Link Rounds

Core didactic lecture series take place two days per week over a closed circuit television network so that residents at all three sites can participate. The network is two-way to allow for interactive discussions. Resident time is strictly protected with attending coverage of Labor and Delivery. Over the summer nuts and bolts series is aimed specifically at the junior residents. Link rounds lecture series operate on a bi-yearly lecture cycle.

Surgical Skills Lab

Residents participate in regular surgical skills labs at both Hartford Hospital and at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Hartford Hospital recently opened a multimillion dollar state of the art simulation center. The center includes a robotic simulator, large laparoscopic training room and a dedicated labor and delivery suite. While the simulation is run by a full time staff the residents also have 24/7 access to practice their skills. There is a robust curriculum which includes robotic training, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and cystoscopy. In addition regular obstetrical simulations are run for shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage and other obstetrical emergencies.

Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds occur weekly at both Hartford Hospital and The Hospital of Central Connecticut and nationally renowned speakers are often invited to present.

Journal Club

Journal Club is done either weekly or monthly depending on the hospital. Residents present current or landmark articles in a formal presentation with a focus on study design, statistics, and the validity of the study. Faculty with expertise in study design and statistics mentor these meetings to ensure that there is rigorous training for our residents so that they can critically review the literature.

Oral Exams

Second, third and fourth year residents participate in an annual oral exam which allows them to articulate their acquired knowledge during discussion of clinical case management. This is an excellent education tool and helps prepare for the oral boards.

Research

All residents are required to be involved in a research project during their training. Faculty members serve as research mentors and Aaron Shafer, M.D., Gynecologic Oncology attending, oversees all resident research activity. A research day occurs annually and senior residents present their projects to the department. Residents are required to come up with a research topic by their third year. Resident posters are often presented in national meetings.

Tumor Board

Once a week to once a month (depending on the facility), residents, gyn oncologist in conjunction with medical oncologists and a pathologist review slides from recent cases and discuss treatment plans.

High Risk OB rounds

Performed in all three hospitals and range from daily walking rounds at UConn Health with the fellow and attending on service to sit down rounds daily at Hartford Hospital and weekly at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. All are supervised by Maternal-Fetal Medicine attending's and always involve a great deal of informal didactics.

Ultrasound conference

Once a month at The Hospital of Central Connecticut interesting ultrasound cases are reviewed with a radiologist.

Placental pathology

Neonatal conferences occur twice a month at UConn Health.