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Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Division of Gynecologic Specialties in

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine

Approved for Fellowship Training Programs in the

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

 

Memphis, Tenn. (September 1, 2009) – Giancarlo Mari, MD, interim chairman for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and co-director of the Maternal and Fetal Medicine Institute at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), announced the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) has given approval to begin a fellowship training program in maternal fetal medicine.  Additionally, Edward Stanford, MD, gynecology division chief, announced that the Board of the Fellowship in Gynecologic Endoscopy has given approval for the division of gynecologic specialties at UTHSC to serve as a fellowship preceptor site for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

  “The University of Tennessee has a legacy of leading the country in innovative and practice-changing research in high-risk pregnancy care and gynecologic procedures,” observed Veronica Mallett, MD, medical director of health care excellence for the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, and director of the Tennessee Centering Pregnancy Program at UTHSC.  “These two fellowship training programs will enhance care opportunities for women in Memphis, Shelby County and the region.”

  The Maternal Fetal Medicine Program will accept one fellow per year, for a total of three.  The training program is currently reviewing applications for its first fellow who will begin training in the fall.  “We are excited because finally the state of Tennessee will be able to train its own maternal-fetal medicine doctors,” stated Dr. Mari.  The program will be reviewed in approximately three years for continuation.

 The Gynecologic Specialties Program is a two year fellowship, which accepted its first fellow for the 2009-2011 cycle.

 “We are one of only 22 centers in the U.S. to currently have such a fellowship program accredited by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine,” stated Dr. Stanford.  “The training will emphasize research, education and hands-on advanced vaginal, laparoscopy -- traditional and robotic -- and hysteroscopic surgery.  This program will distinguish UT as a leading academic and clinical site, both nationally and internationally, for excellence in gynecologic surgery.”

 As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  UTHSC has additional colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy plus an Allied Health Sciences unit in Knoxville, as well as a College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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