Reproductive Health in Family Medicine – UI Health
Introduction
Updated: 02/10/26
Section 1
PREREQUISITES AND PLACEMENT IN THE CURRICULUM:
Eligible students must be in good academic standing and have completed Family Medicine, Medicine, OB/GYN, Neurology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry clerkships. ELIGIBLE STUDENTS MUST BE APPLYING TO FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY.
Interested students should apply through the career electives lottery.
PURPOSE:
The Family Planning and Women’s Health Elective at UIC is for UIC M4s with an interest in furthering their training in reproductive health conditions, common gynecological procedures, contraception, and basic OB/Gyn ultrasound. The rotation combines clinical experiences in the Family Medicine Center at University Village, Mile Square Main Health Center and in the specialty clinics at UIMC. There are opportunities to participate and observe in the management of abnormal pap smears, endometrial biopsy, vaginal and abdominal OB U/S, IUD insertion, nexplanon insertion, and obstetric care. Students also will learn about options counseling, medical abortion, and termination of undesired pregnancy using manual vacuum aspiration.
Participating Faculty:
*Evelyn Figueroa, MD (UIC-FM)
*Emily Hall, MD (UIC-FM)
*Laura Amanda Perry, MD (UIC-FM)
*Sarah Henkle, MD (UIC-FM)
*Jaime Palmer, MD (UIC-FM)
*Pooja Monpara, MD (UIC-FM)
*Taylor Charest, MD (MSHC FM)
*Ashley Katzenstein, MD (UIC-FM)
*Amy Napleton, MD (UIC-FM)
*Glenda Rios, MD (MSCRO-FM)
*Kristen DeCarlo (UIC-Endocrinology)
COMPETENCIES:
This course will enhance students’ knowledge and skills in these areas:
- Application of knowledge to common clinical reproductive health problems, including contraception, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and abnormal pap smear.
- Application of knowledge to long-acting reversible contraception
- Providing competent options counseling
- Care of the perimenopausal and menopausal patient
- Prenatal care
- Gender affirming care
- Personal and professional development
INSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES:
Rotation is 4 credit hours. There are four components outlined below.
- Outpatient Clinical Experience
- Student trainees will spend 4 weeks in clinic at the University Village Family Medicine Center, Mile Square Main Family Medicine Clinic and at UIMC clinic (Osteoporosis) caring for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients with medical needs related to reproductive health (pregnancy, contraception, infertility, irregular bleeding, breast masses, etc.). Students will gain clinical experience in colposcopy, first trimester abortion and pregnancy loss, IUD placement, ultrasound and additional reproductive health procedures and conditions.
- Inpatient Clinical Experience (Optional)
The student on this elective may take call every week and participate in low-risk vaginal deliveries and postpartum inpatient care. - Essentials of Practice Management
The National Abortion Federation has a prepared a course for clinicians interested in providing medication abortion. The course overviews indications for medication abortion, counseling, work-up and implementation of the service. The course concludes with a quiz and review. - Personal and Professional Development
Through selected readings, 2 written assignments as well as a cervical cancer screening QI project, the student will learn:
- How to identify key questions and interventions that need to be offered as part of dealing with common gynecological problems
- How to develop rapport, interviewing, and counseling patients regarding unplanned pregnancy and common gynecological problems
- How to articulate views about options in pregnancy and how their views impact their practice
ASSESSMENT:
Midpoint feedback will be given using the FM clerkship evaluation template if requested by the student. The course objectives above will be utilized, when applicable. End-of-rotation evaluation will also utilize the above format.
Administrative Information
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Program Number
ELEC 229
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Program Contacts
Program Director: Dr Ashley Katzenstein
Email: akatze2@uic.edu -
Program Information
Location: UI Health
Duration: 4 weeks
Weekends: Yes
Students Accepted: 1
Housestaff Used as Faculty: Rarely
Lectures/Conferences/Faculty Contact: Yes, at least weekly
Laboratory/Independent Study: No