Residency Advisor

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine is a comprehensive 36-month training program designed to cultivate future leaders, researchers, educators, and clinicians specializing in the care of high-risk pregnancies and their unborn babies. The program aims to enhance the skill set of MFM practitioners, focusing on scientific investigation that leads to either an academic career or clinical practice.

Fellows are rigorously trained to become proficient subspecialists in maternal-fetal medicine by applying the latest diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the clinical management of high-risk pregnancies. This hands-on training is in line with the learning objectives provided by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Common Program Requirements, ensuring a quality educational environment.

Affiliations with prominent hospitals and research institutions within the Texas Medical Center—recognized as the largest healthcare complex globally—offer fellows a unique opportunity to access a diverse range of resources, enhancing their educational experience 1.

Application Process

To apply for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship, candidates must have graduated from a U.S. accredited or osteopathic medical school and completed a four-year residency in an ACGME-accredited obstetrics and gynecology program. It is essential that applicants are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are eligible for a full medical license in Texas 2.

Applications for the fellowship program are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with a submission deadline of May 1 each year. The fellowship participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP); hence, registration with the NRMP is required before ranking 2.

It's noteworthy that applicants with a maximum of one failed Step exam may be considered, although this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum encompasses extensive clinical training that occurs under the guidance of one of the largest maternal-fetal medicine divisions in the U.S. Clinical experiences are available at institutions like Ben Taub Hospital and the Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women. Fellows participate in specialized programs focusing on fetal imaging, fetal surgery, and critical obstetric care, including the management of complicated cases like placenta percreta 3.

In addition to clinical duties, various research opportunities are integrated into the training program, allowing fellows to engage with projects related to medical complications during pregnancy, fetal imaging, and genetics. Access to comprehensive databases and specimen repositories like PeriBank provides a fertile ground for research 3.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows are required to complete specific rotations, including a two-month inpatient labor and delivery rotation, two months of MFM Antepartum/High-Risk Clinic rotations at Ben Taub, and others. The rotation structure ensures that fellows gain experience in different critical care settings, including a one-month rotation in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) 4.

The first year focuses heavily on clinical responsibilities, while the second and third years allow for sub-specialty rotations and electives based on fellows’ particular interests, such as fetal echocardiography and prenatal genetics 4.

Didactic and Research Training

Alongside practical training, fellows engage in a didactic curriculum, attending seminars, presentations, and conferences, including the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual meeting. They are expected to contribute to educational activities by providing lectures and presenting research findings throughout their training 5.

Research training is facilitated through structured programs and dedicated time for fellows to pursue projects of their choice. Each fellow has a designated research mentor and will have 18 months assigned for research activities, emphasizing the importance of integrating clinical practice with scientific inquiry 6.

Visa Support

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine provides visa support for international medical graduates. The program is equipped to sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating the application process for qualified non-U.S. citizen applicants 7.

Competitiveness

This fellowship program is known to be competitive, with a selection process that evaluates candidates based on their academic qualifications and potential for excellence in maternal-fetal medicine. The program is generally friendly towards both U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), making it an accessible option for a diverse range of applicants.

Conclusion

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine stands out due to its interdisciplinary approach and integration of clinical practice with research. The program’s affiliations with top-tier medical institutions and emphasis on producing well-rounded future leaders in MFM make it an attractive choice for aspiring specialists in this vital field.

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Location
Culture
Prestige
Research
Schedule / Training

Program

Program Size

3, 3, 2 (3 years)
Accreditation Status
Continued Accreditation since February 2017

Composition

-

Quality of Life

First year average hours per week:

55hrs

First year max cons. hours on duty:

24hrs

First Year Salary:

$74,033

First Year Paid Vacation:

-

First Year Paid Sick Leave:

-

Training

Fellowship Rate:

-

Faculty to Residents Ratio:

4.1X

Residents career path:

-

Admission

Min. Step 2 Score:

-

Visa Sponsorship:

-

YOG Cutoff:

5

Location

Houston, TX

Population
2,304,580
Income
$77,719
Education
36.2%
Employment
60.6%
Health
7.9%
Age
34

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