Overview

Overview

Residency Program
Ob/Gyn Residents and Fellows at the Ob/Gyn and Women’s Health Institute 7th Annual Research Day

Ob/Gyn Residency: Where You Design the Program

Thank you for your interest in Cleveland Clinic's Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program. Unlike other residency training programs in the nation, Cleveland Clinic’s Ob/Gyn residency training program allows you flexibility to design your own program. During this four-year, ACGME-accredited program, you determine which track to take, and we tailor the curriculum to meet your needs.

Program Mission: To develop competent and compassionate OB/GYN physicians with an advanced skill set, through an innovative, individualized, flexible “tracking” program, who will be empowered to care for women across their lives utilizing evidenced- based medicine.

Program Aim: To provide a framework where trainees progress through milestones, explore clinical interests and develop specialized skills through personalized “tracking” blocks. Establish mentorship and coaching relationships to foster trainee-centered development with a focus on clinical excellence, research, teaching and quality.

Diversity and Inclusion: Cleveland Clinic values a culture where caregivers integrate diversity and inclusion throughout the enterprise as well as in our training programs. We respect and appreciate our similarities and differences; they enable us to better serve our patients, one another, and our global communities.

With the availability of exceptional educational and clinical resources and renowned faculty, our residents train while caring for an incredibly complex patient population. With the flexibility of a tailored curriculum, you are able to train with a focus in the subspecialty of your choice. In this exceptional environment, we train experts in the field who become leaders in research, academics, and private practice.

Every residency program must offer core training in the fundamentals of obstetrics and gynecology to prepare you for passing your boards. In addition to this core training, you will have the opportunity to gain significant experience and a deeper understanding of gynecologic surgical training as well as issues in women’s health that physicians deal with daily.

We encourage you to review the information on our program to compare various tracks, including Family Planning, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, General Ob/Gyn, Global Health, Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility.

Vicki Reed, MD
Program Director

Stacie Jhaveri, MD
Associate Program Director

Mitch Reider, MD
Associate Program Director

Alexis Scaparotti, MD
Associate Program Director

Melinda Feldkircher
Education Program Administrator 

Erin Hodgson
Residency Program Manager

Tracking Program

Tracking Program

Innovative Tracking Program

Our residency program offers innovative “tracking” rotations in addition to core rotations. The tracking rotations are designed for residents to have seven blocks of tracking throughout their curriculum. These are rotations that are developed by residents, with faculty guidance beginning in their first year. This early exposure allows them to explore potential interests and begin to build the foundation of their training. During postgraduate year two, tracking time is used to refine skills and identify clinical gaps. Third and fourth year tracking is spent in the areas of special interest to master management of more complex clinical and surgical challenges. The Cleveland Clinic has the only “tracking” OB/GYN residency program in the country. The benefits of this were highlighted in the October 2019 Green Journal supplement. The major strength of the Cleveland Clinic program lies in the breadth and depth of exposure to specialty or subspecialty training to advance into fellowship training or specialty practice after residency.

Residents can choose to concentrate training in Ob/Gyn specialty or subspecialty such as:

  • Breast Health 
  • Family Planning
  • Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Global Health
  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology
  • OB/GYN Hospital Medicine
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Transgender Surgery and Medicine

Examples of Ob/Gyn tracking.

Tracking Program Advantages

Flexibility

In this "trainee-centered" program, you have the option to track into a curriculum specifically designed to give you more extensive experience and flexibility. By self-selecting into areas of career interest, you will naturally demonstrate a greater focus on your training. This approach also identifies what the physician should take responsibility for in terms of further professional development as well as preparedness for fellowship if that path is chosen.

The outcome-based approach provides a useful framework for all rotations, thereby guaranteeing that all residents are held to the same standards. It emphasizes the technical aspects of clinical responsibilities as well as the scholarship and professionalism of Ob/Gyn practice. This approach also identifies what the physician should take responsibility for in terms of further professional development.

Credibility

The curriculum has been developed by a group of practicing obstetricians and gynecologists, many of whom are innovators in the field. This not only gives the curriculum credibility, but it also ensures that the material is at the cutting edge of Ob/Gyn education.

What’s more, Cleveland Clinic is ranked as one of the nation's top hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Clinical Training Rotations

Clinical Training Rotations

Clinical Training Outcomes

The curriculum ensures that residents progress toward the exit learning outcomes in a coherent and cohesive fashion.

Resident progression during the first year involves increased breadth, which extends resident learning to more or new topics in Ob/Gyn, to different practice contexts and to building on existing knowledge to attain new learning. Residents also experience a variety of subspecialties early in their training to expose them to future career options. 

Increased difficulty during the second year involves more in-depth and advanced consideration of Ob/Gyn topics. Second-year residents also begin to apply learning to more complex situations and deal with subtle situations in clinical encounters.

Increased utility during the third year involves applying learning to more complex presentations of disease in Ob/Gyn practice.

Finally, fourth-year residents demonstrate increased proficiency by becoming more accomplished. Performance becomes more efficient and more like second nature as residents hone their skills as well as chief their junior residents and lead teams. 

Rotations

Obstetrics Residents have the opportunities to be involved with obstetrical patients at each of our regional hospitals, Hillcrest and Fairview along with Main Campus. Our regional hospitals labor and deliver unites each do between 4500-5000 deliveries per year. Our patient population at each of these hospitals offers residents the opportunities to care for a diverse patient population. Residents work on teams with varied levels of responsibility based on post graduate year and are involved in all aspects of obstetrical care. Residents manage patients on antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum. Vaginal Deliveries, VAVD, FAVD, primary and repeat cesarean section are typical procedures residents learn as they master basic and then more complicated Obstetrical situations. In addition to managing faculty obstetrical patients, residents also deliver their patients from the continuity Westown Clinic at Fairview Hospital. This population offers a unique opportunity for diverse care including a large Hispanic population. Patients from underserved areas of Cleveland also deliver at Hillcrest Hospital and offer a different experience for residents. Hillcrest and Fairview both serve as referral hospitals for many of the outlying hospitals in the community representing a different patient demographic.

The Maternal Fetal Medicine rotations takes place at Hillcrest and Fairview Hospitals. During the second year the rotation is primarily an outpatient consultation and ultrasound experience where residents work directly with clinical faculty. The third year rotation is primarily an inpatient rotation where residents manage the antepartum service and perform complicated obstetrical surgeries under the supervision of the Maternal Fetal Medicine faculty as well as spending time in the outpatient office learning ultrasound, genetics and consultation.

The Gynecology rotation occurs in each of the four years with residents operating as early as their first year. Residents are involved in level-appropriate cases that are assigned by the gynecological chief resident.  This gives the chief residents the autonomy needed to develop into supervising physicians as well as to select the most valuable clinical experiences for the resident teams

Residents have the opportunity to participate in cases at various sites allowing for a vast surgical experience. They operate with our specialty (general) OBGYN surgeons along with our Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgical team performing cases that vary in complexity from simple to advanced. Residents typically graduate with well over double the minimal required cases in many categories. Residents have 24/7 access to a dry simulation lab to master their laparoscopic and hysteroscopic skills even prior to entering the operating room.

On Gynecologic Oncology the resident team learns the care of acute and chronically ill patients. Clinical management begins in the first year with progressive involvement in complex surgical cases. Residents work with the staff and fellows on this rotation to evaluate patients with female cancers in outpatient clinics and are involved in their surgical procedures and perioperative management. Our nationally recognized gynecologic oncologists perform innovative approaches to surgery with a focus on minimally invasive surgery. Residents participate in open surgeries, laparoscopic and single port laparoscopies. The diversity of patients who travel both locally and internationally for care by our faculty provides residents unique patient care opportunities.

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reproductive Surgery: Residents will become familiar with the surgical management of pelvic floor disorders. Surgical skills like vaginal hysterectomy, vaginal suspension procedures and midurethral sling placement are the focus of the urogynecology rotation. Nationally recognized staff educate our residents about a wide variety of diagnoses including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Residents also have the opportunity to be involved in the surgical care of transgender patients.

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility will allow residents to evaluate complex infertility issues and patients with endocrine challenges. This rotation also provides the opportunity to work with national leaders in endometriosis who are exploring innovations in endometriosis imaging. Advanced laparoscopic surgeries are utilized to treat patients with tubal disease, endometriosis and pelvic pain.

Ultrasound Training is comprehensive ranging from Obstetrical to Gynecologic sonograms and saline infusion sonography. Residents get a robust experience in the outpatient clinical offices, didactic experience, high risk clinics and family planning rotation. Advanced simulation equipment in available and residents also have a first year rotation completely dedicated to ultrasonography.

Evidence Based Medicine and Quality is an introduction to identifying clinical questions and determining how to find an answer using objective measures. Residents will learn to look at published works and identify the quality of the paper and level of evidence. Residents begin to develop their quality projects during this block.

The Family Planning rotation is an official Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program in Abortion and Family Planning. This prestigious program is part of a national initiative to enhance comprehensive resident training in uterine evacuation techniques, complex contraception, LARC, advocacy and grieving/bereavement counseling. Our innovative program has been carefully designed to be in full compliance with all ACGME requirements and maintains a partial participation option for our residents.

Global Health (tracking opportunity) experiences with Dr. Miriam Cremer, Cleveland Clinic Staff Physician and President/Founder of Basic Health International gives the residents opportunities to become involved in global health.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in many developing Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (CAPE) is a pilot program with the Salvadoran Ministers of Health in El Salvador. Over 30,000 were screened through this program which not only established an infrastructure for a sustained system of cervical cancer prevention in El Salvador; but also created the framework for a viable model of replication in resource-poor countries. The program mission is to eradicate cervical cancer globally. Dr. Cremer and BHI are also involved in a project to introduce HPV DNA based screening in Haiti. Through the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Cremer is PI on several NIH research projects working to develop an inexpensive, mobile, effective treatment device for cervical pre-cancer.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Cleveland Clinic Values

Cleveland Clinic values a culture where caregivers integrate diversity and inclusion throughout the enterprise, as well as in our training programs. We respect and appreciate our similarities and differences; they enable us to better serve our patients, one another, and our global communities.

The Women’s Health Institute program has several initiatives underway focusing on recruiting and retaining a diverse population of residents, including underrepresented in medicine (URiM) applicants. There are scholarships available for underrepresented students.

In addition, the Women’s Health Institute program provides residents the opportunity to participate in diversity education and community engagement initiatives.

Women’s Health Institute diversity and inclusion programs:

  • Diversity Focus Group within Women’s Health Institute residency program, which focuses on identifying key areas of improvement. During the 2022-2023 academic year this will be further developed into a DEI curriculum with workshops, lectures and facilitated discussions. Topics to include healthy equity, medical racism, LGBTQ care, reproductive justice and implicit bias
  • Ongoing development of a Women’s Health Institute Morbidity and Mortality conference
  • Diversity and Inclusion Task Force within the Graduate Medical Education Department
  • Council on Diversity and Inclusion, which consists of caregivers from all facets of clinical care to work on recruitment, community outreach and equitability in patient care
  • Unconscious bias training for all staff 
  • Formal and informal mentorship, providing opportunities to establish connections within the Women’s Health Institute

Discover more about the role diversity and inclusion plays at Cleveland Clinic and at its Graduate Medical Education program, as well as our diversity and inclusion efforts.

News releases:

Physician insights:

Community engagement:

Linda Bradley, MD

Linda Bradley, MD
Vice Chair of Diversity, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute

Education and Simulation

Education and Simulation

Didactics

Every Wednesday morning residents have four hours of protected didactic time. Education during this time includes Grand Rounds, Didactics, Morbidity and Mortality Conference, Journal Club, Ultrasound Conference, Quality Updates, and Simulation.

Educational activities are monitored through semi-annual program reviews, rotation-by-rotation specific feedback, program surveys and attendance at conferences, rounds and journal clubs. The education team is a multi-disciplinary team involving residents, staff, administrative support, graduate medical education support and many more members invested in resident education.

In addition to scheduled didactics, structured learning occurs on clinical services with supervising attending physicians and subspecialty fellows. 

Simulation

State-of-the-Art Simulation Center

Cleveland Clinic’s Education Institute multidisciplinary simulation center is designed to enhance the clinical learning experience for healthcare professionals. All physicians, nurses and allied health providers can engage in high-fidelity, team-based interventions to learn specific clinical skills or to practice new technical skills such as laparoscopy through the use of state-of-the-art task simulators. The Simulation Center provides an interactive learning experience in a low-stress, risk-free environment.

Scheduled Simulation

The first Wednesday of every month is dedicated to resident simulation. This alternates between obstetrical and gynecological experiences. Examples of simulations include laparoscopy, robotic training, complex perineal repairs, emergency cesarean section, obstetrical hemorrhage, and cadaveric dissections. Our Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeons are dedicated to facilitating both low and high fidelity simulation scenarios. We also have faculty who have done fellowship training in simulation who help to create robust experiences for all level residents. Simulation is paired with didactics to maximize resident learning and engagement.

Residents typically complete their Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery within their first year.

Residents have the opportunity to participate in a structured robotic training curriculum that spans all four years of training. This curriculum incorporates participation in the Robotic Training Network, and includes completion of online modules, simulation tasks, didactics, small group simulation labs, hands-on operative training and faculty assessment. The program emphasizes proficiency-based advancement of skills, providing experience to bedside assist and basic surgical skills for the robotic platform. Those with an interest may also opt to pursue advanced training during tracking block.

Intern Bootcamp

Each year in July, we start out the year with seven weeks of introductory simulations to introduce our Interns to basic surgical skills. Facilitated by faculty and PGY-3 residents, interns learn: knot tying, suturing, anatomy, laparoscopy and vaginal deliveries (spontaneous, vacuum, and forceps), cesarean sections and perineal repairs. This allows clinical skill development along with the opportunity for the new intern class to development relationships amongst themselves and with upper level residents.

Skill Based Team Building

A team building surgical skill experience in July is just the beginning of the simulation program our residents experience. This event allows senior residents to guide junior residents through various simulations in a fun interactive environment. Examples of these activities include simulated cerclage placement, circumcisions, laparoscopic treasure hunts, patwardhan technique, surgical positioning, laparoscopic led signatures, amniocentesis, post-partum hemorrhage devices, forceps, I-Pass, and IUD placement.

In the spring the annual resident Olympics provide opportunities for skill development and resident well-being in addition to mock oral board exams. Examples include OBGYN escape room, pessary toss and endometrial biopsy relays.

Our staff physicians are engaged highly at each of these simulation to coach and mentor residents throughout the experiences. Staff can even be spotted during our Olympic opening ceremonies caring their iPhone flashlights as torches.

Research

Research

Research Opportunities

Every year celebrate research in the Women’s Health Institute with our Resident Research Day. Third year residents give oral podium presentations on their research while second year residents present posters highlighting their projects. In addition, residents consistently present their research at other local and national meetings.

Faculty provide mentorship throughout the research and publication process. Our faculty research is recognized nationally through publications, national academic leadership positions and extensive grant funding.

To help support research endeavors, the Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute has six full-time and two part-time research staff including five RN research nurse coordinators, three non-RN research coordinators and an RN nurse manager. The clinical research team is responsible for all patient-related aspects of your research project with respect to regulatory compliance.

Hospital and Clinic Locations

Hospital and Clinic Locations

Hospitals

Training occurs in a large referral-based medical center in Northeast Ohio. Most training will take place at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. In addition residents also will train at Hillcrest and Fairview hospitals, both of which are Cleveland Clinic health system hospitals that provide obstetrics care. General and subspecialty operative gynecology are also performed in these locations.

In addition, the resident continuity clinic will take place at Westown Physician's Center which is located near Fairview Hospital. Continuity clinics are precepted by full-time Ob/Gyn generalist faculty members who have training and interest in outpatient clinical teaching. One faculty member is assigned to each half-day clinic. Patients are scheduled so that residents see an average of six patients during a half-day session at the beginning of the PGY 1 year. No resident will go longer than two months without a continuity clinic.

Cleveland Clinic provides patient care for regional, national and international patients at locations throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area.

Additionally:

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

  • Founded in 1921 by George Crile Sr.
  • 44 buildings, over 85 operating rooms, more than 1,400 beds.
  • Special Delivery Unit focuses on delivery of women or infants who will require special monitoring and/or interventions around or after delivery

Fairview Hospital

  • Fairview Hospital is a busy 488 bed community hospital on Cleveland’s west side overlooking the city's Metro parks.
  • Features a level III perinatal center, a level III NICU and a level I trauma center.
  • Over 4,000 deliveries per year.

Hillcrest Hospital

  • Hillcrest Hospital is a busy community hospital.
  • Hillcrest Hospital features a level III NICU and level II trauma center.
  • Over 5,000 deliveries per year.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers

 Westown Continuity Clinic

  • This clinic serves highly diverse patients with a large immigrant and Spanish speaking population.
Current Residents

Current Residents

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents - Class of 2023

Rachael Baird, MD, MS | Cleveland Clinic

Rachael Baird, MD, MS
Senior Administrative Chief Resident

  • Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
  • Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI
  • Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
  • Interests/Hobbies: Running with community groups such as "Run Wild CLE", competing in local races including the Cleveland Marathon in May 2018, playing board games, and listening to history and true crime podcasts.

Julia Chalif, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Julia Chalif, MD

  • Hometown: New York, NY
  • Undergraduate: Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
  • Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Exploring ethnic recipes and foods, traveling with friends and family, cooking, running, snowboarding, and freelance writing.

Alexandra Imani Chatman, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Alexandra Imani Chatman, MD

  • Hometown: Washington DC
  • Undergraduate: University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
  • Medical School: Eastern Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Cooking healthy meals, traveling domestically and abroad, spending time with family in middle Tennessee, reading, attending music festivals and concerts, hiking some of the most beautiful trails in Appalachia, camping in local state parks, exercising, kayaking, yoga, playing board games with close friends.

Catherine Keller, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Catherine Keller, MD
Senior Administrative Chief

  • Hometown: Decatur, AL
  • Undergraduate: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NC
  • Medical School: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Home renovation, PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA Certified, kickboxing, needlepoint, cooking.

Kaia Schwartz, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Kaia Schwartz, MD
Wellness Chair

  • Hometown: LaGrange, IL
  • Undergraduate: Washington University – St. Louis, MO
  • Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Weight Lifting, Yoga, Volleyball Player, Running, Fine food and wine enthusiast, Art and Art History, World Travel, Dog Owner.

Rachel Shin, MD, MPH | Cleveland Clinic

Rachel Shin, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
  • Undergraduate: Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Enjoys traveling, arts and crafts (most recently making macramé plant hangers), dancing and figure skating.

Annika Sinha, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Annika Sinha, MD
Quality Chief

  • Hometown: Winchester, GBR
  • Undergraduate: Mercer University – Macon, GA
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
  • Interests/Hobbies: Hobbies: painting, playing the piano, scrapbooking, writing and performing poetry, cooking, acting/drama Interests: global health, women's health, art history.

Nicole Wood, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Nicole Wood, MD
Simulation Chief

  • Hometown: University of South Florida – Tampa, FL
  • Undergraduate: University of South Florida College of Medicine
  • Medical School: University of South Florida
  • Interests/Hobbies: Professional Interests: Global health, public health, women’s healthcare, physician wellness. Personal Interests: Reading, traveling, yoga, kayaking, knitting, musical theater, piano, community service.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents - Class of 2024

laurena buckley, MD

Lauren Buckley, MD

  • Hometown: Buffalo, NY & West Palm Beach, FL
  • Undergraduate: University of Florida-Gainesville, FL
  • Graduate: Tulane University-New Orleans, LA
  • Medical School: University of South Florida-Tampa, FL
  • Interests/Hobbies: In her free time, Lauren enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, cooking, traveling, listening to music and podcasts, reading, exploring Cleveland’s food scene, and spending time with family, friends, and her cat.

catherine klammer

Katie Klammer, MD
Junior Administrative Chief

  • Hometown: Hong Kong, SAR
  • Undergraduate: Concordia University – Chicago, IL
  • Medical School: Michigan State University - College of Human Medicine - Midland
  • Interests/Hobbies: Katie enjoys reading, baking, and running/walking outdoors in her spare time. She loves exploring new cities and discovering new restaurants. Katie is also an avid scuba diver and received her first dive certification when she was 13 years old.

erika lampert

Erika Lampert, MD
Junior Administrative Chief

  • Hometown: Watchung, NJ
  • Undergraduate: Duke University – Durham, NC
  • Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Erika enjoys running (full and half-marathons, trail running), playing recreational soccer and pick-up basketball, going to the theater, particularly musicals; practicing and speaking Spanish; listening to true-crime podcasts; foreign travel and experiencing new cuisines.

madeline lederer

Madeline Lederer, MD

  • Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Undergraduate: Tulane University – New Orleans, LA
  • Medical School: University of Miami - Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Madeline enjoys being social, spending time with family and friends, and any activity involving food. She tries to be physically active, and as a former dancer, she enjoys workouts that incorporate music and dance like cycling and Zumba classes. She is an extroverted introvert, and appreciates down time. Often, she will unwind by curling up with a glass of wine and reading a good book, or binge watching a true crime documentary. Madeline speaks basic Spanish.

Sabrina Rangi, MD | Cleveland Clinic

Sabrina Rangi, MD

  • Hometown: Owosso, MI
  • Undergraduate: Yale University – New Haven, CT
  • Medical School: Michigan State University - College of Human Medicine, Flint
  • Interests/Hobbies: In her free time, Sabrina enjoys reading books by her favorite author Malcolm Gladwell and listening to his podcast Revisionist History; searching for the gastronomically perfect burger or carne asada taco; stopping at every contemporary art museum while traveling; collecting the "Been There Series, Across the Globe Collection" Starbucks mugs. She speaks Punjabi and Spanish.

johnathan zhao

Johnathan Zhao, MD
Education Chief

  • Hometown: Irvine, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
  • Interests/Hobbies: John enjoys listening to music, discovering new music, attending concerts, singing and playing guitar, running, hiking, camping, reading, cooking, and taking care of his cat. He speaks Chinese and Spanish.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents - Class of 2025

emily armstrong, MD

Emily Armstrong, MD

  • Hometown: Cleveland, OH
  • Undergraduate: The Ohio State University 
  • Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Emily’s Interests include traveling – she recently went to Amsterdam and Paris. Also, photography, playing with her rescue dog, watching history documentaries (particularly Victorian-era and 20th century European history), art history (impressionism, Italian renaissance), and Orange Theory Fitness.

riva desai, MD, MS

Riva Desai, MD, MS

  • Hometown: Clearwater, FL
  • Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Graduate: Georgetown University, M.S.
  • Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Riva is a food enthusiast. She enjoys Hollywood and Bollywood movies, satirical news and TV shows. She also enjoys trivia games, settlers of Catan, picnics, traveling and writing. Riva speaks advanced Spanish.

katarina fleckenstein, MD

Katarina Fleckenstein, MD

  • Hometown: Fairfax, VA
  • Undergraduate: William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA
  • Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Katarina enjoys being outdoors and was a competitive ski racer, and competitive runner. She enjoys Orange Theory Fitness, traveling with family and friends, and trying local foods.

emily frisch, MD, MA

Emily Frisch, MD, MA

  • Hometown: Orange, CA
  • Undergraduate: Chapman University – Orange, CA
  • Graduate: Chapman University – Orange, CA – M.A.
  • Medical School: University of California Irvine, School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Emily enjoys tennis (previous member of NCAA Division III Team at Chapman), Spanish Book club, scuba diving, nationally ranked artistic roller skating, road biking, baking, skiing and traveling. Emily speaks advanced Spanish.

olivia neumann, MD

Olivia Neumann, MD

  • Hometown: St. Louis, MO
  • Undergraduate: University of Miami – Coral Gables, FL
  • Medical School: University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Olivia is an avid runner who has completed four half marathons and hopes to train for a full in the future. She enjoys baking and creating new recipes. Her favorite foods to make are cupcakes, cookies and homemade buttercream frosting. She also enjoys drawing, painting, hiking, traveling, exploring museums and listening to podcasts.

kirat sandhu, MD

Kirat Sandhu, MD

  • Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Davis – Davis, CA
  • Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Kirat is a native Californian who enjoys hiking and camping in national parks. She has back packed the Lost Coast Trail and hopes to do the same in the Pacific Crest Trail. She also enjoys printmaking using linoleum and wood blocks, fostering and training dogs, and practicing and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

dominic sandlet, MD

Dominic Sandler, MD

  • Hometown: Stockton, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Dominic enjoys coaching collegiate and professional athletes, War Dragons (competitive online strategy game, his team is currently top 100 globally), guitar, basketball, running/hiking, anime and Door Dash.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents- Class of 2026

Meghan Ansbro, MD, PhD

Meghan Ansbro, MD, PhD

  • Hometown: Conneaut, Ohio
  • Undergraduate: Denison University
  • Medical School: University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Megan enjoys singing, with a wide range of musical tastes. She was a member of King’s Voices Choir at King’s College Cambridge. Megan also enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and cycling. She grew up boating on Lake Erie and is looking forward to getting out on the water again. And to save the best for last, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two cats, and their twin boys, Henry & Hugo.

Dana Baraki, MD

Dana Baraki, MD

  • Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia
  • Undergraduate: The College of William and Mary Williamsburg
  • Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
  • Interests/Hobbies: Dana enjoys reading non-fiction novels & essays, podcasts, soccer, traveling and enjoying food.

parker bussies, MD

Parker Bussies, MD

  • Hometown: Zeeland, MI
  • Undergraduate: Hope College – Holland, MI
  • Medical School: University of Miami - Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Tennis, soccer, going to the gym, Latin music and dancing, classical piano, genetics, dystopian novels, and quality time with friends. Parker speaks Spanish fluently and is working on learning Portuguese.

Andreea Dinicu, MD

Andreea Dinicu, MD

  • Hometown: Iasi, Romania and Farmington, CT
  • Undergraduate: University of Connecticut
  • Medical School: University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Andreea enjoys spending time with her loved ones, going to cycling classes, dancing, yoga, hiking, and trying new foods. She also likes to travel and to be outdoors.

Emma Gargus, MD, PhD

Emma Gargus, MD, PhD

  • Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
  • Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Medical School: Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Emma is an avid volleyball player who enjoys pickling and fermenting, experimenting with produce from her CSA (community supported agriculture) box, reading fictions and memoirs, art and architecture.

Marissa Hand, MD

Marissa Hand, MD

  • Hometown: Severna Park, MD
  • Undergraduate: University of Virginia
  • Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Marissa enjoys swimming, scuba diving, collecting vinyl records, Peloton, running, hiking at national parks, grilling, and game nights with friends.

Jennifer Hansen, MD

Jennifer Hansen, MD

  • Hometown: Los Altos, California
  • Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
  • Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
  • Interests/Hobbies: Jenny is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys being active with CrossFit, Peloton, hiking, and triathlon. She also enjoys a cappella, making baked goods, and reading non-fiction. Lastly, she finds joy in traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Sunny Lee, DO

Sunny Lee, DO

  • Hometown: Incheon, South Korea; Fishers, Indiana
  • Undergraduate: Purdue University
  • Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Interests/Hobbies: Sunny enjoys yoga, hiking, camping, cross-stitching, crocheting, learning new languages, baking desserts, and binge watching the same three shows (Parks and Rec, the Office, and Friends).
Staff

Staff

Staff Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Institute

Cleveland Clinic caregivers are involved in clinical innovations that are advancing the care of women and the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Some of these advances are highlighted in the following Cleveland Clinic OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute publications and news releases:

Publications:

News releases:

Academic Appointments

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

  • Huda Afaneh, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Michael Anderson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Marjan Attaran, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Cynthia Austin, MD, Associate Professor Emeritus
  • Stephen Bacak, DO, MPH Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Rebecca Bagley, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Fadi Bashour, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Pelin Batur, MD, Associate Professor
  • Lauren Bouchard, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Natalie Bowersox, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Linda Bradley, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Amy Burkett, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Olivia Chang, MD, MPH Clinical Instructor
  • Jeffrey Chapa, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Anna Chichura, MD, Clinical Instructor
  • Edward Chien, MD, MBA Professor
  • Francine Cosner, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Miriam Cremer, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Robert DeBernardo, MD, Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Brittany Denny, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Nina Desai, PhD, Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Jillian Dodge, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Meredith Dorr, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Kenneth Edelman, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Ashraf El-Dabh MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Jonathan Emery, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Tommaso Falcone, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Lourdes Falconi, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Ruth Farrell, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Amanda Ferry, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Pamela Frazzini Padilla, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Jonathan Funk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Julia Girzhel, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Oluwatosin Goje, MD Associate Professor
  • Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Rhoda Goldschmidt, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Erin Higgins, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Maeve Hopkins, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Patrick Isaac, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Joan Jesse, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Stacie Jhaveri, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Sarah Juza, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Amanda Kalan, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Monique Katsuki, MD, Assistant Professor
  • Rosanne Kho, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Fadi Khoury, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Melissa Kirven, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Swapna Kollikonda, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Suchetha Kshettry, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Mary LaPlante, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Justin Lappen, MD, Associate Professor
  • Melissa Lee, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Hanna Lisbona, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Erin McKelvey, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Margaret McKenzie, MD, Associate Professor
  • Gita Mehta, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Amy Merlino, MD, Assistant Professor
  • Chad Michener, MD, Associate Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Sharon Mikol, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Sangithan Moodley, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Trina Pagano, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Marie Paraiso, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Betsy Patterson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professo, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Uma Perni, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Kim Puterbaugh, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Sudhakar Rao, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Vicki Reed, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Mitchell Reider, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Jean Reinhold, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Stephanie Ricci, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Beri Ridgeway, MD, Academic Department Chair, Associate Professor
  • Peter Rose, MD, Professor
  • Rebecca Russell, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Sabrina Sahni, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Abdelaziz Saleh, MD, Clinical Professor
  • Alexis Scaparotti, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Maria Schleicher, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Jonathan Seibert, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Lynn Simpson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Katherine Singh, MD, Assistant Professor
  • Amber Somerville, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Amy Stephens, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Womack Stokes, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Jessica Strasburg, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Sharon Sutherland, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Monica Svets, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Holly Thacker, MD, Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Center for Specialized Women’s Health
  • Tonya Thomas, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Roberto Vargas, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Mark Walters, MD, Professor
  • Catherine Wilkins, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Patricia Yost, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Diane Young, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
  • Salena Zanotti, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute, Ob/Gyn
Alumni

Alumni

Cleveland Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program Alumni

 2022  Carrie Bennett, MD  MFM Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital
 2022  Jonathan T. Hunt, MD, MBA  Faculty, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth
 2022  Ukpebo Rebecca Omosigho, MD  Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, Vanderbilt University
 2022  Morgan Gruner, MD  Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, University of Minnesota
 2022  Mary Kate Lintel, MD  Ob/Gyn Specialist, Wellstar, Atlanta, GA
 2022  Cory Messingschlager, MD  Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
 2022  Molly Morton, MD  Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, The Ohio State University
 2021  Anna Chichura, MD Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program at North Shore and the University of Chicago Medicine
 2021  Alyssa Herrmann, MD Ob/Gyn Specialist, Private Practice - Eastside Gynecology and Obstetrics as an Ob/Gyn specialist in Detroit, Michigan
 2021  Melanie Katz, MD Faculty, Cleveland Clinic OBGYN & Women’s Health Institute
 2021  Lia Miceli, MD FPMRS Fellowship, Methodist Hospital-Houston-TX Pelvic Med and Recon Surg/OBGYN-Houston, TX
 2021  Ji “Jessica” Son, MD Gynecologic Oncology  Fellowship, Univ of TX, MD Anderson, Houston, TX
2020 Deepanjana Das, MD FPMRS, Fellowship - Northwestern McGaw Medical Center
2020 Sarah Hershman, MD Faculty, Obstetrics & Gynecology Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
2020 Emily Holthaus, MD MFM Fellowship, Loyola University Medical Center
2020 Christine Hur, MD REI Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic
2020 Erica Newlin, MD Faculty, Obstetrics & Gynecology Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
2019 Caitlin Carr, MD Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship – Mount Sinai Hospital
2019 Chelsea Fortin, MD REI Fellowship – University of Michigan
2019 Julian Gingold, MD, PhD REI Fellowship – Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center
2019 Natalia Llarena, MD REI Fellowship – Cleveland Clinic
2019 Jessian Munoz, MD, PhD MFM Fellowship – University of Texas, San Antonio
2019 Kate Woodburn, MD FPMRS Fellowship – MedStar Washington Hospital Center – Georgetown University
2018 Alexander Kotylar, MD REI Fellowship - Yale University, New Haven, CT
2018 Thanh Ha Luu REI Fellowship - University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2018 Laura Moulton, DO Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
2018 Emily Nacy, MD Assistant Professor, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology - University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
2018 Sarah Steele, MD FPMRS Fellowship - University of California, Irvine, CA
2017 Chiazor Akusoba, MD Private Practice, Washington
2017 Cynthia Arviso, MD MIS Fellowship - Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
2017 Lisa Hickman, MD FPMRS Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
2017 Suejin Kim, MD Private Practice, California
2017 Lindsay Valentine, MD MIS Fellowship - Penn State, Hershey, PA
2016 Melanie Arora, MD Private Practice, Apple Valley, CA
2016 Megan Buechel, MD Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship
University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
2016 Ginny Marie Harris, MD, PhD Private Practice
2016 Monique Katsuki, MD Faculty, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
2016 Jamie Stanhiser, MD Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Fellowship
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC
Resident Life

Resident Life

Our program emphasizes the health and well-being our residents. We have developed a “L.E.A.D.E.R” Series that focuses on Leadership, Equanimity, Acceptance, Diversity, Engagement and Resilience throughout the residency. Through this program’s curriculum, we have focused on team building, mentorship with staff/colleagues, mindfulness, professionalism and leadership development.

Resident Retreat

Each fall, the residents participate in a resident only retreat. This is an opportunity for residents to get to know one another on a more personal level, spend time together outside of the hospital setting, participate in team building activities and have discussions on ways to continue to improve and strengthen the training program. The retreat is fully supported by the administration and the current fellows. All residents participate and are excused from clinical activities and responsibilities during this time.

Application Process

Application Process

The Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute offers 7 categorical residency positions each year. This is an increase in 2 positions from the 5 since 2017. Currently there are a total of 28 categorical residents in the program. All positions are filled through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). No preliminary (PGY1) or advanced positions (PGY2) are offered through the Match. International applicants are invited to apply through the ERAS and participate in the NRMP as well. 

How to Apply

The Ob/Gyn Residency Program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for all positions. You must complete all components of the ERAS Application in order for your application to be considered complete and to be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Our application requirements are the same as the standard ERAS application:

  • Complete Application
  • CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
  • Medical School Transcript
  • USMLE Step I Transcript & Score Report – must pass one your first attempt
  • USMLE Step 2 Transcript & Score Report – must pass one your first attempt
    • Must have USMLE Step 2 Score Report uploaded into ERAS prior to the deadline of the Rank List submission. If you do not have a Step 2 Score Report uploaded, you will not be ranked (assuming you were invited for an interview).
  • Three Letters of Recommendation

International Medical Graduates

Here are some frequently asked question by graduates of international medical schools regarding the application process:

  • U.S. clinical experience is strongly preferred
  • USMLE Step I Transcript & Score Report – must pass one your first attempt
  • USMLE Step 2 Transcript & Score Report – must pass one your first attempt
    • Must have USMLE Step 2 Score Report uploaded into ERAS prior the deadline of the Rank List submission. If you do not have a Step 2 Score Report uploaded, you will not be ranked (assuming you were invited for an interview).
  • ECFMG certification at the time of application is required. Please review the ECFMG requirements for additional information.
  • Must have graduated medical school within the last 5 years. Anything greater than 5 years does not meet the minimum requirements.

Application Deadline

October 1, 2022.

Interviews

Offers for interviews will be made via email starting on October 25, according to CREOG/APGO guidelines. For 2022-2023, interviews will be held virtually on Wednesdays starting on November 2. The program will offer two interviews on Thursday afternoons in mid-December and January. Case and CCLCM students’ interview date will be held virtually on October 27.

We recognize that attending a virtual interview will not give you a good idea of what training would be like at Cleveland Clinic. Please take a moment to watch this video, which will help outline the world class training you can receive at Cleveland Clinic.

Life in Cleveland has so much to offer! Learn more about the city of Cleveland.

For more information:

Erin Hodgson
Residency Program Manager
216.445.5125
hodgsoe@ccf.org

Benefits

Benefits

Benefits Overview

Approved Time Off

15 vacation days and 5 personal days are provided at the beginning of each academic year.

Insurance

All clinical trainees at Cleveland Clinic receive medical, dental, vision, prescription, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage. Medical insurance is provided with a small premium paid by the resident. Insurance covers residents and their families fully and is effective on the first day of training with no waiting period.

Educational Allowance

A residency book fund of $350 is available each academic year, which may be used for books, tablets, laptops, society dues, etc. In addition, it can be used to offset the cost of the USMLE Step 3 exam.

The Education Institute (GME Department) will fund up to $1500 per year for meeting attendance for PGY Year 2 and above that have an abstract or poster accepted for presentation at a national meeting. Additional funding for travel and meeting attendance is available through the Women’s Health Institute pending an approval process. Meeting attendance does not subtract from vacation days.

Salary

Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective May 16, 2021:

Grad Level New Annual Rate
1 $61,609
2 $63,685
3 $65,743
4 $68,315
5 $70,591
6 $73,368
7 $75,798
8 $77,276
9 $78,759

Additional Benefits

  • Additional information regarding benefits can be viewed on the GME website