A Framework for Building Surgical Competence in the Practice of Gynecology: A Discussion From the 2024 American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society Annual Meeting

Abstract

This report summarizes key points from a session at the 2024 American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society Annual Meeting focused on developing a framework on how to build and sustain competency in gynecologic surgical skills, an issue of importance for both graduating residents and practicing obstetricians and gynecologists. Recommendations include increasing focus in surgical skill training and adopting a culture of competency guided by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-directed curriculum flexibility and evolving American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. competency-based initial and continuing certification processes. Click below to read more.

Warner K. Huh

Warner K. Huh, MD, MSHA is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and holds the Charles E. Flowers, Jr. Endowed Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is also Professor in the Department of Surgery and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health. He was previously the Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology, Vice Chair of Gynecology, and Chief Medical Officer of the UAB Cancer Service Line/O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research interests include screening and prevention of HPV related diseases as well as novel immunotherapeutic approaches for pre-invasive disease of the cervix as well as cervical cancer. He has authored or co-authored over 300 articles in journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Lancet Oncology, Journal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer, Clinical Cancer Research, Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (h-index: 70). Dr. Huh serves as co-PI (MPI) of the Johns Hopkins-UAB-University of Colorado Cervical Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) program (2P50CA098252-06A1) – one of the most enduring SPORE programs in the NCI. Further, he is PI on a cervical cancer prevention R01 grant through the NCI (5R01CA279021). Dr. Huh serves as a Deputy Editor of Gynecologic Oncology and serves as an Associate Editor of The Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. He is on the steering committee for the ASCCP treatment guidelines and was co-chair of the ASCCP colposcopy standards effort. He is Past President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and ASCCP. He is currently serves on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) Division of Gynecologic Oncology. He recently completed the Executive Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) Program at UAB (2022-2024). He co-leads OPERATION WIPEOUT- the only state-based cervical cancer elimination effort in the United States.