About the Program

The medical student experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology involves an M3 core clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology, an M4 AI (combined Obstetrics and Gynecology), as well as M4 ICE rotations in Maternal Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.  Medical student education in the OB-GYN department is unique in that it is supported by an endowed chair, established and named in honor of Dr. Clarence McLain.

Dr. Amy Thompson has served as the clerkship director since July 2011.  Since that time, the department has expanded its 4th year electives to include all subspecialties in Women’s Health.  In addition, collaborating with UC medical students and faculty, Dr. Thompson developed the Women’s Health Scholars program in 2013.  Through this program, medical students have successfully presented and published their research with the aid of faculty mentors.

Clerkship coordinator, Mrs. Emily Wagner, joined the program in 2015 and brings with her 11 years of experience in medical education and a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education.

Program History

Dr. Clarence McLain (1967 - 2003)
Dr. Clarence McLain taught many students and residents the art of history taking and patient communication.  He served as the OB/Gyn clerkship director for 36 years, longer than any other clerkship director at a U.S. medical school, according to the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics.  His teaching commitment earned him the University’s highest honor for teaching, the Distinguished Teaching Professor, in 1998.  Dr. McLain also received the College of Medicine’s highest teaching award, the Daniel Drake Award for Distinguished Service, in 2002.  To ensure the ongoing commitment of the department to medical student education, Dr. McLain and his family, established the Clarence McLain Endowed Chair of Medical Student Education, the first in the country.

Dr. Thomas deHoop (2003 - 2011)
Under Dr. Thomas deHoop’s guidance, the core clerkship adopted more case-based education with small, interactive teaching groups.  This evolution resulted in improved student satisfaction scores on our clerkship and consistent NBME subject scores.  During his tenure as clerkship director, Dr. deHoop received numerous Golden Apple awards for excellence in teaching.

Rose Wolterman (1976 - 2015)
Rose Wolterman served as the clerkship coordinator for 38 years, initially recruited by Dr. McLain.  She worked with all three clerkship directors during the history of the program and was instrumental in shaping the program that exists today.

Emily Wagner (2015 - 2016)
Emily joined the department upon Rose Wolterman's retirement in June of 2015. She brought 11 years of experience in medical education and a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education.

Deana Brown (2016 - 2019)
Deana joined the department when Emily Wagner accepted a Education Director's position in the Medical Education office in September 2016.

Natalie Cassady (2019 - present)