University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program

The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a four-year, ACGME-accredited residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology through its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, based at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (UW Health). With a total of 28 residents in the program, there are seven residents per class, providing an intimate training environment that promotes close interactions with faculty and colleagues 1.

One of the distinguishing features of this program is its commitment to comprehensive clinical training. The residency is designed with a strong emphasis on surgical volume, high-volume obstetrics, and extensive exposure to subspecialty clinics. The robust and comprehensive training experience aims to create skilled, evidence-based, and compassionate physicians 1.

Curriculum

The residency curriculum is meticulously designed, featuring dedicated education time every Thursday morning from 7:20 AM to noon, which includes Grand Rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and a rotating curriculum comprising simulation training, case-based learning, didactics, wellness activities, and CREOG reviews 6.

Residents engage in continuity clinics throughout their residency, managing obstetric and gynecologic patients, tailored to their level of experience. The rotating curriculum also emphasizes the provision of care for complex pregnancies and abortion management, particularly in light of changes in reproductive health care landscape following recent legal decisions affecting training in Wisconsin 6.

Research Opportunities

The program has a structured research curriculum, encouraging scholarly activities with support from faculty mentors. Residents will engage in hypothesis-driven research projects, presenting their findings during the annual Resident Research Day 6. The faculty are actively involved, with many having federally funded research, providing a rich environment for both clinical and investigative work.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Two specialized tracks within the residency enrich the educational experience: the Global Health Track and the Rural Residency Track. The Global Health Track allows residents to develop skills applicable in low-resource settings while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams 8. Residents engaged in this track benefit from protected time for a week-long global health curriculum, as well as a dedicated rotation in a global health setting supervised by local and faculty mentors.

The Rural Residency Track is particularly innovative, designed to address the needs of women’s health in rural communities. Residents spend approximately 20% of their training in rural Wisconsin hospitals, providing essential care while broadening their clinical experience 9.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

Application to this highly competitive residency program is facilitated only through the ResidencyCAS platform. Required documentation includes passing scores on USMLE Step 1, as well as both components of Step 2 to commence training. A minimum of three letters of recommendation is needed, with a maximum of four accepted. Applicants can express interest in both the main program and the rural track but can only interview for one 3.

This program is J-1 visa friendly, offering sponsorship to qualified international medical graduates. While the competitiveness is notable, the program remains approachable and is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment 3.

Clinical Training Sites

Clinical experiences occur at various training sites, each providing comprehensive exposure to different aspects of women’s health. The program boasts a dedicated simulation lab equipped with high-fidelity simulators and a variety of resources necessary for residents to gain confidence and competence in both surgical and clinical tasks 6.

Advocacy and Community Engagement

Residents of the University of Wisconsin-Madison program have opportunities for advocacy, particularly through partnerships with organizations like Wisconsin ACOG. This involvement is part of a broader commitment to train residents in environments that emphasize equity, inclusion, and social responsibility in health care delivery 1.

This residency program not only offers an enriching clinical and surgical experience but also integrates wellness and community engagement into its curriculum, recognizing the importance of the well-being of its residents and the communities they serve.