Michael T. Mennuti, an emeritus professor of human genetics and of pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine and the former chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, died on April 7. He was 82.

Dr. Mennuti received a BS from Georgetown University in 1964, then received his MD cum laude four years later, also from Georgetown. He was one of the first maternal-fetal medicine specialists to be board certified in clinical genetics after completing his residency and fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the department of human genetics. He joined Penn’s faculty in 1969 as an assistant instructor. In 1975, he became an assistant professor; he was then promoted to an associate professor in 1981 and to a full professor in 1987. From 1987 to 2002, he also chaired the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and he also served a long tenure as director of Penn Medicine’s genetics program and cytogenetic laboratory. Dr. Mennuti was an active member of Penn’s faculty, chairing Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania (CPUP)’s Executive Committee and Finance Committee.

As department chair of obstetrics and gynecology at HUP, Dr. Mennuti served as the principal investigator of the Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Program and inspired and supported many young physicians to pursue a career as independent physician investigators in academic medicine. To honor Dr. Mennuti and his nearly 50-year career as a clinician, educator, and leader, the department established the Michael T. Mennuti Associate Professorship in 2019.

Dr. Mennuti’s research and clinical interests included serum screening for Down syndrome, screening for cystic fibrosis, and prevention of folic acid-dependent neural tube defects. In addition to his faculty roles at Penn, he served on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Genetics Advisory Council and the Newborn Screening Technical Advisory Committee. At the national level, he served as vice president of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and as president of the Association of American Obstetricians and Gynecology Foundation. He was also involved with the American College of Medical Genetics, Association of Professors and Obstetricians and the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia.

Dr. Mennuti is survived by his wife, Nancy Mennuti; his children, Jonathan and Cara Mennuti Curley; and three grandchildren. Donations in Dr. Mennuti’s memory can be made to the Michael T. Mennuti, MD Associate Professorship in Reproductive Health at Penn Medicine. Donation checks can be made out to “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” and sent to: Penn Medicine Development, c/o Kelly McBride, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.