Geisinger Health System Program

During a Geisinger OB/GYN residency, residents will develop the essential skills necessary for a thriving career through exceptional clinical training alongside a talented and diverse faculty. The program's focus is on guiding patients through significant stages in their lives while contributing to family and community health in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

Residents engage in a robust curriculum that emphasizes surgical volume, obstetrical experience, and subspecialty rotations. This comprehensive structure provides a strong foundation for those aiming for careers in academic medicine, fellowship training, or private practice. The program prioritizes resident wellness, ensuring that participants feel supported and included throughout their training.

Training Environment

The residency is hosted at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, a location that blends a laid-back atmosphere with significant outdoor recreational opportunities. Residents are positioned in a community that is just a short trip away from major metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia. This makes Danville an ideal location for those looking to balance a professional and personal life.

Clinical Training and Didactics

The program incorporates structured clinical education with resident didactics scheduled on Thursday mornings for protected conference time, which includes grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and preoperative conferences 1. Daily morning reports in both obstetrics and gynecology reinforce the educational experience.

Residents will participate in a wide range of lectures every Thursday that focus on educational goals laid out by the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG). The sessions are deliberately protected to ensure that residents can focus entirely on learning without the distractions of clinical duties. The Geisinger Education and Medical Simulations (GEMS) center offers advanced simulations pertinent to each residency year, ranging from standardized patient interactions to complex obstetric emergencies 1.

Research Opportunities

The program supports residents in engaging in scholarly activities throughout their training. Each resident is required to complete at least one research project by the end of their third year. The curriculum promotes four key components of scholarship: discovery, integration, application, and teaching 1. Numerous residents have presented at national meetings, showcasing their research on pediatric gynecology, maternal-fetal health, and more.

Program Accessibility and Competitiveness

The Geisinger OB/GYN residency program is competitive, with stringent application requirements including a passing score on USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 and completion of both parts of USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 prior to starting the training 2. The program accepts four PGY1 positions annually, and candidates must submit three letters of recommendation alongside an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate if applicable. The application process is facilitated exclusively through ResidencyCAS with a specific deadline for submission.

Visa and International Medical Graduates

The program provides visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs), allowing them to apply and train within the residency. Support is often extended through various visa types, enabling IMGs to gain valuable residency experience in the United States as they fulfill the program's prerequisites.

Diversity and Inclusion

Geisinger is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. The program actively promotes an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring that healthcare professionals reflect the diverse community they serve. Forums and initiatives such as BOLD (Black Outreach Leadership Development), Women LEAD, and G-PRIDE (Geisinger – People Ready for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality) are structured to support these values 1.

Wellness and Community Engagement

Recognizing the rigorous demands of residency, the Geisinger program prioritizes resident wellness by ensuring protected time for education and personal appointments, as well as social activities. Wellness initiatives are designed to establish a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being 1. Residents also engage with the local community through activities such as supporting farmers' markets and outdoor recreational engagements.