PITTSBURGH (March 31, 2023) – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced the appointment of Devon M. Ramaeker, MD, to Division Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) within AHN Women’s Institute.
As Division Chief, Dr. Ramaeker will direct all MFM services across AHN, leading day-to-day operations and facilitating clinical research efforts that bring innovative, state-of-the-art care to high-risk obstetric patients. She will also continue to see patients as a practicing physician with Allegheny Perinatal Associates out of AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, AHN Jefferson and West Penn hospitals.
Dr. Ramaeker joined AHN in 2022, having previously served as the medical director of MFM at St. Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, Missouri.
MFM physicians have advanced training in diagnosing and treating complex pregnancies that involve chronic health or genetic conditions, fetal abnormalities and/or any unforeseen complication to the patient or fetus. Chronic health conditions that can increase a patient’s risk profile when pregnant include diabetes, obesity, kidney disease or cardiovascular disease, among others.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ramaeker has advanced an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to managing the complex health needs of this patient population. In close collaboration with the AHN Cardiovascular Institute, she recently helped to establish the AHN Cardio-Obstetrics clinic to care for patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or in the postpartum period.
“AHN maintains a strong reputation for providing exceptional care to high-risk obstetric patients and their babies, and Dr. Ramaeker brings a remarkable wealth of experience managing extremely complex cases in pregnancy,” said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, Chair of AHN Women’s Institute. “We couldn’t be more confident in her ability to lead this division with continued success, thanks to her unwavering commitment to innovative therapies, her advocacy for the highest quality of holistic care, and her passion for advancing research.”
The high-risk specialists within the MFM division offer patients the most advanced technologies, genetics counseling, emotional support and specialized newborn care. Advanced ultrasounds, placenta and amniotic fluid testing, genetic testing and fetal echocardiogram are available at AHN, allowing MFM physicians to provide a timely, accurate diagnosis and work closely with patients to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
As needed, special newborn care is available across all labor and delivery programs at AHN. AHN West Penn in Pittsburgh and Saint Vincent in Erie have Level 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for specialized critical care, and AHN Forbes, AHN Wexford and AHN Jefferson hospitals have Level 2 NICUs for infants with medical needs who are not critically ill.
Dr. Ramaeker earned her medical degree from Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota and completed her residency and fellowship in MFM at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. She has extensive clinical experience in gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease among obstetrics patients. She is an assistant professor at Drexel University, and an active member of professional organizations including the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
She succeeds Ron Thomas, MD, former Division Chief of MFM. Dr. Thomas recently retired after dedicating more than three decades in the service of his patients and their families.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Dr. Thomas, and on behalf of the entire Institute, we would like to extend our utmost gratitude for his service to AHN West Penn and the thousands of patients he cared for during his tenure,” said Dr. Ramaeker. “Our high-risk obstetrics program wouldn’t be where it is without his tireless dedication to patient care and advocacy of empowerment through education, and we’re committed to upholding his legacy within our program.”
For more information on AHN Women’s Institute, visit ahn.org.