Residency - Rural Residency Program

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (UW Ob-Gyn) is proud to offer a rural residency training track - the first in the nation to offer specific training for rural women's health. The state of Wisconsin and the nation as a whole face an increasing shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas.

In response, UW Ob-Gyn has developed strategic partnerships with rural Wisconsin hospitals where rural-track residents will train to provide excellent specialty care to rural women. In line with the Wisconsin Idea - the principle that the university should benefit people far beyond the borders of our campus - UW Ob-Gyn is committed to improving the quality of life for women across Wisconsin and beyond.

Who should apply?

If you are inspired to practice medicine in rural areas in Wisconsin, you are encouraged to apply. Ideal applicants will have had meaningful experiences with rural communities and an enduring commitment to providing health care to women in rural Wisconsin. Applicants should have a solid record of community involvement and a strong interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The Rural Track Program will be a separate MATCH from the parent program. On ERAS when selecting UW-Madison’s program in the drop down, there will be an additional dropdown box for the rural track. You may apply for both programs if interested.

Rural Track Curriculum

Over the four training years, the rural track resident will complete approximately 20% of their training at three rural sites. Each rural rotation will be three weeks long, and you will be able to stay within that community.

The training sites include Baldwin, Monroe and Marshfield:

In Baldwin, residents train at Western Wisconsin Health. While in Monroe, residents train at SSM Health Monroe Hospital. During the Marshfield rotation, residents train at Marshfield Medical Center.

Rural Residency in the News

Hanks publishes blog about global health trip

Laura Hanks, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, shared her experiences traveling to Gambia on the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Surgery’s Global Surgery website. Hanks was a visiting lecturer at the Edward Francis Teaching Hospital in ... more

Grand Rounds: Janik presents “Oh Canada: Comparing healthcare systems and Ob-Gyn care”

On March 28, 2024, Jen Janik, MD, PGY-4, resident physician in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, presented “Oh Canada: Comparing healthcare systems and Ob-Gyn care.”In the lecture, Janik outlined the Canadian health care model, which led into a comparison between Ob-Gyn care in Canada versus the U.S., and descri... more

Cutler discusses ob-gyn training and abortion restrictions on WNYC Science Daily

Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined Science Friday for a recent podcast episode focussing on the post-Dobbs landscape across the U.S. and its implications for physicians and abortion access.In “Abortion-Restrictive States Leave Ob-Gyns With Tough Choices,” Cut... more

Bajpai and Owusu represent residency at SNMA Conference

UW Ob-Gyn residents Rusha Bajpai, MD, PGY-2 and Raiven Owusu, MD, PGY-1, attended the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Annual Medical Education Conference in New Orleans March 27-31, 2024, to represent the UW Department of Ob-Gyn residency. SNMA is an organization that supports current and future underrepresented m... more

Spencer presents at AAMC Group on Resident Affairs conference

Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Resident Affairs Professional Development Conference in Arlington, VA in early April 2024. Spencer presented a project that analyzed resident and fellow evaluation system... more
Read more news →