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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship

The IU School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program is designed to fill a regional shortage of perinatologists and prepare physicians to independently care for pregnant people with medical and obstetrical problems. The program was accredited in May 2012 by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2017. This is the only maternal-fetal medicine fellowship program in the state of Indiana.

Educational Objectives

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship trains OB-GYN physicians to serve as professional health care advocates for all pregnant people and function as collaborative consultants to general OB-GYNs and other health care providers in the management of complicated pregnancies.

After completing this training, physicians are prepared to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in performing and interpreting prenatal extensive ultrasound and fetal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. They also learn to practice evidence-based medicine in provision of maternal-fetal medicine care using knowledge of maternal physiology, pathophysiology and reviews of the most current medical literature. Program participants acquire the skills to be experienced educators for learners from all walks of life and develop a commitment to lifelong learning.

Apply Now

Applications are due by May 1 through ERAS.

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae as well as four letters of recommendation, including from the residency program director, chair of OB-GYN department and a mentor who can attest to the applicant’s interest in maternal-fetal medicine.

Other required documentation includes a medical school transcript, MSPE, personal statement that explains interest in maternal-fetal medicine, USMLE transcript (or COMLEX if DO) and CREOG scores (years 1-3).

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The three-year fellowship curriculum fulfills the graduate degree requirements for a Masters in Clinical or Translational Research. It helps physicians gain an appreciation for the role that translational research plays in perinatal medicine. Maternal-fetal medicine fellows gain experience in percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS) with intrauterine fetal transfusion (IUT) and other fetal interventional procedures, chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis training.

More About the Fellowship

The rotation schedule is designed to provide maternal-fetal medicine fellows with a comprehensive clinical experience encompassing maternal, fetal and perinatal care. First-year fellows rotate through the inpatient labor and delivery wards at IU Health Methodist Hospital as well as the multiple outpatient clinics throughout the IU Health system. Twelve months of protected research time are provided in year two. Senior fellows have autonomy in selecting elective rotations relevant to their future goals. Interdisciplinary conferences with Riley Hospital pediatricians, cardiologists and surgeons also enrich the clinical learning environment.

Maternal-fetal medicine fellows participate in weekly didactics led by maternal-fetal medicine faculty as well as IU School of Medicine experts. These sessions teach the principles of ultrasonography, genetic disorders and maternal and fetal complications. Fellows also actively participate in resident education and the production of evidence-based obstetrical protocols.

The maternal-fetal medicine division is committed to developing the skills necessary for fellows to become creators and consumers of literature. Fellows are provided ample clinical and laboratory research opportunities during their training, including 12 consecutive months of protected research time in their second year. Mentorship is provided by the vice chair of research, David Haas, MD, and various research faculty. Indiana University School of Medicine has extensive resources, including the Regenstrief database, that are available to ensure research success.

A global health elective in infectious disease is available at IU School of Medicine’s sister institution in Kenya and a pediatric genetics rotation is available at Riley Hospital for Children. Fellows complete a fetal echocardiography rotation with skilled pediatric cardiologists at Riley Hospital for Children and they can earn a masters or certificate in clinical or translational research centering on pregnancy.

Fellowship Director
12741-Shanks, Anthony

Anthony L. Shanks, MD, MS, MED

William H. & Sallie E. Coleman Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology

Anthony Shanks, MD, MS, has been practicing his specialty since 2010. He chose maternal-fetal medicine because he feels the opportunity to care for women with complicated pregnancies is unlike any other. It presents unique challenges involving the care of two patients simultaneously as well as the opportunity for prenatal diagnosis and interventions to improve perinatal outcomes.

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