Curriculum

The curriculum includes 12 months of research spread out over the duration of the fellowship. The remaining months of the fellowship are clinical. The goal at the completion of the program is for each graduate to be fully equipped to independently evaluate and manage women with pelvic floor disorders such as prolapse, fistulas, congenital anomalies, urinary and fecal incontinence and neurogenic bladder. In addition, they will have the opportunity to develop and refine minimally invasive surgical skills for other complicated surgical conditions of the female pelvis such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. During their training, fellows will be prepared for academic careers through their involvement in research projects, opportunities to present at national meetings, and participation in medical student and resident education.

Fellowship Year 1

The first year of fellowship is dedicated to building a strong surgical and clinical foundation. The fellow will have graduated operating room responsibility, observe and perform urodynamic testing, learn about pre- and postoperative care, and will be involved in the clinical assessment of pelvic floor disorders. During this time, the fellow will be able to identify his or her research interests and begin to develop research goals with the assistance of a mentor. The first-year fellow will have clinical rotations in urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecology.

Fellowship Year 2

During the second year of fellowship, the surgical responsibility will increase as will the time dedicated to research. Six months are set aside as protected research time for the fellow to develop a research proposal and implement a thesis project. The second-year fellow will have clinical rotations in neurourology and gastroenterology. They will also have teaching opportunities built into the curriculum and will be encouraged to present their research at national meetings. 

Fellowship Year 3

The third year of fellowship is dedicated to supporting the fellow’s autonomy. They will have graduated responsibility in the operating room and clinic respectively in order to promote independent practice. They will complete their thesis research project and will have the opportunity to present their work during the OB/GYN Spring Symposium. At the completion of their fellowship they will be prepared to take the FPMRS written boards.

Research

The curriculum includes 12 months of research training which begins the first year of fellowship continuing through the third year. The basic research objective is to teach methods and data analysis skills to support a physician scientist. Fellows prepare and submit project proposals to the IRB, manage subject recruitment, oversee their projects’ progress, manage their research project database and prepare abstracts and manuscripts for submission. If desired, fellows can be allowed time in a basic science laboratory or develop translational projects with the help of basic science faculty. FPMRS division has a dedicated team of support staff including a research nurse in addition to other clinical research staff.