Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstruction Surgery Fellowship Curriculum

Clinical Teaching

Fellows work on a team of faculty, residents and medical students in both inpatient and outpatient settings within University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center.

During each rotation, Fellows will serve as the primary surgeon or first assistant for all cases performed by the designated attending physician. As leader of the inpatient care team, fellows will supervise residents and medical students during daily work rounds. In the outpatient setting, fellows will participate in all aspects of patient care including:

• Urinary incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Fecal incontinence
• Vulvar disorders
• Maternal birth injury
• Constipation
• Menopause care
• Outpatient visits
• Pre- and post-op evaluation and counseling
• History and physical examination
• Medication management
• Physical therapy follow-up
• Pain management

Rotation Schedule

Over the 36-month program, fellows are involved in several different  rotations – one calendar month each.

• University Hospitals
  • During this rotation, fellows cover clinical duties with the University Hospital attending physicians – this includes both OR and clinic time.
• MetroHealth
  • During this rotation, fellows cover clinical duties with the MetroHealth attending physicians. This includes both OR and clinic time.
• Research
  • This rotation is split evenly with four months of the rotation taking place during each year of fellowship – allowing fellows time to design and carry out their thesis project, as well as any other projects they are involved in.
• Elective time
  • This time is flexible depending on the goals and needs of the individual fellow and can include opportunities such as: Global Health experience, additional clinic procedure or OR cases, time in off service subspecialties such as GI, Urology or Colorectal etc.

Operating Room Supervision

Our program faculty include a diverse group of surgeons with training in URPS, female urology and MIGS. Fellows move through stages of graduated autonomy in the operating room to gain competence in minimally invasive and open surgery.

Research Program

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and MetroHealth, along with Case Western Reserve University have a well-established research program and curriculum. The Urology Institute at UH Cleveland Medical Center houses a strong support structure for grants and research, including weekly grant meetings, statistical support and access to large national databases.

Our fellows and current faculty work with scientists and engineers in the departments of Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Radiology, Pathology and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our faculty have funding from a variety of sources including the NIH, AHRQ and industry, and our fellows have access to a variety of labs and resources through CWRU. In the program, monthly research meetings are held to discuss support and progress of fellow research projects.

Our fellows have been prolific, leading projects that range from large database studies and bench research to prospective clinical randomized controlled trials. Each year, fellow projects are presented at national and international meetings, including AUGS, IUGA, SGS, SUFU, ICS and others. 

Fellows' travel is compensated for AUGS and SGS. Fellows have the opportunity for compensated travel to other national and international conferences if their research is accepted for presentation. 

Lectures/Presentations

Weekly education sessions and journal clubs are part of the fellowship curriculum. Topics follow the Guide to Learning in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, but also include emerging areas of expertise such as biomechanics and AI. Topics are presented by both faculty and fellows. The CWRU / UH Cleveland Medical Center URPS Fellowship also collaborates in educational topics and journal clubs with other URPS programs in the city. This exercise aids fellows with public speaking at scientific meetings and assists in their development as educators within their communities.

Progressive Responsibility

We view the fellowship experience as a transformative process. Fellows begin with one-on-one instruction and close monitoring by faculty, with a focus on acquiring basic knowledge and skills. As the fellowship progresses, senior fellows mentor junior fellows, residents and medical students. By the completion of the program, fellows have significant autonomy in clinical care, research and education responsibilities.

Evaluations

Regular evaluations are completed for fellows, attending physicians and residents. This enables constructive feedback for all members of the Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery team.

Certification

After successful completion of the CWRU / UH Cleveland Medical Center URPS Fellowship:

• Obstetrics and gynecology physicians will be eligible to take the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery subspecialty qualifying and certifying exams offered by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Urology physicians will be eligible to take the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery subspecialty certifying exams offered by the American Board of Urology.