Program: 

Residency Program

Start Year: 

2026

Why did you choose Duke for your residency training?

I was fortunate to complete an away rotation at Duke during my fourth year and had an excellent experience. I was impressed by the caliber and training of the residents and appreciated Duke’s collegial and welcoming atmosphere. Every faculty member and resident I worked with was kind and supportive, and I truly could not imagine training anywhere else. I am so happy to be at Duke.

My partner is also a Duke alum and is thrilled to return to Durham—go Blue Devils!

What excites you about the residency program at Duke Ob/Gyn?

The robust surgical training is a major highlight and a key reason I chose Duke. I am also excited to become part of the Duke OB/GYN family and to meet all of my co-residents!

What are your career goals?

As of now, I am considering pursuing a fellowship in Urogynecology. I enjoy working with this patient population and appreciate that the field focuses on improving quality of life. At the same time, I also love Obstetrics, so we will see where the next four years take me!

Describe your research interests/goals:

I am interested in studying patient satisfaction, including sexual function, in the context of urogynecologic procedures. I am also interested in the management of and prevention strategies for recurrent UTIs in women.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy listening to music (especially Mt. Joy!) and podcasts, going on long walks, doing pilates, playing mahjong (my newest hobby!), hiking with my partner, and traveling with my family.

Education & Training

Undergraduate school & graduation year:
Wake Forest University, 2021

Medical school & graduation year:
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, 2026

Awards & Honors

Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation, 2026

The 2025 Mike Russell Outstanding Student in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, 2025

College of Medicine Leadership Distinction, 2025

Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Excellence, 2021

Publications

Askew, A., Donaldson, K., McFarland, A., Meilan, J., Rivers, T., Rutherford, K., Manríquez, V., Digesu, A., Edenfield, A., Swift, S. (July 2025) A Descriptive Study to Assess Patient Perceptions of Urinary, Gastrointestinal, and Sexual Symptoms with Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Urogynecology.

Dunn, F., McFarland, A., Askew, A., Quantification of Factors Affecting Vaginal Length in Robotic Sacrocolpopexy.

Dunn, F., McFarland, A., Rhodes, S. et. al. Postvoid Residual Variation Among Urogynecologic Diagnoses.s: A perspective from the American Community Survey data. Gynecologic Oncology, Volume 190, S352 - S353

Presentations

McFarland, A., Dunn, F., Askew, A. (12 April 2024) Quantification of Factors Affecting Vaginal Length in Robotic Sacrocolpopexy. Class of 2026 FLEX Fair/Charleston, SC, United States of America.

Dunn, F., McFarland, A., Askew, A. (October 2024) Factors Affecting Vaginal Length in Hysterectomy: A Pilot Study. AUGS PFD Week 2024/Washington, DC, United States of America.

Askew, A., Donaldson, K., McFarland, A., Meilan, J., Rivers, T., Rutherford, K., Shine K., Manríquez, V., Digesu, A., Edenfield, A., Swift, S. (June 2025) A Descriptive Study to Assess Patient Perceptions of Urinary, Gastrointestinal, and Sexual Symptoms with Pelvic Organ Prolapse. IUGA/EUGA Joint Meeting 2025/Barcelona, Spain.

Dunn, F., McFarland, A., Rhodes, S. et. al. (October 2025) Postvoid Residual Variation Among Urogynecologic Diagnoses. AUGS PFD Week 2025/Vancouver, BC.