Program Overview
Brenda Darrell, M.D., Residency Director

The Obstetrics and Gynecology program at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is an independent residency in the heart of Chicago. Anchored by one of the largest full-time employed faculty in Chicago, we have enjoyed full accreditation since 1946. The residency is a community based program which provides a balanced and rich exposure to obstetrics, gynecology and the subspecialties in a tertiary environment that fosters learning.

Residents enjoy graduated autonomy throughout their training with ample supervision daily in all areas by the integrated faculty attendings. The fourth-year resident is responsible for supervising the activities of the junior residents and medical students in the department, as well as performing major obstetric and gynecologic operative procedures. In addition, the chief resident is responsible for providing consultation for the certified nurse midwifery and family medicine services.

One of the features of our program is the enthusiastic and supportive faculty rounds. In Obstetrics the daily rounds are conducted by maternal fetal medicine on the antenatal surveillance unit, followed by general obstetric rounds with a general ob/gyn attending. Gynecologic rounds are conducted formally with the service faculty attending, usually at the bedside. Extensive faculty support extends to the resident ambulatory sites as well. Seven thousand patients annually are seen in our resident clinics: continuity of care, high risk obstetrics, reproductive endocrinology, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, family planning and the early pregnancy loss clinic.

Resident surgical experience quickly begins in the first year, initially with laparotomy and laparoscopy skills. As the program progresses, the resident becomes involved in more challenging procedures such as operative laparoscopy (including laparoscopic hysterectomy), gynecologic neoplasia, pelvic support and urogynecology. Attending supervision and training is instrumental in developing resident skills, yet autonomy and mastering of surgical technique is the goal for all residents.

Didactic education at Illinois Masonic Medical Center is represented by a diverse number of activities, with an emphasis on protected time for the residents. In addition to faculty clinical rounds and structured didactic sessions, the diversity of training includes journal clubs, surgical and procedural skills exams, leadership training, and outside visiting professors to name a few. Resident scholarly activity includes preparation of an annual Grand Rounds starting in the second year and conducting morbidity and mortality rounds for obstetrics and gynecology, journal clubs and case presentations. Research is strongly encouraged and pursued by the residents, particularly as a framework for those seeking a subspecialty fellowship.

At Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, our drive is to attain excellent resident development while simultaneously providing the highest level of patient care. The Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is a comprehensive training program that ensures the graduating resident will have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a rewarding and rich career in women’s health care.