Frequently Asked Questions

Our gyn oncology, MIGS, and generalist faculty at both SMH and HH perform Robotic surgery. Our Robotic surgery volume is at the 86th percentile for Ob/Gyn residencies nationally. Our residents graduate ready to do robotic cases in their own practices.

Family planning volume is a strength of our residency. Residents who participate are trained and ready to perform first and second trimester medical and surgical abortions independently when they graduate. This is a skill that allows them to take care of not only patients needing terminations for social/economic indications, but also for those with fetal loss, pre-viable PPROM, bleeding placenta previas, and more.

All of our residents graduate comfortable with vacuum assisted vaginal deliveries, and many are also competent to perform forceps delivery.

In addition to simulation training to be excellent gyn surgeons, all residents receive training specifically geared toward passing either the FLS exam or EMIGS exam. We have dedicated time for our laparoscopy curriculum during the ambulatory rotations. Residents receive hands-on and didactic training using the same trainers and instruments used during the FLS and EMIGS exams.

Residents are given administrative time throughout their residency that they use to work on their scholarly activities. Our research curriculum runs longitudinally over the entire four years of residency. While there is no dedicated research block, residents who are involved in lots of research or multiple projects can choose to use part of all of their elective to supplement their administrative time.

We actively encourage residents to get engaged in advocacy events. Our residents have a long tradition of being involved in ACOG District II leadership and advocacy training events. Faculty and residents participate in ACOG Advocacy Days in Albany yearly. We consistently have residents and faculty participate in the Congressional Leadership Conference in DC.

You will have medical student learners with you during most of your clinical activities. While many residents have experience in the teaching role, we do have didactic sessions on teaching and giving feedback, and we provide opportunities for our residents to practice “formal teaching” such as medical school events, lectures, and grand rounds. We expect our faculty to act as role models for teaching on the fly during clinical care so that our residents learn to offer those small moments of teaching that are so valuable to those following in their footsteps. Residents also practice giving constructive feedback, a crucial part of being an effective teacher, through completion of evaluations of faculty, peers, and students as well as through direct feedback during supervision of junior residents and students.

Miner Digital Library, the University of Rochester medical library provides robust electronic resources for the medical community. Residents have full access to these resources, which include: Pub Med, Ovid, Up to Date, Micromedix, Reprotox, Te Lindes, Williams, Harrison’s, and many more! Residents also have free access to bibliographic software, including RefWorks and EndNote. Training for these and other resources is available in online tutorials or live sessions with library reference staff. Institutional Zoom is available to all and has become an integral part of our clinical and educational experience.

While we do not have a global health site, we do have residents complete global health electives tailored to their interests. In addition, some members of our research faculty are involved in global health projects, and residents are encouraged to join these research teams.

We have an open-door policy in our education office and are very available. Quarterly resident assemblies are held where resident concerns or suggestions are discussed. We have Education Specialists who will work with you one-on-one to create study or learning plans. In addition, we have a Residency Support Committee to help maximize your success during your training.