Fourth-Year Clinical Specialty Track
Simulation for gynecological surgery draping and patient positioning, lead by Dr. Katherine Finney
Choosing a medical specialty is one of the most important decisions students make during their training. At UNMC, third-year students explore their options through specialty-specific meetings and conversations with track directors, helping them make informed choices about their future careers.
For those who select obstetrics and gynecology, the fourth year—Phase 3 of the College of Medicine curriculum—offers tailored elective courses that provide focused, hands-on training in women’s health. Students gain experience in outpatient care, labor and delivery, surgical procedures, and subspecialty areas, all while preparing for residency applications and interviews.
Details about OB-GYN electives and requirements for fourth-year students can be found in the College of Medicine catalog.
OB-GYN Clinical Specialty Track Contact Information
- Lauren Luger, 402-559-8133
- Katie Lessman, MD
Advanced Learning Opportunities
Residency Prep Course
The fourth-year medical students also participate in the Residency Preparatory Course at the end of their fourth year of medical school. They complete two weeks of sessions with the College of Medicine and then two weeks with the Dept. of OB-GYN, which consists of simulations and skills labs with department faculty. An example of sessions includes delivering bad news, perineal laceration repair, advanced suturing techniques, endometrial biopsy, intrauterine device insertion and removal, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, Bartholin cyst management, point of care ultrasound, and high-fidelity simulations for postpartum hemorrhage, operative vaginal delivery, shoulder dystocia and eclampsia.
Advanced Simulations
The fourth-year medical students may participate in the OB-GYN resident simulations, as well. Every July the department organizes a series of simulations and events that include the management of high-risk obstetric emergencies, da Vinci robotic simulator hands-on practice, and we have five to six gynecological surgery equipment representatives bring their equipment to the Davis Global Center so the residents and fourth-year medical students can interact with the equipment and become familiar with how to use the devices.
We also have quarterly simulations that occur on a Wednesday afternoon during dedicated education time that the fourth-year medical students are invited to attend. The topics are chosen by the residency program directors from a list in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists education section and include high-fidelity simulations and hands-on sessions practicing surgical techniques.
