Ascension Illinois/Saint Alexius Program

Ascension Saint Alexius Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency combines the high clinical volume of community-based hospitals with the high academic standards of a university-based program. Residents are educated in the full range of OB-GYN practices, including high-risk obstetric care, pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures, laparoscopic procedures, and robot-assisted surgical procedures. The program emphasizes a comprehensive education and training experience while honing clinical skills.

The program serves diverse communities in Chicago and its western suburbs, allowing residents to work with various patient populations under the guidance of experienced faculty. Each Friday, residents participate in protected educational time, which includes lectures from specialists, grand rounds, surgical skills labs, journal clubs, and pathology conferences, all aimed at enhancing their educational experience and well-being 1.

Training Sites

Residents access a variety of training sites across Chicago and its suburbs, each offering state-of-the-art facilities and specific specialties. These include:

• Ascension Saint Alexius (Hoffman Estates, IL)
• Ascension Resurrection (Chicago, IL)
• Advocate Christ Medical Center (Oak Lawn, IL)
• NorthShore University HealthSystem (Evanston, IL)
• Ascension Alexian Brothers (Elk Grove Village, IL)
• Ascension Saint Francis (Evanston, IL)

Additionally, two federally qualified health centers enhance the residents' outpatient continuity clinical experience 1.

Curriculum

During the four-year training program, residents rotate through several affiliated medical centers and training sites, allowing for diverse clinical exposure. There are more than 60 conferences held monthly, covering a wide range of topics including morbidity and mortality reviews, reproductive endocrinology, maternal-fetal medicine, and gynecologic oncology. Formal resident educational curricula take place every Friday, ensuring a structured environment for learning 3.

Salary & Benefits

The program offers a competitive salary structure, with annual stipends reviewed yearly to reflect cost-of-living increases:

• Postgraduate year 1: $62,442
• Postgraduate year 2: $64,817
• Postgraduate year 3: $67,080
• Postgraduate year 4: $71,038
• Postgraduate year 5: $73,300
• Postgraduate year 6: $75,500

Additional benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, disability insurance, medical liability insurance, 20 days of vacation/sick/educational leave, and stipends for continuing medical education. Residents also enjoy amenities such as fitness center memberships, free parking, lab coats, and meal allowances 5.

Application Process

The Ascension Saint Alexius program accepts applications for six ACGME-approved positions each year through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Eligible candidates include graduates of U.S. accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical schools, with preference given to those who are no more than one year post-medical school graduation. The program considers only applicants with passing scores on USMLE Step 1 and 2 or COMLEX examinations. A virtual interview process allows candidates to interact with current residents and faculty, fostering a sense of community before joining the program 4.

Visa Support

The residency program supports international medical graduates by sponsoring appropriate visa types. Common options for visa sponsorship include the J-1 visa for exchange visitors, which can be applicable to many residency positions, and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability. This support is essential in ensuring that qualified candidates can participate in the training program, contributing to its diversity and inclusiveness.

Competitiveness

The Ascension Saint Alexius Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency is considered competitive, particularly for applicants from U.S. medical schools, but the program maintains a friendly stance towards DO and IMG candidates. Individuals should aim for strong academic performance, particularly in the USMLE or COMLEX examinations, to enhance their chances of securing an interview and acceptance into the program.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A unique feature of the Ascension Saint Alexius Residency is the focus on community engagement, allowing residents to teach medical students from the University of Illinois and Midwestern University. This experience aids in the development of teaching skills and reinforces the residents' educational foundations while benefitting fellow students in their clinical training 1.