The Rural Obstetric Training Intensive
This unique training opportunity leverages the MERGE Collaborative’s network of rural obstetric physicians to give Family Medicine and Ob/Gyn residents a 4-6 week, multi-site, longitudinal elective experience specifically designed to support a rural population.
The Curriculum
A new rural obstetric curriculum has been developed to supplement the learning that residents receive during traditional urban-based training. This innovative curriculum was informed by Maine women who experience obstetric care in rural settings as well as physicians practicing in rural settings and by both Ob/Gyn and Family Medicine learners.
The experience is designed to be longitudinal and interchangeable among participating rural sites. Learners will increase their exposure to the unique challenges of rural medicine in multiple environments. Sites can be coordinated in two-week blocks to fit the scheduling needs of a resident and their program.
Hosting Sites and Housing
Current participating hospitals include:
- MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, Norway, ME
- Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
- MaineHealth Memorial Hospital, North Conway, NH
- MaineHealth Franklin Hospital, Farmington, ME (Ob/Gyn residents only)
Housing is either provided by the hosting sites for each location or funded through the MERGE Collaborative. Alternative housing options are available for residents that choose to bring their family while on rotation. All housing options are covered by the MERGE Collaborative in accordance with the housing reimbursement policy.
About Us
The Rural Obstetric Training Intensive was designed by the Rural Obstetric Education Committee, a group of Ob/Gyn and Family Medicine physicians practicing obstetrics in a rural setting. All participating physicians have served as MERGE Rotation Directors, and most have participated in the Rural Education Leadership Academy. The initiative has been made possible by an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Northern Border Region Outreach Program.
Rural Obstetric Education Committee
- Kalli Varaklis, MD, MSEd – Principal Investigator, DIO for MaineHealth
- Jeannette Andrews, DO, FACOG – Co-Chair, Chief of Obstetrics, MH Stephens Hospital, Norway, ME
- Kate Hoffmann, DO – Co-Chair, Program Director for the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, Augusta, ME
- Kristin Hartt, MD – Family Medicine Physician, Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
- Jennifer Labudde, MD – Ob/Gyn Physician for MH Memorial Hospital, North Conway, NH
- Emeka Esomonu, MD, MPH, DABFM – Ob/Gyn Resident, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center
- Hope Huntley, MD – Family Medicine Resident, Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency
- Annie Derthick, PhD – Educational Specialist, Associate Program Director, Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency
Mission
The MERGE-Rural Obstetrics Education Consortium (ROEC) will collaborate to develop and implement a “Rural Obstetric Training Intensive” (ROTI) for rotating Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) and Family Medicine resident physicians.
Vision
The MERGE-ROEC will represent rural content expertise for obstetric graduate medical education in the state of Maine.
Interested in the Rural Obstetric Training Intensive?
Get in touch to learn how this unique, multi-site elective can expand your experience in rural obstetric care.
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