Introduction
A program designed to create the women’s health leadership of the future.
The two-year curriculum promotes a comprehensive definition of women’s health that is interdisciplinary in its nature. The fellowship is administered through the Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute and several other institutes participate in training.
At Cleveland Clinic, we embrace the women’s health leadership triad:
- Clinical skills
- Focused research
- Interdisciplinary education
Our faculty has done significant research and publishing on the topic of women’s health education.
Speaking of Women’s Health Be Strong...Be Healthy...Be in Charge
The Speaking of Women’s Health program is a great opportunity for fellows to engage with educating the populace and sharing published research.
Speaking of Women's Health (SWH) is a national health education program from Cleveland Clinic's Center for Specialized Women's Health. The programs mission is "empowering women to make informed decisions about health, well-being and personal safety.".
Under the leadership of Holly L. Thacker, MD, SWH consists of a rich, interactive, digital platform offering health topics, health tools, recipes, treatment guides, podcasts and more.
- Visit SWH at speakingofwomenshealth.com.
In everything we do, our objective is to provide up-to-date information from credible experts in a fun and entertaining way – so that women can better care for themselves and their families.
Clinical Skills
The fellowship focuses on developing clinical skills for women's health fellows with experienced healthcare providers, including internists, gynecologists, breast surgeons, psychiatrists, and radiologists. It utilizes Cleveland Clinic's resources, such as the Center for Specialized Women's Health and regional family health centers.
Numerous clinical skills will be developed:
- Perform a physical examination, using proper technique as dictated by situation.
- Gather essential and accurate information about the female outpatient.
- Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence and clinical judgment.
- Develop and carry out patient management plans.
- Work with health care professionals, including those from other disciplines, to provide patient-focused care.
- Perform cervical polypectomy, vulvar biopsy, IUD placement/removal and diaphragm fitting.
- Serve as a patient advocate.
- Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the diagnosis of headache syndromes in women including tension-type headaches, migraine headaches, mixed headaches and catamenial migraines.
- Understand the common and unique medical needs of women with multiple sclerosis and other neurologic conditions affected by hormone status.
- Become proficient in the techniques of endometrial biopsy.
- Participate in the evaluation and ongoing management of menopausal women including women with POI.
- Perform a comprehensive musculoskeletal exam on women with sports medicine problems.
- Differentiate between various menstrual bleeding disorders.
Focused Research
It is essential for scholars to understand how to apply research skills in an interdisciplinary setting. Fellows have the authority to choose their area of interest for their research project and will be supported with a mentor. They are required to present at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Day at the end of the two-year fellowship and deliver lectures at Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds.
- Formulate researchable questions and conduct patient-centered literature searches using systematic reviews and EPIC database.
- Evaluate the clinical literature applying knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics and research study design.
The Center for Specialized Women’s Health focuses on comprehensive care for women with complex medical conditions and provides evidence-based therapies. The research program takes an interdisciplinary approach to study women's health issues. Collaboration between staff at the Center and clinicians from Cleveland Clinic to enable innovative approaches and sharing of recent developments in women's health research.
Current research areas include osteoporosis treatment, gynecologic issues post-bone marrow transplant, resident education, cervical cancer screening, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, and stress incontinence.
Interdisciplinary Education
Women's health spans various specialties. The Women's Health Fellowship focuses on crucial areas affecting women at different life stages. It offers training in common gynecological procedures like contraception management, endometrial biopsies, and colposcopy.
Rotations can include:
- Advanced Ambulatory Gynecology Clinic
- Bone Center Clinic
- Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Clinic
- Specialized Gynecological Clinic
- Adult Behavioral Health
- Cardiology Clinic
- Endocrine Clinic
- Breast Care Clinic
- Menopause Clinic
- Hematology
- Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Clinic
- Neurology Clinic
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Clinic
- Rheumatology and Immunologic Disease Clinic
- Sleep Medicine Clinic
- Vascular Medicine Clinic
Weekly Rotation Schedule
- 1½ days in the Center for Specialized Women's Health (core curriculum)
- ½ day Research
- 2 days in Gyn Clinic
- 1 day Various Electives, Conferences and Professional Development
How to Apply
To qualify for this fellowship, applicants must meet the below qualifications.
- Completed either an ACGME or RCPSC accredited family medicine or internal medicine program
- Board eligible or board certified
- Able to obtain an Ohio State medical license
If you meet those minimum qualifications, interested applicants can apply by completing the following:
- Women's Health Fellowship Application
- Updated CV
- Personal Statement
- Deans Letter
- USMLE or COMLEX score reports
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation (one from residency Program Director and one from an individual who is in a supervisory role (ie. Chairperson)
- International Graduates: Send a certified copy of your E.C.F.M.G. certificate
Send completed application and material to:
Alexandra Gardlock, M.Ed
Sr. Program Manager
Ob/Gyn & Women's Health Institute
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue, A-81
Cleveland, OH 44195
330.603.5325
gardloa@ccf.org
Once all the information is sent in, your completed application will be sent to our selection committee for review.
- Application deadline - Ongoing. Informal applications accepted on a rolling basis.
- February of the calendar year is the last month we will accept applications for the upcoming academic year.
Faculty and Fellows
Faculty
Current Fellows
Class of 2026
Nayoung Sung, MD
Medical School: Soon Chun Hyang University College of Medicine
Residency: Clinica Sierra Vista - Rio Bravo Family Medicine Program
Class of 2025
Madeline Cohn, DO
Medical School: University of North Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: MetroHealth Main Campus Medical Center – Family Medicine
Rachel Novik, DO
Medical School: Ohio University, College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: St. John West Shore Hospital - Family Medicine
Alumni
- Tiffany Cochran, MD, MA
- Tara Iyer, MD
- Alexa Fiffick, DO, MBS
- Anna Camille Moreno, DO
- Sabrina Sikka, MD
- Taryn Smith, MD
- Mamooda Qureshi, MD –BC IM
- Marie Budev, DO, MPH –BC IM
- Anisha Singh, MD, BC IM
- Pelin Batur, MD, FACP, CCD, NCMP BC IM
- Julie Elder, DO, NCMP
- Jennifer Edman, MD BC FM
- Mala Sivandy, MD, NCMP, BC IM
- Nziavake (Nikki) Masimasi, MD, NCMP, BC
- Maria (Candy) Buencamino MD, CCD, NCMP, BC IM
- Lynn Pattimakiel, MD NCMP, CCD, BC IM
- Sobia Khan, MD, NCMP, CCD, BC IM
- Kristi Tough, MD, NCMP, BC IM
- Lauren Weber, DO, NCMP, CCD, BC FM
- Manisha Yadav, MD, NCMP, CCD, BC IM
- Foluke Alli, MD, NCMP, BC FM
- Crystal Lee-Billing, MD
- Elim Shih-Fitzgerald, MD, NCMP
- Heather Foreman Hirsh, MD, NCMP
About Cleveland
Cleveland, an ethnically diverse mid-sized city located on Lake Erie, features a host of cultural and recreational attractions. Downtown Cleveland is approximately 2 miles from the Cleveland Clinic campus.
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