UPMC Medical Education Program

The Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship offered by UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital (MWH) provides a comprehensive training experience for anesthesiologists who aim to specialize in the care of parturients. The program is structured into two tracks:

Track 1: Clinical (one-year ACGME accredited)
Track 2: Clinical Investigator (one-year clinical, two-year research).

MWH is renowned for its women's health services, performing over 10,000 OB deliveries annually, thus providing an environment rich in clinical opportunities for fellows. The fellowship emphasizes state-of-the-art anesthetic care for both low- and high-risk obstetric patients. The essential component of the fellowship is the OB anesthesiology rotation, which is supported by two-week rotations in both Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is complemented by a one-month elective rotation in Neurology and Transfusion Medicine, addressing critical challenges such as postpartum headache and other neurological deficits. The emphasis on evidence-based treatments and innovative techniques such as thromboelastrography (TEG) is a notable aspect of the training provided.

Research opportunities are extensively available in collaboration with key faculty mentors, with fellows allotted a month of uninterrupted research time along with additional dispersed opportunities throughout the fellowship year. Didactics are delivered by experienced faculty from various relevant departments, covering topics including clinical trial design, ethical considerations of research in pregnant populations, and legal issues surrounding obstetric anesthesia.

Fellows are also engaged in the education and training of residents, participating in weekly departmental presentations and quality assurance case conferences. A unique feature of the fellowship is the OB patient education session aptly titled 'Meet the Anesthesiologist.' This session, conducted six times a year, is designed to enhance communication between fellows and patients.

Training Sites

The primary training site for the fellowship is UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, which is recognized as a National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. The hospital hosts a large NICU, which treats over 1,800 infants requiring specialized care annually, and has a dedicated obstetric-specific intensive care unit. This unique ICU environment facilitates interaction between fellows and critically ill pregnant patients, enhancing the fellows' interdisciplinary learning experiences.

Furthermore, the maternal-fetal medicine division at MWH provides comprehensive high-risk care, thus creating multiple learning opportunities for fellows in managing complex obstetric cases. The collaborative culture at MWH, alongside the technological advancements in transfusion medicine and blood management, supports the academic and hands-on learning of fellows. They also get the opportunity to perform a variety of procedures including peripheral nerve blocks and the management of major obstetric hemorrhage.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The application process is competitive, and candidates must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency program. Required documentation for application includes a completed application via the San Francisco Match, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, MSPE/Dean’s letter, medical school transcripts, CV, examination scores (including USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 or equivalent), and an ECFMG certificate if applicable. Following submission, applications are reviewed by a selection committee before interviews are offered.

Visa Support

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital provides visa support for qualified international medical graduates seeking to apply for the fellowship. This support typically includes sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas, allowing international applicants to participate in the fellowship training program effectively.

Both types of visas ensure that the fellows receive proper training while adhering to immigration regulations.

Publication and Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage with ongoing research projects and participate in various scholarly activities during their training. There is a focused effort on quality assurance and improvement, where fellows are expected to develop and implement their QA/QI projects during their fellowship year, thereby enhancing their research experience. Participation in biweekly presentations at the Magee-Womens Research Institute serves to further enrich the academic portfolio of the fellows.