Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency
About the Program
Our supportive, collaborative residency program provides training in both routine and complex patient care, the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment and prevention and opportunities for innovative, impactful research. We specialize in preparing residents to be competent OB/GYN providers who are ready for independent practice from the moment they graduate.
With unparalleled access to OB/GYN specialists and subspecialists, advanced equipment and facilities and a diverse patient population, residents learn and participate in care related to:
- Benign gynecology
- Diagnostic ultrasonography
- Family planning
- Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery
- General obstetrics
- Genetic counseling
- Gynecologic oncology
- Maternal fetal medicine/high-risk obstetrics
- Outpatient surgery
- Pediatric and adolescent gynecology
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
- Substance use disorders
- Veteran care
Our Mission
To train skillful, compassionate and adaptable OB/GYNs who provide culturally competent and evidence-based medical and surgical care to meet the needs of our diverse patient population in a variety of clinical settings.
Message from our Program Director
![[VCUSOM MftD] - Message from our Program Director](/media/obgyn/faculty/Karjane_whiteCoat.jpg)
COVID-19 Impacts
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a very real impact on how we practice medicine, but our faculty and staff are dedicated maintaining the integrity of the residency program. Our case volume has remained consistent and residents continue to learn in the operation rooms, labor and delivery and clinic settings, along with gaining additional experience in managing patients via telehealth.
We continue to follow the suggestions of VCU Health’s COVID response team and we take wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) seriously. Our didactic sessions have transferred to Zoom, and they remain interactive learning opportunities during protected time for residents to learn.
Curriculum
The Department of OB/GYN’s four-year program provides comprehensive training that starts with a broad base of medical experience during the intern year and expands into highly specialized areas of obstetrics and gynecology. Residents take on graduated levels of responsibility throughout the four years, with a team approach to supervision at all times.
Our philosophy is that graduate education entirely focused on issues of OB/GYN does not adequately train a physician for comprehensive practice. In addition to a basic foundation of experience in OB/GYN, residents receive additional training in internal medicine, including rotations in the emergency room and general medicine consults.
- Labor and delivery days: 2 months
- Labor and delivery nights: 2 months
- Gynecology: 2 months
- Ambulatory OB/GYN clinics: 2 months
- Gynecology oncology: 2 months
- Family planning: 1 month
- Emergency medicine: 2 weeks
- Internal medicine consults: 2 weeks
With increased responsibility in labor and delivery, the operating rooms and services, second years hone their skills and increase their knowledge in obstetrics. PGY-2 residents serve as the primary managers of patients in labor and delivery, and they gain experience in gynecologic ultrasounds, infertility and endocrinology.
- Labor and delivery days: 2 months
- Labor and delivery nights: 2 months
- Gynecology: 2 months
- Reproductive endocrinology and infertility: 2 months
- Acute care OB/GYN: 2 months
- Family planning: 1 month
- Gynecologic oncology: 1 month
With enhanced opportunity for decision-making, third-year residents act as inpatient hospital consultants for other services with faculty backup. They also serve as the chief on the antepartum service and act in a consulting role in the ERs and outpatient clinics.
During the second half of the PGY-3 academic year, residents have the opportunity to pursue an elective rotation, either at VCU or another institution.
- Labor and delivery days and antepartum service: 2 months
- Labor and delivery nights: 2 months
- Gynecology: 2 months
- Gynecologic oncology: 2 months
- Urogynecology and general gynecologic surgery: 2 months
- Ambulatory OB/GYN clinics: 1 month
- Elective: 1 month
Fourth-year residents have the opportunity to sharpen their management, leadership and decision-making skills developed in previous years. They act as consultants to junior residents in all matters of patient evaluation and management and for difficult problems when dealing with patients in other departments. Working side-by-side with faculty members, they act in a supervisory and educational manner in the operating rooms and on all inpatient services.
- Labor and delivery days: 2 months
- Labor and delivery nights: 2 months
- Gynecology: 2 months
- Gynecologic oncology (including community gynecologic oncology): 4 months
- Ambulatory OB/GYN clinics: 2 months
We understand that each resident’s needs and goals are different, and thus go out of our way to support individuals on their unique trajectory. Our approach to comprehensive, well-rounded residency training includes the following:
At VCU we believe that you learn by teaching others. We have a protected, dedicated two hours of lecture time every Thursday morning. Each resident is assigned topics well in advance and shares the time with a faculty member.
Scheduled simulation to enhance technical skills occurs every Thursday with a dedicated faculty member. We tailor each session to the specific PGY level and they include objectives, recommended reading, quizzes and checklists.
We encourage residents to develop and implement their own research efforts. First-year residents are paired with a research mentor and a selected principle investigator, with multiple sessions and guidelines for completing and publishing research before graduation.
Residents hold mock oral boards with faculty, designed to give a realistic experience that helps to ease the stress of the real day. We also provide board preparation with the presentation of M&M and daily L&D sign-out
Salary and Benefits
The VCU School of Medicine is proud to offer competitive salaries for housestaff, with cost-of-living adjustments each year.
- PGY-1: $59,920
- PGY-2: $61,591
- PGY-3: $63,808
- PGY-4: $66,298
Benefits for residents include the following:
- Three weeks paid vacation, with an additional time off at either Christmas or the new year
- Medical and dental insurance
- Confidential stress and counseling resources
- Cost-shared meals when working, fully paid meals on call
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Department of OB/GYN reaffirms the core values of human dignity and of mutual, unconditional respect, and we acknowledge our responsibility to condemn racism and all forms of discrimination.
Electives and Training Opportunities
- Global Acute Care and System Strengthening (ACCESS) Program: The School of Medicine developed a four-year longitudinal program for students and residents interested in providing acute care for patients in low-resource settings.
- Racial Literacy for Health Care Providers: In 2020, the VCU School of Medicine invited Brenda Pereda, M.D., an OB/GYN at the University of New Mexico Hospital, to hold mandatory training sessions with faculty and residents to improve cultural awareness. We consider this a required part of becoming a competent physician and will continue to offer similar trainings in the future.
We prioritize the care and support of underserved patients across myriad subspecialties, with focuses on the following areas:
- Group prenatal care
- Substance use disorders in pregnancy
- Female veterans
- Community volunteer work
- Care for incarcerated women
- Encouraging diversity in our workforce
Read more about the School of Medicine’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
How to Apply
The VCU Department of OB/GYN participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), and prospective residents can apply using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
All applicants must be within four years of graduation from medical school or direct patient care activity, either as an independent practitioner or as a trainee.
Requirements
- Completed ERAS application submitted to the VCU School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology no later than Dec. 19, 2020
- Official medical school transcripts and letter from the dean of your institution
- Letter of recommendation from the chair of your institution’s OB/GYN department
- At least three letters of recommendation from faculty who have worked closely with you in medical school (can include the chair’s letter)
International applicants must also provide documentation of at least three months direct patient care activity in the U.S. or Canada within the last four years.
Interviews
We conduct resident interviews from November to early January. In adherence to travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19, the Department of OB/GYN will conduct all interviews virtually. Because the number of interviews will be limited, we encourage you to complete the application process as early as possible.
Resident Activities
Resident Activities
