St Francis Hospital and Medical Center Program

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford is designed to prioritize education, providing residents with a comprehensive training experience. The program is highly focused on hands-on learning and offers exceptional resources to support this goal.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum follows the CREOG objectives and is structured over a two-year cycle. Core components of the education are delivered in dedicated teaching blocks scheduled on Friday mornings and Wednesday mornings. The curriculum is constantly adapted based on CREOG results and feedback from residents. Residents partake in skills workshops and simulation drills to enhance their learning experience 1.

Clinical Rotations

The residency encompasses a diverse array of clinical rotations that span the entirety of training. In the first year, supervision is close, with residents gaining proficiency in patient evaluations, minor gynecological surgeries, and deliveries. The second-year residents manage uncomplicated obstetrical patients and gain more gynecological surgical exposure. The third year includes training in subspecialties such as Maternal Fetal Medicine, while the fourth year allows residents to act as junior attendings, taking on more responsibility in patient care and education 4.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Residents are required to undertake a research project throughout their training. A formal research program is positioned to assist residents from project inception through data collection and analysis. The residency aims for residents to complete a quality improvement project by the end of their first year, develop an individual research project by their third year, and achieve publication by their fourth year 4.

Resident Benefits

Residents in this program enjoy substantial benefits, which include four weeks of vacation, sick leave, hospital-sponsored mission trips, and access to an on-site exercise facility. Fiscal support for conference attendance and a comprehensive health insurance plan is also provided, starting from the first day of residency. As of the 2024-2025 annual stipend, the financial compensation for residents increases progressively from $67,544 in PGY-1 to $77,580 in PGY-4 3.

Application Process

The application process requires that candidates graduate within five years of the application date and achieve USMLE scores of 200 or greater on the first attempt. Interviewed applicants are expected to pass the USMLE Step 2 CK and CS exams to be eligible for ranking. Additionally, the program sponsors J-1 visas, accommodating international medical graduates 2.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The residency fosters an environment of collaboration and teamwork among residents, facilitated through social activities and annual retreats. The program boasts a high faculty-to-resident ratio, ensuring abundant educational opportunities and mentorship. Faculty members include specialists in Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, General Obstetrics, and more, providing an extensive learning network for residents 1.

Facilities and Resources

Residents have access to modern facilities, including a high-fidelity simulation center designed for realistic training. The program utilizes sophisticated technology such as robotic surgical systems, enhancing residents' skills in minimally invasive techniques, which are essential in the current medical landscape 1.