Medical students at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine gain early and meaningful exposure to obstetrics and gynecology through core clerkships, subspecialty electives, and scholarly pursuit. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is committed to providing all medical students with a strong foundation in reproductive health while inspiring those with a deeper interest to become future leaders in the field.
Continuity of Learning
Learning begins with the Reproduction Unit in the second-year pathophysiology curriculum, which provides scientific grounding for the six-week Core Clinical Clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. During the clerkship, students care for patients across the spectrum of women’s health, including antepartum and intrapartum care, benign and malignant gynecologic surgery, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, family planning, preventive care, and the management of pelvic floor disorders.
Advanced Electives
For students considering careers in obstetrics and gynecology, we offer a rich set of advanced electives at both the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital. Elective options include maternal–fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology, family planning, fetal diagnosis, ambulatory gynecology, and multi-specialty gynecologic surgery. These experiences allow students to tailor their training, work closely with subspecialty faculty, and explore academic and clinical career paths.
Our Commitment
At every stage, we emphasize hands-on learning, mentorship, and inclusion. Students learn from nationally recognized faculty and residents who are deeply committed to teaching, while caring for a diverse patient population in one of the nation’s leading academic health systems.
Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME
Vice Chair of Education
Contact Information
Philip McCabe
Medical Student Education Coordinator
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
3400 Spruce Street – 5 Dulles, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Philip.Mccabe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Core Clinical Clerkship (OB200)
At the Perelman School of Medicine, every medical student spends six weeks immersed in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The core clerkship is designed to provide a broad introduction to the field across the continuum of care—from labor and delivery to surgical gynecology, family planning, infertility, preventive care, and the management of pelvic floor disorders.
Students rotate between the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian, and Pennsylvania Hospital, where they divide their time among labor and delivery, gynecologic services, and outpatient clinics. Regardless of site, students work closely with faculty and residents, gaining hands-on experience while caring for a diverse patient population.
The clerkship begins with a foundational week of preparation before students start clinical work. During this time, students participate in team-based learning (TBL) sessions that integrate key concepts in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a hands-on session at the Penn Clinical Simulation Center at Rittenhouse. Simulation training covers essential skills such as pelvic and breast examinations, Foley catheter placement, suturing and knot tying, intrauterine device insertion, vaginal delivery, and operative preparation (scrubbing, gowning, and gloving). This immersive introductory week equips students with both the knowledge and technical skills needed to succeed in their subsequent clinical rotations.
Sarah Gutman, MD, MSPH
Clerkship Co-Director
Andrea H. Roe, MD, MPH
Clerkship Co-Director
Contact Information
Philip McCabe
Medical Student Education Coordinator
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
3400 Spruce Street – 5 Dulles, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Philip.Mccabe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Additional program information
Medical Student Special Interest Group in Obstetrics & Gynecology
The medical student special interest group in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine hosts a number of events to expose students to the field. These include clinical shadowing experiences such as the popular “Watch-a-Birth” program as well as events targeting students interested in research, simulation, advocacy, or professional development.
Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Medical Student Educational Objectives
APGO has developed educational objectives for medical students completing their clerkships in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Companion videos are available to help medical students become proficient in the topics outlined in the educational objectives. View all of the Medical Student Objectives Videos on the APGO YouTube Channel.
Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Clerkship Survival Guide
The Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) publishes a Clerkship Survival Guide with helpful information to successfully navigate the Core Clinical Clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) Student Membership
ACOG offers free medical student membership to students interested in reproductive health. Members receive ACOG's educational resource materials (practice bulletins, committee opinions, journal articles, etc.) at no cost. Medical students are also able to attend certain ACOG-sponsored meetings free of charge. Additional details about this membership can be found here.
Visiting Student Resources
Visiting Student Application Information
Information can be found here: for visiting students from accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools.
Visiting Student Clerkship & Mentorship Program Application Information
The OBGYN Department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, offers a single competitive funded visiting clerkship opportunity for fourth year medical students each September. The program seeks to address some of the obstacles that can limit access to medical training. For more information and the application process, use this link here
Note: The opportunities described below are available only to Perelman School of Medicine students at the University of Pennsylvania
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Summer Research Fellowships
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers three 8-week summer research fellowships exclusively for University of Pennsylvania medical students following their first year of study. These fellowships provide motivated students considering a career in obstetrics and gynecology with an opportunity to develop skills in research methodology and to gain mentorship within the department. Following acceptance, students are matched with a faculty mentor working on an established project in the selected focus area. Eligibility: Penn medical students who have completed their first year. Application information is distributed via the MS1 listserv in the late fall.
FOCUS Medical Student Fellowship in Women's Health
The FOCUS Medical Student Fellowship in Women's Health provides University of Pennsylvania medical students with funding for six months of full-time research or community-based work in women's health. Depending on funding availability, fellows may engage in clinical or basic science projects with a faculty mentor or work in a community-based organization providing women's health services. Eligibility: Penn medical students who have completed their clinical clerkships. Visit the FOCUS website for application information.
Congratulations on choosing to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology! The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania is excited to partner with the Perelman School of Medicine to support Penn medical students on this next stage of their journey. While residency advising is coordinated centrally through the Office of Student Affairs, our department remains deeply invested in supporting students with guidance, mentorship, and opportunities as they prepare for residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.
Faculty Advisor
Students applying to OBGYN are encouraged to connect with our departmental faculty advisor, who provides individualized guidance and mentorship throughout the process:
Divya K. Shah, MD, MME
Vice Chair of Education
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
3701 Market Street, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-662-2970
Divya.Shah@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Recommended Electives and Sub-Internships
We recommend that students complete at least two advanced OBGYN electives, in addition to the OBGYN Residency Preparatory Course. A wide variety of electives are available across Penn Medicine, spanning maternal–fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urogynecology, family planning, ambulatory gynecology, multi-specialty gynecologic surgery, and fetal diagnosis.
Additional helpful electives outside of OBGYN include SICU, cardiology, anesthesia, adolescent medicine, infectious disease, neonatology, endocrinology, and radiology.