This rotation provides a broad-based exposure to clinical Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery marked by progressive responsibility both in the clinic and hospital. All outpatients are seen in Division’s outpatient clinic (Upper Arlington Specialty Clinic) located 1 mile from the main campus and the University Hospital. This new multi-specialty ambulatory site is a state of the art, ambulatory center shared with components of General Gynecology, MFM, and Women’s Health. It is during these times that initial examinations and urodynamic assessments, including management decisions and plans for surgery, are reviewed and implemented.

During these rotations, fellows work directly with our 3 Board-certified FPMRS specialists. One fellow will be on service at all times and clinical responsibilities will include management of the inpatient UROGYN unit, and associated surgical recovery floors, operating rooms, and consult coverage for emergency and hospitalized patients. The fellow will also see patients in the outpatient setting in clinic and gain exposure to management of typical office-based issues. The fellow will perform multi-channel urodynamics in this setting as well as at the Main Campus resident-driven Urogyn outpatient clinic. In addition to the 12 months spent on service at OSWMC, the fellows will rotate for 5 months with a fourth board-certified FPMRS physician at St. Ann's Hospital, which is part of the Mount Carmel Health System, again serving as a primary surgeon while managing the in-patient service and seeing patients in an outpatient setting.

This rotation involves 5 month-long blocks on the inpatient and outpatient Female Urology service at University Hospital and the new Ohio State Eye and Ear Institute, which houses the outpatient site for Female Urology, with state of the art exam and procedure rooms as well out outpatient surgical suites. Fellows will be integrated with the Urology team although there clinical activities will be restricted to female patients and they will be exclusively supervised by our 2 Board-Certified Female Urologists. There will be a focus on NeuroUrology and the performance of more complex reconstructive procedures involving the urinary tract.

This is a dedicated 4 week block providing experience in outpatient and inpatient colorectal surgery. While on this rotation the fellow will operate with one of 3 colorectal surgeons as well as spend time in the anal physiology laboratory observing and performing anal manometry, electrophysiology, and endoanal ultrasound. They will also get a chance to spend time in the outpatient colorectal clinic and inpatient/ambulatory colorectal surgical service.

This is a four-week block providing experience in outpatient and inpatient geriatric medicine. While on this rotation, the fellow will spend time with faculty observing and learning about the issues associated with the care of the geriatric patient.

This is a 4 week block providing experience in outpatient and inpatient gastroenterology. While on this rotation the fellow will spend time with faculty observing and learning about common gastrointestinal issues often seen in FPMRS patients including constipation, dysmotility, irritable bowel and other disorders. Opportunity will exist for further exposure to anal manometry, electrophysiology and endoanal ultrasound.

While on the rotation for Gastroenterology, the fellow will also have the opportunity to observe the evaluation and management of FPMRS patients undergoing pelvic floor physical therapy and behavioral therapies for pelvic floor disorders.

The Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Conferences are attended by FPMRS and female urology faculty, along with involvement by colorectal surgery, GI and geriatrics faculty and fellows when applicable. Other participants may include interested members of the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Quantitative Health Sciences and Physical Therapy. These conferences include weekly lectures, journal club, case conferences and research meetings. Topics include a diverse range of subjects with a goal of meeting all ACGME Learning Milestone requirements in the areas of anatomy, neurophysiology, advanced urodynamic testing, pathophysiology and surgical management of stress urinary incontinence, pathophysiology, physical assessment and surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse, detrusor overactivity, repair of surgical injuries to the lower urinary tract, voiding disorders, suburethral diverticula/fistula and other topics.

In addition, the fellows participate in a monthly research seminar led by the director of reproductive epidemiology, Dr. Courtney Lynch, PhD, MPH. In addition to discussions on research design, statistics, grantsmanship and research management, regular research meetings will include review and analysis of current research ideas and projects.

Fellows will also have an opportunity to enroll in and complete a course of study to obtain a Master of Science through The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Surgery. The fellow’s research blocks are scheduled to facilitate completion of any coursework required for this degree.

The FPMRS fellows participate in weekly departmental Grand Rounds. Included in these conferences are monthly GYN morbidity and mortality meetings. The fellows actively participate in these conferences and present all pertinent patient materials. The fellows are expected to serve as the Grand Rounds presenter at least once during their three years of training (second or third year).

The fellows may participate in and share teaching responsibilities in the medical student core lecture program and the monthly resident education conferences during which a core curriculum of material is presented on an annual basis. Additional conferences may include those related to their rotations with the Departments of Urology and Colorectal Surgery, as time permits.

The fellows actively participate in the annual Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Research Day and in appropriate departmental postgraduate courses. The fellows submit their current research for presentation in the form of poster presentations or oral presentations at these meetings. They are also expected to attend all department-sponsored invited guest lectureships including the Barnes, Copeland, Jones and Zuspan lectures.

Fellows attend a minimum of one meeting per year (more for research presentations) and have the opportunity to attend the annual meetings of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, the American Urogynecology Society, ACOG, AAGL or other national or international meetings, as appropriate. Active participation, including presentation, is encouraged at all meetings to promote the fellow’s experience and expertise in scientific meeting participation.