Mission

NMCP GS&O Residency program's mission is to train outstanding obstetricians-gynecologists capable of caring for the full spectrum of women’s health related issues within the Department of Defense and beyond-becoming leaders in our field.

Vision

• We will transform our department to support excellence in patient-centered care, service and advocacy for women’s reproductive health beyond existing structures and boundaries.
• We will provide a comprehensive educational experience motivating our medical students, graduate students, and residents to be lifelong learners in the field of women’s health.
• We will recruit, develop and retain departmental members to promote individual and collective success in the Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

Aims

• Improve the quality of life for active-duty women and eligible family members within the DOD by providing compassionate, high quality patient care.
• Provide military physicians with comprehensive, superior training in the field of Gynecology and Obstetrics in an environment of collaboration, humility, integrity and respect.
• Educate residents on the principles of medical professionalism and ethical patient care.

The GS&O Residency Program at NMCP has a robust academic curriculum which rotates on a 2-year cycle.

Each day of the week, there is morning report with a focused topic each morning. 

• Mondays: Quiz on weekly reading
• Tuesdays: Specialty based academics
• Wednesdays: Practice Bulletin reviews
• Thursdays: Academic morning (sim center, preop and postop conference, lectures from within and outside the department, diversity training)
• Fridays: Week in review, weekend patients, residency news

• Minimally invasive surgery
• Pediatric and adolescent gynecology
• Pathology
• Radiology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Research

Residents will usually take 1-2 call shifts per month, for a total of 15-16 per year. There is a night float system.

GS&O Residents provide gynecologic care in various military unique settings. Residents gain clinical and operational experience by performing pap smears and well woman examinations on ships, allowing active duty members to easily access care. Residents have been on the USS Comfort and gave humanitarian aid and gained global health experience during Operation Allies Welcome.

It is required that residents pass Fundamentals in Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) or Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecology to be eligible to sit for certification boards. This is funded by NMCP. Our residents take this exam during their PGY-1 or PGY-2 year.

We have a state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation and Bio-skills Training Center that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons. The program has a half-day simulation every two months. Each half day covers multiple topics including OB emergencies, GYN surgery, and patient communication.

Graduation Requirement

Research is required for graduation and begins in PGY1 year with presentation of a case report. It is then expected that residents will work on their own Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved project or Quality Improvement project.

Resources

We have dedicated research nurses, librarians, and biostatisticians available to assist you.

Presentation

We also have an annual research day where residents present their projects. IRB approved projects accepted for presentation at conferences supported with travel reimbursements. 

GS&O Residents at NMCP have many quality improvement initiatives across the command. These QI projects involve multiple areas throughout the hospital including:

• Labor & Delivery
• Main Operating Room
• GME

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Jacksonville Naval Hospital
• Langley Air Force Base
• Inova Fairfax
• Eastern Virginia Medical School

The NMCP GS&O Residency Program takes applications for Clerkship Rotations through March 31st. We encourage fourth year audition rotations so we can get to know you!

The GS&O Program at NMCP believes that all military GS&O training programs make fantastic physicians who are prepared to take care of our active duty service members and their families.

Your interview and audition rotations are about figuring out where you fit best and will thrive while in a rigorous training program! Be yourself and that’s what we want to see. Contact us via the program email to schedule an interview.

Program graduates take the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology qualifying exam. This exam is offered annually. To be eligible to take the specialty board exam, graduates must complete residency training by September 30th. After passing the qualifying exam, graduates take a certifying (oral) exam after establishing their practice.

• Residents regularly teach residents and 3rd and 4th year medical students.
• GS&O Residents have received multiple teaching awards from both EVMS and USUHS.

GS&O Residents have served as teachers for Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support.

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Urogynecology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Reproductive Endocrinology and Obstetrics

All residents have a dedicated mentor throughout their residency. As PGY1s, the associate program director serves in a mentoring role until a good fit is found for the resident. There are quarterly mentorship breakfasts during academics to facilitate meetings.

The first Thursday of each month is designated as a resident wellness day with didactics occurring in the afternoon. Each session includes discussions, lectures and other structured activities involving direct resident participation that promote resident well-being. The associated topics for each session apply to resident daily life both within and outside of the hospital, providing tools for a positive impact on resident well-being that can be used well beyond their time in residency. Other activities in support of resident wellness occur at other times in conjunction with planned resident academics, simulations and mentorship meetings as needed or desired by the program. During the month of February, additional activities are planned in support of ACOG Wellness Week.