Ora H. Pescovitz, MD

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. is a nationally recognized pediatric endocrinologist and researcher who has published over 180 papers and books. Dr. Pescovitz earned her medical degree from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she received both the Feinberg School of Medicine and the Northwestern University Distinguished Alumni Awards. Most of her work has been on the physiologic and molecular mechanisms responsible for disorders of growth and puberty, with a focus on the development of novel therapies for these conditions. She has received numerous awards for her research, teaching and leadership.

Dr. Pescovitz had an extensive career serving as executive associate dean for Research Affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine, president and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children and interim vice president for Research Administration at Indiana University.

Dr. Pescovitz has served as president of the Society for Pediatric Research, the nation’s largest pediatric research organization, president of the Lawson Wilkins (North American) Pediatric Endocrine Society, chair of the March of Dimes Grants Review Committee, and as a member of the boards of the Hormone Foundation, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and serves on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Advisory Board for Clinical Research. She served as chair of the United Way of Washtenaw County’s annual fundraising campaign and previously served on the executive committee of the United Way of Central Indiana.

From 2009-2014, she served as the University of Michigan’s first female Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Health System CEO. In this role, she led a system responsible for three hospitals, more than 120 health centers and clinics, and the University of Michigan Medical School. She had oversight of $3.3 billion in revenue and $490 million in research funding, and was responsible for leadership and management. During this time, she was elected to the Institute of Medicine in 2011.

Dr. Pescovitz is currently Senior Vice President and US Medical Leader for Lilly Bio-Medicines. In this role, Dr. Pescovitz brings her cutting-edge insights on healthcare, including evolving physician and institutional practices and the challenges of serving patients in a rapidly changing environment. She is also an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Her late husband, Dr. Mark Pescovitz, was a renowned transplant surgeon at Indiana University. She is a proud mother to three children, two in-law children and two grandchildren.