Curriculum

The PGY-1 experience is primarily an OB hospitalist experience, committed to developing expertise in all aspects of inpatient obstetrics. Residents learn the management of normal and abnormal labor, inpatient antepartum and postpartum care, OB triage, management of obstetric emergencies, performance of spontaneous and operative deliveries, and performance of Cesarean sections.

The two-month PGY-1 ambulatory OB/GYN experience is focused primarily on outpatient prenatal care, well-woman care, contraception, gynecology referral evaluation and management, and outpatient procedures under the direct supervision of the clinic faculty attending staff. The primary site for this rotation is the on-campus UT OB/GYN clinic.

PGY-1 residents serve as primary surgeon on a variety of major and minor cases with full time and select private faculty to gain surgical experience as is appropriate for her/his skill level. Minimally invasive and robotic techniques are introduced.

During this one-month rotation residents gain experience in caring for high risk OB patients in the outpatient setting including genetic counseling, OB ultrasound, and fetal testing. Residents will develop the skills to confidently perform level II transabdominal ultrasound on obstetric patients, including biometry and biophysical profiles under the tutelage of subspecialty Maternal Fetal Medicine.

PGY-1 residents spend one month evaluating and treating general medical and surgical patients in the Emergency Department under the supervision of the ED attending staff.

In accordance with ACGME requirements, each resident will staff her/his own continuity clinic one half-day each week. Attendance at the clinic will take priority over all other academic and clinical duties except protected conference time. PGY-1 residents will establish a panel of patients for whom she/he will provide continuous care extending over the subsequent four years. It is expected that the panel is primarily composed of patients needing well-woman continuous follow up and new OB patients whom residents may follow throughout their prenatal course, delivery, and postpartum care.

PGY-2 residents spend two one-month rotations on night float, during which residents cover the obstetrics service at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown (ASTHM) under the supervision of the obstetric hospitalists.

PGY-2 residents spend one month on the SICU rotation evaluating and managing critical care patients under the supervision of the attending staff.

PGY-2 residents on gynecology continue to develop more advanced surgical skills and focus on laparoscopic procedures and vaginal surgery. Minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques and experience are developed.

One month (each) is spent with the maternal fetal medicine faculty in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Resident develop a fund of knowledge of high risk obstetric care, as well as competency in the management of complicated pregnancies as a consultant to private general obstetricians.

​During this two-month immersion rotation in the office of the Nashville Fertility Center, residents work closely with the faculty in the outpatient setting. Residents develop an understanding of infertility management, including assisted reproduction technologies and competence in the performance of transvaginal gynecologic ultrasound.

This one-month rotation is dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of breast health issues. Residents spend two weeks concentrating on interpretation of breast imaging modalities, which include mammography, ultrasound, and biopsies at the Ascension Saint Thomas Center for Breast Health. The remaining two weeks are spent with a faculty member working in evaluating and treating patients with breast cancer in the ASTHM Breast Surgery Center and assisting with breast cancer surgery.

This rotation is a two month experience in both outpatient and inpatient evaluation and operative therapy for urologic and pelvic support problems under the direct supervision of the FPMRS faculty.

Residents spend two one-month rotations on night float and cover the obstetrics service at ASTHM under the supervision of the obstetric hospitalists.

Residents on gynecology continue to develop more advanced surgical skills while focusing on open procedures, advanced minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, and vaginal surgery.

Residents spend a two-month rotation and a one-month rotation (a total of three months) on the gynecologic oncology service to develop more advanced surgical skills, gain knowledge and clinical judgment in the management of gynecologic malignancies, and establish competence in open and robotic surgery.

Upon request and approval, one of the months of gynecology may be used to perform a research project, participate in an international experience, or experience a rotation in another institution as a prelude to a fellowship.

​One month is spent with the maternal fetal medicine faculty in the inpatient setting. Residents further develop their fund of knowledge of high risk obstetric care, as well as competency in the management of complicated pregnancies as a consultant to private general obstetricians.

Chief residents on obstetrics coordinate the operation of the inpatient obstetrics service and serve as teachers and mentors to the other residents and medical students assigned to the service. Chiefs have the privilege of supervising the most difficult cases and performing unique procedures while working closely with the core obstetricians and attendings.

Chief Residents on gynecology supervise all junior residents on the gynecology service. Chiefs are expected to serve as mentors and teachers to other residents and medical students while assuming the role of teaching assistant on operative cases. During one month of the rotation, Chief Residents also serve as the gynecologic oncology resident to maintain competence in more difficult open and robotic surgery.

​Clinic Chief Residents are responsible for providing the highest level of care within the UT OB/GYN Center and serving as teachers and mentors to other residents and medical students. On this rotation, Chiefs hone their skills in ambulatory care and outpatient procedures in preparation for practice.