The Ultimate Guide for DO Graduates: Researching OB GYN Residency Programs

Understanding the Landscape: OB GYN Residency and the DO Graduate

For a DO graduate, researching obstetrics & gynecology (OB GYN) residency programs requires a deliberate strategy that balances your osteopathic training, your board scores, and your long-term career goals. The osteopathic residency match has evolved rapidly—especially after the ACGME single accreditation system—and DO graduates now have access to a wide range of formerly “MD-dominant” programs.

However, not every OB GYN residency is equally familiar with osteopathic training. Your program research strategy needs to account for:

• How DO-friendly a program is
• The program’s culture and support for OMT and holistic care
• Geographic and lifestyle factors
• Training quality and fellowship opportunities

This guide walks you step-by-step through how to research residency programs in OB GYN as a DO graduate, with practical tools, examples, and checklists you can apply immediately.

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Step 1: Clarify Your Goals Before You Start Researching

Before you dive into databases and program websites, it’s crucial to know what you actually want from an OB GYN residency. This clarity will shape how you approach evaluating residency programs.

Define Your Career Vision

Ask yourself:

• Do you see yourself in general OB GYN practice, or are you already leaning toward a subspecialty (MFM, REI, Gyn Onc, FPMRS, complex family planning)?
• Are you interested in academic medicine, research, and teaching, or do you prefer community-based clinical practice?
• Do you want to practice full-spectrum obstetrics, including high-risk obstetrics and complex gynecology, or focus more on surgical volume vs. obstetrics volume?

Write down your priorities in three categories:

1. Non-negotiables (e.g., “must be in the Northeast,” “must have strong surgical training,” “must be DO-friendly,” “must sponsor visas” if applicable)
2. Preferences (e.g., “academic center,” “exposure to REI,” “in-house MFM fellowship”)
3. Bonuses (e.g., “global health electives,” “strong LGBTQ+ health focus,” “robust OMT use in pregnancy care”)

Having this written list will help guide your program research strategy and keep you focused when options start to blur together.

Be Honest About Your Application Profile

As a DO graduate, your competitiveness is multifactorial:

• COMLEX Level 1/2 (and/or USMLE Step 1/2) scores
• Class rank, honors, AOA/ΣΣΦ if applicable
• OB GYN clerkship and sub-I performance
• Letters of recommendation, especially from OB GYN faculty
• Research output (posters, publications, QI projects)
• Red flags (exam failures, leaves of absence)

Your research strategy should realistically match program competitiveness with your profile. For example:

• If you have strong scores and robust research, widen your net to academic programs with strong fellowship placement.
• If your metrics are more modest, you might prioritize community programs, smaller academic-affiliated hospitals, and explicitly DO-friendly programs.

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Step 2: Build a Master List Using Official Databases

Start with a broad list of all OB GYN residency programs, then narrow systematically.

Use the ACGME and FREIDA Databases

Two core tools for how to research residency programs:

1. ACGME Program Search

   • Use the ACGME site to confirm accreditation status and the number of approved positions.
   • Verify there are no recent citations or probation statuses.

2. AMA FREIDA (Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access)

   • Filter by specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
   • Filter by program type (university-based, community-based, community with university affiliation)
   • Note:
     • Number of residents per year
     • Call structure
     • Program benefits and salary
     • Research opportunities
     • Whether they report accepting COMLEX alone or prefer USMLE

Export or copy this data into a spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets). This becomes your program research workbook.

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Step 3: Identify DO-Friendly OB GYN Programs

For a DO graduate residency strategy, understanding where DOs have historically matched is crucial.

How to Spot DO-Friendly Programs

Look for:

• Current residents: Check program websites and social media. Do you see DO graduates in their resident classes? Are DOs present in all PGY levels?
• Stated exam requirements: Some programs explicitly state “COMLEX accepted” or “COMLEX and/or USMLE.” Others require USMLE scores.
• Participation in osteopathic residency match in the past: Programs that were formerly AOA or combined may be more comfortable with DO training.
• Faculty composition: Presence of DO faculty or leadership is a positive sign.

If a program lists:

• “USMLE required, COMLEX accepted” → More selective for DO applicants, but not impossible.
• “USMLE or COMLEX accepted” → More likely DO-friendly.
• “USMLE required, no mention of COMLEX” → Often a tougher environment for DOs unless you also have strong USMLE scores.

Using Past Match Data

Your osteopathic residency match planning should be informed by historical patterns:

• Ask your home institution’s GME office or OB GYN department for a list of where previous DO grads matched in OB GYN.
• Use NRMP “Charting Outcomes in the Match” for DO applicants in OB GYN to understand average scores and application behavior.
• Check forums (with caution) like SDN or Reddit for compiled lists of DO-friendly OB GYN programs, then verify by checking current resident rosters.

Add a column in your spreadsheet labeled “DO-friendly?” and code each program:

• Yes (DOs in multiple classes, COMLEX accepted)
• Mixed (few DOs, unclear exam policy)
• No/Unclear (no DOs visible, USMLE-only)

This helps tailor your program research strategy and avoid over-investing time in programs that are unlikely to review your file seriously.

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Step 4: Deep Dive Into Each Program: What to Look For

Once you have a preliminary list (often 40–80 programs for OB GYN), it’s time to research residency programs in depth. This is where evaluating residency programs becomes both art and science.

Core Features to Evaluate

For each program, examine at least these domains:

1. Program Type and Setting

   • University, community, or hybrid
   • Tertiary care center vs. community hospital
   • Patient volume and case diversity
   • Presence of level III or IV NICU, high-risk obstetrics, and surgical complexity

2. Clinical Experience and Case Volume

   • Approximate number of deliveries per resident per year
   • Exposure to:
     • High-risk OB
     • Operative vaginal delivery
     • Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIS)
     • Gynecologic oncology surgeries
     • Family planning, including complex contraception and termination (if important to you)
   • Presence of continuity clinic and longitudinal patient care

3. Subspecialties and Fellowships

   • On-site fellowships (MFM, Gyn Onc, REI, FPMRS, Complex Family Planning)
   • If no in-house fellowships, do residents still get strong subspecialty exposure?
   • Fellowship match list: Where are recent graduates going?

4. Resident Culture and Wellness

   • Resident testimonials and “day in the life” content
   • Call structure (q4, night float, 24-hour calls)
   • Vacation policy, parental leave, wellness half-days
   • Evidence of supportive leadership and responsiveness to feedback

5. Board Pass Rates and Outcomes

   • ABOG written and oral board pass rates (when available)
   • Placement in jobs: academic vs. community, rural vs. urban
   • Alumni network activity and mentorship

Specific Considerations for DO Graduates

As a DO graduate in OB GYN, also examine:

• Recognition of OMT:

  • Do they mention OMT or holistic care?
  • Are there opportunities to incorporate OMT in prenatal or postpartum care, pelvic pain, or musculoskeletal complaints?

• Educational Philosophy

  • Programs that emphasize patient-centered, whole-person care may align more naturally with osteopathic principles.
  • Check for inclusion of topics like social determinants of health, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Remediation and Support

  • If you have a weaker academic area, assess whether the program provides:
    • Structured board prep
    • Academic advising
    • Mentorship and individualized support

Add columns such as “Fellowships on site,” “Culture/wellness,” “OMT/hollistic-friendly,” and “Board pass support” to your spreadsheet.

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Step 5: Use Multiple Sources: Websites, Social Media, and Direct Contact

A single source rarely tells the full story. Effective program research means triangulating information.

Program Websites

On each residency website, focus on:

• Curriculum: Rotations by year, call schedules, subspecialty rotations, electives.
• Faculty: Subspecialty representation, DO faculty, leadership stability.
• Residents: Bios, medical school list, diversity in training backgrounds.
• Mission and Values: Does their stated mission align with your interest in comprehensive women’s health, health equity, and osteopathic values?

Take notes on anything that stands out—positive or negative.

Social Media (Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn)

Residency programs increasingly use social media for recruitment. Look for:

• Day-in-the-life posts: Reveal call structure, camaraderie, and culture.
• Resident achievements: Research presentations, QI projects, awards.
• Diversity and inclusion: Representation of different backgrounds and identities.
• Program transparency: Honest discussions of workload, support, and wellness.

Red flags: Only polished marketing with no genuine resident voices, or repeated turnover in leadership highlighted across years.

Talking to Current and Former Residents

One of the most powerful tools in evaluating residency programs is talking to real people:

• Ask your home OB GYN faculty if they know alumni at target programs.
• Use LinkedIn to search “[Program Name] Obstetrics Gynecology Resident DO” and reach out politely.
• Ask questions such as:
  • “How supportive is the program of DO trainees?”
  • “How would you describe the resident–attending relationship?”
  • “Is there protected time for teaching, board prep, and scholarship?”
  • “What’s one thing you’d change about the program?”

Document insights in your spreadsheet under a “Resident feedback” column.

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Step 6: Geographic, Lifestyle, and Personal Factors

Residency is four intense years of your life. Your program research strategy should integrate life outside the hospital.

Geographic Priorities

For each region, consider:

• Proximity to family or support networks
• Cost of living and resident salary
• Climate and city size (urban vs. suburban vs. rural)
• Partner/spouse job markets
• Childcare, schools, and safety (if applicable)

OB GYN residency hours can be demanding; having a strong support system can be crucial for your well-being.

Community and Patient Population

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to work with underserved and high-risk populations?
• Do I value training in a safety-net hospital vs. a private hospital?
• Is learning to care for diverse cultural and linguistic communities important to me?

Programs with robust experiences in community clinics, FQHCs, or public hospitals often provide a rich training environment aligned with osteopathic values of whole-person and community-oriented care.

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Step 7: Rank and Categorize Programs Strategically

Once you’ve collected detailed data, it’s time to convert information into a practical residency list.

Competitive Tiers

Create categories:

• Reach programs: Historically high board scores, heavy research emphasis, minimal DO presence.
• Target programs: Match your metrics and profile, DOs present, substantial training resources.
• Safety programs: DO-friendly, typically community or hybrid, where your metrics are above their historical average.

For a DO graduate applying to OB GYN:

• Many applicants aim for ~40–60 applications, depending on competitiveness.
• Try to ensure representation across tiers, including a solid core of DO-friendly target and safety programs.

Scoring System

Assign each program a simple score (e.g., 1–5) for:

• DO-friendliness
• Clinical training quality
• Culture/wellness
• Geographic fit
• Alignment with your career goals (e.g., fellowship, academic interest)

You don’t need a perfect numeric algorithm, but a semi-structured scoring system can reduce bias and emotional decision-making.

Example:

Program	DO-Friendly (1–5)	Training (1–5)	Culture (1–5)	Location Fit (1–5)	Career Alignment (1–5)	Total
A	5	4	4	3	5	21
B	3	5	3	4	4	19
C	2	4	5	2	3	16

Use total scores as a guide—not a strict rule—to prioritize where to invest energy (signal tokens, tailored personal statements, additional outreach).

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Step 8: Integrate Research With Application Strategy

Knowing how to research residency programs is only useful if you integrate findings into your application.

Tailoring Your Application Materials

Use your program research to:

• Customize personal statement paragraphs (when appropriate) to align with:
  • Program’s mission (e.g., health equity, reproductive justice, rural OB)
  • Unique opportunities (e.g., global health track, MIGS emphasis)
• Highlight aspects of your DO background that fit their values:
  • OMT in managing pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain
  • Holistic care training in underserved communities
  • Interprofessional collaboration

Interview Preparation

When evaluating residency programs during interviews, your prior research helps you:

• Ask specific, informed questions, such as:
  • “I saw that your program recently added a family planning rotation—how has that impacted resident training?”
  • “I noticed DOs in your resident classes. How does your program incorporate and value osteopathic training?”
• Assess whether what you see and hear on interview day matches your research.

Keep a separate tab in your spreadsheet for post-interview impressions to aid in your rank list later.

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Step 9: Common Pitfalls for DO Graduates in OB GYN Program Research

Be aware of frequent mistakes in the osteopathic residency match process:

1. Over-focusing on name prestige
   • A big-name academic center isn’t automatically better than a strong community program with great surgical volume and supportive teaching.
2. Ignoring DO-friendliness
   • Wasting time and money applying heavily to programs with no DOs, USMLE-only preferences, and little recognition of osteopathic training.
3. Underestimating culture and wellness
   • High-volume training is valuable, but chronic burnout and poor support can harm learning and well-being.
4. Insufficient geographic flexibility
   • Being overly rigid about one city or state can significantly limit your options, especially in a competitive field like OB GYN.

Intentional, data-driven program research helps you avoid these traps and build a realistic, fulfilling list.

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Step 10: Example: Applying the Strategy to Two Hypothetical Programs

To see how this looks in practice, imagine you’re comparing two fictional OB GYN programs as a DO graduate.

Program X: University Medical Center

• Type: Large university; tertiary care; level IV NICU
• DO presence: 1 DO out of 24 residents
• Exams: “USMLE required; COMLEX considered but must also have USMLE”
• Strengths:
  • In-house MFM and Gyn Onc fellowships
  • Strong research infrastructure
  • High board pass rates
• Challenges:
  • Heavy call, 24-hour shifts PGY1
  • Minimal discussion of OMT or DO philosophy

Program Y: City Community Hospital with University Affiliation

• Type: Community with university affiliation
• DO presence: 7 DOs out of 16 residents, including chief resident
• Exams: “COMLEX or USMLE accepted”
• Strengths:
  • High delivery volume
  • Strong MIGS experience
  • Residents describe supportive faculty and strong mentorship
• Challenges:
  • No in-house fellowships
  • Less research infrastructure; most grad placements to community practice

If your goals include fellowship and research, Program X may still be a strong candidate, particularly if you have USMLE scores and solid research credentials. But if you are committed to community practice and want a supportive, DO-friendly environment with broad surgical exposure, Program Y might be the better fit.

Using a structured program research strategy allows you to evaluate both programs against your specific priorities instead of defaulting to brand name or reputation alone.

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FAQs: Researching OB GYN Residency Programs as a DO Graduate

1. Do I need to take USMLE in addition to COMLEX for OB GYN residency?

Not always, but it can significantly broaden your options. Many OB GYN programs accept COMLEX-only, particularly DO-friendly or community/hybrid programs. However, some university and highly competitive programs either require USMLE or strongly prefer it.

If you are early enough in training and aiming for more competitive academic or fellowship-focused programs, taking USMLE Step 2 (especially if Step 1 is now Pass/Fail) can help standardize your application for programs that are less familiar with COMLEX scores.

2. How many OB GYN programs should a DO graduate apply to?

The “right” number varies by:

• Your scores (COMLEX/USMLE)
• Research profile
• Clinical performance and letters
• Geographic flexibility

Many DO applicants to OB GYN apply to 40–60 programs, with a mix of reach, target, and safety programs. If your metrics are below average or you have geographic limitations, you may need to apply more broadly within reason. Use your program research data—and input from mentors—to tailor your list.

3. How can I tell if a program truly supports DO residents, not just “accepts” them?

Look for:

• Multiple DOs in every class, not just one or two isolated examples.
• DOs in leadership roles (chiefs, chief administrative residents).
• Evidence of respect for osteopathic training: COMLEX accepted, DO faculty on staff, openness to OMT use.
• Feedback from current or former DO residents confirming they feel valued and supported.

If possible, talk directly with current DO residents and ask explicitly about their experience.

4. What’s the most important factor when evaluating residency programs?

There is no single universal factor; it depends on your goals. For some, fellowship placement and academic opportunities are crucial. For others, surgical volume and resident autonomy matter most.

As a DO graduate, a balanced view generally includes:

• Solid clinical training (OB and GYN)
• Supportive culture and wellness
• DO-friendliness and understanding of your training background
• Alignment with long-term career goals (academic vs. community, region, lifestyle)

Defining your personal priority list early—and using it consistently during your program research—will help you choose a residency where you can thrive, not just survive.

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By applying a structured, data-driven program research strategy that accounts for your DO background, you can navigate the obstetrics match more confidently, target programs that appreciate your osteopathic training, and ultimately find an OB GYN residency where you’ll grow into the physician you want to become.