Clinical Curriculum

CLINICAL TRAINING:

Our fellows are trained in the medical and surgical management of complex benign gynecologic disorders. Fellows are exposed to the entire range of gynecologic pathology including conservative and extirpative treatment of advanced endometriosis, ovarian remnants, massive fibroids, the morbidly obese, those with complex prior surgical history and medical co-morbidities, and more rare opportunities such as laparoscopy in advanced pregnancy, Müllerian anomalies, and tubo-ovarian abscess.

With over 800 surgical cases annually, the surgical experience at UNC is not only robust but also hands-on. Fellows are trained in all surgical approaches including vaginal, open, hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic. Fellows master a variety of advanced procedures but are also uniquely trained in pelvic pain interventions including trigger point injection, nerve blocks, and vulvectomy. Additionally, fellows function as junior attendings and assist non-fellowship trained colleagues with challenging cases. Each fellow participates in 3 OR days per week.

Outpatient clinical training is a well-mentored experience in preoperative consultations, pelvic pain management, and medical management of complex benign gynecologic disorders. In preparation for independent practice, each fellow has a weekly designated clinic day that runs parallel to a faculty clinic. Fellows are trained to perform numerous office procedures such as nerve blocks and trigger point injections.

OFF SERVICE ROTATIONS:

All fellows will rotate for one month with the Urogynecology service within the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The MIGS trainee will be fully integrated into this off service rotation. We believe in tailoring each fellowship journey to individual fellow interests and strengths. As a result, additional elective time has been used by fellows to participate in other off-service rotations for surgical and clinical experience in Colorectal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Urology, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Radiology (MRI), and Vulvar Diseases.

CALL:

There are no obstetric duties (either outpatient or call). General gynecology home call is minimal at just 6 weeks throughout the entire academic year. The MIGS fellows do share MIGS service call and are supported by a MIGS faculty backup.

TEACHING:

Fellows will refine their educational skills through formal and informal opportunities in and out of the operating room. UNC MIGS fellows are consistently identified as effective educators and role models by our medical students rotating on the MIGS acting internship and our UNC residents rotating on Benign GYN. For more information, please see the didactic curriculum.