Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why would I want to consider the University of Hawaii OB/GYN Program for my residency training?
- How many residents do you take each year and how do you select them?
- What is the application process?
- What type of clinical experience can I expect at the University of Hawaii program?
- Is it tough living in Hawaii?
- Several good OB/GYN residency programs across the country have been severely impacted by managed care. Is the University of Hawaii program vulnerable?
Why would I want to consider the University of Hawaii OB/GYN Program for my residency training?
This training program, located 2500 miles west of its closest neighbor, has as its strength exceptional clinical volume and a collegial health care team. Though part of a major medical school, the program is able to balance academic training with the friendly ambiance of the surrounding cosmopolitan community. While taking advantage of exceptional clinical volume and a dedicated teaching staff, our residents enjoy a close working relationship with their peers and the faculty. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the patient population, combined with the "aloha spirit" and the natural beauty of the islands, makes for an extremely pleasant and rewarding training environment.
How many residents do you take each year and how do you select them?
We accept six categorical residents and one preliminary resident each year. Applications are screened for competitive USMLE scores and letters of recommendation, a complimentary Dean’s letter, and solid medical school grades. Interviews are by invitation only and are limited in number. Current residents are actively involved in the interview and selection process to help maintain the cooperative learning environment our program has enjoyed for many years. All applications are judged on their merit with no specific preference given to University of Hawaii graduates or Hawaii residents.
What is the application process?
All interested candidates are should apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The University of Hawaii conducts evening interviews for a group of eight applicants on certain selected dates in November, December and January. The selection committee invites applicants to interview once their ERAS application has received a number/favorable review. A limited number of interview slots are available and invitations are issued to . Therefore, applicants are encouraged to transmit their ERAS application at the earliest possible time.
What type of clinical experience can I expect at the University of Hawaii program?
Our residents rotate to three institutions that together, deliver nearly 10, 000 babies a year. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, being the tertiary referral center for the state of Hawaii and the pacific basin, has an exceptional mix of complicated and routine obstetric patients. Residents enjoy extensive surgical exposure and can expect to be first assisting on cesarean sections and major gynecology procedures early in their first year. Most first-year residents finish the year having done over 50 cesarean sections as the primary surgeon. The residents typically finish the program having done over 300 major surgical procedures, 450 vaginal deliveries and 200 cesarean sections.
Personally, I can think of much worse places to be stuck! The beauty, the temperate climate, the cultural diversity and the friendly populace of the islands, combine to create an extremely pleasant environment. There are however, important considerations to keep in mind. The cost of living is certainly higher than most of the rest of the United States and jobs for spouses or significant others can, occasionally be hard to find.
Several good OB/GYN residency programs across the country have been severely impacted by managed care. Is the University of Hawaii program vulnerable?
While no one can predict the future, we feel confident that our exceptional clinical volume will be maintained, even in the face of significant "managed care" penetration. Our three teaching institutions are responsible for the majority of the women’s health care delivery in Honolulu and nearly all of the tertiary care in the State of Hawaii. Because of our geographic advantage (where else can they go?), we don’t have to worry about patients leaving our system.