HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine Program

The HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program, located at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, is committed to providing comprehensive and high-quality clinical training for medical residents. With an emphasis on both academic excellence and clinical skills development, this residency program ensures residents are well-equipped to handle the challenges of obstetrics and gynecology.

The mission of the program is to cultivate the next generation of physicians and leaders. This program is fundamentally structured to deliver a constructive educational environment where residents gain extensive clinical experiences through participation in various medical services and learning opportunities customized to meet individual educational needs. Faculty members play a pivotal role as both educators and mentors, fostering an environment that appreciates diverse cultures, values, and ideals among patients and colleagues alike 1.

Program Overview

The residency program includes numerous features that distinguish it:

• Residents engage in approximately 8,500 ambulatory care visits annually, along with 3,000 deliveries and 1,500 surgical procedures, ensuring ample hands-on experience.
• A well-rounded faculty of 18 full-time obstetrics and gynecology physicians, with subspecialties in maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reconstructive surgery, and reproductive endocrinology, augmenting the residency experience.
• A surgical skills laboratory that emphasizes the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), providing residents with critical skills necessary for modern surgical practices.
• Incorporation of contemporary educational methodologies into the curriculum, aligning with the latest trends in OB/GYN education 1.

Curriculum and Rotation Schedule

The carefully structured curriculum spans four years, ensuring residents develop a thorough understanding and competence in various aspects of obstetrics and gynecology. Each year boasts focused rotations:

• **PGY1**: Includes rotations in general obstetrics and gynecology to establish fundamental skills.
• **PGY2**: Emphasizes maternal-fetal medicine and offers exposure to high-risk obstetrics cases.
• **PGY3**: Adds complexity through advanced gynecological care and specialist services in gynecologic oncology and reproductive endocrinology.
• **PGY4**: Residents are expected to leverage the accumulated knowledge and clinical experience to present a mandatory research project during the final year of residency 2.

Additionally, a night float system is implemented to manage call duties efficiently, ensuring that residents are not overburdened while ensuring continuous patient care. This system typically consists of an upper-level resident, a second-year resident, and an intern, rotating nights throughout the week.

Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research activities throughout their training, with one research project being mandatory for presentation at the end of the PGY-4 year. This commitment to research ensures all residents not only participate in clinical practice but also contribute to advancing medical knowledge in their field 1.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The application process for the program is highly selective, highlighting its competitive nature, particularly for U.S. senior medical students. However, the program also welcomes applicants from DO backgrounds and international medical graduates (IMGs), maintaining an inclusive stance towards diversity in medical education. Special application requirements may include limited attempts on the USMLE steps and year of graduation from medical school, ensuring that the program attracts capable and motivated candidates 3.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports visa applicants actively, sponsoring J-1 visas primarily. This sponsorship is an essential consideration for international medical graduates aiming to train in the United States, allowing participation without residency hurdles related to immigration status.

Faculty and Mentorship

The faculty at the Mercer University School of Medicine includes multiple board-certified specialists across various subspecialties of obstetrics and gynecology. The robust faculty comprises experienced professionals who play a crucial role in mentoring residents, imparting knowledge through both formal didactic teaching and one-on-one patient care interactions 3.