Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Los Angeles) Program

The Kaiser Permanente residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology located at the Los Angeles Medical Center is a comprehensive, four-year program designed to train future leaders in the field. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and fosters a humanistic approach to residency education, ensuring residents provide high-quality and compassionate care to women across diverse backgrounds. The training emphasizes a balance between inpatient and outpatient experiences as well as a focus on cost-effective care in both settings.

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the program offers robust training in all aspects of obstetric and gynecologic care, including maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive biology and ultrasound. Residents are exposed to gynecologic surgeries in both operating room and office-based procedures, receiving a well-rounded experience through multiple rotations in various subspecialties. A unique feature of this residency is the implementation of a night float system, which allows residents to focus on learning during their daytime rotations without the interruption of weekday calls.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum spans four years and is meticulously designed to foster a thorough understanding and proficiency in obstetrics and gynecology.

Post Graduate Year One (Intern Year)

The first year focuses on building a foundation in obstetric and gynecologic practice through rotations in:

• 15 Weeks of Obstetrics
• 10 Weeks of Benign Gynecology
• 4 Weeks of Internal Medicine in the ICU
• 3 Weeks of Ultrasound
• 2 Weeks of Neonatal Care/Nursing

Residents gain hands-on experience during labor and delivery rotations and learn about normal labor patterns, participating in both vaginal and cesarean deliveries under appropriate supervision.

Post Graduate Year Two (PGY2)

This year shifts focus to high-risk obstetrics and specialty gynecology, with extensive training in:

• 20 Weeks of Obstetrics, including labor and delivery rotations
• Gynecologic Oncology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Complex Family Planning, including training with Planned Parenthood

Residents begin to take on more responsibilities in managing complex cases while enhancing their surgical skills in both benign and oncologic settings.

Post Graduate Year Three (PGY3)

In the third year, residents receive concentrated surgical training and are expected to lead teams. They focus on:

• 10 weeks of Labor and Delivery
• 10 weeks of Minimally Invasive Surgical Gynecology
• Maternal Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Endocrinology

The progression of responsibilities continues, with residents expected to support and guide junior members of their team.

Post Graduate Year Four (PGY4)

As chief residents, the focus shifts entirely to leadership, teaching, and managing patient care, with responsibilities that include:

• 10 Weeks of Labor and Delivery
• 10 Weeks of Benign Surgical Gynecology
• Chief responsibilities in Urogynecology and Gynecologic Oncology services

By this stage, residents are expected to complete the residency program’s required research project and present it at prestigious society meetings.

Training Facilities

The Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center is a 465-bed tertiary referral hospital serving over four million patients. The institution houses state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated Women's Health suite with modern labor and delivery rooms and advanced surgical facilities, ensuring residents gain experience with a diverse range of clinical scenarios.

With more than 2,500 major gynecological operations performed annually, residents are assured comprehensive surgical training. Additionally, the proximity to sister medical centers allows further exposure to minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Research and Quality Improvement

All residents are required to complete at least one research project and one quality improvement project during their training, with dedicated support from the graduate medical education department.1 Educational opportunities abound, often culminating in presentations at national conferences, reinforcing the program's commitment to advancing the field through scholarly activity and impactful research.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Kaiser Permanente residency program is noted for being highly competitive. They welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including DO graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Specific application requirements may include a maximum of two failed STEP exams and a recent graduation year, emphasizing a preference for more recent graduates to ensure current clinical knowledge.2

Visa Support

The program offers comprehensive visa sponsorship support for International Medical Graduates, including J-1 and H-1B visas, ensuring that capable candidates from outside the United States can pursue residency training without legal barriers.

Resident Wellness and Support

The residency program places a strong emphasis on the wellness of its trainees, providing structured mentorship, wellness programs, and supportive resources designed to promote both professional development and personal well-being. Initiatives include dedicated wellness retreats, mentorship opportunities, and access to physical fitness resources within the hospital.