Clinical Rotations

The clinical curriculum of our residency program is designed to provide comprehensive and progressive training across the three core areas of the specialty (Obstetrics, Gynecology and Ambulatory), developing a strong foundation in general obstetrics and gynecology and preparing residents to practice in any environment after residency. Clinical experiences are structured to ensure graduated responsibility and increasing autonomy as residents advance through training. 

Obstetrics Curriculum

Obstetric training is integrated throughout all four years of residency, providing residents with progressive responsibility, increasing clinical autonomy, and comprehensive exposure to both routine and complex obstetric care.

The PGY-1 experience focuses on developing a strong foundation in the management of low-risk antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients, as well as an introduction to obstetric triage. Interns play an active role in coordinating patient care and learning to "run the OB board" under the direct supervision of Chief Residents and Obstetric Hospitalists. This early exposure fosters clinical decision-making skills, team communication, and confidence in labor and delivery management.

During the PGY-2 year, residents expand their expertise in the management of high-risk pregnancies and gain advanced experience in obstetric triage. Residents refine their ability to evaluate complex maternal and fetal conditions, manage obstetric emergencies, and coordinate multidisciplinary care for patients with significant medical and obstetric comorbidities.

The PGY-3 experience emphasizes advanced operative obstetrics, including the development of technical proficiency in complex cesarean deliveries and other obstetric surgical procedures. Residents also cultivate the leadership, communication, and supervisory skills necessary for their future role as Chief Resident. Increased responsibility in patient management and resident education prepares PGY-3 residents for senior-level clinical leadership.

The PGY-4 experience is designed to prepare residents for independent practice. Senior residents are expected to demonstrate mastery in the management of complex obstetric and medical complications, lead interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and serve as senior consultants on the Labor and Delivery unit. Chief Residents provide clinical leadership, supervise junior residents and medical students, and collaborate closely with Certified Nurse-Midwives, Family Medicine colleagues, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nursing, and other members of the obstetric care team. By graduation, residents are equipped to independently manage the full spectrum of obstetric care and function as confident physicians in a variety of practice settings.

Gynecology Curriculum

Gynecology training at Illinois Masonic is comprehensive, diverse, and high volume, providing residents with extensive experience in the full spectrum of gynecologic care and surgery. Residents receive training in ambulatory gynecology, emergency gynecology, complex benign gynecologic surgery, family planning, urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. The program's smaller size allows for early operative experience, individualized mentorship, and accelerated development of surgical and clinical skills.

The PGY-1 experience focuses on the evaluation and management of acute gynecologic conditions, inpatient consultations, postoperative care, and the fundamentals of perioperative management. Residents begin developing technical proficiency in hysteroscopy, basic laparoscopy, and common gynecologic procedures while building a strong foundation in surgical principles and patient care.

During the PGY-2 year, residents expand their experience in benign gynecologic surgery and advance their laparoscopic skills through increasing operative responsibility. Residents are introduced to the gynecologic subspecialties, including Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Fertility Center of Illinois and in Gynecologic Oncology - gaining experience in the management of complex gynecologic conditions and fertility-related care.

The PGY-3 experience provides advanced exposure to gynecologic subspecialties, with dedicated rotations in Gynecologic Oncology and Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS). Residents also gain experience in complex family planning through a rotation at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, where they develop expertise in contraceptive counseling, specialized procedural care, and reproductive healthcare. In benign gynecology, residents refine their surgical decision-making and operative techniques while managing increasingly complex cases in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The PGY-4 experience is designed to prepare residents for independent practice through advanced surgical training and senior clinical leadership. Chief Residents are expected to demonstrate proficiency in open and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. They assume primary responsibility for surgical planning, operative management, perioperative decision-making, and supervision of junior residents. By graduation, residents are capable of independently managing the full spectrum of general gynecologic conditions and performing a broad range of gynecologic surgical procedures with confidence and competence.

Ambulatory Curriculum

The ambulatory experience has been a cornerstone of our residency program for decades and is a defining strength of our training model. Our modern, dedicated Residency Continuity Clinic is located just a short walk from the medical center and serves as the primary site for longitudinal outpatient education. More than 7,000 patient visits are conducted annually in the resident clinic, providing extensive exposure to the full spectrum of outpatient obstetrics and gynecology.

Residents participate in a variety of specialized clinic experiences, including low-risk obstetrics, high-risk obstetrics, early pregnancy loss, benign gynecology, cervical dysplasia, contraception, and office-based procedures. Through these experiences, residents develop expertise in preventive care, chronic disease management, office procedures, longitudinal patient relationships, and care coordination.

Dedicated ambulatory rotations occur during the PGY-1 and PGY-4 years, with additional half-day continuity clinic sessions on select rotations during the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. During the PGY-1 ambulatory rotation, residents also receive foundational training in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound, developing skills in image acquisition, interpretation, and clinical application.

A unique feature of our ambulatory curriculum is the leadership role assumed by Chief Residents. Under the supervision of attending physicians, Chief Residents function as clinical leaders within the Residency Continuity Clinic, overseeing daily operations and serving as senior physician resources for junior residents. They are responsible for coordinating patient follow-up, managing complex care plans, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and ensuring adherence to evidence-based medicine and clinical quality standards. This experience provides invaluable preparation for independent practice and the transition to attending-level responsibilities.

Through progressive responsibility, high patient volume, and longitudinal continuity of care, residents graduate with the confidence and skills necessary to independently manage a comprehensive outpatient practice. Consistently, our graduates identify the ambulatory curriculum as one of the most valuable and practice-ready components of their residency education, citing it as exceptional preparation for the realities of post-residency clinical practice.