Third-Year Clerkship

From the Director

Obstetrics and gynecology offers the unique ability to care for women throughout their lifetime. We provide care to women from pediatrics/adolescent-aged individuals through their reproductive years and on into the menopausal timeframe. We are able to blend a lasting doctor-patient relationship with the women we serve. And, often this relationship may carry over several generations of women within a family. Our specialty offers a unique blend of medicine and surgery and several sub-specialties within this field.

While not every student on the rotation may choose obstetrics and gynecology as a field of practice, almost everyone will take care of women in some aspect during their medical careers. One of our goals is to introduce students to the breadth of the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. We also want to help instill our passion for women's healthcare.

We hope that all of our medical students enjoy their experiences on the rotation and have fun learning.

Course Overview

The Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship follows the nationally standardized curriculum developed by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. To ensure students gain broad exposure to the field, the six-week clerkship is divided into four focused experiences:

• Two weeks in obstetrics
• Two weeks in outpatient clinic
• One week in gynecologic surgery
• One week in gynecologic oncology

Throughout the clerkship, students work closely with faculty, residents, nurses, advanced practice providers, and fellow students. This collaborative environment supports hands-on learning and fosters clinical skills in a variety of patient care settings.

Student Resources

Resources utilized for learning include online modules, weekly didactic lectures, grand round presentations, and simulations. Clerkship students have membership to the two organizations:

• Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics

  • As part of the OB-GYN clerkship, students benefit from access to the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) resources, including the nationally recognized Medical Student Educational Objectives and the uWISE (Undergraduate Web-Based Interactive Self-Evaluation) platform. These tools support a standardized curriculum across institutions and help students build foundational knowledge in obstetrics and gynecology. Students have access to e-modules that align with APGO objectives and are required to complete uWISE quizzes to reinforce learning and prepare for the NBME OB-GYN exam that is completed at the end of the clerkship. 

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • Clerkship students can join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for free, gaining access to a wide range of resources that support learning and professional development during the OB-GYN clerkship. Membership includes the Medical Student Tool Kit, clinical guidelines, advocacy opportunities, and access to ACOG’s Mentorship Program. These tools help students stay current with national standards in women’s health and connect with a broader community of OB-GYN professionals. Membership also enhances exposure to real-world issues in reproductive health and supports preparation for residency.