Medical Students | Emory School of Medicine

Welcome to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Undergraduate Medicine program. The Doctor of Medicine program at Emory University School of Medicine is divided into several phases over four years. During these four years of undergraduate medical education, there are several avenues for students to explore and engage in clinical, volunteer, and research opportunities. We are excited to help students find their path to an exciting career in Gynecology and Obstetrics.

To highlight some of these many opportunities (see links below), students can take leadership roles and volunteer at the student-run Harriet Tubman clinic, working with underserved women in our communities. There are also several OBGYN-related student interest groups where students can explore the many facets of our field. For people interested in advocacy work around women’s health, there are roles at the state and national level to work with groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) or Georgia OBGyn Society (GOGS). Additionally, for those interested in clinical, pre-clinical, and translational research in women’s health, there are a wealth of projects available in both the M1 and M2 years, in addition to options for Discovery Projects. We also highlight our Near Pear Educators – senior medical students who take on leadership and mentorship roles to help all our medical students learn about obstetrical and gynecological care and all the many reasons to consider a career in Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Feel free to contact our clinical coordinator, Kelly Poptanycz, or myself with any questions about any of these opportunities.

Meet the Team

Dr. Megan Lawley

Director, Medical Student
Clerkship

Dr. Sejal Tamakuwala

Associate Clerkship
Director

Kelly Poptanycz

Senior Program Coordinator

Application Phases Foundations Phase (M1-2)

The first 18 months of medical school are called the “Foundations Phase.” Students learn both pathophysiology and pathology of healthy humans and human disease. First-year medical students will learn about the female reproductive system in their anatomy course and the endocrine and reproductive health modules. In the spring, they will learn how to conduct breast and pelvic exams with the help of standardized patients. This is an excellent time to volunteer for various organizations focused on women’s health and advocacy. There are also research and elective experiences available to interested students.

Applications Phase (M3)

The "Applications" or "Application of Medical Sciences" phase is a 1-year period, analogous to the traditional "M3/Clerkship" schedule, during which students rotate in mandatory specialties. The MD-720 Gynecology and Obstetrics Clerkship rotation lasts for six weeks, involving rotations on labor and delivery, gynecological inpatient services, and outpatient OBGYN care. The clerkship features a structured curriculum with weekly conferences, skills practicum, lectures, and online instruction.

MD/Dual Degrees

Before completing the Application phase, students desiring an additional degree at Emory through the Laney Graduate School or elsewhere for an additional year or more will apply during this period. Information on dual degrees available at Emory and related application requirements can be found here.

Translations Phase (M4)

The "Translations" or "Translation of Medical Sciences" phase is a 9-month period analogous to the traditional "M4/Senior Medical Student" schedule. During this time, students interested in an OBGYN residency can choose from various electives offered by the Emory OBGYN Department, effectively taking on the role and responsibilities of an Acting Intern (AI). These electives are available to both Emory SOM seniors and visiting students from other medical education institutions through the AAMC virtual student learning opportunities (VSLO) application.

Important note: Participation in an elective does not guarantee an interview for a residency position in our department. An independent committee employs an objective scoring system based on set criteria to grant interviews to the highest-scoring applicants.

M3 OBGYN Didactics and Simulation

Medical students find participation in OBGYN didactics and simulations enjoyable and valuable for their learning. For instance, they engage in scenarios such as postpartum hemorrhage jeopardy, where they develop critical decision-making skills under pressure, and estimated versus quantitative blood loss simulations, which highlight the importance of accurate assessments during emergencies. These hands-on experiences shape undergraduate medical students into adept future healthcare professionals.

GYNOB gallery — Pictured: Wednesday student didactics: 1st Trimester Bleeding Jeopardy game and Estimated Blood Loss Simulation

Hear directly from our learners!

"The clerkship directors and coordinator were easily accessible and gave great feedback. The faculty and residents LOVE their jobs and love encouraging students to consider OB/GYN as a career. Didactic sessions were excellent and relevant—phenomenally run clerkship."

"Tons to do, very fun and well organized, and I got lots of opportunities to participate in care - following patients, practicing skills in the OR, and helping out in the outpatient setting."

"Didactics were excellent, and the clerkship directors genuinely cared about our learning and the quality of our clinical experiences."

"Didactics were the best because they were applicable, interactive, and hybrid."

"I appreciate that Dr. Lawley, Dr. Tamakuwala, and Kelly want our feedback and are willing to improve the clerkship in all feasible ways. I appreciated how communicative and available they all were. I also appreciated how the different activities and lectures reinforced the information we were learning through fun and engaging activities."

"An amazing clerkship!"

Volunteer, Networking, and Advocacy Opportunities

Harriet Tubman Women’s Clinic

First-year students can apply to coordinate the clinic for all four years of medical school. Students of all levels can volunteer at clinic and help provide women’s health services to low-income and uninsured patients.

Med Students for Choice

The Emory Chapter of MSFC provides workshops, advocacy opportunities, and lectures to support access to reproductive care, including abortion care and contraception. There are also opportunities for regional and national leadership.

OB/GYN Interest Group

An interest group hosting informational and networking events for those interested in the field of OB/GYN.

WISER Podcast

The WISER podcast is produced by Emory students and residents. Students can apply to join the production team. It was started by Women In Surgery at Emory Residencies to celebrate the life stories of our surgeons and mentor the next generation of diverse, forward-thinking, problem-solving surgeon leaders.

Near Peer Educators

Fourth-year medical students can apply to participate as Near Peer Educators who work closely with the clerkship leadership team to help teach and train students on their clerkship. Teaching opportunities include suture and knot-tying workshops, working with M3 students on reading fetal heart tracings, and assisting with study strategies and mentorship while on the rotation.

Emory Decatur Labor Support Volunteers (EDLSV) Program

This program trains volunteers to assist and support laboring patients during their labor journey at Emory Decatur Hospital. All volunteers require an application process and subsequent training. This is an extraordinary opportunity to help care for our laboring patients during a 12-hour shift.

Marianne Ruby, MD Award

This award is intended to support a third- or fourth-year medical student in conducting research to advance knowledge and understanding of issues impacting women from menarche through menopause. The Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics is accepting research proposals in four broad priority areas.

Advocacy

Numerous local and national groups are looking for advocates on all levels. Several days during the year, you can participate in lobbying at the Georgia Capitol and in Washington, D.C. ACOG has an annual Congressional Leadership Conference, in addition to options closer to home through organizations such as the Georgia OBGyn Society, which participates in lobbying day at the capital.

General Information

For inquiries about the Clerkship or Electives, please contact the Senior Program Coordinator.

For requests for information about the Residency Program, please email: gynobresidency@emory.edu