Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship

Overview

The goal of our program is to provide clinical experience, guidance, and supervision for obstetricians aspiring to become competent maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists. Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellows will achieve excellence in all of the competencies identified by the ACGME through advanced obstetrical training including management of medically complex inpatients, outpatient consultations, advanced obstetrical imaging, management of fetal anomalies and genetic conditions, fetal procedural expertise, and equitable high-quality care delivery. Our program will also provide a structured, time protected research experience with opportunities for both laboratory and clinical research to provide trainees with the skills for critical research interpretation along with the foundation for developing an independent program of investigation. Fellows serve as integral participants of multidisciplinary teams and are involved in the development of patient centered treatment plans to achieve the best possible outcomes in complicated pregnancies.

The MFM Fellows rotate at three Cleveland Clinic hospitals in Northeast Ohio that provide care to more than 10,000 deliveries annually. Cleveland Clinic Main Campus provides care to the highest risk patients with a large multi-state outpatient referral population. At this site, approximately 150 deliveries occur annually for the most complex patients with either maternal or fetal conditions. In particular, at our Main Campus location, Fellows will gain experience in managing fetal abnormalities through our Fetal Care Center where patients may require in utero fetal procedures or surgery as well as immediate neonatal interventions. Fellows also care for patients in other specialized programs such as the Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic, Cerebrovascular-Obstetrics Clinic, or Complex Obstetric Surgical/Placenta Accreta Program. Education is provided by our large diverse Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division along with other experts in the field such as anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, adult and pediatric cardiologists, pediatric surgeons, neurologists, endocrinologists, pathologists, geneticists, other pediatric subspecialists, and expert neonatologists.

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship will include:

• 3 months of labor and delivery as the supervising physician.
• 1 month in surgical intensive care and medical intensive care.
• 3 months of genetics training.
• 14 months of research.
• 13 clinical months that span both inpatient and outpatient care in maternal-fetal medicine.
• 2 months of flexible elective time.

The Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital Obstetrical Department has a diverse patient population with approximately 4,500 deliveries per year with a full range of obstetrical services. Hillcrest Hospital serves the Eastern Region of Cuyahoga County. The Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital Obstetrical Department also has a diverse patient population serving the Western Region of Cuyahoga County. This facility also provides approximately 5,500 deliveries annually with the full range of obstetrical services. Both hospitals have a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit as well as adult and pediatric subspecialty support. During the fellow rotations at both sites, they will gain vast clinical experiences in both common and rare medical disorders, fetal abnormalities, and pregnancy complications. In addition, the Maternal-Fetal Medicine faculty at all Northeast Ohio sites participate in community health programs sponsored through both state and federal initiatives. Fellows are encouraged to be involved in these initiatives, providing opportunities for leadership, quality improvement, and health policy development.

Cleveland Clinic is a large academic institution, and Fellows serve an integral role in coaching, mentoring, and educating medical students and ob/gyn residents. There are many opportunities to collaborate with other learners in the areas of research, formal didactics, career development, and clinical care. These additional academic experiences are one of the highlights of our fellowship program as they support career development and tools for future educators.

For more information about the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department and providers, visit:

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Team

For more information about the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program, contact:

Alexandra Gardlock
Sr. Education Program Manager
Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute
gardloa@ccf.org
330.603.5325

Current Fellows

Class of 2027

Hannah Bowers
Medical School: East Tennessee State University - Quillen College of Medicine
Residency: University of Tennessee, College of Medicine-Chattanooga

Class of 2026

Easha Patel
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Class of 2025

Sarah Graves
Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Alumni

Justin Moore
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine - Grenada
Residency: SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine

Mission Statement

Cleveland Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Mission Statement

The mission of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic is to provide vast clinical experiences and supportive guidance for obstetricians aspiring to become exceptional maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists accomplished in providing patient centered care and skilled at improving outcomes for pregnant persons with medical, obstetrical, and fetal complications.

Program Aims

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship is a subspecialty training program for board certified or board eligible physicians who have successfully completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency training program.

• Patient care: The program will provide trainees with a great volume and breadth of hands-on clinical experiences with pregnant people with significant maternal medical co-morbidities, fetal structural and genetic abnormalities, and obstetrical complications. This will be achieved through outpatient and inpatient exposures at three hospitals within one system in Northeast Ohio, along with multiple ambulatory sites. In addition, Fellows will have opportunities to excel in advanced ultrasound performance and interpretation along with performance of maternal and fetal procedures. Breadth of cases, ultrasound numbers, procedural numbers, and acute care cases are all tracked. Fellows will progress in ACGME milestones involving medical knowledge, systems-based practice, patient care, professionalism, and interpersonal and communication skills.
• Systems-based care: The program will provide Fellows with training in professionalism, team communication, systems-based practice, and care delivery by working at multiple sites with providers from a multitude of other specialties. Working with our Fetal Care Center, Cardio-Obstetrics Center, and other specialized programs within the Cleveland Clinic system provides an optimal setting to advance through these milestones.
• Scholarly activity: There will be structured, time protected research experiences with opportunities for both laboratory and clinical research to provide trainees with the skills for critical research interpretation along with the foundation for developing an independent program of investigation. Fellows complete a thesis project as outlined by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The thesis is presented to the division prior to graduation. Yearly projects are encouraged along with attendance at the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Annual Scientific meeting. A quality project is also expected during the time of the fellowship.
• Development as an educator: Fellows are involved in resident and student education. In addition to combined clinical opportunities, Fellows participate in resident didactics and simulations. Combined research experiences are also encouraged. Advancement in this area can be followed by way of practice-based learning and professionalism milestone progression.

How to Apply

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship accepts one fellow per year. All positions are filled through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) match. International applicants are invited to apply through the NRMP as well.

How to Apply

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship application service participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Our application requirements are the same as the standard ERAS application.

Please note: Applicant must have completed an ABOG approved residency program. All applicants must send their CREOG scores to the below Program Manager when the application is submitted.

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International Medical Graduates

Frequently asked question by graduates of international medical school regarding the application process:

• U.S. clinical experience is preferred but not a requirement
• USMLE Step I
• USMLE Step 2
• 3rd year CREOG score
• Please review the ECFMG requirements for additional information
• More information regarding the types of visas that Cleveland Clinic sponsors

Deadline

Application deadline is in conjunction with the SMFM Common Application dates.

Interviews

Interviews will take place in August and invitations are sent via ERAS in conjunction with the SMFM Common Application dates. Detailed information regarding the actual interview day, traveling to Cleveland, hotel accommodations, etc. will be provided to the applicant once the interview is confirmed.

Remember to register with NRMP before you are interviewed.

For further questions, please contact:

Alexandra Gardlock
Sr. Education Program Manager
Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute
gardloa@ccf.org | 330.603.5325