The following is a list of commonly asked questions, but if you do not find the answer to your specific question, please contact us directly!

The St.Vincent Residency prides itself in its surgical training of residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Not only do residents perform a variety of gynecologic procedures on continuity patients, but also private staff patients at a level commensurate with the resident's level of training. This provides for a very large volume surgical experience, unusual for most community-based programs. Last year we had 1000 major and 800 minor gynecologic procedures.

In 2008, the residency program decided to change from a traditional overnight call system to a night float model. The night float shifts are 6PM-7AM Sunday through Thursday nights, with every weekend free from clinical duties. Two residents participate in night float at a time; weekend call duties are split amongst the remaining available residents. This results in 2-3 weekend shifts each month for the remaining residents. Since the introduction of the night float system, residents have commented on a better working environment, less fatigue, and more family time.

In addition to OB/GYN, there are training programs in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Transitional/Preliminary programs. Family Practice residents rotate through the Obstetrics service during their intern year and six weeks of night float during their second year. In addition, Family Practice Residents also supervise the labor of their own private patients. Both the Obstetrics and Family Practice programs have sufficient volume so that there is never "competition" for patients. In this design, the Obstetrics residents learn to function as consultants and provide operative delivery should the situation warrant. OB/GYN is the only surgical program at St.Vincent.

The house staff work one to one with the many staff physicians in the management of all private patients. The staff are extremely eager to work with residents and to involve the residents in all aspects of patient care. Once a patient has delivered or had surgery, it is the responsibility of the resident to manage the hospital course of these patients under direct supervision of the attending staff. This allows the residents to experience a diverse approach to patient care. Many of our staff have trained outside of the St Vincent system and offer a variety of training backgrounds.

All high risk obstetric patients are followed by the Obstetrics service and staffed by a board certified Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. Each Tuesday, a very busy High Risk Clinic is scheduled to follow these patients with a wide variety of medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. In addition, all Obstetrics residents rotate through the High Risk Obstetrics service during the second and third year for two months. A 26-bed, high-risk unit is adjacent to the Labor & Delivery area specifically designed to provide for the special needs of these patients. The Maternal Fetal Medicine and Genetic Center had over 11000 visits last year. By the end of the residency training, all residents are proficient in amniocentesis & ultrasound.

St.Vincent's reputation as a tertiary referral center lends itself to high-risk maternal transports from surrounding communities. Residents actively participate in the care of these women along with the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist.

Among each of the four classes, the residents typically score well above the national average. Regularly scheduled CREOG reviews allow each resident to discuss various topics covered on CREOG in preparation for the examination.

The residency is fortunate to have many staffed skilled in the application of forceps and vacuum. By the end of residency, all residents feel comfortable with the application of forceps under appropriate circumstances.

The overall cesarean rate is 36% and when elective repeat cesarean sections are factored out, the rate is approximately 25%. The VBAC rate is approimately 10% and the VBAC success rate being 80%.

St.Vincent is dedicated to the education of its residents and to the many medical students who rotate at St Vincent. Indiana University medical students spend a five week rotation on the OB/GYN rotation. Typically six students are on the rotation and assigned to a resident during that time. We also host senior medical students who are interested in further training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as PA students from Butler University. Residents also teach Family Medicine residents clinical concepts on the ward and occasionally give lectures.

Each year, we conduct a Resident Research Day program in June. PGY-1 residents write a case report or review article; PGY-2 residents present a case report; PGY-3 residents present clinical research using available clinical data under sponsorship of clinical faculty/staff; and PGY-4 residents facilitate presentations and discussion.

Each resident has a continuity clinic at least one time per week. In this setting, residents are able to learn gynecologic skills and to develop the ability to function effectively in an office setting. From these clinics, residents generate their own surgical patients which they staff one on one with attending staff. Knowlege of CPT codes and billing also comes from this experience.

Each Wednesday morning is specifically set aside for didactic sessions. Residents are excused from all other responsibilities to attend these meetings. Often we have guest professors from around the United States to lecture on various topics. OB/Gyn morning report occurs each day except Wednesday. Various cases and topics are discussed. In addition, we have regularly scheduled journal clubs.

In the past, St Vincent residents have performed extremely well on the written and oral boards with a 95% first time pass rate.

The vast resources and reputation of St. Vincent and its staff allows the opportunity to pursue fellowship without limitation. Research funds and opportunities are very available to resident motivated to publish in all aspects of OB/GYN. A computerized OB database and ultrasound database are available to all residents for research. We have had four residents pursue and obtain fellowships since 1999.

Residents are able to do extra calls for pay in the ER, ICU, or Internal Medicine service during their intern year. Recent opportunities have become available for upper level residents to do Ob/Gyn coverage in rural settings as well.

Our residency program has a substantial amount of both routine and high risk Obstetrics as well as Gynecologic surgery. In 2008, the residency program was approved for five residents per class. We had over 4000 births last year, over 120 multiple gestation deliveries, 1000 major and 800 minor gynecologic surgeries.