Deirdre Buckley, MD
University of Massachusetts Medical School

When considering residency programs, there were core factors that were important to me.  I wanted to join a program that had a supportive, passionate, and close-knit environment among residents.  It was crucial to me to be in a program where there was a commitment to the community, to advocacy, and to providing high quality, compassionate care for all patients, including people with substance use disorder in pregnancy. I wanted to join a program with comprehensive family planning and abortion care training.  Finally, I'm still figuring out my future career path and wanted to be in a program with opportunities to be involved in Maternal-Fetal-Medicine research.  I found all of these components in the Jefferson OB/Gyn Residency Program!  The strong relationships between residents and the program's commitment to the community and the full spectrum of reproductive health care shone through on interview day.  I am so excited to join the Philadelphia community and to be an OB/Gyn resident at Jefferson!

Tara Cahanap, MD
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College 

In looking for a residency program, I knew I wanted to be somewhere that would support and align with my goals, both as a provider and as an individual.  I chose OB/Gyn because I felt it crucial as a first-generation Filipino-American woman to take part in the evolution of reproductive healthcare; Jefferson is a place that understands the importance of advocacy, lifetime learning, and intersectionality in the furthering of this incredible field.  It is a place where excellence in academic/surgical training is held in the same regard as the pursuit of providing equitable healthcare, especially with regard to abortion care and the reproductive justice.  Furthermore, Jefferson seeks to reflect a diversity that is abundant in its patient population and is equipped, ready, and eager to commit themselves to the underserved and high-risk populations seen throughout Philadelphia.  I wanted to be part of a program that emphasizes community amongst its providers and its patients; Jefferson truly seeks to strengthen those bonds, all while recognizing that an evolving healthcare landscape requires a team that chooses to better themselves every day, every week, and every year.

Victoria Diamond, MD
Florida State University, College of Medicine

I chose Jefferson to complete my residency training for many reasons.  I believe that Jefferson stands apart from other programs through its strong resident camaraderie and commitment to the diverse patient population of Philadelphia.  I was looking for a strong academic program with a close-knit community feel, and Jefferson has just that.  I was drawn to this program for its incredibly supportive environment and genuine vested interest of the faculty members.  I am confident that I will receive amazing training, have the opportunity to pursue a fellowship if that is what I decide, and most importantly be supported along the way.  I know that when I graduate I will be a confident, competent physician and a better person for having trained at Jefferson.

Julie Gomez, MD  
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

There are many reasons why I chose Jefferson.  First, the faculty and residents are supportive and genuinely care about well-being outside of the hospital.  The residents are passionate about learning and enjoy working with each other, which makes going to work every day something to look forward to.  As a student here, I was fortunate to see firsthand the great training and preparation for a career after residency including private practice, academic medicine, and fellowship.  Research is important to me and something I plan to continue through residency.  There are ample research opportunites and enthusiastic faculty who are delighted to mentor.  Lastly, using EPIC was important to me because of the integration between outpatient and inpatient care and record sharing from surrounding hospitals.  I am very thankful and excited to continue my training at Jefferson.

Isabelle Levin, MD
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

I was so excited to open my envelope on match day and see that I would be staying at Jefferson for residency!  As a medical student here, it was evident to me that there is an incredible camaraderie amongst the residents and a sincere commitment to reproductive justice, both of which were vital to me when considering where I wanted to complete my training.  Additionally, the close relationship between physician and midwives at Jefferson is truly unparalleled.  It was because I had the opportunity to work with the midwives at Jefferson that I asked each and every program I interviewed with about the opportunity to train with midwives.  I am also interested in pursuing a fellowship, so the incredible research and mentorship opportunities at Jefferson further influenced my decision.  Finally, I chose Jefferson because I have loved serving the diverse patient population in Philadelphia and I truly feel so lucky that I will continue to do so for the next four years!

Shelby Murphy, MD
Univerity of Florida, College of Medicine

When looking at residency programs, I focused on the program's community, values, and excellence in training.  Before even interviewing at Jefferson, I had mentors from my medical school tell me how much they loved and admired many of the Jefferson OB/GYN physicians.  While interviewing at Jeff I felt kindness and authenticity which inspired excitement for my interviewers to become my community of colleagues and friends.  Another important piece of the puzzle was that the program I attended shared my values in support of the LGBTQ+ community and women's reproductive rights.  This department's four-year family planning curriculum and desire to grow its transgender care proved that our goals align. Lastly, Philadelphia is a really cool city and I wanted to venture far from my Florida home for the next chapter of my life! 

Ariana Spiegel, MD
Eastern Virginia Medical School

I wanted a residency program that values reproductive autonomy and justice, physician advocacy, and intersectionality.  Additionally, I sought a program that is committed to developing residents into champions for health equity in their community.  Jefferson is just that!  Here, I am equipped to become an excellent clinician and surgeon while training with outstanding physicians and midwives, intentional and thoughtful program leadership, and a genuinely caring and encouraging resident family.  I am excited to work with them, learn from, and advocate for all my patients and their families from Philadelphia and beyond!

Adrian Chiem, MD
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

When I applied to residency, I looked for a few things in particular: 1) a diverse patient population that appropriately reflects its location, 2) a supportive and familial vibe among the residents, 3) a dedication to comprehensive Family Planning, and 4) a clinical education provided by both OB/GYNs and midwives in tandem. Jefferson has all those things. As Philadelphia's healthcare landscape continues to shift, I feel beyond lucky to be with a group of residents who are looking to grow and step up to the plate to provide just and equitable reproductive care.

Celeste Chitters, MD
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

There are so many factors that go into choosing the right residency program. For me, Jefferson had everything I was looking for clinically: a rigorous clinical training, robust family planning experience and a very diverse patient population. After the interview day and meeting the residents, I felt like I had found a place where my co-residents would become my friends and chosen family which was also of the utmost importance. I saw how much the residents cared for each other and I knew that I would fit in well and enjoy my four years. It was very important to me to find a program that not only would help me become a competent and confident clinician but also a place where I could grow as a person and enjoy my time in residency. I think I have absolutely found that. 

Santosh Coorg, MD
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Piscataway

Even through virtual interviews, the camaraderie and determination of everyone I met at Jefferson was practically tangible. Not only did I want to work and learn with these individuals, but I wanted to be friends with them. I was struck by the focus on the Philadelphia community, and knew if I trained at Jeff, I'd be well prepared to help women from all walks of life. Through clinical experiences such as the Jefferson Latina Clinic, or Planned Parenthood, I am eager to work with women who had previously been overlooked by the medical system. I couldn't be happier to be at Jeff! 

Angela Frankel, MD
Tufts University School of Medicine

Jefferson was the perfect match for my residency for many reasons. Jefferson boasts an incredibly supportive and tight-knit community. My co-residents share a commitment to working with underserved communities, and are passionate about incorporating a social justice framework throughout their approach to patient care. Jefferson is also unique for the multitude of opportunities offered in Family Planning, scholarly research, advocacy, as well as subspecialty exposure. One of my leading motivations for pursuing Ob/Gyn is providing abortion care, and Jefferson provides a longitudinal family planning curriculum woven throughout all 4 years of residency, which will allow me to provide comprehensive family planning care confidently after graduating from residency. Finally, I was incredibly excited to work with and learn from midwives who provide a patient-centered approach to caring for pregnant patients on labor and delivery. For all of these reasons, I’m incredibly grateful to have a home here!

Maryam Khan, MD
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine

When interviewing for residency, I was seeking a few key characteristics, all of which Jefferson fulfilled. Coming from Texas, I knew I wanted to train at an institution with a strong foundation in family planning training that was committed to the continuous pursuit of reproductive justice. Jefferson is a Ryan Program, and many faculty members here are committed to providing equitable reproductive healthcare. Jefferson also serves a diverse and underserved patient population, though this presents many challenges, it also provides an opportunity to advocate and care for some of the most marginalized in Philadelphia. A unique aspect of this program is that we spend a significant amount of time learning the art of labor and delivery from midwives. Everyone has been supportive of my learning and growth thus far, and I'm so incredibly happy to be a part of the Jefferson family!

Megan Raymond, MD
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Being raised in the Philly area, I was so excited to be able to return for residency and be close to friends and family. Jefferson is an academic hospital with a community hospital feel. Being located in the heart of Center City, we serve a patient population truly representative of the diversity of Philadelphia, and it is a privilege to serve this community. We work closely with our midwives who are deeply embedded with the underserved patient communities through their work with the Philadelphia Health Centers. I have an interest in research and high-risk pregnancy care and Jefferson's residency program works very closely with the renowned Maternal-Fetal Medicine department and the MFM fellows. Becoming competent at family planning was also a goal of mine for residency, and we have ample clinical opportunities rotating through Planned Parenthood and the Philadelphia Women's Center. It is an exciting time to be at Jefferson, as we expand our opportunities for gynecologic surgery exposure at Methodist Hospital in South Philly in addition to our Center City location, and I'm excited to see the program grow even more over the next four years. 

Dante Varotsis, MD
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

I chose Jefferson because of the faculty and the residents. You will work a lot of hours with these people, and you want to have friends and role models surrounding you. Also, I am undecided about my fellowship path (or not doing one) and I wanted exposure to everything, while also having the ability to go into anything. I have been connected with a mentor in MFM/Medical Genetics as an intern! I also wanted strong, well-rounded generalist training, which I think is a massive strength here. Jefferson's use of EPIC as its EMR and having the two primary clinical sites where residents work 10 min from each other also made training here very appealing as it is nice to not have to travel far to work and being able to utilize the same EMR. I feel very fortunate to be at Jefferson.

Sarah Abelman, MD
Yale Medical School

I always knew I wanted to go to a strong academic program that could support me if I decided to do a fellowship, and I love Philadelphia as a city with so many different neighborhoods to explore and lots to do. When I interviewed at Jefferson, I was struck by how supportive the environment is. The residents aren't just friends, but a real support system, and the program leadership clearly cares so much about the residents' wellbeing. That was one of the most important things for me in choosing a residency, so seeing that Jefferson had such a supportive culture really sold me on the program!

Alison Gruber, MD
Drexel University College of Medicine  

I applied to Jefferson because it is a great program in Philadelphia (where I currently live). I had heard great things about the program from Jefferson medical students and students who did away rotations there. I was attracted to training at Jefferson as I was looking for an academic program in a city with a strong emphasis on teaching and education and the ability to do research and apply to Fellowship if I wanted.

Melanie Hotz, MD
Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

I applied to Jefferson because I have always loved Philadelphia and knew I wanted to move back to the Northeast for residency. I was drawn to the Jefferson program because of the inclusive nature that was so apparent on my interview day. The faculty all wore rainbow pins in support of the LGBTQ+ community, and diversity was clearly an important value at Jefferson. The residents and faculty seemed like a big family that invests in each other's success. I am so excited to now be a part of the Jefferson family for my OBGYN training.

Victoria Keiser, MD
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

I was initially attracted to Thomas Jefferson because it is an academic program in a large, urban area with a mission to serve an under-served population. I wanted a program that produced strong generalist OBGYNs, but also fostered and encouraged fellowship opportunities if I decide to go that route. I was also interested in the Maternal Addiction Treatment, Education and Research (MATER) program, which aligns with some of my research interests in substance use in pregnancy. On my interview day, I already felt like part of the Jefferson family. The residents made me laugh, were genuinely interested in me as a person, and made Philly sound like an amazing place to live and work! The volume and diversity of patients that Jefferson affords was unlike any other program at which I interviewed. I am so excited and grateful to be able to train at such an amazing program!

Abigail Nelezen, MD
Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

I was attracted to Thomas Jefferson for their OBGYN residency because of the long-standing history of care and support for the LGBTQ+ community, at both the university level, but also in Philadelphia as a whole. Thomas Jefferson also has an extremely comprehensive Family Planning division that integrates reproductive justice and abortion care into the fabric of the program, something that was extremely important to me as a future provider. I couldn’t be happier that I have been picked to train at Thomas Jefferson University.

Jennifer Rich, MD
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

After having completed my medical education at Jefferson, I am thrilled to be staying at Jefferson for residency! Not only does Jefferson provide excellent training for both future generalists and fellowships, but the program also allows residents to grow as leaders in the field. As a student, I was struck by how warm and collaborative the environment is within the residency program, and knew it would be a community I could be supported in and thrive in. Furthermore, I love the patient population Jefferson serves, as well as the opportunities to explore fields such as Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology and Family Planning. Philadelphia is also the best city, so I am happy I never need to leave!

Tara Sulur, MD
University of Michigan Medical School—Michigan Medicine

I chose Jefferson because it was everything I wanted in a training program. I could see how passionate the residents and faculty were about the people and community that they serve. Residents were encouraged to explore their passions in medicine and to be innovators. I loved the exposure to diverse training and educational experiences. I knew I would get amazing training as an OBGYN while learning how to be an advocate for my community.

Victoria Adelwale, MD
University of Virgingia School of Medicine

When choosing a residency, I realized that residency is hard no matter where you go, but what makes Jefferson so wonderful are the people I get to do it alongside! From the chiefs to my fellow interns, from the department to the house staff, I felt that I would be supported in every way!

Joy Fatunbi, MD
Drexel University College of Medicine

One of the best things about being a resident at Jefferson is having the privilege of taking care of diverse patient populations. Jefferson patients’ are diverse in every aspect, including but not limited to, cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status and acuity of medical conditions, making Jefferson a great place to learn and train.

Kavisha Khanuja, MD
Rutgers, Robert Wood JohnsonMedical School

I was initially drawn to Jefferson due to the opportunity to work in a high-acuity, academic program in a large city. However, it was my interview day that exposed me to the supportive and caring environment that exists amongst residents and faculty, as well as the passion for serving a high-risk and diverse population that resides in Philadelphia. I am so proud to be part of the team of Jefferson OBGYN residents.

Katrina Marcinkowski, MD
Eastern Virginia Medical School

I knew I wanted to come to Jefferson after meeting the residents, faculty and staff. There is a real sense of community within a professional, academic learning environment. That has held true since starting intern year. The residents really function as a family; we respect each other and have each other’s backs. The faculty is full of excellent mentors and are incredibly supportive. I cannot imagine a better group of residents and faculty than here at Jefferson!

Makenzie Perdue, MD
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

While applying to residencies, I chose to stay at Jefferson (former SKMC graduate) because of all the amazing people and the department’s collaborative environment. All of the attendings at Jefferson provide a lot of education and support while also providing a space for resident autonomy, which I found to be very unique to this program. I also love Philadelphia and I can’t imagine training anywhere else.

Simone Reaves, MD
University of Virgingia School of Medicine

I love being at Jefferson because I enjoy the diverse patient population that we serve and the great team of residents, fellows and attendings that I have had the opportunity to work with. I can truly say that my fellow co-interns and co-residents are some of the most caring, supportive and intelligent people I know. Finally, I appreciate being able to live and work in such a vibrant city. Philly is a fantastic place to train.