Medical College of Wisconsin Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship
The division of Obstetric Anesthesiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin offers a 1 year ACGME accredited fellowship program. The program provides subspecialty training focusing on the anesthetic care of obstetric patients throughout their pregnancy and labor and delivery experience.
The Obstetric Anesthesiology fellowship is responsible for the specialty training of Obstetric Anesthesiology physicians that ensures their competency and autonomy for independent practice in caring for the Obstetric patient populations.
The Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship provides a supportive culture for faculty, housestaff, and administrative personnel in order to promote innovation and excellence in OB Anesthesiology training, as well as a commitment to the principles of life-long learning and healthcare equity in order to serve the needs of our obstetric patient communities.
The programs goal for the fellows is to gain an increased level of knowledge of routine and high-risk OB Anesthesia care, extending clinical knowledge and skills to include the most complex obstetric anesthesia cases. To also build bridges and coordinate care between the intersecting practices Obstetric Anesthesiology, Obstetrics, Neonatology, and Nursing and to become an educator and advisor for anesthesiology colleagues, and colleagues in other fields.
Froedtert Hospital's Birth Center, the primary training site for our OB Anesthesiology fellows, has been named:
Meet the Faculty
Meredith A. Albrecht, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Catherine M. Drexler, MD
Associate Professor
Maria Muravyeva, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Rotations
The Fellowship in Obstetric Anesthesiology at MCW is a 12-month program that commences on July 1. The year is divided into 13 blocks, each lasting 4 weeks. No overnight calls. No weekend calls. 3 weeks of vacations. Fellows have weekday clinical responsibilities from 7am to 5pm.
L&D Unit (6–7 blocks)
L&D Unit (6–7 blocks)
Fellow will be exposed to the full array of obstetric cases on labor and delivery unit, including fetal cases, high-risk obstetric cases in main OR and out-of-OR experiences, as well as all non-obstetric cases for pregnant patients in main OR. Fellows have priority for index and interesting or challenging obstetric cases. Fellows responsibilities include running the board, primary management of complex patients, work with the different services to formulate plans for individual high-risk patients, orientation of residents on their first day, supervision of residents and CAA/SAA, and attendance at daily multidisciplinary rounds.
Neonatal Intensive Care (2 weeks)
Neonatal Intensive Care (2 weeks)
Fellow will join our level IV NICU, which offers the highest level of care possible. Our NICU at Children's Wisconsin, is a state-of-the-art, 70-bed unit with all private rooms, and it's the only one in the state co-located with a birth center. Rotation will be focused on neonatal care during the first hour of life. Fellow will attend high-risk vaginal deliveries, all Cesarean deliveries, provide evaluation of neonates and participate in neonatal resuscitation on the labor and delivery unit. During rotation fellows will receive their certification in neonatal resuscitation.
Maternal-Fetal-Medicine (1 block)
Maternal-Fetal-Medicine (1 block)
This rotation provides an introduction to Maternal-Fetal-Medicine. Fellow will gain experience in high-risk antepartum care, care of pregnant women in critical condition requiring admission to intensive care unit, fetal testing and as well as exposure to fetal procedures. Fellow will attend daily multidisciplinary rounds, outpatient MFM clinic, participate in longitudinal care for any patient admitted to the Intensive Care Units and work with the different teams to formulate plans for individual high-risk, complex obstetric patients. Lectures and didactics are given by OB faculty to fellows during MFM rotation.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (1 block)
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (1 block)
Fellow will gain unique experience in taking care of pregnant women with cardiac disease in one of the leading programs in the nation for adult congenital heart disease. Fellow will spend time engaged in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic, part of Herma Heart Institute at Children's Wisconsin and daily rounds at Children's Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital. Fellow will gain experience in risk stratification, development of an individualized delivery plan, participate in longitudinal care for any parturient admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit as well as any parturient with cardiac disease admitted to labor and delivery unit. Lectures and didactics are given by Cardiology faculty to fellows during their rotation.
Transfusion Medicine (1 week)
Transfusion Medicine (1 week)
Fellow will work with a transfusion medicine attending and learn about workflow through the blood bank including ABO/Rh typing and antibody screening, resolution of discrepancies, develop an understanding of blood collection, component preparation and storage. Fellow will become familiar with advantages and disadvantages of specific blood components, perioperative blood management, selection of appropriate blood products for transfusion and hazards of blood transfusion, including transfusion reactions and disease transmission. Also during rotation fellow will develop sufficient clinical judgment to recognize unreasonable or inappropriate demands for blood components under routine and emergency conditions.
Research (3 blocks)
Research (3 blocks)
Numerous research opportunities are offered to fellows, including participation in the ongoing multicenter trial and QI projects. Fellows receive a total of three blocks of research time, which can be arranged by request. Fellows will be expected to submit data and/or medically challenging case for presentation at a national meeting, with the goal of turning the project or case into an abstract and publication.
High-Risk Obstetric Anesthesia Clinic (one afternoon every week)
High-Risk Obstetric Anesthesia Clinic (one afternoon every week)
Once a month fellow will work in Combined Clinic for parturients with cardiac disease. Fellow will have unique opportunity to work with experts in adult congenital heart disease, cardiology, maternal fetal medicine, and obstetrics to develop individualized care plans for each high-risk, complex patient.
Didactic program
Obstetric Anesthesiology lecture series
Leadership lectures
Joint Fellowship Lecture Series
Simulation
Certification
Moonlighting opportunities
Internal moonlighting for our OB Anesthesiology Fellow is available in the Operating Room under direct supervision of an Attending Physician. Moonlighting shifts occur in 12 hour shifts. The moonlighting will consist of anesthetic managements of patients, including pre-op, intra-op, and post-op, who need surgery at Froedtert Hospital. More information regarding moonlighting can be discussed during interviews.
Application process
Application process
- Complete applications forms and submit required documents to fellowship coordinator (see Application Checklist below)
- Register as an applicant with SF Match - complete the registration process in SF’s Match registration, electronically sign the Match Participation Agreement, and pay registration fee that covers registration and matching
- Schedule an interview
- Rank programs with SF Match
Application Checklist
Application Checklist
Please submit all documents to Education Program Coordinator Rachel Smith (rasmith@mcw.edu):
- Common Application for Fellowship in Obstetric Anesthesiology (PDF)
- Common Application Supplementary Questions (PDF)
- Personal Statement describing your interest in the Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship and your plans after completion of the fellowship
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Three Letters of Recommendation - addressed to Dr. Ayse Kula, Program Director
- Copy of Medical School Diploma
- Copy of USMLE scores
- ECFMG Certificate (if applicable)
Selection process
Selection process
You will be contacted via email if you selected for an interview. Interviews are usually held between January – May. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Important dates for 2026-2027 Fellowship position
Important dates for 2026-2027 Fellowship position
- January 2025-May 2025: Submit applications to fellowship coordinator and register with SF Match for 2023-2024 academic year
- January 2025-May 2025: Interview period
- June 13, 2025: Rank list deadline
- June 20, 2025: Match Day
- July 1, 2026 – Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship start date
We wish you the best of luck!
Contact Us
For more information about the Obstetric Anesthesia fellowship program, please get in touch.
Ayse Kula, MD
Program Director
Associate Professor of Obstetric Anesthesiology
Associate Professor of Obstetric Anesthesiology
Rachel Smith
Education Program Coordinator
rasmith@mcw.edu
(414) 266-6755
Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship
Department of Anesthesiology
Froedtert Hospital
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave; P347
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Department of Anesthesiology
Froedtert Hospital
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave; P347
Milwaukee, WI 53226