Medical student education

Headshot of Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME
Divya Kelath Shah, MD, MME – Vice Chair of Education

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.


Headshot of Sarah Gutman, MD, MSPH Sarah Gutman, MD, MSPH
Clerkship Co-Director

Female SilhouetteAndrea 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