Prof John J. Sciarra: celebrating the loss of a hero and champion in obstetrics and gynaecology

It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of Prof John J. Sciarra, a visionary leader, compassionate mentor and outstanding figure in the global obstetrics and gynaecology community. 

Prof Sciarra was not only a past president of FIGO (1991–1994), but a driving force that helped shape our mission and expand our reach during a pivotal time in the federation‘s history. He led the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics for over two decades, bringing critical research findings from all parts of the world to the global discussion – especially the voices from resource-poor countries. 

We mourn the loss of a man who believed deeply in equality in women’s health and worked with unrivalled conviction to make it a reality. 

Access to safe, legal abortion is crucial for reproductive rights. Any restrictions also have an immediate negative impact on women’s health, and Prof Sciarra’s country, the USA, is a current example of this. This realisation made him a pioneer and prominent global advocate for abortion rights and family planning. Consequently, he received the Society of Family Planning’s Allen Rosenfield Award for Lifetime Contributions to International Family Planning in 2014. Prof Sciarra’s contribution in this area of sexual and reproductive human rights is even more important today in light of the constitutional amendments in the USA. 

After his medical education, Prof Sciarra was appointed Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Minnesota (U of M) Medical School in 1968, where at the age of 36 he was the youngest chairman of a large department in the medical faculty. In 1975, he moved to Northwestern University Medical School and became Thomas J. Watkins Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at both the Medical School and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. His time at Northwestern was also marked by the consolidation of various clinical institutes, the development of subspecialties and especially gynaecological endoscopy, and the development of the subspecialty of sexual health. He remained in this position for 28 years until he stepped down as chairman in 2003 and remained on the faculty until 2008. Northwestern honoured his contributions by establishing the John J. Sciarra Endowed Professorship. After his retirement, he became Vice President and one of the 50 Fellows of the International Academy of Human Reproduction (IAHR). 

Prof Sciarra’s passion for medical research – he published more than 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals and authored or edited 18 books– was crowned by his editorial achievements as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics from 1985 to 2006. 

He was President of several national organisations in the USA and all his work and commitment culminated in the presidency of FIGO after serving as Scientific Committee Chair from 1991 to 1994, representing medical societies in over 130 countries without having a staff at FIGO HQ as is common today. An affair of the heart and at the same time a logical consequence was his work as Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Carnegie OB/GYN Programme in Ghana, West Africa, where he was able to mentor future African doctors on site and in his US institutions. His contributions have been recognised internationally with numerous honours and awards. Through his editorial work, global mentoring and the founding of the Global Library of Women’s Medicine, Prof Sciarra has supported generations of physicians and scientists on every continent. 

To his family, friends, colleagues at Northwestern University and all those whose lives he touched with wisdom, generosity, grace, and friendship, we extend our heartfelt condolences. Prof Sciarra’s legacy will live on in the countless lives that have been enhanced by his vision. His FIGO family will sorely miss his extraordinary personality, his deep understanding of responsibility and his special humorous personality. We lose a great physician, advocate for women and warm friend. 

Prof Sciarra is survived by his wife Barbara, his three children Vanessa, John and Leonard Sciarra and his nine grandchildren. 

We are grateful for the time we had with him and for the indelible mark he left on FIGO and the world. 

Rest in eternal peace, Jack! 

– FIGO President Prof Kihara Anne-Beatrice, Vice President Dr Edgar Iván Ortiz Lizcano, President-Elect Prof Frank Louwen, Honorary Secretary Dr Ravi Chandran, Honorary Treasurer Dr Shantha Kumari on behalf of the FIGO Board of Trustees and Staff, the past presidents of FIGO and the national delegates of the FIGO Council offer their condolences to Jack’s family.