Department of OBGYN

Visiting Elective Clerkship Program

The Carey Andrew-Jaja, MD Visiting Elective Clerkship Program

 

Carey Andrew-Jaja, MD 

Retired Clinical Professor, Department of  Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Honorary Attending Physician, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital 

 

Dr. Andrew-Jaja devoted his 40-year professional life to clinical care, medical staff leadership, and the education of future physicians. He spent the second half of that career on the faculty at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital serving on the Resident Education Committee and its subcommittees for 18 years. In collaboration with the Clerkship Directors, he also developed and ran a Medical Student Community Precepting Program (MSCPP) that, over a 10-year period, enabled 3rd-year University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine students to receive continuous one-on-one precepting with an experienced OB/GYN. His research interests and publications primarily relate to cervical cancer screening. Dr. Andrew-Jaja served as President of Medical Staff at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. He also served on the Board of Directors at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute.

 

A graduate of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria, Dr. Andrew-Jaja immigrated to the USA in September 1976 and arrived in Pittsburgh a month later. With very limited connections in the USA, he was able to successfully process just one residency application before the deadline. He completed his residency training at the Allegheny Health Network program and stayed on to practice, teach and serve - initially as Associate Residency Program Director, then Clerkship Director for medical students, and later as Residency Program Director and Chief of OB/GYN.

 

Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja was named among ‘Best Doctors in OB/GYN’ regionally and nationally, several years running. He is widely recognized as the ‘Singing Doctor’ for celebrating each child he delivered with songs like ‘Happy Birthday' and ‘What a Wonderful World”. A YouTube video capturing this experience received widespread acclaim in local, national, and international media and has had more than 4.6 million views. In recognition of his contributions to the community, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh honored him with a proclamation declaring May 14, 2019, to be Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja Day. For outstanding achievements in ‘Educating of Future Physicians in OB/GYN’, Dr. Andrew-Jaja earned multiple awards from medical student groups, residents, the OB/GYN department, the University, and APGO (American Professors of OB/GYN), including the APGO/Solvay Scholar recognition as a community-based educator.

 

Program Information

The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Doctor Carey Andrew-Jaja have established the Carey Andrew-Jaja, MD Visiting Elective Program for fourth-year students to recruit outstanding medical students across the country to our electives program and provide exposure to the department and the residency program.  Applicants should have an interest in diversity in medicine initiatives. The total number of elective opportunities for 2023 is five (5).  The program provides $2000 toward travel and living expenses to help selected students participate in our established fourth-year electives in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. In addition, the program will connect participants professionally and socially with URiM faculty and community physician role models.

 

When asked why he is involved in collaborating to establish this program, Dr. Andrew-Jaja applauds Drs. Robert Edwards, the Department Chair, Alex Olawaiye, Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Gabey Gosman, Vice Chair of Education, as well as the entire Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences for creating this visiting elective program. He stated, “My hope is that, over time, this program will enhance the opportunity for outstanding scholars from across the country who share a common goal of improving problems associated with underrepresentation in medicine to be recruited into residency and retained on the faculty at the UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and other academic medical centers.  Evidence tells us that such a development will contribute toward health equity, not only at Magee but also among communities that are underrepresented in medicine. It is an honor for me to collaborate in establishing a program that continues to advance the education of future physicians, even when I am gone.” 

 

2024-2025 Application Notification

The application period for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open through September 30, 2024.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates are US Medical School seniors who have an interest in diversity in medicine initiatives. Students will need to be accepted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for eligibility to officially rotate as visiting medical students at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.

Application Process

  1. Complete the application for the Carey Andrew-Jaja, MD Visiting Elective Program for 4th Year (rolling admissions)
  2. Complete the VSLO (visiting students) application
  3. Students will be accepted after VSLO opens
  4. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the program
  5. Applicants selected to participate will need to choose which elective they would prefer to do on the VSLO website as they will be placed into the elective spots once the Pitt students are all scheduled. If the desired elective is not available or is not available during the time they requested, the third-year clerkship director will reach out to try to find a different elective or a time that may work for them.
  6. Applicants must provide a CV and transcript.

Additional Information

  • There are a total of five elective spots available.
  • The elective is one‐month of clinical experience in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and is described in detail on the VSLO website. The elective will provide $2000 toward travel and living expenses.  
  • The program will connect participants professionally and socially with URiM faculty and community physician role models.

Housing Options can be found at: 

All applicants to this program are encouraged to also apply to the UPMC Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program. Application to the residency program is completed through ERAS. This program is not required for application to the residency or to complete an elective. 

Contact Information

Questions regarding the Carey Andrew-Jaja Visiting Elective Clerkship program should be addressed to:

Questions regarding 4th year Visiting Student Rotations should be addressed to: