Obstetrics/Gynecology Residency

NRMP Code: 2117220C1
Program Description

Mission Statement

Our team strives to train, inspire and build the confidence and capabilities of curious, intelligent physicians in a community-based academic hospital institution. We provide a strong education in a collegial atmosphere with the aim to develop Obstetricians and Gynecologists who are skillful, professional and compassionate with uncompromising dedication to every human they serve.

Welcome

As you read ahead, you will discover many outstanding characteristics of our hospital and residency program. When we think of what truly makes us stand out, it is a theme of diversity.

Residents train under a diverse group of attendings; private and faculty, generalists and subspecialists, university-trained and community-trained. These faculty members care for patients from a very broad geographical area, ensuring exposure to a uniquely diverse patient population. Patients come to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital seeking primary obstetric and gynecologic care from our generalists, as well as tertiary care from some of the largest subspecialty divisions in the Chicago area. The graduating resident thus gains a diverse set of skills, enabling management of the most complex clinical situations, which is the goal of any outstanding resident training program.

Best wishes as you enter the most exciting time of your life!
 

Program Description
The purpose of our four-year program in Obstetrics and Gynecology is to provide training in women's health care consistent with requirements of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Lutheran General is a freestanding, regional tertiary care center with a strong local community hospital identity; it is a unique place to train. Residents are exposed to a large, varied patient population to gain superior skills in general obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in all subspecialties. The residency program is fully accredited by the ACGME.

Lutheran General Hospital is a level-one trauma center with a 56-bed level three NICU. We have outstanding departments and educational programs in internal medicine, surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, neonatology and emergency medicine.

The Department of Obstetric & Gynecology serves as a clerkship site for both the University of Illinois at Chicago and Rosalind Franklin University/Chicago Medical School. The Department also offers medical student electives to fourth year students in the areas of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Urogynecology and Gynecology Oncology.

Required Resident Rotations
During their 4 years of training, our residents complete rotations in obstetrics, gynecology, urogynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, ambulatory obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, SICU and ultrasound.

Ambulatory Clinic
Residents receive comprehensive training in primary care for women through experience in the continuity clinic, subspecialty clinics and a strong didactic program. The independent outpatient clinic office is located in the Parkside Office attached to the hospital. The Residency Clinic is a continuity clinic and provides an opportunity to develop our residents’ clinical and interpersonal skills. It is supervised by fourteen generalist faculty members. The faculty has extensive experience in teaching primary care and ambulatory obstetrics and gynecology. Our residents spend 1-2 half day(s) per week in the clinic managing their own panel of patients. The latest technologies are available to support our residents’ education including urodynamics, 3-D/4-D ultrasound and an electronic medical record.

The residents receive training in perioperative and postoperative management of patients with multiple medical problems in these outpatient clinics. In addition, residents also staff a high risk obstetrics clinics located in the perinatal center, also located in the Parkside Center. This clinic provides the residents the opportunity to manage patients with complex medical conditions affecting the mother and fetus. The residents are given increasing responsibility under the supervision of faculty, which is designed to maximize patient safety. By their fourth year, senior residents are capable of managing the normal operations of an outpatient clinic.

Gynecology
Surgical cases are managed by the appropriate level resident, based on the principle of graduated responsibility. In 2019, the department's surgical caseload included 528 vaginal, laparoscopic/robotic, and abdominal hysterectomies performed by nationally recognized faculty in this area. Didactic experience is obtained through daily teaching rounds and monthly morbidity conferences, lectures, and Journal Clubs.

Gynecologic Oncology
Currently, there are three full-time Gynecologic Oncologists working in the Department. Three to four months of PGY 3 are spent as the senior resident on the GYN Oncology rotation. Additionally, residents spend three months on service as a junior resident during PGY 2. Daily teaching rounds and weekly conferences make up the didactic portion of the rotation. Residents are expected to attend a weekly multidisciplinary Gynecologic Oncology conference and an additional weekly multidisciplinary conference dedicated solely to the management of patients with breast cancer. Approximately 500 major oncology cases are seen annually, with those numbers continuing to increase considerably each year.

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI)
A one-month block of time is spent on REI during the residents' second year, under the direction of Fertility Centers of Illinois. In months when a resident is not assigned to this rotation, surgical and hospital based experiences are shared by appropriate level residents on the gynecology service. There is a continuing curriculum of articles and learning modules specific to REI topics and regular lectures are given by members of this division to complement the clinical experience. Additionally, three other REI groups affiliated with our department are active in research and work with residents.

Urogynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery - FPMRS)
There are four full-time faculty members in the division of Urogynecology. Residents rotate on Urogynecology during PGY 2, 3, and 4. Residents are exposed to a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities including urodynamic testing, pelvic floor physical therapy and non-surgical treatment protocols. Regular lectures are given by members of the division as part of the residents' didactic curriculum.

Maternal - Fetal Medicine (MFM)
There are seven full-time perinatologists and the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine offers the full spectrum of high-risk obstetrics services, both within the hospital and at the nearby Parkside Perinatal Center. We are a regional transport/referral center and, as a result, se have a very busy MFM service, caring for a full spectrum of high risk issues. There is also a fetal surgery program and invasive diagnosis and therapies including fetal blood transfusion, fetal shunt placement, in utero surgery for myelomeningocele, and laser placental surgery for twin to twin transfusion are performed at the institution.

High-risk obstetrics patient management
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is designated as a Level III hospital and receives maternal transports from a wide geographical area, representing a diverse patient population. The Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine offers comprehensive care of the mother and child. Consultative and primary care of patients with medical obstetrical problems is provided as well as preconception counseling and pregnancy planning. Residents are also exposed to genetics counseling both in the perinatal center and the independent hospital genetics center. 

During the obstetrical rotations, residents participate in daily teaching rounds on all high-risk patients. Along with clinical activities, the MFM division participates in weekly morbidity and mortality conferences on aspects of perinatal care and monthly lectures.

The hospital delivers approximately 3800-4000 patients (high and low risk) annually.

Antepartum testing for fetal well-being
Nonstress test, biophysical profile, doppler ultrasound of fetal arterial and venous system.

Ultrasound
Comprehensive obstetrical ultrasound and fetal echocardiography is performed in the perinatal center and residents have a formal rotation in OB ultrasound during PGY 1. There is also a formal one month gynecologic ultrasound rotation in which residents participate in PGY 2. 

Electives
Approved electives are taken during third year and fourth year of training. One of the elective months may be performed outside of Lutheran General Hospital with the approval of the program director.

ACLS/BLS/NRP Emergency Response Training
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) training is provided by the hospital. ACLS training is provided at the beginning of the residency; BLS training is provided and required by Lutheran General annually. In addition, the Obstetrics and Gynecology residents receive NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) training during their 1st and 3rd years.

Research
Research is a priority for Advocate and is supported by departmental members, as well as an established research institute within the hospital. Research assistance is provided on site as well as included in residents' didactics and residents participate in a 2-week research introductory rotation at the institute in PGY 1.  A completed research project and a Grand Rounds presentation are prerequisites for graduation from the residency program. An Advocate Health Care system-wide research day provides a forum for residents to present their research.

Residents graduating from the program have successfully matched in fellowships in MIGS, MFM, REI and Global Health.