Director, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine

  Here's what Dr. Norton's nominator had to say about her:  "Mary Norton is not only an exceptional physician who has been helping many families at the Fetal Treatment Center, but she is also a very dedicated and caring mentor for us all who is working with her. She is a great role model for how to be very successful, but at the same time remain engaged and down to earth with her team, and to support each and every one of them in their own professional development. I think these are qualities that outstanding women leaders demonstrate, and that Mary definitely deserves the spotlight."

  - Dr. Nuriye Sahin-Hodoglugil, Program Manager, Institute for Human Genetics, School of Medicine

  Tell us about your UCSF journey:  I came to UCSF as a clinical fellow, to pursue training in a combined program in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Clinical Genetics. After my training, my husband and I moved to Boston with our one year old son to be closer to family. However, we missed the west coast and I realized that prenatal genetics was uniquely strong at UCSF, which was really a birthplace of the field.

 I have tried a few other opportunities along the way, but the amazing faculty and opportunities here have drawn me back. UCSF has been unique in allowing me to pursue collaborative research efforts in reproductive genetics, to train the next generation of MFM geneticists, and to provide the best of care to patients with complex concerns who benefit from our unique multidisciplinary environment.

At the present time, I am Director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, and have loved recruiting, supporting, encouraging, and training our outstanding trainees and faculty. My research passion involves applying developments in genetics and genomics to clinical care, and at UCSF we are able to offer our patients the very best of both maternal and fetal care.  Together with Dr. Tippi MacKenzie, I have recently established a Center for Maternal Fetal Precision Medicine, in which we are perfecting and applying fetal diagnostics and developing in utero therapies to improve outcomes for the complex pregnancies and families who seek our care.

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career or to a woman entering your field today?

Be flexible and be kind to yourself. Figure out what you most enjoy at work and be sure you have time to pursue your passions. Prioritize finding a job in which you love your co-workers. When you walk through the door each day, you want to be happy to see your colleagues.

What’s your ideal weather?

The first fall rain after a long dry summer.​

What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently?​

The Great British Baking Show –  perfect antidote for a pandemic!​

If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go​?

Fire Island in the summer.

Meet other outstanding women of UCSF Health through Our Spotlight.