General Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive Health Fellowship
Program Overview
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is committed to developing the next generation of well-trained clinical researchers in women’s health in order to advance the science and delivery of care to women across the lifespan. To achieve this goal, the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology in collaboration with the Master’s in Clinical Research Program within the Department of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, offers a 2-year clinical-research fellowship with the aim to increase the number of academic specialists who can embark on successful faculty careers, engaging in clinical care, research and teaching.
The Program
As part of the program, fellows obtain formal didactic training, expert mentoring and develop a clear research plan. Fellows receive training and a Master’s in Clinical Research (MSCR) through the Department of Epidemiology within the School of Public Health. Fellows begin the 2-year program in July and spend the first few months developing a training plan that is tailored to their background, clinical and research interests and future career goals. During this time, fellows devote time to identifying their primary research mentor and developing their research teams. Fellows actively engage in clinical activities, including outpatient care, labor and delivery, in-service gynecology attending and gynecologic surgery. In addition to clinical and research experience, our goal is for fellows to develop strong leadership skills, enhance their communications abilities and learn to lead clinical and research teams.
Fellows will dedicate 50% time to clinical activities and 50% time to research/research training.
- Research training: Fellows complete the MSCR through the School of Public health. This training is focused on core disciplines in clinical research, including epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, clinical trials and qualitative methods. This program also offers a grant class in the second
- Research: Fellows engage with their mentor and research team to conduct studies in their areas of interest. Ideally, we envision fellows working on two projects: 1) a short-term retrospective analysis of existing data to enhance their statistical analysis skills and 2) a longer-term project involving primary data collection.
- Clinical work assignments: Include prenatal care and office-based gynecology at multiple sites including faculty practices (UNC Weaver Crossing and UNC Panther Creek), outpatient care at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, gynecologic surgery at the UNC Medical Center and UNC Hillsborough hospitals, and labor and delivery coverage at the UNC Medical Center Chapel Hill.
The Candidates
The fellowship includes 3-4 fellows. Applicants must have a Medical Degree (MD), have completed an approved residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, be eligible candidates for oral board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, be in good standing within their residency program and a have strong track record of professionalism. Fellows are selected based on their academic record, research interests, commitment to a career as an academic specialist (generalist) and demonstrated excellence in clinical care.
Current Fellows
Meredith Wise, MD
2021-2023
Residency: University of Minnesota
Interests: Barriers to early diagnosis of endometrial cancer
Shilpa Darivemula, MD
Clinical Fellow 2022-2024
MD: Albany Medical College
Residency: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Austin Johnson, MD
Clinical Fellow 2020-2023
MD: University of Minnesota
Residency: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Leadership and Resources
Faculty who serve as mentors to the program are in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC Clinical and Translational Program with successful careers in women’s and perinatal health, methodologic expertise and successful track records in publications, research presentations and grants. The Fellowship Program is directed by Andrea K. Knittel, MD, PhD, FACOG and housed with the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, under the leadership of Kavita Arora, MD MBE MS.
Commitment to Diversity, Inclusive Excellence and Health Equity
We are committed to diversity and inclusive excellence and equitable outcomes in women’s health. Individuals from under-represented groups, women and individuals of color are encouraged to apply to the fellowship. We have a growing diverse faculty. The division and fellowship is committed to equitable outcomes and providing care to vulnerable populations of women from across the state of North Carolina and in diverse clinical settings, including the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.
Fellows’ Accomplishments
Andrea Knittel, MD, PhD, FACOG, Medical Director for Incarcerated Women’s Health, has been appointed as a Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Scholar. Read more…
Nerlyne Desravines, MD, has completed a study regarding Penicillin Allergy testing in Pregnancy. Read more…
“With Dr. Thorp as my unofficial recruiter as well as financial support from GOG, I was able to complete my study regarding Penicillin Allergy testing in Pregnancy. I want to thank the division for your support in this … and just echo that GOG is definitely an amazing division and I really feel lucky to have been part of the group during my year.”
Caroline Cochrane, MD, MS, Caroline Cochrane is the Junior Fellows Chair for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology District IV
UNC Obstetrics and Gynecology Women’s Reproductive Health Fellowship is Seeking Applicants
The University of North Carolina Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is seeking candidates for the Women’s Reproductive Health Fellowship, General Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive Health Fellowship – UNC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Interested applicants are asked to submit a current CV, three letters of recommendation (including one from your current program director or department chair) and a 1–2-page personal statement describing your career and research objectives and interest in the fellowship to Kelly Scurlock-Cross, Fellowship Coordinator at kelly_scurlock@med.unc.edu.
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis with rolling acceptance until January 31, 2023.
For more information, contact Kelly Scurlock-Cross, Fellowship Coordinator at kelly_scurlock@med.unc.edu.