Research is central to progress in medicine. As such, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has dedicated itself to advancing women's health through its extensive programs in pre-clinical and clinical research. We feel that residents who are educated in a research environment are also stimulated to seek a deeper understanding of disease and its many manifestations. In so doing, residents gain invaluable skills of self-teaching and critical thought that enable them to develop into valued members of any medical field, whether it be academic medicine, community-based practice, health care policy, or emerging technologies. The importance that we place on research is reflected in the resident research requirement. Each resident is required to write and present an original research paper that is suitable for publication under the direction of a faculty mentor.

The goals of our resident research experience are:

• To gain an understanding that medical progress is based on basic and clinical innovation and discovery,
• To develop critical thinking skills,
• To develop, understand, and thoroughly discuss the basis for choices and decisions related to a resident’s own research project,
• To gain an appreciation for measures of quality in research endeavors, and
• To gain an appreciation and understanding of how collaboration and teamwork are essential for successful research.

Chief residents are required to present their findings formally during Resident Research Day and during The Cleveland ObGyn Society meeting in the spring of their chief year. The Departmental Resident Research Award is voted at the Research Grand Rounds and carries the follow monetary awards:

• First place: $1,000
• Second place: $500

Residents in the Greater Cleveland/Akron area are also given the opportunity to present their research topic at the spring quarterly Cleveland Ob/Gyn Society meeting. Their project is judged in the following categories: Originality, Scientific Merit, Knowledge of Pertinent Literature, Organization and Analysis of Data, Quality of Presentation, Applicability to Clinical Practice. Monetary prize awards are given to competing residents for outstanding presentations. In the past, Ob/Gyn residents from University Hospitals have been highly successful in this awards competition.

Resident Research Subcommittee members:

• Kristine Zanotti, M.D. Chair
• Mohamed Ali-Bedaiwy, PhD, MD
• Helene Bernstein, PhD, MD
• William H. Hurd, M.D.
• Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD
• Neal S. Rote, PhD
• Sam Mesiano, PhD
• Noam Lazebnik, M.D.
• Nancy Cossler, MD, ex officio
• James Liu, MD, ex officio
• Lisa Perriera, MD