Obstetrics and Gynecology

2019

Residency Program Interview

Harbor-UCLA Medical CenterDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Our teaching faculty of 16 Obstetrician-Gynecologists and 15 alliedhealth professionals compose a well-rounded program with expertise inall areas of our specialty; MFM, REI, Gyn Oncology, Family Planning,FPMRS along with OB/Gyn Generalists and Laborists. We also have twoPh.D. faculty members specializing in fetal physiology. Allied HealthProviders provide and teach well women and routine obstetrical care.

Our department occupies the seventh floor of the main hospital,housing the administrative offices, conference room, maternity centerand GYN wards. The maternity center includes antepartum testing,obstetrical triage suite, labor-delivery suites, operating rooms andpostpartum wards. Portable ultrasound machines are available for useon the Labor & Delivery suite at all times. We are a baby-friendlyhospital, recognized for promoting breast-feeding with a lactationspecialist, and mother-baby rooming in. Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3(critical care) newborn nurseries are on the sixth and seventh floors. Weperform antenatal and prenatal diagnostic testing with 3D & 4Dultrasounds at the Medical Foundation Inc. (MFI) building.

The OB/GYN resident call room and resident library are also locatedon the seventh floor, adjacent to the Labor and Delivery Suite. Thelibrary contains computers with internet access, e-libraries, textbooks,CD’s, and videos. Laparoscopic pelvic trainers to enhance surgical skillsand obstetric pelvic mannequins to practice delivery techniques are alsoin the library. Residents have access to the internet, Wi-Fi, ORCHID (oureMR system) and the LA County Intranet from any hospital computerutilizing their own password.

The residents perform GYN surgery in our state-of-the-art OR on thesecond floor. We occupy seven full time operating rooms per week. Onaverage, our residents are the primary surgeon for over 100 elective,urgent, and emergent cases per month. Residents also have theopportunity to train on our dual-console Da Vinci Surgical System.

About our Program

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The Women’s Health Clinic space, located on the first floor of theMedical Center, includes 14 exam rooms and 4 procedure rooms, andoperates Monday-Friday. Our GYN Ambulatory clinics provide robusttraining for residents; including specialty specific clinics for GYNOncology, REI, abnormal cytology/colposcopy and FPMRS. Last year weprovided care for over 25,000 patients and performed over 300 minorprocedures including Essure Sterilization, Diagnostic and OperativeHysteroscopy, Endometrial Ablation, Sonohysterography, D&Cs forpregnancy termination, and LASER/LEEP procedures. Our unique GYNUrgent Care allows our patients walk-in access for acute issues such asfirst trimester pregnancy complications, PID and ovarian torsion, just toname a few. Ultrasound machines for transvaginal, transabdominal, andhydrosonography pelvic examinations are readily available and utilized byour residents to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.

The OB Clinic, located in the MFI building, is one of 27 nationaldemonstration sites for “MAMA’s Neighbohood,” a new model ofobstetrical care funded though the Strong Start Program from CMS(Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services). In our maternity medicalhomes, residents, midwives, generalists, and MFM specialists integratethe medical care of patients in a team approach to address the broadermedical, mental, and social support needs of our patients. Thisinnovative model of care extends beyond the medical home and engagescommunity based agencies in the care process to support housing,substance abuse, nutrition, and behavioral health services. In addition,on the High-Risk OB Service our MFM Faculty coordinate multi-disciplinary patient care with the Departments of Medicine, Cardiologyand Neonatal. Lastly, much of the care delivered in the Women’s HealthClinics is through individual residents’ weekly Continuity Clinics, whichpermit them to follow their own cohort of patients throughout training.

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Affiliated Training Sites

Kaiser Downey Medical CenterThe Kaiser Downey Medical Center (KP Downey) is a large communityhospital operated by Kaiser Permanente, which is the largest HMO inCalifornia with approximately 3,500 deliveries, 1,000 major and 1,800minor gynecologic surgeries annually. During PGY 2 – PGY 4 residentsspend 10 weeks per year at KP Downey on an inpatient OB/GYN rotation.They work one-on-one with OB/GYN faculty, which include severalGeneralists and sub-specialists in MFM, REI, GYN Oncology and FPMRS.

Kaiser South Bay Medical CenterThe Kaiser South Bay Medical Center (KSB) site, also operated by KaiserPermanente, provides a robust OB experience for residents with over2,200 deliveries per year. During PGY 2 residents spend 5 weeks per yearat KSB working with Generalists and MFM sub-specialists learning bothlow risk and high-risk OB care.

Kaiser West Los Angeles Medical CenterThe Kaiser West Los Angeles Medical Center (KWLA) is an advancedGynecology surgical rotation where the PGY 3 and PGY 4 residentsreceive experience in minimally invasive Laparoscopic surgery under theguidance of expert surgeons. This is a high volume center with staff whohave experience with resident trainees and perform the majority of theircases using minimally invasive techniques under the mentorship of MISand OBGYN specialists and FPMRS subspecialists.

Together with our affiliated training sites, Harbor-UCLA offers abalanced resident experience in managed care, private community, andacademic hospital settings, preparing residents for multiple practicesettings upon graduation. Harbor provides clinical training in anacademic setting for a primarily high-risk, high acuity, indigentpopulation and provides significant exposure to chronic medical disease,intensive care and trauma OB/GYN cases. The residents provide not onlyOB/GYN care for these patients but also comprehensive care for theirmedical conditions in their continuity and specialty clinics.

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At Harbor, residents work in teams, assuming the primary responsibilityfor each patient’s surgical, hospital and/or clinic care while workingunder the supervision of faculty. During their four years of training,residents assume graduated responsibility to make their own diagnostic,management and surgical decisions, which prepares them to practiceindependently. Residents are a part of the “business” of health carewhere there is routine evaluation of cost-containment, efficiency andefficacy, and standardized care plans are followed. Our curriculum isdriven by evidence based medicine and clinical trials. In contrast, theresident experiences at KP Downey and KSB provide an acute hospitalcare experience with a high volume of low to moderate risk patients whogenerally receive regular health care. The residents are involved in allaspects of acute GYN and OB care, including pre- and post-operativecare, intrapartum evaluation and management, and postpartum hospitalcare. The KWLA rotation provides advanced surgical training and a broadcommunity experience.

ResearchResidents are encouraged to participate in faculty ongoing basic andclinical research projects. An active Clinical Study Center providesfacilities for research on campus. Residents have dedicated researchtime each year of their training.

Research types may include: Clinical (Prospective or retrospective,case control or Cohort), Focus (QI/QA or Scientific) and Basic Science(human, animal and laboratory).

Teaching ConferencesOur Program provides a comprehensive didactic component, withseveral standing conferences and lectures. Including, but not limited to,the following:Monday M&M Conference, Grand Rounds, Pathology Conference,

Pre-Op ConferenceTuesday OB Case Review/Lecture by rounding Attending, FPMRS

LectureWednesday Core Curriculum Lecture, Resident Education (once per

month), Internal and Family Medicine Primary Care LectureFriday MFM Conference

Monthly Journal Club 4

Summer Essentials ReviewDuring July – August (in place of Grand Rounds) there is a two-hourweekly series of basic core OB/Gyn lectures. Workshops in shoulderdystocia, operative vaginal delivery, surgical instrumentation, andlaparoscopy are also included. Throughout the year, there are specialworkshops scheduled on a range of subjects such as advancedlaparoscopy using animate models, Implanon, and Essure. We also holdpractice drills in conjunction with nursing and anesthesia to prepare forOB emergencies such as urgent cesarean surgery, obstetricalhemorrhage and shoulder dystocia.

Annual RetreatAnnually, in February, we have a resident retreat off campus with thegoal of resident wellness, program improvement, patient careimprovement, career planning and resident team building. Residents areinvolved in planning topics for discussion and devising creativeapproaches such as workshops, role-playing, outside speakers, and smallgroup breakouts. Importantly, goals for the next academic year aredecided.

Teaching ResponsibilityTeaching by house staff is an important component of any university-affiliated residency. Residents are expected to participate in both formaland informal teaching of UCLA medical students, sub-interns and non-Ob/Gyn house staff.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Malpractice InsuranceThe County of Los Angeles provides professional liability coverage(includes claims filed after completion of training).

Health and Dental InsuranceResidents are employees of the County of Los Angeles, and as such, they(along with their dependents) are eligible to enroll in one of severalhealth and dental insurance programs offered by the County. The Countyprovides a pre-established dollar amount for insurance costs, with anyremaining balance payable by the employee. Enrollment occurs withinthe first 90 days of employment. Insurance is effective 60 days afterenrollment. Annual open enrollment occurs every October. 5

Disability InsuranceRivetti, Clark & Associates provides disability insurance to County-paidHousestaff. Contact them at 818-878-7800 or www.rivetticlark.com/

Life InsuranceThe County provides a $2,000 life insurance policy to employees at nocost. Additional life insurance for employees and their dependents canbe purchased annually during open enrollment.

VacationThe County provides post-graduate physicians up to 24 paid vacationdays each year. The Program schedules 20 days of paid vacation eachyear. The option to defer unused vacation time, up to 10 days per year, isavailable each year until the post-graduate physician leaves or completestraining, at which time there is full payment for all unused vacation time.

Sick LeaveThe County provides a maximum of 8 days of sick leave each year, whichis accrued monthly.

Parental LeaveIn compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, 12 weeks ofunpaid leave may be taken as parental leave or to provide care forchildren, parents, or certain relatives. Residents may use accruedvacation and sick time to cover unpaid leave, up to a maximum of 32days (~6 weeks). Disability insurance and/or unpaid leave may or maynot be available (depending on the circumstance) beyond the 32 paiddays.

Effect of Leave on Duration of Training and Board EligibilityThe American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides the followingcriteria regarding absence from residency training (ie: parental leave): nomore than EIGHT weeks of absence per year in all years of training; andno more than 20 weeks of absence total during the entire trainingperiod.

In order to maintain board eligibility, time missed in excess of thelimits above requires extension of training time in the program.

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HousingHousing is available in the immediate vicinity of the Medical Center atreasonable cost. Many residents prefer to live in adjacent beachcommunities even though rents may be higher because of the quality lifestyle and ambiance. Ob/Gyn residents are advised to obtain housingclose to the Medical Center since they are required to provide "at home"backup call in the fourth year.

MealsHarbor-UCLA residents receive one free breakfast, lunch, and dinner inthe Doctor’s Dining Room each day during Residency. Snacks are alsoprovided by the Program.

Medical License & DEAThe law requires first year postgraduate physicians to register with theCalifornia Board of Medical Quality Assurance. It is the responsibility ofresidents, by December 1st of the second postgraduate year to haveapplied for their CA Medical License. All resident physicians must be fullylicensed by July 1st of the start of their PGY3 year. Failure to have a validlicense will result in suspension and or termination of employment.

As a Harbor-UCLA Medical Center trainee, you are eligible for DEAregistration fee exemption. A fee exempt DEA is only valid at theexemption institution and any affiliated hospital rotations within thescope of your training.

SalaryResidents at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center are permanent-temporaryemployees of the County of Los Angeles. Negotiation of salaries occursbiannually between the Board of Supervisors and the Joint Council ofInterns and Residents. Current annual salaries range from $53,031 forPGY 1 to $67,256 for PGY 4.

OB/GYN Department Educational IncentiveThe department provides a $300.00 annual stipend to all residents (PGY1–PGY 4) for reimbursement of textbooks purchased for education.

Educational BonusThe County provides an educational bonus of $2,000.00 to Interns whoadvance to a PGY 2 position in a County training program. 7

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Program Faculty

Erin Saleeby, M.D., M.P.H. (Ob/Gyn)Assistant ProfessorDepartment Chair

Griselda Gutierrez, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.(Ob/Gyn)

Assistant Professor

Michael G. Ross, M.D., M.P.H. (MFM)Distinguished Professor

Joy Brotherton, M.D. (MIS)Associate Professor

Anna Karina Celaya, M.D., M.P.H. (Ob/Gyn)Faculty

Judy Chen, M.D.(Ob/Gyn)

Assistant Professor

Megan Economidis, M.D. (MFM) Assistant Professor

Ramy Eskander, M.D. (Ob/Gyn) Assistant Professor

Omid Khorram, M.D. (REI)Professor

Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology

Samuel Im, M.D. (Gyn Onc)Assistant Professor

Chief of Gynecology Oncology

Susan Park, M.D. (Gyn Onc) Assistant Professor

Nuriya Robinson, M.D. (Ob/Gyn) Assistant Professor

Christina Truong, M.D. (FPMRS)Faculty

Tajnoos Yazdany, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Residency and Fellowship Program Director

Associate Professor

Program Director

Lance H. Betson, D.O. (FPMRS)APD for Resident Well-being

Assistant Professor

Hindi Stohl, M.D. (MFM)APD for Research and Curriculum

Assistant Professor

Associate Program Directors

Antonia M. Enriquezaenriquez2@dhs.lacounty.gov

310-222-3868

GME AdministratorCynthia Garrison

cgarrison2@dhs.lacounty.gov310-222-3886

Program Coordinator

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Thank You!