Overview
Welcome to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center. Thank you for your interest in our Residency Program. Obstetrics and Gynecology is a truly rewarding specialty of medicine.
Duke University Medical Center is consistently rated one of the top health systems in America. Our faculty has a national and international reputation for excellence in patient care, teaching and research in women’s reproductive health. Our residency program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). In October 2006, we successfully completed the continuing accreditation process with the Residency Review Committee of the ACGME. Our program was awarded the highest accreditation possible and was also approved to increase the resident compliment from 7 per year to 8 per year in a four year program.
We have trained physicians since 1931 with many notable achievements. Our residency program is highly sought after nationwide. A superb faculty, hands-on clinical care and leading-edge research shapes our residency program.
Dr. Fidel A. Valea serves as the Residency Program Director. His dynamic leadership offers residents the best in learning and developing a rewarding career in women’s reproductive health. Dr. Craig J. Sobolewski, Chief of the Division of Gynecologic Specialties serves as Co-Director of the Residency Program. Together, with over 26 years in medical education, their team leadership provides a strong commitment to each resident’s success.
Educational Goals
The OB/GYN residency program prepares physicians for competent practice in general obstetrics and gynecology, plus exposure to ob-gyn subspecialties for referral in practice and further career development in the subspecialties. Our department is one of four in the nation to have
fellowship programs in all four ob-gyn subspecialties. We are educating physicians with the goal for them to become preeminent surgeons and scientific leaders.
The program curriculum follows the educational objectives set forth in the
CREOG Education Objectives: Core Curriculum for Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology (7th edition). The specific goals for sub-specialties are reviewed under
Curriculum.
During the four-year program, a physician gains knowledge, skill, ability and judgment to acquire:
- Confident, high-level, clinical skills and judgment in clinical problem solving for the office and acute care environments.
- Effective utilization of diagnostic techniques and skills for evaluation and management of all patients.
- Proficiency in diagnosis and management of all clinical problems in general obstetrics and gynecology. Exposure and experiences in the subspecialties of gynecologic oncology, maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology and ability to identify patients requiring referral to a sub specialist. Exposure to subspecialty fellowships for residents wishing to pursue further training.
- Effective communication skills with patients, colleagues and support staff in a professional, competent, ethical and caring manner.
- Opportunity to perform and participate in clinical research, various scientific forums and critical analysis of medical literature.
- Practice competency skills consisted with the ACGME requirements.
- A commitment to life-long learning through self education and teaching others.
The Residency Years
Our educational program is rooted in clinical obstetrics and gynecology and its subspecialties. During the four-year OB/GYN residency, physicians acquire proficiency in all areas of women’s reproductive health.
Residents are given increasingly greater responsibility for patient care through hospital and community-based clinics, and affiliated hospitals. Participating hospitals are:
- Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC
- Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, NC
- Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Hospital, Fayetteville, NC
- Veterans Affairs Hospital, Durham, NC
The faculty and medical staff actively support the residency program, including formal and informal consultation and teaching support. We enjoy respect and mutual caring in our resident-to-faculty, resident-to-resident, and resident-to-student relations. The resident’s role as student educator is emphasized throughout the program.
The PGY I Year Consists of:
- 3 Rotations in Obstetrics
- 1 Rotation in Gynecology
- 1 Rotation in Ultrasound
- 1 Rotation in Oncology
- 1 Rotation in Primary Care
- 1 Rotation in Emergency Medicine
The first year concentrates on the essential components in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in a number of diagnostic, therapeutics and surgical modalities. Also included is the introduction to high-risk obstetrics, gynecology, and the complexities of care for hospitalized patients on gynecology, oncology and endocrinology.
The PGY II Year Consists of:
- 2 Rotations in Obstetrics
- 1 Rotation in Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility
- 1 Rotation in Urogynecology
- 3 Rotations in Gynecology
- 1 Rotation in Oncology
The second year focuses on advanced obstetrics management and techniques, recognition of medical and surgical procedures that complicate pregnancy, participation as primary surgeon in selected cases, and evaluation and management of endocrine inpatients.
The PGY III Year Consists of:
- 3 Rotations in Obstetrics
- 2 Rotations in Gynecology
- 1 Rotation in Oncology
- 1 Rotation in Family Planning
- 1 Elective Rotation
The third year emphasizes surgical and nonsurgical gynecologic treatment of female reproductive tract disorders, progressive responsibility in care of disorders associate with infertility, and graduated surgical experience with oncology patients. While residents are not expected to master advanced techniques related to each sub specialty there are set criteria to be acquired in each area. A one month elective is offered to third year students.
The PGY IV Year Consists of:
- 3 Rotations in Obstetrics
- 1 Rotation In Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility
- 2 Rotations in Gynecology
- 1 Rotation In Oncology
- 1 Rotation in Urogynecology
The fourth year of residency further develops surgical and obstetric techniques, as well as leadership skills. Chief residents assume administrative responsibilities for junior residents. They contribute to the formal education of the department by presenting Grand Rounds during this year.
Global Health Ob/Gyn Residency
Benefits & Stipends
House Staff Stipends 2008-2009
| Year |
Annual Amount |
| PGY I |
$45,540.00 |
| PGY II |
$47,400.00 |
| PGY III |
$49,236.00 |
| PGY IV |
$51,240.00 |
| An additional stipend is added to the annual amount when a resident serves on the Cape Fear Valley Rotation. |
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