David Mutch, MD, WashU Medicine professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, has completed his term as president of the Society of Pelvic Surgeons.
The organization convenes surgeons from across the globe and three specialties — gynecology, urology and colorectal surgery — to improve research, diagnosis and patient care.
Mutch completed the one-year term at the Society’s 2026 Annual Meeting, held earlier in October in Banff, Alberta. His presidential address there was titled, “Evolution of Teaching Surgery and the Dilemmas We Face Today.”
“I am thrilled to be a part of this prestigious society and to foster collaboration among my international colleagues,” Mutch said. “By convening specialists in gynecology, urology and colorectal surgery, we are better able to advance patient outcomes worldwide across a variety of cancers.”
Pelvic surgery is inherently multidisciplinary, encompassing gynecology, urology and colorectal surgery. Each field touts ongoing surgical and scientific advances, underscoring the importance of cross-disciplinary education and dialogue.
The Society’s annual meeting convenes experts across gynecology, urology and colorectal surgery to share emerging research, refine surgical techniques and explore new diagnostic and treatment approaches to improve patient care.
Mutch’s service as president reflects his longstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the field.
At WashU Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, he leads one of three prestigious Specialized Programs of Research Excellence, or SPORE. As head of the SPORE in Endometrial Cancer, Mutch oversees three areas of research designed to accelerate scientific discovery and translate new insights into more precise approaches to treating endometrial cancer. Learn about the work here.
Since joining the WashU Medicine faculty in 1987, he has held numerous executive roles, including director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and vice chair of gynecology. He has trained more than 50 fellows, many of whom now lead academic programs across the country.
In 2023, WashU Medicine established the David and Lynn Mutch Distinguished Chair in his honor — an enduring testament to his sustaining impact, made possible by a grateful patient’s generous gift.