Christopher D. Downer, MD, FACOG, has been named Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) at UCSF Fresno and Vice Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the UCSF School of Medicine. Dr. Downer’s appointment is effective July 1, 2024.
Dr. Downer, Associate Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, joined the UCSF faculty at UCSF Fresno in 2014 after having served four years as an OB-GYN staff physician at the US Army Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. In 2015, he was appointed Director of Obstetrics for the UCSF Fresno Department of OB-GYN. He was appointed Program Director for the UCSF Fresno OB-GYN Residency Program in 2016. Dr. Downer supervises UCSF Fresno OB-GYN, Family and Community Medicine, and Emergency Medicine residents and medical students in the hospital, operating room, labor and delivery and outpatient clinic. He was instrumental in re-establishing a joint Family and Community Medicine and OB-GYN training committee at UCSF Fresno.
Dr. Downer’s areas of expertise include low and high-risk obstetrics including diabetes, preterm labor and hypertensive disease. His other areas of interest include minimally invasive gynecologic surgery encompassing advanced laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as well as evaluation and initial management of infertility.
Dr. Downer is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a member of the Fresno-Madera Medical Society. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Faculty Award in Medical Student Teaching from the UCSF School of Medicine; Outstanding Teaching Award from the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences; Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award; two-time recipient of the Kenneth J. Cooke Award from the UCSF Fresno Department of OB-GYN for exemplary leadership in resident education, skills, depth of knowledge, bedside manner and ability to take command of any situation; Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Army among other distinctions.
Dr. Downer graduated from UC Davis with bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology, both with Honors. He earned his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed residency training in OB-GYN at UCSF Fresno.
Dr. Downer succeeds Amy (Meg) Autry, MD, Clinical Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, who has effectively served as Interim Chief of the UCSF Fresno Department of OB-GYN since April 1, 2022. Dr. Autry has contributed significantly to the Department by strengthening the working relationship with UCSF while increasing both generalist and specialty OB-GYN staffing. In addition, she brought the first fellow to UCSF Fresno focused on providing care in underserved communities and she is bringing a new continuing medical education program to UCSF Fresno “Access to Quality Health Care in OB-GYN.” Dr. Autry’s appointment runs through June 30, 2024.
