Biography

Dr. Cunningham is a member of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Division in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  He is chairman emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN Chair 1983-2004) and a world-recognized authority on the hematological and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.  He was the chief author/editor of the textbook Williams Obstetrics from the 18th through the 26th editions.

2021 recipient of the Luella Klein Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

The prestigious Luella Klein Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor an obstetrician and gynecologist who has dedicated his/her life in a significant way to women's health.  The award will be presented to Dr. Cunningham at ACOG's 2021 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting.

A graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans (1968), Dr. Cunningham completed his internship at Confederate Memorial Center in Shreveport and his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Louisiana State University Charity Hospital at New Orleans (1968-1973). In 1972 he came to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern to train as a postdoctoral research fellow under Jack A. Pritchard, M.D.  In 1973, he joined the faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and served as an attending physician at Parkland Memorial Hospital before becoming Chief of Obstetrics in 1981.  From 1982 to 2006, he was Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in the subspecialty of maternal-fetal medicine, Dr. Cunningham's clinical responsibilities are in the Parkland Health and Hospital System.  He serves as attending physician in the Parkland obstetrical complications clinics, labor and delivery, and obstetrical operating room where he oversees and mentors medical students, residents, and MFM fellows.

Education

Medical School
Louisiana State University School of Medicine (1968)
Internship
Confederate Memorial Medical Center (1969), Ob/ Gyn
Residency
Louisiana State University - Charity Hospital at New Orleans (1972), Ob/ Gyn
Fellowship
UT Southwestern Medical Center (1973), Maternal-fetal Medicine

Research Interest

  • Medical/surgical disorders in pregnancy
  • Obstetrical emergencies
  • Preeclampsia

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Liver Injury in Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets Syndrome Measured by Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Nelson DB, Khan A, Bailey A, Yokoo T, Pedrosa I, McIntire DD, Cunningham FG Am J Perinatol 2017 Dec
Frequency and Consequences of Ventricular Hypertrophy in Pregnant Women with Treated Chronic Hypertension.
Ambia AM, Morgan JL, Wilson KL, Roberts SW, Wells CE, Mcintire DD, Sanghavi M, Nelson DB, Cunningham FG Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2017 Jun
Impact of Pregnancy on Maternal Cardiac Atria.
Martin RB, Nelson DB, Stewart R, Matulevicius S, McIntire DD, Cunningham FG Am J Perinatol 2017 Jun
Diabetic ketoacidosis complicating pregnancy.
Bryant SN, Herrera CL, Nelson DB, Cunningham FG J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2017 Mar

Books

Featured Books Legend Featured Books

Chesley's Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy, 4th Edition

Taylor RN, Roberts JM, Cunningham FG, Lindheimer MD (Ed.) (2014). New York, Elsevier

Williams Gynecology, 1st Edition

Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, Hoffman BL, Bradshaw KD, Cunningham FG (Ed.) (2008). New York, McGraw Hill

Honors & Awards

  • 1983 - 2005: Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    (0)
  • 1995- present: Beatrice and Miguel Elias Distinguished Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology
    (0)

Professional Associations/Affiliations

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society
  • Society for Gynecologic Investigation
  • Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Texas Medical Association