Rotation Calendar
The overall mission of the residency program in obstetrics and gynecology is to create the appropriate environment in which residents can acquire a comprehensive knowledge of obstetrics and gynecology to prepare for general practice, a subspecialty, or a career in academic medicine. The four-year program is designed to fulfill the requirements of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was fully approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in November 2009.
During the first year or postgraduate year one (PGY-1) residents receive a broad introduction to the field of obstetrics and gynecology, intensive care, and ambulatory medicine. The second and third years postgraduate years (PGY-2 and PGY-3) are designed to provide increasing responsibility in general obstetrics and gynecology as well as the subspecialties. The fourth postgraduate year (PGY-4) is spent as a chief resident, assuming primary responsibility under faculty supervision.
An atmosphere of teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect is fostered so that a successful educational experience may be obtained. Residents are encouraged to participate at all levels of clinical care and research and also contribute meaningfully to administrative affairs that affect the residency program. Fellowship training opportunities exist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Family Planning and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.
Our clinical rotations span two different but complementary hospitals – residents spend two-thirds of their time at Prentice Women’s Hospital, a state-of-the-art dedicated women’s hospital that is part of Northwestern Medicine, and one-third of their time at John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County, the primary safety net hospital for the city of Chicago. Across these two sites, our residents are exposed to the breadth of subspecialties in our field, but also have the opportunity to care for the incredibly diverse patient population of the women of Chicago, including the most underserved.
Our residency is committed to providing our residents with not only a comprehensive clinical training, but also preparation for their future career paths. We have incorporated blocks that have career development components into each of the PGY2-4 years. Specifically, the FLEX block occurs in the 3rd year. It is a 4-5 week block where residents have the opportunity to further clinical or research interests. Time can be spent working on research projects, on away rotations (i.e. MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering), participating in international clinical experiences, or spending time exploring other areas of interest.
In the PGY4 year, we have our COFFYE (Career Oriented Flexible Fourth Year Elective) block, which is mirrored by the “Cappuccino” block in PGY2. These are 4-5 week blocks where residents can design their own schedule based on their clinical interests. Several requirements during the block include spending time with in pediatric adolescent gyn, the breast center, and in vulvar clinic. Additionally, residents have the opportunity to participate in ILPQC (Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative) meetings. The other time is spent doing clinical activities of the residents choosing. Some things residents have done in the past include spending time with the gender pathways program, colposcopy clinic, MFM/OB ultrasound, OB anesthesia, NICU, and lactation, just to name a few. This allows our residents to tailor a portion of their training to their interests and get exposure to various subspecialty fields and career paths.