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Visiting Students
Penn State College of Medicine accepts visiting student applications through VSLO.
Third- and Fourth-Year Electives
All elective courses in the third or fourth year require completion of any third-year core clerkship, including medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, primary care, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Courses are limited to one student per rotation.
Priority for scheduling is given to students of Penn State College of Medicine and after completion of the college’s scheduling process courses may not be available for all time slots due to other faculty obligations. Requests for scheduling from students of other colleges of medicine shall be cleared by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology student director and student coordinator.
Fourth-year Electives include OBGYN 701, OBGYN 721, OBGYN 723, OBGYN 724, OBGYN 796, OBGYN 797, and UROGYN 741.
Fourth-year Advanced Electives include: OBGYN 710 and OBGYN 742
Fourth-year CORE Acting Internship: OBGYN 722
The specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology is unique. The general obstetrician/gynecologist acts as both referral specialist, providing consultative care, and as a primary care physician. The field also incorporates subspecialty care in the areas of gynecologic oncology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, maternal-fetal medicine and family planning. The faculty look forward to working with students and to sharing in their intellectual and emotional growth in an area of medicine that is both diverse and rich in challenges and opportunities.
The attending and resident staff members have put together a program designed to give students a broad exposure to women’s health and to focus on details essential to the practice of the specialty. This program includes direct patient care in both the inpatient and ambulatory settings, lectures designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the science of obstetrics and gynecology and teaching sessions with the faculty and residents within the department. Students on this rotation will be expected to get involved, be enthusiastic and participate. It is anticipated that students will read and question both the residents and attendings with whom they work.
It is not the purpose of this clerkship to train medical students in the technical practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Faculty do not expect all who rotate with the department to become obstetrician/gynecologists. Rather, this clerkship is designed to equip students with the knowledge and technical skill that all physicians should graduate medical school possessing, and give them a glimpse in to the specialty world of obstetrics and gynecology. Students will become part of a team focused on caring for women across their reproductive life from first gynecologic visit, through routinely encountered gynecologic conditions, pregnancy and menopause. Students will experience the primary care, as well as the specialty and surgical side of obstetrics and gynecology. Evaluation occurs through feedback from faculty and residents as well as documentation of observed clinical encounters and an end-of-clerkship shelf exam.
Locations
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
Contact us:
Course Director: Stephanie Lambert, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Academic Specialists in Ob/Gyn
slambert@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Office: H3519D
717-531-0003 (ext. 322110)
Course Assistant Director: James O’Brien, MD (March 11 – June 30, 2024)
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine
jobrien3@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Office: C3620
717-531-8142
Course Assistant Director: Jacqueline Bissonette, MD (effective July 1, 2024)
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Academic Specialists in Ob/Gyn
jbissonette@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Office: H3516E
717-531-0003 (ext. 280406)
Course Coordinator: Lori Corradino, M.Ed.
Education Program Coordinator, Obstetrics & Gynecology
lcorradino@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Office: C3602D
717-531-1339
Electives
OBGYN 710: Clinical Gynecologic Oncology Advanced Elective (4 weeks)
Credits: 5
Program director: Caitlin Farabaugh, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: One
When offered: All rotations
Length of elective: One month
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships
Report to: Course Director, Gynecologic Oncology Advanced Elective
Description: This elective will involve active participation in outpatient and inpatient evaluations of patients with gynecologic malignancies. This includes experience with both the surgical and medical management of common gynecologic malignancies. This course qualifies as a surgical sub-internship. The student will participate actively along with the residents and assume responsibilities commensurate with an advances elective course. Pathophysiology of common gynecologic malignancies and their treatment will be stressed.
OBGYN 742: Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Advanced Elective (4 weeks)
Program Director: Kristen Riley, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: 1
When Offered: All Rotations
Length of Elective: 1 Month
Prerequisite: Completion of third year core clerkships
Description: This is a clinically focused acting internship in Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery. During the student’s rotation, they will be exposed to a high volume surgery service that focuses on complex benign gyn surgical problems including endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding and fibroids. Students will spend equal amounts of time in the operating room and the clinic. There is a focus on the multidisciplinary evaluation and management of chronic pelvic pain and perioperative planning. In addition, the student will be expected to round on inpatients with the gynecology residents and take 1 weekend gyn call. We also expect that the student gives one presentation on a topic of their choosing related to endometriosis.
OBGYN 701: Labor and Delivery Elective
Credits: 2.5
Program Director: Melissa Haslam, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Locations: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: One student
When offered: All rotations
Length: 2 weeks
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships
Description: The Labor and Delivery elective course will provide students with a two-week immersive experience in the inpatient Labor and Delivery service at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Students will have the opportunity to manage obstetric triage patients and complications in pregnancy, manage and support laboring patients, and participate in postpartum rounds, as well as vaginal and cesarean deliveries.
OBGYN 721: Clinical Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Elective
Credits: 5
Program director: Samantha Butts, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: One
When offered: All rotations based on availability (closed July 2024, October 2024, March 2025)
Length of elective: 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships
Description: This elective involves active participation in an outpatient practice of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. It introduces the student to the evaluation of infertility as well as modern treatment modalities. The student participates in outpatient surgical procedures such as hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, as well as experience advanced reproductive technologies. The student is expected to participate in a monthlong project to broaden their knowledge of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
OBGYN 723: Family Planning Elective
Credits: 2.5
Program Director: Stephanie Lambert, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Hershey
Maximum number of students: One Student
When Offered: All Rotations
Length of Elective: 2 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of third year OBGYN core clerkship, approval by FP Program Director
Description: This course will enhance patient-centered communication and counseling via outpatient clinical experiences in established early pregnancy and contraception clinics at Penn State, as well as a local Planned Parenthood affiliate clinic providing outpatient abortion care in the first trimester. Students will practice history-taking, review of ultrasound imaging in early pregnancy, and patient-centered counseling. Students may also have the opportunity to assist in procedures under sedation (HMC and the Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center).
OBGYN 724: Preparation for Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology Elective
Credits: 2.5
Program director: Jacqueline Bissonette, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: Limited to students pursuing ObGyn Residency (course cap: 14)
When offered: 3/25/24 – 4/5/24
Length of elective: Two weeks
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships; pursuing ObGyn Residency
Description: This elective is designed specifically for students transitioning into Ob/Gyn internship with a focus on preparing students to meet the ACGME level-1 Obstetrics and Gynecology milestones. Students will review core competencies, including performing basic obstetric skills and surgical techniques, reviewing intrapartum management, recognizing obstetric and gynecologic emergencies, preparing for endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, reviewing ultrasonography, and applying advanced communication skills. The course will include lectures, case-based learning, and simulation exercises, including vaginal delivery, Cesarean section, cook catheter placement, D&C, hysteroscopy, simple perineal laceration repair, long-acting reversible contraceptive insertion and surgical skills workshop involving suturing and knot tying. Students will complete the APGO preparation for residency knowledge assessment to evaluate their understanding of ACGME level-1 Ob/Gyn milestones.
UROGYN 741: UROGYNECOLOGY ELECTIVE
Credits: 2.5
Program Director: Jaime Long, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Locations: Hershey
Maximum number of students: One student
When offered: All rotations
Length: 2 weeks
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships
Description: This 2-week elective will introduce students to the basics of female pelvic floor disorders including prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, and others. A strong understanding of relevant anatomy and physiology will form the basis for a successful rotation evaluating, counseling, and participating in treatment of pelvic floor disorders.
OBGYN 796: Individual Studies
Credits: 5
Program director: Faculty research adviser
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: N/A
When offered: All rotations
Length of elective: 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Limited to students of Penn State College of Medicine
Description: Promotion of a scientific approach to basic questions in obstetrics and gynecology. Emphasize problem definition and methodology primarily involving but not limited to literature search and chart review. The educational goals and course of study must be submitted to the department’s medical student director for approval, and acceptance of educational responsibility by the designated faculty must be confirmed prior to approval of the course.
OBGYN 797: Special Topics
Credits: 5
Program director: Variable
Location: Variable
Maximum number of students: N/A
When offered: All Rotations
Length of elective: 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of third year core clerkships, approval by ObGyn Department Student Director
Description: Clinical experience in one or more aspects of Obstetrics and Gynecology through work with a faculty physician. This course may include externships at non-affiliate institutions, as well as one-on-one work with a Hershey Medical Center faculty. The educational goals and course of study must be submitted to the OBGYN department medical student director for approval and acceptance of educational responsibility by the designated faculty must be confirmed prior to approval of the course.
Acting Internships
OBGYN 722: MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE ACTING INTERNSHIP (CORE)
Credits: 5
Program director: James O’Brien, MD (Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)
Location: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Maximum number of students: One
When offered: All rotations
Length of elective: 4 weeks
Prerequisite: Third-year core clerkships
Description: The Acting Internship in Maternal Fetal Medicine focuses on expanding baseline knowledge in obstetrics and will focus on complex and unique care of pregnancies complicated by maternal and fetal medical and surgical co-morbidities. It is the intention for the acting intern to be exposed to facets of the sub-specialty, including inpatient and outpatient consultative services, rounding on and coordination of care for the inpatient service at Hershey Medical Center, surgical exposure with Maternal Fetal Medicine sub-specialists, and increased exposure to fetal ultrasound.
University Park
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship
The specialty of obstetrics and gynecology is unique. The general obstetrician/gynecologist acts as both referral specialist, providing consultative care, and as a primary care physician. The field also incorporates subspecialty care in the areas of gynecologic oncology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and maternal-fetal medicine. The faculty look forward to working with students and to sharing in their intellectual and emotional growth in an area of medicine that is both diverse and rich in challenges and opportunities.
The attending and resident staff members have put together a program designed to give students a broad exposure to women’s health and to focus on details essential to the practice of the specialty. The program includes direct patient care in both the inpatient and ambulatory settings, lectures designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the science of obstetrics and gynecology and teaching sessions with the faculty and residents within the department. Students on this rotation will be expected to get involved, be enthusiastic and participate. It is anticipated that students will read and question both the residents and attendings with whom they work.
It is not the purpose of this clerkship to train medical students in the technical practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Faculty do not expect all who rotate with the department to become obstetrician/gynecologists. Rather, this clerkship is designed to equip students with the knowledge and technical skill that all physicians should graduate medical school possessing, and give them a glimpse in to the specialty world of obstetrics and gynecology. Students will become part of a team focused on caring for women across their reproductive life from first gynecologic visit, through routinely encountered gynecologic conditions, pregnancy and menopause. Students will experience the primary care, as well as the specialty and surgical side of obstetrics and gynecology. Evaluation occurs through feedback from faculty and residents as well as documentation of observed clinical encounters and an end-of-clerkship shelf exam.
Locations
Mount Nittany Health Obstetrics and Gynecology
1850 E. Park Ave.
Suite 301
State College, PA 16803
Mount Nittany Medical Center
Labor and Delivery
1800 E. Park Ave.
State College, PA 16803
Contact Us
Dr. Michael McShane
Clerkship director
mmcshane@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 937-371-7877