University of Alabama Hospital (Birmingham) Program

Program Mission

The mission of the obstetric anesthesia fellowship at the University of Alabama Hospital is to provide the training and resources necessary for fellows to excel in patient care, quality improvement, and research related to obstetric anesthesiology. The program aims to develop proficient clinicians who are prepared for independent practice as expert consultants in the field.

Program Aims

The program is designed with several key objectives:

• To deliver comprehensive training, experience, and education to enable fellows to become skilled clinicians in obstetric anesthesia.
• To prioritize quality improvement and patient safety through a teamwork and multidisciplinary approach.
• To foster academic development by encouraging scholarly activities.

Overview

The subspecialty of obstetric anesthesiology focuses on the comprehensive anesthetic management of women throughout pregnancy and the puerperium. The accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) was granted in 2011, with the program achieving full accreditation in 2014. UAB serves as a major medical center, covering 82 city blocks and comprising over 17,000 students, an extensive research complex, and more than 70 research centers.

Fellows will primarily conduct their training at the Women and Infants Center, an impressive 60,000-square-foot facility that cost $140 million. This center features 11 maternity evaluation rooms, 17 labor and delivery rooms, 28 antepartum beds, 28 postpartum beds, 3 operating suites, and additional beds designated for gynecology patients. The facility is notable for maintaining a Level IV Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the highest classification available.

The program boasts a strong faculty of fellowship-trained obstetric anesthesiologists, clinicians, educators, and researchers specializing in various areas of medicine. Each fellow is allocated a private office, enjoys 24-hour access to a premier anesthesia library and a university library, and receives statistical and administrative support.

Training Components

The fellowship provides extensive training in both normal and complex obstetric anesthesiology scenarios, with exposure to approximately 4,500 deliveries annually. As fellows advance through the program, they are expected to cultivate independence in teaching and consulting within the specialty.

Furthermore, the fellowship emphasizes original clinical or basic research, with the expectation that fellows will publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national meetings. Collaborative engagement with other obstetric anesthesiology specialists across the country and globally is also encouraged to help fellows establish a successful career in this specialty.

Application Details

Applicants for the obstetric anesthesiology fellowship should be aware of the following details:

• Number of Positions: 1
• Duration: 12 months
• Location: UAB Hospital Women's and Infants Center
• Application Submission: Through the SF Match
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, including one from the residency program director.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international medical graduates, offering avenues for sponsorship, potentially including J-1 and H-1B visas, although specific details may vary based on individual circumstances.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is recognized as highly competitive, attracting applicants from various backgrounds including DO and international medical graduates (IMGs). To maintain fairness and transparency in selection, there are no specific maximum failed STEP exam attempts disclosed, but general academic excellence is expected.