Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Overview
The University of Louisville Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship is an accredited three-year program that provides comprehensive training to diagnose and treat conditions of pregnancy including maternal complications and fetal anomalies. We are the only center in Louisville to provide both genetic diagnosis via amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Surgical education includes cesarean hysterectomies, cerclages, periumbilical blood sampling, intrauterine blood transfusions, and EXIT procedures.
Fellows serve as mentors to students, residents and peers during outpatient clinics, inpatient antepartum management, and surgical procedures.
Twelve months of the fellowship are dedicated solely to research where basic science and clinical research are conducted in coordination with faculty mentors. Fellows are educated regarding grant writing, database creation and analysis, scientific writing, and presentation. All fellows complete a thirteen-week course in research and statistics provided by the Department of Bioinformatics & Biostatistics during the end of their first year
One to two professional conferences are attended annually with submission and presentation of original research. Prior to graduation, fellows are expected to publish at least two peer-reviewed articles, complete a thesis project, present at least one national meeting and sit for the subspecialty ABOG exam. Fellows are also encouraged to sit for their general Ob/Gyn oral boards prior to graduation from the fellowship.
Program Aims
- Maintain faculty that hone knowledge and skills, are active in research, provide quality mentorship based on current evidence-based practices and model professional behavior.
- Develop competent clinicians with the knowledge, clinical and surgical skills necessary to practice independently.
- Produce academicians who model professional behavior, are able to relay medical knowledge to future learners and serve as mentors during office based clinical practice and surgical procedures.
- Maintain a culture of inquiry, research, and scholarly activity that prepares fellows to independently design, implement, and analyze research for presentation and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
About Louisville
Faculty
Tiffany Tonismae, MD | Edward Miller, MD | Jamil Elfarra, MD |
Jonathan Weeks, MD | Vernon Cook, MD |
|
Visit the Norton Faculty website for additional faculty profiles.
Curriculum
Curriculum is distributed into 12 blocks a year. Rotations occur at either the University of Louisville or Norton, which are separated by a few blocks in downtown Louisville.
MFM Fellow Block Schedule
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PGY5 | US-L | L&D | GC | US-N | MFM-L | L&D | US-N | ICU | GC | US-L | RSC | MFM-N |
PGY6 | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC | RSC |
PGY7 | MFM-L | FC | L&D | MFM-L | MFM-N | MFM-L | EL | EL | EL | EL | EL | EL |
RSC - Research, US L- US clinic U of L, US N- US clinic Norton, MFM L- UofL MFM Clinic, MFM N- Norton MFM Clinic, GC- Genetics, ICU- Adult Intensive Care, L&D- Labor and delivery/Antepartum, FC- Fetal cardiology, EL- Elective
Elective options must be approved by the program director and may be directed to areas of interest by the fellow.
Didactic time is protected for fellows.
Master Lecture Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week One | 12-1PM SMFM Fellows Lecture Series | 1-2PM Grand Rounds 2-3PM M&M presentations (Morbidity & Mortality) 3-4PM Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow Lecture | |||
| Week Two | 12-1PM SMFM Fellows Lecture Series | 1-2PM Grand Rounds 2-3PM MFM Fellow Lecture 3-4PM MFM Journal Club | |||
| Week Three | 12-1PM SMFM Fellows Lecture Series | 12:30-1:30PM US Review | 1-2PM Grand Rounds 2-3PM Ob/gyn Journal Club 3-4PM MFM Fellow Lecture | ||
| Week Four | 12-1PM MFM Case Review | 12-1PM SMFM Fellows Lecture Series | 12-1PM Fetal Boards | 1-2PM Grand Rounds 2-3PM Chair Chat 3-4PM MFM Fellow Lecture | |
| Week Five (varies by month) | 12-1PM SMFM Fellows Lecture Series | 1-2PM Research Meeting 2-4PM MFM Fellow Lecture |
Benefits and Perks
STIPENDS AY 23-24
Stipends are determined by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office prior to the beginning of each academic year. Fellows will be provided with a new contract each academic year. Stipends for Academic Year 2023 - 2024 are as follows:
PGY 5 | $69,808.68 |
PGY 6 | $72,959.56 |
PGY 7 | $75,995.13 |
Participants of Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship are covered under University of Louisville benefits..
MALPRACTICE INSURANCE
The department pays for fellow malpractice insurance through Kentuckiana Medical Reciprocal Risk Retention Group (KMRRRG).
DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
The following amounts will be available for expenditure between July and June each academic year:
Fellows | $2,000 annually (July 1 – June 30)
PLUS:
|
Faculty/Staff Student Recreation Center Membership
Faculty, staff, and retirees of the University are eligible for memberships to the new Student Recreation Center. The cost is only $24 per month and is available in monthly increments from 1 to 12 months. Dependents of members are eligible for membership at the same rate as the original member. For a dependent to join, the host must be a member for a period equal to or greater than the length of time desired for the dependent.
HSC FITNESS CENTER
Elliptical trainers, treadmills, stationary bikes, recumbent bikes, and stair climbers comprise the complete line of cardiovascular equipment at the Health Science Center (HSC) Fitness Center. The center also features a complete line of weight stack and free weight equipment. Group fitness classes are held in the group fitness studio most days at noon and early evening. Locker Rooms with lockers and individual showers are also available. The gym is located at 416 East Chestnut Street, on the first floor of the UofL Parking Garage.
Offers a wide range of wellness activities and classes:
- Beginner Yoga/Chair Yoga: Pause from your busy life to recharge and revitalize at our quiet calming practice of body and breath awareness.
- Bootcamp: High intensity interval training that incorporates strength, cardio, sport movements, CrossFit, and running.
- Fit in 30!: Power up your lunchtime routine with an energizing, whole body workout, including a variety of strength and cardio moves, all in just 30 minutes! Suitable for all levels.
- Latin Dance: Laugh, dance and de-stress while learning basic Latin dances. All levels are welcome, and no partner required.
- Mindful Yoga: Calm the nervous system, increase the body-mind connection, and improve breathing.
- PiYo: Combines the sculpting and core benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility benefits of Yoga.
- REFIT®: Moves beyond the body into a life-changing experience. Refit believes the heart is both a muscle and a soul, and the impact of this targeted approach creates a deeper sense of connection, self-worth, and lasting change.
- Tai Chi: Discover the benefits of this ancient form of martial arts, which will improve balance, agility, strength, and coordination.
- Yin/Yang Yoga: Bring an open mind and be prepared to enjoy an energizing and refreshing yoga experience – Yin yoga is slow and restorative; Yang Yoga is more powerful and challenging. Come prepared to do a mix of both!
- Zumba®: The ultimate dance-fitness party! Enjoy Latin, hip-hop, and International music and get in a great workout while you learn dynamic and effective dance moves!
CAMPUS HEALTH SERVICES
Campus Health Services for fellows are offered at no charge for immunizations and required FIT testing. Campus Health Services located in the HCOC and at Cardinal Station offers a compressive list of services designed to meet the needs of our students, residents, and fellows in training. Services are billed to the individual’s commercial insurance, workers’ compensation or covered by the GME or student fees. Generally, not out of pocket expenses.
Trainees are guaranteed a clinical site where there are no students or residents rotating in the office privacy purposes. A dedicated staff of physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and certified medical assistances staff at both locations.
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to university employees at no charge and provides confidential counseling, assessment, and referral services. The program deals with a broad range of issues such as emotional/behavioral, family, and marital, alcohol and/or drug, financial, legal, and other personal problems.
How to Apply
We are actively recruiting to take one fellow outside of the match to begin August 2024. If interested, please email the program director and program coordinator a letter of interest along with your CV.
We will also be participating in the fellowship match through ERAS. Your application may be sent to us through ERAS. Interviews are planned for July and August and will be virtual.
Application Process
Applications to the University of Louisville Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Program will be accepted ONLY through the Association of American Medical College's (AAMC) Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The program does not require additional documentation to complete application.
Prospective fellows are invited to interview based on information provided in the personal statement, letters of recommendation, research, and scholastic accomplishments and USMLE scores. It is the policy of this program to select the most qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, creed, color, national origin, handicap, age or sexual orientation. All applicants must register for and participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Eligibility Requirements
- All required clinical education for entry into ACGME accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME accredited residency program.
- For an international Medical School graduate, verification of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification will be required.
- Our program does accept J1 Visa applicants as long as the applicant has three years remaining on their visa in order to complete the fellowship.
Important Dates
We will be interviewing virtually. Interview dates for the upcoming interview season are July through August 2024.
Contact Information
Tiffany Tonismae, MD, Program Director
Crystal Menear, Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health
University of Louisville School of Medicine
550 S. Jackson Street
Ambulatory Care Building, 2nd Floor Bridge
Louisville, KY 40202
502-561-7482