Teaching Award with the department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, and the 2011 National Faculty Award sponsored by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (where he serves on the Board of Directors), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
Education & Training
- FellowYale University School of Medicine (2007)
- ResidentNew York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University) (2004)
- MDColumbia University (2000)
- BAPrinceton University, Architecture (1995)
Certifications
- Board CertificationAB of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine (2010, recertified: 2020)
- Board CertificationAB of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology (2008, recertified: 2020)
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Excellence in Health Care Award for Quality Improvement Champion | United Hospital Fund | 2019 |
APGO Excellence in Teaching Award | Yale University Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences | 2018 |
David Nagey Foundation Award for Perinatal Outreach, Education, and Research | ACOG District IV and David Nagey Foundation | 2017 |
Leadership in Safety and Quality Award | Yale Medical Group | 2015 |
Nathan Kase Faculty Teaching Award | Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Yale School of Medicine | 2013 |
CREOG National Faculty Award | American College of Obstetrians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | 2011 |
Jose Asis Memorial Award for Teaching | Yale University Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences | 2005 |
Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award | New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University | 2003 |
Finalist, Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award | New York-Presbyterian Hospital | 2002 |
Gate Pharmaceutical Prize for Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology | Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons | 2000 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics | 2016 - Present |
MCIC Vermont, Inc. | Obstetric Advisory Committee (OBAC) | 2016 - 2018 |
Yale New Haven Health System | Co-Chair, YNHHS Obstetric Leadership Committee | 2015 - Present |
Contemporary Ob/Gyn | Editorial Board, Contemporary Ob/Gyn | 2015 - Present |
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) | Quality and Safety Committee | 2013 - 2020 |
MCIC Vermont, Inc | Loss Prevention and Patient Safety Committee (MCIC Vermont, Inc.) | 2013 - Present |
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | Committee on Obstetrics Practice | 2012 - 2014 |
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | PROLOG: Obstetrics, 7th Edition Task Force (ACOG) | 2010 - 2012 |
Yale-New Haven Hospital | Perioperative Patient Safety and Quality Committee | 2010 - Present |
Yale-New Haven Hospital | OB Patient Safety Committee | 2009 - Present |
MCIC Vermont, Inc. | OB Patient Safety Leadership Committee (MCIC Vermont, Inc.) | 2007 - Present |
Departments & Organizations
- High-Risk Pregnancy Program
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit
- Maternal Special Care Unit
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
- Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Program
- Yale Ventures