Dr. Edmond Confino, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, was a leading authority on infertility.
Confino “was known for his dogged determination for his patients to succeed … and for his warmth, humor and sharp wit, all of which understandably came in handy when dealing with anxious patients and couples,” said Dr. Ralph Kazer, who led Northwestern’s infertility unit from 1993 until 2013.
Confino, 71, died of complications from Parkinson’s disease on May 25 while in hospice care in Naples, Florida, said his wife of 32 years, Maryann Hayes. He had been a resident of Lincoln Park and had a second home in Naples.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Confino was the son of two physicians who at the time were the only doctors in the Sinai Desert. He moved with his family to Eilat, Israel, in 1952, and later to Tel Aviv.
Confino earned a medical degree from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine in 1977. While in medical school, he served as a medic for five years in the Israeli military. He then completed his residency training in 1983.
Confino moved to Chicago to take a one-year job as an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in the West Side North Lawndale neighborhood. He began training for a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility from Rush Medical College. After completing that fellowship in 1993, while still working full time at Mt. Sinai, Confino joined the faculty of Northwestern, where he was part of the medical center’s infertility practice.
Confino quickly became recognized as an authority on repairing blocked fallopian tubes, Kazer said.
“He was exceptionally well trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of infertility patients. And he provided almost limitless personal attention to his patients,” Kazer said.
Elena Kamel, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, lauded Confino’s creativity and willingness to try new treatment methods.
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“He inspired us to look at all the dimensions of a problem and think outside the box,” Kamel said. “He never gave up and always felt that if we asked enough questions and worked as a team, all situations could be solved. His mind worked mysteriously putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to present different solutions.”
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Kamel also said that beyond the science of his work, Confino “was a true humanist” who built strong friendships and human connections.
“He taught all of us to face challenging situations with thoughtfulness and grace,” she said. “One of the nicest qualities about Eddie beyond his academic and surgical skills was his exquisite memory and attention to details about his patients on a personal and human level.”
After retiring from Northwestern in 2018, Confino enjoyed taking science classes at Northwestern’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, his wife said.
In addition to his wife, Confino is survived by two sons, Rafael and Cary; and a brother, Alex.
Services were held.
Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
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