Family Planning & Contraception

Education and Training

Fellowship in Family Planning and Contraception
Fellowships in family planning train physician-leaders in family planning research, education and clinical practice. During the two year program fellows receive extensive training in all aspects of contraception and abortion care. They also receive mentoring in clinical and epidemiologic research, perform an international field experience, and connect with an expanding network of national family planning experts. All of Northwestern’s fellows completed an approved residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology prior to their fellowships. Most complete a Masters Degree in Public Health during the course of the fellowship program as well as a research thesis in family planning. Since its inception in 2002, Northwestern’s fellowship graduates have gone on to lead other fellowship and residency family planning programs at major US and European academic medical centers and to work for organizations such as the World Health Organization. For further information on Family Planning fellowships, please visit the national website.

Ryan Residency Program in Family Planning and Contraception
The Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program is a specialized curriculum devoted to teaching residents the most up-to-date, evidence-based practices in family planning and contraception. Consistent with the ACGME Program Requirements for Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology, our faculty strives to optimize family planning and contraception training for our residents. Third-year residents participate in a combined family planning and reproductive genetics rotation, during which they gain experience in complex contraceptive management, surgical sterilization procedures, genetic counseling and abortion care, including management of abortion complications.