West Virginia University Program

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at West Virginia University is a 4-year ACGME-accredited training program, designed to provide comprehensive experience in all areas of obstetrics and gynecology. As the only tertiary care center in the state, the program offers its residents the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population from across West Virginia and the surrounding region. Without subspecialty fellowships, residents gain unmatched access to all patient care opportunities, enhancing their experience in maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, pelvic floor and reconstructive surgery, and gynecologic oncology, among others.

The educational curriculum of the residency is based on the CREOG Educational Objectives, employing a variety of teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles. This includes didactic lectures, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, journal clubs, rotation-specific reading lists, direct faculty interactions, and simulation training. The program uses both Ruby Memorial Hospital and WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital as its primary training sites, providing state-of-the-art care facilities.

The program emphasizes the importance of complex family planning, offering residents the choice to engage in rotations and experiences tailored to this area, respecting their personal beliefs and legal restrictions. A formal reading program across services ensures residents have structured educational content. Additionally, the program offers unique opportunities in midwife training, global health, and extensive simulation experiences, preparing residents for a wide range of clinical settings.

Regarding research, residents are required to complete original projects, with structured support from the program’s faculty. The program fosters a rich environment for scholarly activity, further enabling residents to present their work at regional or national meetings.

The application process for this residency program mandates a completed application through ERAS, including specific documents like a medical school transcript, board scores, personal statement, Dean's letter, and three to four faculty Letters of Recommendation, with at least one from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Eligibility for the program follows guidelines by the WVU Office of Graduate Medical Education. Notably, the program specifies that applicants must either be U.S. citizens (or equivalent) or possess a J-1 Visa, explicitly stating that it does not sponsor any visas. The program places significant weight on board scores and attempts during the initial screening process, generally not considering candidates with one or more board failures for an interview.

The program also caters to residents' wellness through a structured curriculum and offers personal wellness time each quarter, acknowledging the importance of mental health and work-life balance.

This residency program appears to offer a robust educational and clinical experience, tailored to produce competent and versatile obstetricians and gynecologists. However, it is worth mentioning that the program emphasizes the competitive nature of its selection process, particularly regarding board scores and visa status for non-U.S. citizens.