Career Advisor's Background and Career Information

Background

Name: Elena Gates
Career Advisor for: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Title(s): Professor of Clinical OBGYN and RS
Best way to contact (e-mail, phone?): email - gatese@obgyn.ucsf.edu or phone - (415) 353-7255
Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees/Institutions: Yale BA UC San Diego MD Residency UCSF
Clinical Interests/Duties: Chief, Division of General Gynecology General obstetrics and gynecology
Research Interests/Duties: Ethics in reproduction and women's health Human subjects protection in research Assessment of patient preference for interventions and treatments
Personal Notes or Comments:

CAREER INFORMATION:

1. What can students do in the 1st and 2nd years to explore and/or prepare for this career? Acquire a solid foundation in pre-clinical sciences. Develop strong problem solving skills show an interest in and commitment to women's health

2. What common variations exist in the length/content of residency programs for this career? fairly similar across programs because of stringent residency review committee requirements

3. What common variations exist in this career after training? There is a very wide spectrum of possible career paths: traditional subspecialties - academic or clinical private or HMO-type practice family planning international health policy academic position

4. What is a typical work day for you (or someone else representative)? My duties are currently only about 25% in clinical medicine, the remainder in administration and research.

5. What is the "culture" of this career? I think this is determined by ones work setting. Obgyn does encompass a strong position of advocacy for women's health

6. How compatible is this career with raising a family? How is this different for men and women? As there are many paths one can take in OBGYN, it is quite compatible with raising a family.

7. How important, individually, are each the following for admission to a competitive program:

a.Extra-curricular/volunteer work? yes - if it shows leadership and commitment
b. Research/publications? a nice addition
c. Honors in third year? absolutely
d. AOA? it helps
e. A sub-internship? important - in either high risk ob, in gyn or gyn oncology
f. An externship? a good way to explore other programs
g. (Other important elements to the application?) demonstration of commitment, particularly to extra-curricular activities (rather than superficial participation in a large number, show commitment and leadership in a few)

8. What are the most important qualities or character traits for a person in this field? openmindedness an ability to listen and learn from others initiative and energy