Two options currently exist for an international experience. In partnership with Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana, upper-level residents may elect to participate alongside obstetrics and gynecology residents from Guyana. The residency in Guyana was established to improve Obstetrics and Gynecology training for Guyanese doctors to decrease both obstetric and newborn morbidity and mortality. The month-long rotation in Guyana involves rotating through three services: obstetrics, gynecology, and clinic in addition to one week of night float.
The department has partnered with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOORTRH) in Kisumu, Kenya. This collaboration is part of a mutually beneficial partnership that allows UPMC residents, fellows, and physicians the opportunity to assist Kenyans in skills transfer and improving their quality of care while expanding their own surgical skills and adapting to a limited resource setting. JOOTRH is a level 5 hospital, a 400-bed facility located within Kisumu City, the third-largest city in Kenya. It is a public hospital under the management of the Department of Health of Kisumu County. Magee residents work collaboratively in a clinical setting with Kenyan medical students, interns, medical officers, residents, and Kenyan obstetricians and gynecologists. They are closely supervised and supported by UPMC faculty during their rotation. The focus of this experience is on inpatient, outpatient care, and gynecologic surgery with a schedule tailored to meet each applicant’s personal interests.
These international opportunities allow for clinical exposure to and experience in Obstetric and Gynecologic Conditions infrequently in the developed world. This elective provides unique and valuable experiences and perspectives for any who chooses to participate. A few examples of surgical cases include cervical cancer, obstetric fistulas, and large fibroids. Due to delayed access to care, it is more common to see obstetric emergencies such as eclamptic seizures, ruptured uteri, ruptured ectopic pregnancies, cervical lacerations as well as third- and fourth-degree tears. Surgical challenges within these regions not only include limited resources but intra-abdominal scar tissue resulting from female genital schistosomiasis, typhoid, abdominal tuberculosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Additional exposure includes medical diseases such as HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and neglected tropical diseases in reproductive-age women. This collaboration provides physicians the opportunity to assist Kenyans in improving the quality of their care while expanding their own surgical skills and adapting to a limited resource setting. Finally, this mission fulfills a humanitarian duty to serve those who have the greatest need.
Scholarships are available to residents who are interested in this elective rotation to help defray travel expenses. Housing in a safe environment is also provided along with opportunities to explore Kenya and Eastern Africa or Guyana. Safe transportation with a vetted and assigned driver will also be available. Additional education regarding international travel safety will be required for participation.
Residents accepted to participate in this elective opportunity:
- 2022-2023 - Molly Eckman, MD
- 2022-2023 - Isabel Janmey, MD, MPH
- 2022-2023 - Sarah Bennett, MD
- 2021-2022 - Kymberly Forsyth, MD
- 2021-2022 - Rachel Dang, MD
- 2021-2022 - Emily Carbaugh, MD
- 2020-2022 - Covid (no international travel)
- 2019-2020 - Nina Ragunanthan, MD
- 2019-2020 - Solomiya Teterichko, DO (accepted to participate but canceled due to COVID-19)
If you have any questions regarding global health opportunities, you may contact Dr. Jennifer Makin.
