The Carle Foundation Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency is a large community hospital training program with university affiliations. 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.
Program Mission
The Carle Foundation Hospital residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology aims to train competent, culturally sensitive, well-balanced, compassionate and innovative physicians dedicated to comprehensive women’s health.
Program Vision
To serve the needs of residents of central Illinois and cultivate a robust learning environment. Additionally, the program's relationship with the engineering-focused Carle Illinois College of Medicine will allow residents an opportunity to explore research activities beyond the clinical research areas usually associated with residency programs.
Program Goals
Carle’s Obstetrics and Gynecology 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:
The Carle Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program has a robust curriculum with exposure to all specialty and all 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. Also included is the introduction to high-risk obstetrics, gynecology, and the complexities of care for hospitalized patients on gynecology, oncology and endocrinology.
PGY-2
The second year focuses on advanced obstetrics management and techniques, recognition of medical and surgical procedures that complicate pregnancy, participation as primary surgeon in selected cases, and evaluation and management of endocrine inpatients.
PGY-3
The third year emphasizes surgical and nonsurgical gynecologic treatment of female reproductive tract disorders, progressive responsibility in care of disorders associate with infertility, and graduated surgical experience with oncology patients. While residents are not expected to master advanced techniques related to each sub specialty there are set criteria to be acquired in each area. A one-month elective is offered to third year students.
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 Grand Rounds during this year.
Valerie Jennings, MD, MS
Administration
Program Director
Director of Complex Family Planning
OB Hospitalist
April Brown Pattengale
Administration
Program Coordinator
Graduate Medical Education
Tiffani Dillard, MD
Core Faculty
Director of Outpatient Ob-Gyn Clinic, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Ob-Gyn Generalist
Dana Morrison, MD
Core Faculty
Director of Ob-Gyn Residency Quality Improvement
Coordinator of Gynecology M&M
Ob-Gyn Generalist
Nancy Fay, MD
Faculty
Coordinator of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Rotation
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Amber Armstrong, MD
Resident
PGY-1
Bhargavi Dhanireddy, MD
Resident
PGY-1
Katherine Favia, DO
Resident
PGY-1
Olivia Fields, MD
Resident
PGY-1
The Carle Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and 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. Applicants must also have excellent skills in verbal and written English. We do not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability or veteran status.
All applicants must be graduates of a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or equivalent. We accept International medical school graduates with J1 visa status.
All applications must be submitted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) . Unsolicited electronic and paper applications will not be accepted.
Application Requirements:
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.
If you have any questions regarding our program or the application process, please contact us by email at OB_Gyn@Carle.com or call (217) 326-1272
APPLY TODAYResearch and scholarly activity is a major focus of our residency program and we strive to educate our faculty and residents on research processes and methods. The program hosts a research conference every other month to promote research productivity through collaborative efforts, inside and outside the division. Residents also have the opportunity to attend research lectures provided by the program as well as other units and 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 (IRB) and guide residents throughout the duration of their projects. Below is a list of our faculty's research interests.
Carle Foundation Hospital and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program understand the importance of DEI, both in education and in representation. 35% of our program’s faculty and over half of our core faculty comprise populations under-represented in medicine. Additionally, the program has quarterly didactics in DEI led by professors at the University of Illinois, including topics on social determinants of health and unconscious bias, as well as ways to become active citizens to promote equality and inclusion.