Sim Lab and Laparoscopic Surgery

Our Sim Lab is equipped with a Noelle Simulator, a programmable mannequin that allows our residents to hone their skills with routine procedures such as vaginal deliveries, and operative assisted deliveries (forceps and vacuum).  The mannequin is also programmable to simulate complications to allow residents to practice skills such as breech delivery, reduction of shoulder dystocia and management of postpartum hemorrhage. We are not limited to the Lab as we have taken Noelle to our clinic, Labor and Delivery and our lecture hall for didactics. We are working with the nursing department to expand our utilization of simulation to improve the communication and cooperative efforts necessary for patient safety. 

Our department also offers simulation training in gynecology. The hospital also has a trainer for robotic surgery.

Our department actively supports our simulation program, as we recognize that it is vital to the care of our patients.  Dr.  Mitch Dizon, our Residency Program Director, and another faculty member, Dr. Frederick Bossert, head our simulation training.  Several of our faculty and nursing staff have also participated in external training for High Risk Obstetrics and Obstetrical Emergency Simulation. 

Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery 

As required by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, our Department provides training in the "Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery" to enable each of our residents to complete this certification course as part of our OB/GYN residency curriculum.  

The FLS Course provides our residents with the basic knowledge and technical skills specific to laparoscopic surgery that will optimize surgical outcome and quality of patient care. The cognitive aspect of this program is taught through a series of didactic lectures and knowledge is complemented by faculty-supervised simulations to allow "hands-on" practice of skills such as peg transfer, pattern cutting, and both intracorporeal and extracorporeal suturing.