University of Chicago Program

Overview

The University of Chicago offers an ACGME-accredited Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship, providing one fellowship position annually. This fellowship is designed for trainees interested in gaining comprehensive experience in obstetric anesthesia, particularly working with high-risk patients. The fellowship utilizes the unique patient population of the University of Chicago Medical Center, focusing on patients suffering from high-risk maternal and/or fetal conditions. This population allows for extensive fellowship-level training in handling complex anesthetic cases.

Clinical Rotations

During the fellowship, the fellow completes various clinical rotations throughout the Family Birth Center, encompassing the Labor & Delivery Unit, obstetric operating rooms, and ante- and postpartum floors. The fellow is tasked with direct patient care responsibilities, supervising and educating residents and medical students. This rotation includes participation in daily multidisciplinary rounds, evaluating patients from the Maternal Fetal Medicine high-risk clinic in consultation with obstetric colleagues. The fellow also collaborates with appropriate consults and nursing services to establish comprehensive plans for labor and delivery tailored for high-risk patients.

The fellowship program includes additional rotations in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Maternal Fetal Medicine service, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Focused Cardiac Ultrasound, and Transfusion Medicine. Each rotation is structured to enhance the fellow's clinical competency in obstetric and critical care, thereby preparing them for challenging cases during their future practice.

Didactic Training

The fellowship incorporates robust didactic components, including participation in daily resident lecture series and a weekly fellow-level lecture and discussion. The fellow engages in essential courses such as the University’s Perinatal Network Fetal Heart Rate Interpretation course and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program course offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association. Other didactic elements include interdisciplinary morbidity and mortality conferences, journal clubs, departmental grand rounds, and workshops focused on skills development in ultrasound and airway management.

Research Opportunities

The Obstetric Anesthesiology fellowship provides dedicated research time of 1-2 days per week. The fellow is encouraged to engage in research activities, with resources available through the weekly Health Studies Department clinics related to research methodologies, including design, implementation, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. Under faculty mentorship, fellows are expected to conceptualize, implement, analyze, and publish at least one research project in an abstract and manuscript form during their tenure.

Application Process