De Costa, Edwin J., 1906-1995

Edwin J. De Costa, obstetrician and gynecologist, was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 25, 1906. He earned his B.S. degree at the University of Chicago in 1926 and his M.D. from Rush Medical College in 1929. De Costa fulfilled the requirements of his medical internship at Cook County Hospital, 1929-1930. De Costa came to Northwestern as a clinical assistant in 1946, eventually becoming a full professor in 1964. H retired in 1974 and died in 1995.

De Costa's medical residencies include the Cook County Hospital, obstetrics, 1930-1931 and pathology, 1931-1332 and the Michael Reese Hospital, obstetrics and gynecology, 1932-1933. Alter completing his residency De Costa taught at Rush Medical College as an associate in gynecology, 1935-1942. De Costa also served as a Captain in the United States Navy, November, 1940-January, 1946.

In 1946 De Costa came to the Northwestern University Medical School as a clinical assistant in obstetrics and gynecology. He was promoted to instructor (1948), associate (1949), assistant professor (1950), associate professor (1956), and professor (1964), all in obstetrics and gynecology. He became professor emeritus in 1974.

De Costa was active in many gynecological, obstetrical, surgical, and medical societies, serving as president of the Chicago Gynecological Society (1960-1961), as president of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1961), and as president of the Central Travel Club of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1962). De Costa also had research interests in endocrinology.

Dr. De Costa died January 28, 1995.

From the guide to the Edwin J. De Costa (1906-1995) Papers, 1925-1987, 1925-1960s, (Northwestern University Archives)