Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program

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Physician Organization Physicians

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Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2023

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Women and Children's Pavillion

Welcome to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, a full-service, acute-care hospital serving Northwest Houston and surrounding communities. Our 358-bed regional hospital opened in 2000 with the goal of providing high-quality health care in a warm, inviting environment. We are proud to offer you a full spectrum of health and wellness services, including emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine, women’s services, neurology and more.


For additional information please contact: 
Janiece Dziedzic, MAHS
Project Manager, Graduate Medical Education
OB/GYN Residency Program Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Office: 346-237-9815
obgwillowbrook@houstonmethodist.org



About the Residency

The Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is uniquely situated in the northwest suburbs of Houston, just 40 minutes away from the Texas Medical Center where our sister program at Houston Methodist Hospital is located. Beginning with its inaugural class of five residents in 2025, the program aims to expand to a full cohort of 20 residents by 2029. Residents will engage with a diverse patient population, reflecting the vibrant multiculturalism of Houston. Additionally, Houston Methodist Willowbrook is also home to the Texas A&M University School of Medicine Houston Campus. Residents will have an opportunity to serve as educators and mentors to medical students. The campus accommodates around 50 medical students during their third and fourth years, providing residents opportunities to participate in OB/GYN clerkships, electives, and longitudinal courses such as the practice of medicine. Dr. Sarah Hoopes will serve as program director and Janiece Dziedzic will serve as coordinator, both serving under the leadership of Dr. Pedro Ramirez as department chair. 

 

Key features of the program include a high-volume Labor and Delivery Unit with a level III Maternal and level III NICU designations, making Houston Methodist Willowbrook the largest Labor & Delivery unit within the Houston Methodist System. Residents will work closely with our midwife team both in outpatient clinics and during labor & delivery, practicing low-intervention care. Additionally, first year residents will gain extensive experience in gynecologic ultrasound and participate in providing care at the lactation clinic. The residents also will work in a dedicated colposcopy clinic, where they receive valuable repetition and feedback from our pathologists. Collaboration with the Houston Methodist Urogynecology Fellowship will enrich resident experience through rotations, conferences, and potential research opportunities. Furthermore, our program holds a designation as a Ryan Program Development site, ensuring rigorous and comprehensive family planning training throughout residency. Finally, the curriculum allows for dedicated elective time for residents to better track into their desired career. 

 

At Houston Methodist Willowbrook, there is a distinct sense of community where employees are like family, and staff take genuine pride in being part of a leading medical institution. Houston Methodist was recognized as the #2 Best Large Employer in the Nation by Forbes. Patients in our community appreciate the continuity of care they receive from our providers, often spanning multiple generations within families. In all, we acknowledge that there is a growing need for excellent physicians locally and globally. We are proud to be able to mentor and teach the future generation of OB/GYNs who will continue to serve this diverse and supportive community.

Application Information
  • Accreditation: The Houston Methodist Willowbrook Program is awaiting accreditation. The program is to be reviewed by the ACGME on February 4-5th. The program accreditation status will be updated two to three days later. The accreditation status will be published on ResidencyCAS and the ACGME website.
  • Application: Applicants wishing to apply will be able to submit their application using ResidencyCAS only after the program has received its accreditation. If accredited, applicants will be able to submit their application through ResidencyCAS in February. Applications will be due by February 12th. 
  • Interviews: Houston Methodist Willowbrook will host interviews during the month of February before Rank Lists are submitted through the National Residency Match Program on March 5th. 

    • Please send any questions regarding this application timeline to Janiece Dziedzic at obgwillowbrook@houstonmethodist.org.

    Eligibility and Application

    Application Requirements
    Residency applications and the additional items below must be submitted through the ResidencyCAS Program where we are listed as Houston Methodist Hospital. Houston Methodist Hospital OB-GYN Residency Program is a participant in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). No applications will be reviewed or accepted outside of the NRMP.
    • Medical school academic transcript (including a dean's letter)
    • Curriculum vitae
    • USMLE scores are required (must possess a pass and no previous fails)
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement
    • Valid ECFMG certificate/J-1 visa (if applicable)

     

    Requirements for International Medical Graduates (IMG):

    • Must be ECFMG-certified
    • Must submit USMLE Step 2 (CK/CS) results by application deadline (November 1, 2024)
    • Must submit an official English translation for all application materials
    • U.S. Clinical Experience (USCE) is required, preferably in an academic medical center (observerships are considered as USCE)
    • Must document USCE/observerships with a letter of recommendation by a supervising physician
    • Only J-1 Visas are offered
     

     

    Criteria

    Applicants for residency must have graduated from medical school within three years and meet one of the following criteria:
    • Graduates of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
    • Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the U.S. accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
    • Graduates of medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada or Graduates of medical schools outside the U.S. who have completed the Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school who meet the following qualifications:
      • Hold a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
      • Have a J-1 Visa or is a U.S. citizen, a naturalized U.S. citizen or permanent resident
    Additional Information
    • Student observerships or electives are not currently being offered at this location but are offered at Houston Methodist Hospital  (applications should be submitted in the Spring for each academic year)
    • All information must be submitted through ResidencyCAS before application is reviewed
    • Interviews are by invitation only (if you have been selected, we will contact you with a date and time)
    • If interested, a second look can be offered after the Rank List is submitted
    • Interviews will likely take place between 2/17 and 2/28
    • Houston Methodist Hospital adheres to a strict Tobacco Free Policy requiring a negative nicotine test prior to employment 
    • Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check
    • Please send any questions regarding this application timeline to the Program Coordinator at obgwillowbrook@houstonmethodist.org
       

    Mission Statement

    We are committed to providing evidenced-based education to assist physicians in becoming competent, compassionate, independent Obstetricians & Gynecologists who are empowered to become leaders in scholarship, innovation, advocacy, and patient care. Furthermore, we are committed to fostering a positive academic health care environment that supports learners and faculty of diverse backgrounds to ensure sustainable access to equitable care in our community.

     

    Our mission statement aligns with that of our larger sponsoring institution “to provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people we serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research.” We seek to meet our institutional and programmatic goals by utilizing Houston Methodist Hospital’s I-CARE values when delivering high quality education and patient care.

     

    Integrity- We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.

     

    Compassion- We embrace the whole person and respond to emotional, ethical and spiritual concerns as well as physical needs.

     

    Accountability- We hold ourselves accountable for our actions.

     

    Respect- We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity and value.

     

    Excellence- We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

     

    We aim to utilize the learning objectives and clinical competencies set forth by the ACGME and Counsel on Resident Education in Obstetrics & Gynecology to meet the national standards put forth by the experts in our field and medical education. We aim to inspire intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and an awareness of the needs of our community in Northwest Houston. We aim to provide comprehensive learning opportunities and appropriate resources to OB/GYN residents.  We aim to recruit passionate, experienced, and supportive faculty members and interdisciplinary mentors to model excellence and promote growth of our trainees. Furthermore, we aim to promote unparalleled patient-centered care and maintain a culture of safety, focused on high reliability with emphasis on evidence-based practice, innovation, and research.

     

     

    Program Leadership
    Chair Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez
    Pedro T. Ramirez, MD, FACOG

    Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

     

    Dr. Pedro T. Ramirez is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Houston Methodist Hospital. He completed his residency training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. He then completed a Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. After completion he remained on faculty there for 25 years. He was also the recipient of the David M. Gershenson Distinguished Professor in Ovarian Cancer Research Endowment and of the Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Treatment. 

     

    Dr. Ramirez is also the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. He has published over 300 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and has published a total of 19 book chapters. In addition, he is the Editor for the textbook titled Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. He is also Co-Editor of a textbook published in 2022 titled The ERAS Society Handbook for Obstetrics & Gynecology. 

     
    GME Program Director Dr. Sarah Hoopes
    Sarah Hoopes, MD, FACOG

    Program Director, OB/GYN Residency Program

     

    Dr. Sarah Hoopes is the Program Director of the OB/GYN Residency Program at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. She completed her medical training at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC and then completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Houston Methodist Hospital. She then worked as Core Teaching Faculty for the Houston Methodist Hospital Residency program serving as Wellness Director and manager for 4th year medical student rotations. She serves as an adjunct clinical faculty for Texas A&M School of Medicine, University of Houston School of Medicine, and Sam Houston State University School of Osteopathic Medicine. 

    GME Project Manager Janiece Dziedzic
    Janiece Dziedzic, MAHS

    GME Project Manager, OB/GYN Residency Program

    Janiece Dziedzic, MAHS is the GME Project Manager for the OB/GYN Residency Program at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.  She holds an M.A. in Human Services Counseling focused in Life Coaching. She previously worked serving in various undergraduate medical education roles for almost 10 years with medical students and served on the DEI committee with Texas A&M College of Medicine. She is excited to grow in this journey of graduate medical education and use her degree by assisting residents, colleagues, and leaders in becoming the best versions of themselves personally and professionally. In her spare time, she enjoys Bible study, reading, volunteering with her pet therapy dog, Jackson, gardening, traveling, trying new recipes and puzzles!

     

    Physicians & Faculty

    Houston Methodist Willowbrook Physicians

    Michelle Barcio, MD, FACOG
    Stephanie Bruce, MD, FACOG
    Lori Cavender, MD, FACOG
    Traci DeSplinter, MD, FACOG
    Rakhi Dimino, MD, FACOG
    Nelly Heiman, MD, FACOG
    Jessica Lee, MD, FACOG
    Lexanne Mauney, MD, FACOG
    Jessica Miller, MD, FACOG
    Stacy Norton, MD, FACOG
    Victoria Petruzzi, MD
    Julia Romero, MD, FACOG
    Jonathan Russell, MD, FACOG
    Fatima Syed, MD
    Latricia Thompson, MD, FACOG

    Gynecologic Oncology

    Aparna Kamat, MD
    Pedro T. Ramirez, MD, FACOG
    Anuj Suri, MD
    Behrouz Zand, MD
    Tarrik Zaid, MD

     

    Certified Nurse Midwives

    Calida Gardner, APRN, CNM
    Samantha Martin, DNP, APRN, CNM
    Rebecca McKimmey, APRN, CNM
    Zainab Agoro, CNM

     

    Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)

    Olaide Ashimi Balogun, MD Anushka Chelliah, MD
    Alfredo Gei, MD
    Morgen Doty Hool, MD
    Niolaos Zacharias, MD

    Center for Restorative Pelvic Medicine

    Danielle Antosh, MD, Urogynecologist
    Rachel High, DO, Urogynecologist
    Emily Rutledge, MD, Urogynecologist
    Fiona Lindo, MD, Urogynecologist
    Christine Pan, MD, Urogynecologist

    Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

    Timothy Hickman, MD, Co-Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
    Rashmi Kudesia, MD
    Katherine McKnight, MD
    Jamie Nodler, MD
    Beth Zhou, MD

    Family Planning

    Katherine Bolt, MD

    Clinical Rotations

    Curriculum

    Resident clinical rotations are designed to maximize their educational experience, rather than fulfill service requirements. Call is compliant with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour requirements.

    PGY-1

    First year residents immediately start seeing pregnant patients in the obstetrics triage area, running the labor and delivery floor, and performing vaginal deliveries. They also perform primary cesareans and participate in outpatient gynecology, including colposcopy and minor gynecologic surgeries. They also learn obstetrical ultrasound in the Ultrasound Clinic.
    PGY-2

    Second year residents care for complicated obstetrical patients with an emphasis in MFM, supervise first-year residents, perform repeat and more complicated cesareans, and perform more difficult gynecologic surgeries, including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. They learn emergency and critical care medicine and perform gynecologic consults.
    PGY-3

    Third year residents spend the majority of their time on gynecological rotations, with an emphasis on advanced laparoscopic surgeries and vaginal surgeries. While on obstetrics, they perform advanced procedures including difficult cesareans and operative obstetrical procedures. They also spend time in reproductive endocrinology and gynecologic oncology, and have a one-month elective. They are often the leaders of their team when on call.
    PGY-4
    The chief resident spends three to four months on the OB-GYN, and night float services, and serves as the clinical and academic team leader, being responsible for the decision making, allocation of residents, resident and student learning, and organization of the service. During this year, the chief resident acts fairly independently with consultation and oversight from the faculty. The most difficult and advanced minimally invasive and vaginal gynecologic procedures, robotic surgery and operative obstetrical procedures are performed.
    Elective Opportunities
    1. Research
    2. Colorectal Surgery
    3. Urology
    4. Breast Surgery
    5. Family Medicine
    6. Emergency Medicine
    7. NICU
    8. Radiology
       
       
    Continuity Clinic
    Residents will have the opportunity to provide general Obstetric & Gynecologic care to their own panel of patients from the Willowbrook Community with a Core Faculty Preceptor. Residents will have at least one-half day of continuity clinic a week to provide longitudinal and comprehensive care for their patients. 
    Educational Series
    1. Didactics: Residents are provided with four hours of weekly protected time for lectures. Topics are wide ranging including general medicine, breast, pulmonary/critical care, research, business development, personal development, gynecology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, ethics, education, obstetrics, pediatrics & adolescent gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, complex family planning, anesthesia, neonatal, urogynecology, and gynecologic oncology.
    2. Simulation: Our simulation curriculum includes both Obstetrics & Gynecology sims including but not limited to, operative vaginal delivery, perineal laceration repair, proctored E-Migs training, vaginal hysterectomy, and postpartum hemorrhage. Simulations take place once a month during scheduled didactic training.
    3. Grand Rounds: Residents are invited to an interdisciplinary system wide OB/GYN Grand Rounds presentation where invited speakers discuss new and emerging topics in the field.
    4. Morbidity & Mortality Conference: Residents will attend system-wide OB/GYN M&M conferences where 1-3 cases are discussed. Discussion includes information regarding the patient presentation, the outcome, contributing factors, and learning points.
    5. Bootcamp: New residents participate in a 2 weeklong bootcamp that includes both hospital and departmental orientations, NRP certification, team building exercises, OB/GYN specific trainings, simulations, and drills. The first week of bootcamp is classroom based where the second week will take place in the clinical setting.
    6. Tumor Board: Residents on Gyn Oncology service will participate in weekly tumor board conference. This is a multidisciplinary conference where difficult cases submitted by the faculty are reviewed by the group.
    7. Journal Club: Medical students, Residents, and Faculty are invited to attend monthly Journal Clubs. During the course of the year an article from each subspecialty will be reviewed. One resident will be assigned to prepare discussion questions, and one faculty member will be designated as a facilitator based on the chosen article. This will serve as an introduction to the systematic use of medical literature, a lesson in critical appraisal skills, and example of application of evidence-based medicine.
    8. Foundations of Research Methods: PGY-1 residents will be separated from other residents for one hour a week for a month during didactics. During this time, they will attend a series of workshops designed to introduce them to research methods. Residents will be encouraged to identify a research question during this month.
    9. Physicians As Educators: Residents across different specialties interested in Academic medicine will have the opportunity to take part in a course offered by the Houston Methodist Hospital and UT Houston. Residents who apply and are selected, will be granted time to attend the workshops and lectures during the year they are in the program.
    10. OB Drills: Residents covering the services on L&D will attend monthly interdisciplinary drills lead by the Director of Nursing Education and the Maternal Medical Director.
    11. Weekly Reading Review: Residents are assigned to complete a weekly reading that will be reviewed and discussed with faculty
     
     

    Curriculum

    The following is a typical resident rotation schedule:
    OB/GYN Residency Willowbrook Curriculum Table

    * The postpartum rotation consists of managing postpartum patients, performing circumcisions, managing postpartum contraceptives including sterilization, working in the lactation clinic, and completing 3 half days a week of GYN Ultrasound clinic.

    + Off site rotations

    Get In Touch

    Program Contact

    Janiece Dziedzic, MAHS
    Project Manager, Graduate Medical Education
    OB/GYN Residency Program Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
    Office: 346-237-9815
    obgwillowbrook@houstonmethodist.org

    Upcoming Academic Events

    Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.
    Renal Grand Rounds - Richard J. Glassock, MD

    Richard J. Glassock, MD, MACP, FRCP (London), FASN

    Jan 09 @ 12PM

    See Details
    Weekly Multidisciplinary GI Grand Rounds – January

    Multiple Speakers

    Jan 10 @ 7AM

    See Details

    55

    Grand Rounds conducted in 2023
    These educational events are held according to varying schedules by departments and divisions within the Houston Methodist Academic Institute

    Explore the following:

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