Creighton University East Valley Arizona Obstetrics and Gynecology Program
Investing in the Future of Medical Education
Dr. Abdul Waheed
We're thrilled to announce a significant step forward for our Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at Dignity Health East Valley Arizona! Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix will become our new sponsoring institution.
This partnership with Creighton, a respected academic leader known for its commitment to similar values, will enhance our already successful programs by:
- Strengthening our existing relationship with Creighton.
- Providing access to additional resources and Creighton's nationally recognized reputation for GME excellence.
- Creating opportunities to expand our GME programs and programs for other healthcare professions.
- Aligning us with our sister hospitals within the Creighton network.
- Reinforcing our mission through collaboration with a like-minded Catholic organization.
While Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix will be the sponsor, our Dignity Health East Valley Arizona GME programs will remain distinct from the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance. We're committed to a smooth transition and will keep you updated on any changes. For now, the employment status of our residents, coordinators, and directors remains the same.
As we move forward, Dr. Abdul Waheed will serve as Designated Institutional Officer (DIO), and Dr. Erik Mattison as associate DIO.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication that have made our GME programs a success and look forward to a bright future with Creighton!
Dr. Abdul Waheed
We're thrilled to announce a significant step forward for our Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at Dignity Health East Valley Arizona! Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix will become our new sponsoring institution.
This partnership with Creighton, a respected academic leader known for its commitment to similar values, will enhance our already successful programs by:
- Strengthening our existing relationship with Creighton.
- Providing access to additional resources and Creighton's nationally recognized reputation for GME excellence.
- Creating opportunities to expand our GME programs and programs for other healthcare professions.
- Aligning us with our sister hospitals within the Creighton network.
- Reinforcing our mission through collaboration with a like-minded Catholic organization.
While Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix will be the sponsor, our Dignity Health East Valley Arizona GME programs will remain distinct from the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance. We're committed to a smooth transition and will keep you updated on any changes. For now, the employment status of our residents, coordinators, and directors remains the same.
As we move forward, Dr. Abdul Waheed will serve as Designated Institutional Officer (DIO), and Dr. Erik Mattison as associate DIO.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication that have made our GME programs a success and look forward to a bright future with Creighton!
Our Goal and Mission
The Creighton University East Valley Arizona Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program's mission is to train OBGYN residents in a supportive and inclusive scholarly environment to become competent in the independent practice of high-quality, safe, equitable, and evidence-based general Obstetrics and Gynecology and to serve as consultants to other healthcare providers in the community both in the ambulatory and hospital setting.
The residents will be an integral part of Mercy Gilbert and Chandler Regional Medical Center’s mission to make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable while we advance social justice for all. We are steadfast in promoting the advancement of our residents in the field of obstetrics and gynecology through their clinical work, education, and research to provide high-quality, safe, and equitable healthcare.
About Our Program
- Mission focused: Compassionate and community minded
- High-volume: Low risk and high-risk obstetrics
- Advanced Minimally Invasive Gynecology: High volume complex cases and EMIGS curriculum
- Patient Safety and Quality Improvement focused: Innovative novel didactic curriculum with a focus on patient safety and healthcare quality improvement
- Culture of Scholarship: Innovative ressearch curriculum and mentorship utilizing the 13-step road map to scholarly activity
- Wellness: Focus on resident and faculty wellness
- Career Pathway: Sub specialist rotations early in residency to help with sub specialist fellowship and academic track
Message From the Program Director:
Welcome to the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at Creighton University East Valley Arizona ! We are excited to begin this transformative journey with you, guided by our innovative curriculum that seamlessly integrates research, simulation, patient safety, and cutting-edge practices.
Our program stands out for its EQuIPS curriculum - Equity, Quality Improvement, and Patient Safety - reflecting our deep commitment to these principles. By embedding these core values into every aspect of your training, we aim to develop clinicians who are not only highly skilled but also responsive to the needs of diverse patient populations. Our focus on continuous improvement and achieving zero patient harm is aligned with our institute’s commitment to High Reliability and Excellence Every Day, Every Way.
You will have the opportunity to engage with our esteemed community partners, enriching your education and refining your clinical skills. These collaborations will empower you to make a meaningful impact through initiatives that improve health outcomes and champion social justice in the communities you serve.
Our program features a comprehensive 13-step roadmap to scholarly activity, designed to cultivate research skills and advance your academic career. This structured approach will support your growth in research methodology, critical analysis, and the application of findings to clinical practice, ensuring significant contributions to the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
At Creighton University East Valley Arizona, our dedication aligns with the core values of CommonSpirit; compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence, and collaboration. We encourage you to carry forward these values and the expertise gained during your residency into your professional career. Our goal is for you to lead efforts that address healthcare disparities and advocate for underserved communities, continuously enhancing community health and well-being.
We look forward to working together as you embark on this exciting chapter. Together, we will advance the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
– Erum Azhar, MD, MS PHS, MHQS, CPPS, FACOG
Teaching and Learning
- Structured Intern on-boarding/orientation with surgical skill workshop and robotic boot camp
- Dedicated protected weekly "Core Curriculum Conference" series
- Innovative and novel Equity, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (EQuIPS) Curriculum and training (monthly)
- Resident lectures in general OBGYN/specialty topics (weekly)
- Grand rounds (bimonthly)
- Simulation curriculum and training (monthly)
- Structured research curriculum (monthly)
- CREOG exam preparation sessions and resident wellness (every other month)
- Journal Club (once every 3 months)
- Bonus (flexible) Friday (4/year)
Block Schedule
PGY – 1
- Obstetrics (3)
- Gynecology (3)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Family Planning (1)
- Sonogram/Simulation (1)
- Night Float (2)
- EQuIPS (1)
PGY – 2
- Obstetrics (3)
- Gynecology (2)
- Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2)
- Night Float (2)
- MFM outpatient (1)
- SICU (1)
- REI (1)
PGY – 3
- Obstetrics (3)
- Gynecology (2)
- Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (1)
- GYN-Oncology (1)
- Family Planning (1)
- Night Float (3)
- Elective/Research (1)
PGY – 4
- Obstetrics (3)
- Gynecology (2)
- Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (2)
- GYN-Oncology (2)
- Minimally Invasive Gynecology (1)
- Night Float (2)
A Center for Advance Study
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- Develop the key competencies of obstetrics and gynecology in multiple settings of labor and delivery, inpatient, operating room, ambulatory, and consultative subspecialty training.
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- Provide care in community and academic hospital settings and opportunity for additional electives to selectively design their career path in subspecialty interests and career paths of community practice/fellowship/academic OBGYN/research.
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- Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, system-based practice, and practice-based learning and improvement in their clinical practice.
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- Demonstrate progressive responsibility and autonomy for the care of patients with lifelong learning skills.
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- Function effectively in complex healthcare systems to be an effective team leader and work collaboratively as an integral member of hospital committees and multi-disciplinary projects.
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- Provide high quality, safe, and equitable healthcare improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable while we advance social justice for all.
A Scholarly Environment
At the end of completion of the four-year residency program, the graduates will be able to:
- Master OBGYN competencies across diverse settings.
- Show increasing patient care responsibility and lifelong learning.
- Gain experience in varied settings; tailor career path with electives.
- Maintain high professionalism and improve clinical practice.
- Lead teams and collaborate effectively in healthcare systems.
- Prioritize wellness for a sustainable OBGYN career.
- Deliver equitable, safe, high-quality care and advance social justice.
Take a Virtual tour of Our East Valley Hospitals.
Chandler Regional Medical Center is a 429-bed, Level 1 Trauma Center which includes a variety of health care services and a newly added Tower D. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center is a 197-bed hospital which opened in 2006 and is expanding with the development of the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion – a joint project between Mercy Gilbert and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
More about our OBGYN Residency Program
General Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jane Ahn, DO.
Namita Kothari, MD
Director Obstetrics:
Charles Boag, DO, FACOG
Erum Azhar MD, MS PHS, MHQS, CPPS, FACOG
Director Gynecology:
Andrew C Villa Jr. MD, MBA, FACOG, FACS, FICS
Naprotecnology/ Gynecology-Minimally Invasive /Natural Family Planning:
Erica Kreller, MD
Sub-Specialist Directors
Maternal Fetal Medicine:
Curtis Cook, MD, FACOG
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology):
Ali Azadi, MD, MSc, MBA, FACOG, FPMRS
Polina Sawyer, MD, FACOG
Minimally Invasive Gynecology:
Nicole O.Afaupe, MD, FACOG
Gynecology/ Minimally Invasive
Mia Lynne Van Eken, DO, MHA
Gynecology Oncology:
Mario Javier Pineda, MD, PhD
Family Planning – Camelback Family Planning:
Danielle Allen-Herried, DO, MBA
Gabrielle J. Goodrick, MD
Reproductive Endocrinology (REI): Bloom Reproductive Institute
Millie Behera, MD, FACOG, FRCSC
Research/EQuIPS & Simulation
Director Research and EQuIPS :
Abdul Waheed, MD, MS PHS, FAAFP
Director Simulation-Gynecology:
Polina Sawyer MD, FACOG
Jane Ahn, DO, FACOG
Director Didactics:
Jane Ahn, DO, FACOG
