Obstetrics and Gynecology | University of Iowa General Catalog

This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

Professional degree: MM

Faculty: https://obgyn.medicine.uiowa.edu/our-people

Website: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/obgyn/

Faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology contribute to a wide spectrum of educational programs. A six-week core clerkship is taken by all Carver College of Medicine medical students. Subinternships are offered in high-risk obstetrics (maternal-fetal medicine) and gynecologic oncology. Advanced electives are offered in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, family planning, night float, urogynecology, and various nonclinical and research electives. Approximately 12 physician associate (PA) students also complete a one-month rotation within the department as part of their training.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited fellowship programs are urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk obstetrics), and reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Courses supported by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are designed to give medical students a comprehensive survey of female reproductive medicine. This is accomplished through a variety of didactic lectures, outpatient clinical assignments, inpatient experiences, and surgery.

The clerkship OBG:8301 Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology supports students in developing the core knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide basic obstetric, gynecology, and/or primary health care to female patients.

The department offers medical students a variety of advanced electives that provide training in specialty areas of obstetrics and gynecology.

The department also offers a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to register and take the written and oral examinations leading to certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Residents are assigned to the various subspecialty divisions and clinical services of the department. They care for hospital inpatients and outpatients with training in normal and abnormal obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, office gynecology, ultrasound, reproductive endocrinology, gynecologic oncology, urogynecology, and family planning, as well as a variety of minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Courses

OBG:8301 Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology arr.

Proficiency in evaluation and management of core women's health care relating to reproductive tract; history taking, physical examination, laboratory and imaging assessment of obstetric and/or gynecological patients; application of current concepts to well women's health care and to management of diseases and pathologies; outpatient and inpatient obstetrics and gynecology; family planning, screening, and early detection of cancer and other diseases.

OBG:8401 Advanced Inpatient Subinternship in High Risk Antepartum Obstetrics arr.

Experience in evaluating new patients in a high-risk obstetric clinic; continuing antepartum care; ordering diagnostic studies and following the course of complicated patients admitted to obstetric ward; assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (e.g., fetal heart rate testing, amniocentesis, ultrasonography, intrauterine fetal transfusion).

OBG:8402 Advanced Inpatient Subinternship in Gynecologic Oncology arr.

Experience on a gynecologic oncology service, including operating room, inpatient and outpatient care; team management approach to gynecologic cancer patients, treatment and follow-up of invasive gynecologic malignancies, etiology and risk factors for gynecologic neoplasias, pre- and postoperative evaluation and treatment of surgical management of gynecologic neoplasis.

OBG:8403 Reproductive Endocrinology arr.

Experience evaluating new and returning patients in the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic; participation in preoperative, operative, and inpatient postoperative care; advanced gynecologic ultrasonography and in vitro fertilization services.

OBG:8405 Urogynecology Advanced Elective 4 s.h.

Experience as active member of urogynecology clinical team, participating in clinical care activities including outpatient clinic, outpatient procedures, inpatient surgery, hospital care; presentation to team on topic chosen by student.

OBG:8407 Family Planning 4 s.h.

Experience with family planning clinical activities at several different local sites, including outpatient procedures. Requirements: MD enrollment.

OBG:8409 Obstetrics and Gynecology Night Float 4 s.h.

Four week rotation; students are paired with a night resident with primary responsibility for inpatients on gynecology services; when not actively engaged, students participate in resident team work on labor/delivery/recovery (LDR), gaining obstetrics (OB) procedural competency as well as assisting with management of inpatients and consultations as delegated by night chief and/or staff call physician; students and night resident generally perform initial assessment of emergency department or inpatient consults/admissions under immediate supervision of the fellow and/or faculty; students carry out plans discussed at evening sign-out for inpatient gynecology services. Requirements: MD enrollment.

OBG:8410 Translational Science in Reproductive Health 4 s.h.

Exposure to and education in basic and applied translational research in reproductive sciences, obstetrics, gynecology, and developmental biology/perinatal programming; direct involvement with Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology ongoing research efforts. Requirements: MD enrollment.

OBG:8450 Continuity of Care in Outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology 4 s.h.

Experience with gynecologist in longitudinal clinical experience for the academic year; students paired with faculty member to see patients in weekly clinic and provide clinical care to defined patient population.

OBG:8451 Obstetrics and Gynecology Scientific Writing 4 s.h.

Advanced medical students gain experience with the process of scientific publication; manuscript preparation, scientific communication, editorial duties, and publication process through the lens of journal editor and manuscript author. Requirements: MD enrollment.

OBG:8497 Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology arr.

Medical research, clinical or laboratory projects; individual study.

OBG:8498 Obstetrics and Gynecology On Campus arr.

OBG:8499 Obstetrics and Gynecology Off Campus arr.