Our obstetrics fellowship grew out of interest in offering additional training in high-risk obstetrics and advanced surgical skills to trainees who desire to work in rural and underserved areas. Our residency program has a long tradition of offering an excellent obstetrics experience within the framework of our traditional residency curriculum. Prior to our fellowship program, graduates of the residency went on to incorporate obstetrics into their practices and utilize their skills in domestic and international settings. We recognize that each trainee has different needs, and while some will obtain the skills necessary during residency, some desire a concentrated obstetrics experience to launch their careers. We are dedicated to facilitating each individual’s needs.
Memorial’s obstetrics experience is multifaceted, including a strong continuity clinic experience and inpatient obstetrics rotations. We have a strong support staff for our continuity patients including Obstetric Nurse Coordinators and prenatal class educators. Prenatal classes, obstetrical ultrasound and non-stress testing are all offered onsite at the E. Blair Warner Family Medicine Center. Four of our family medicine faculty incorporate maternity care into their practices. A group of community obstetricians precept regularly in the clinic and supervise deliveries.
Memorial Hospital offers a family medicine-friendly training environment with state-of-the-art inpatient obstetrics care, with a separate high-risk antenatal unit, a childbirth unit consisting of spacious labor and delivery suites, centralized electronic fetal monitoring and two mother-baby units for postpartum care, which support breastfeeding. We are a certified baby-friendly hospital.
The Residency experience includes:
- Four and one half obstetrics rotation blocks (two in year one, 1 1/2 in year two, and one in year three)
- Longitudinal continuity care experience through the E. Blair Warner Family Medicine Center
- Elective rotations in obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine are available
The Obstetrics Fellowship includes:
The obstetrics fellowship is offered with the support of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Hospital. Training is coordinated by Tucker Balam, D.O., from the faculty of the Family Medicine Residency Program, as well as Jessica Basham, M.D., and Edward Durbin, M.D., two of our obstetrics proctors.
The fellowship experience includes:
- One year training experience
- Rotations in labor and delivery, maternal fetal medicine, gynecological and obstetrical surgery, care of the neonate, pediatrics and ultrasound
- Gynecological procedures training experiences
- Family medicine continuity clinic
- Directed reading
- Research project through an online learning management system
- Teaching family medicine residents in clinical settings and with didactics
External candidates are strongly encouraged to arrange an obstetrics rotation at Memorial by November of their third year of residency.
