Dr. Marvin Grody, 93, gynecologist and surgeon

Dr. Marvin H. Terry Grody, 93, of Philadelphia, a renowned gynecologist and surgeon, died Tuesday, July 7, at his home after a long illness. He had suffered an aortic aneurysm a decade ago.

Dr. Grody attained worldwide recognition as an innovator and educator in the evolving areas of pelvic reconstructive and urogynecological surgery.

Born in Hartford, Conn., Dr. Grody earned a bachelor's degree in 1943 and a medical degree in 1946, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

He began his career in private practice as an obstetrician and gynecologist in Hartford. In 1986, he embarked on a second career as a medical school professor at Columbia University.

In 1989, he made Philadelphia his permanent home, first serving as a professor at the Temple University School of Medicine and then at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. He retired in December 2006.

During his years in private practice, Dr. Grody delivered 5,500 babies. During his combined years in practice and academia, he performed and participated in 6,000 major operations with concentration on pelvic reconstructive and gynecologic procedures.

Dr. Grody was a pioneer in the production of videos that were used in medical schools to teach advanced gynecological surgery procedures to medical students and physicians.

His impact was felt here and abroad: He appeared more than 100 times as a visiting guest speaker in Grand Rounds programs, and at other times as guest speaker, guest surgeon, and visiting faculty in the United States and around the world. He directed nearly 20 national surgical conferences.

In 2000, he discussed pelvic organ prolapse with interviewer Katie Couric on NBC's Today show.

Dr. Grody was especially proud to be recognized by medical students as Best Clinical Teacher at the Temple School of Medicine in 1997, his family said.

He was recognized as Distinguished Surgeon of 2001 by the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons and as the Distinguished Vaginal Surgeon of 1998 by the Society of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeons.

He published dozens of scientific articles and two books, Benign Postreproductive Gynecologic Surgery and Rx for Happiness: An OB/GYN's Story, a sometimes zany look at life from a doctor's point of view.

In personal life, he was an attentive, caring father.

"He was a terrific dad," said son Miles Grody. "He spent a lot of time with us. In raising my own kids, I often think: 'What would my dad do?' "

Besides his son, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Susan Brownstein Grody; another son, Jeffrey; a daughter, Erica Grody Levens; seven grandchildren; and a brother. A sister died earlier.

Funeral services were Thursday, July 9, in Avon, Conn.

Contributions may be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.

610-313-8102