The UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has announced a new family medicine-obstetrics fellowship.
The fellowship represents an important investment in the future of maternal health care in Nebraska, said Karen Carlson, MD, fellowship director. “As rural communities across the state face increasing challenges in maintaining access to obstetric services, this fellowship is designed to prepare family physicians with advanced obstetric training to provide maternity care in rural and underserved communities.
“Our goal is not only to train a physician with the skills necessary to provide comprehensive maternity care, including deliveries and cesarean sections, but also to help sustain local access to obstetric services for families who might otherwise need to travel long distances for care,” Dr. Carlson said.
Rose Nelson, MD, a third-year UNMC Department of Family Medicine resident, will be the inaugural fellow, beginning in July 2027.
“For the UNMC Department of OB-GYN, this fellowship is an opportunity to extend the educational mission beyond the traditional academic medical center and contribute directly to addressing Nebraska’s rural maternity care workforce needs,” said Sarosh Rana, MD, chair of OB/GYN.
Dr. Nelson said she plans to do just that. After completing the FMOB fellowship, Dr. Nelson will join a family practice in Sydney, Nebraska, a rural city about 400 miles west of Omaha. There, Dr. Nelson will practice obstetrics and meet the needs of maternal health in otherwise underserved communities.
“Workforce development is an integral part of EMBRACE, which aims to improve maternal outcomes across Nebraska,” said Dr. Rana, who also is the founder and executive director of EMBRACE.
“Ultimately, the fellowship reflects our commitment to improving maternal health outcomes, strengthening rural health care systems, and ensuring that a patient’s life does not determine whether she has access to safe, high-quality maternity care,” said Briley Patterson, EMBRACE manager.
“Through collaboration with department of OB/GYN, family medicine and community hospital partners, the program will provide intensive, hands-on obstetric training to family medicine physicians,” Dr. Rana said. “We also thank the Olson Foundation, which is funding this fellowship, and our clinical partners at Methodist Women’s Hospital.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nelson on board as our inaugural FMOB fellow,” Dr. Rana said.