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Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency

The Carle Foundation Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program is a large community hospital training program with university affiliation. Residents will enjoy access to experienced subspecialist faculty in a residency training system situated in a culturally diverse college town in the heart of Illinois.

How to Apply GME Experience

Program Description

The Carle Foundation Hospital residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology was approved by ACGME in 2021 and our first cohort of residents started in July of 2022. Our full complement will be achieved in July 2025. We train residents in comprehensive women's healthcare, including robust simulation and didactic education, in addition to a large volume of clinical experiences.

Program Mission and Vision

Our program aims to train competent, culturally sensitive, well-balanced, compassionate and innovative physicians dedicated to comprehensive women’s health. Our vision is to serve the needs of residents of central Illinois and cultivate a robust learning environment. 

We serve a variety of populations throughout central Illinois, including those within the cities of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding rural areas, providing a clinically diverse population. Additionally, a unique feature of the program is its affiliation with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school. This relationship is offered to all residents as an opportunity to explore research activities outside of the usual clinical research areas typically associated with residency programs.

Program Goals

Our program is proud and honored to train the next generation of leaders in our field. During the four-year program, trainees will gain knowledge, skill, ability and judgment to acquire:

  • Confident, high-level, clinical skills and judgment in clinical problem solving for the office and acute care environments.
  • Effective utilization of diagnostic techniques and skills for evaluation and management of all patients.
  • Proficiency in diagnosis and management of all clinical problems in general obstetrics and gynecology. 
  • Exposure and experiences in the subspecialties of gynecologic oncology, maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology, complex family planning, breast surgery and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
  • Effective communication skills with patients, colleagues and support staff in a professional, competent, ethical and caring manner.
  • Opportunity to perform and participate in clinical research, various scientific forums and critical analysis of medical literature. 
  • Practice competency skills consistent with the ACGME requirements. 
  • A commitment to life-long learning through self-education and teaching others. 
  • Skills to become advocates for women’s health on a local, state and national level.

Curriculum

Our program has a robust curriculum with exposure to all specialty and subspecialty areas in obstetrics and gynecology.

PGY-1

The first year concentrates on the essential components in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in a number of diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical modalities.

  • 1 rotation Internal Medicine
  • 2 rotations in Gynecology (including complex family planning)
  • 3 rotations Night Float
  • 3 rotations Obstetrics (days)
  • 1 rotation Ultrasound
  • 1 rotation Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • 1 rotation Outpatient Gynecology

PGY-2

The second year focuses on advanced obstetrics management, including recognition of medical and obstetrical disorders in pregnancy and their maternal/fetal effects. This year also offers exposure to advanced surgical procedures, with participation as primary surgeon in selected cases. The ICU rotation provides experience with evaluation and management of complex inpatients. Also included is an introduction to gynecologic oncology and urogynecology.

  • 1 rotation Medical ICU
  • 2 rotations Gynecology (including complex family planning)
  • 2 rotations Obstetrics (days)
  • 3 rotations Night Float
  • 1 rotation Urogynecology
  • 2 rotations Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • 1 rotation Gynecologic Oncology
  • 1 rotation Quality Improvement/Float

PGY-3

The third year emphasizes surgical and nonsurgical gynecologic treatment of female reproductive tract disorders, progressive responsibility in care of disorders of pregnancy and graduated surgical experience with oncology patients. A one-month elective is offered to third year residents. Residents contribute to the formal education of the department by presenting at grand rounds.

  • 2 rotations Obstetrics (days)
  • 2 rotations Nights
  • 2 rotations Gynecologic Oncology
  • 3 rotations Gynecology (including complex family planning)
  • 1 rotation Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • 1 rotation Family Planning/Float
  • 1 rotation Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • 1 rotation Elective

PGY-4

The fourth year of residency further develops surgical and obstetric skills, as well as leadership skills. Chief residents assume administrative responsibilities for junior residents. They contribute to the formal education of the department by presenting at grand rounds.

  • 3 rotations Obstetrics (days)
  • 2 rotations Night Float
  • 3 rotations Gynecology (including complex family planning)
  • 3 rotations Gynecologic Oncology
  • 1 rotation Urogynecology
  • 1 rotation Float

Conferences and Educational Events

  • Weekly didactic sessions
  • Monthly M&M and Grand Rounds
  • Simulation lab
  • In-training exam review
  • Daily teaching rounds
  • Journal club
  • Communication and DEI education
  • Comprehensive research curriculum

Research and Scholarly Activity

We strive to educate our faculty and residents on research processes and methods, and our residents are actively engaged in clinical research starting intern year. They have the opportunity to collaborate with other departments at Carle Foundation Hospital, the University of Illinois and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Additionally, the program is supported by research coordinators who assist residents with the development of their research study, serve as a liaison with the Carle Institutional Review Board and guide residents throughout the duration of their projects.

Meet Our Team

Elsa Whitmore, DO

Administration

Interim Program Director

Megan Hutchcraft, MD

Administration

Associate Program Director

Jill Burnett

Administration

Program Coordinator
Graduate Medical Education

Georgina Cheng, MD, PhD

Core Faculty

Gynecologic Oncologist

Tiffani Dillard, MD

Core Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Jeremy Johnson, MD

Core Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Catherine Keller, MD

Core Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Beverly London, MD

Core Faculty

Gynecology

Kelsey McKillip, MD

Core Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Karen Nelson, MD

Core Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Nancy Fay, MD

Faculty

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Jamie Fulfer, MD

Faculty

OB Hospitalist

Lisa Gray, MD

Faculty

Maternal Fetal Medicine

Ismail Oshogwemoh, DO

Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Anna Lisa Schmitz, MD

Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Denise Sousa, MD

Faculty

OB Hospitalist

Abhilasha Tangada, MD

Faculty

Urogynecology

Sarah Winter, MD

Faculty

Ob-Gyn Generalist

Amber Armstrong, MD

Resident

PGY-3

Bhargavi Dhanireddy, MD

Resident

PGY-3

Katherine Favia, DO

Resident

PGY-3

Olivia Fields, MD

Resident

PGY-3

Claire Aucoin, MD

Resident

PGY-2

Christine Chien, MD

Resident

PGY-2

Eshani Dixit, MD

Resident

PGY-2

Grace Lee, MD

Resident

PGY-2

Joanne Chan, MD

Resident

PGY-1

Madeline Kroeger, MD

Resident

PGY-1

Mauli Patel, MD

Resident

PGY-1

Elijah Resiche, MD

Resident

PGY-1

How to Apply

We appreciate your interest in the Carle Foundation Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program. Our program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP)  and only accepts applications through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) . 

Our program operates in accordance with ACGME policies. As such, the program will select among eligible applicants on the basis of preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. We do not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Application Submission

  • Applicants must apply through ERAS. Email, paper or faxed documentation are not accepted and will not be reviewed.
  • Applications are welcome from U.S. and international medical school graduates (J1 visas only for international applicants).

Application Criteria
A complete application includes:

  • A curriculum vitae (CV) listing all relevant experience and education. CV must include documentation of any lapses in training.
  • A Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MPSE), dean's letter from the candidate's medical school, or equivalent.
  • At least three letters of recommendation.
  • A personal statement.
  • Medical school transcript.
  • United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores/transcripts for Steps 1 and 2.
  • ABSITE test scores (if applicable).
  • ECFMG status report (if applicable).
  • Applicant must possess excellent skills in both verbal and written English.

All candidates please note that additional information may be requested.

Due to the large number of applicants, not everyone meeting these criteria will be interviewed or accepted. Final decisions are made after review of all available information.

Please note that this information may be subject to change.

If you have any questions regarding our program or the application process, please contact us at OB_Gyn@Carle.com or call (217) 326-1272.

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