2008 Ob/Gyn Board Review

Welcome to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at LSU in New Orleans. As you are probably aware, Hurricane Katrina had a major impact on the School of Medicine and the local hospital system. This has made the Department reevaluate the teaching programs both at the student and resident level. Additionally, it allowed us to reexamine our ongoing program and to refocus our educational mission.

Initially, there were problems however we are overcoming them very quickly. Much of our early education is revolving around simulations, didactic, and integration into the private medical community. This has been met with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm by many of the local practitioners and has allowed our residents to work in both a public and a private environment. With the reopening of University Hospital (our main teaching hospital) in the late fall of 2006, we have reestablished our already well known clinical system that affords both patients and residents experience as well as excellent medical care.

Traditionally, we had 3 sites: New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Because of resident staffing changes, the site at Baton Rouge has started their own residency. Additionally, the Lafayette University Medical Center site has now become an excellent teaching site for gynecologic surgery, urogynecology and reproductive endocrinology surgery. To this end, we are finding that surgical experience among our residents is continuing to increase and the satisfaction level of the residents is increasing every month.

New Orleans is a tremendous cultural icon in the United States. With the rebuilding of the city many of the significant negatives in the past are being addressed and New Orleans will come back to be a stronger more vibrant city in the future. With this brings tremendous opportunities for those individuals who see that building sometimes can be more exciting than just experience. Please give us strong consideration for both your training as well as for possible academic mission.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Nolan, M.D., MBA
Abe Mickal Professor and Chair