The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health

Complex Benign Gynecology

Program Leadership

Program Director

Kari M. Plewniak, M.D.
Tel: 718.920.5157
kplewnia@montefiore.org

Associate Program Director

Dmitry Fridman, M.D.
Tel: 718.920.5157
dfridman@montefiore.org

GME Administrator

Daiana Actis
Tel: 718.430.3152
dactis@montefiore.org

  • Established in 2004
  • Length of training:2 years
  • Number of fellows: 2
  • Training in:
    • Diagnosis and management of complex gynecologic conditions using advanced endoscopic surgical skills.
    • Instruction in anatomical principles, instrumentation, gynecologic conditions and pathology, vaginal surgery, operative laparoscopy, operative hysteroscopy, robotics, and complex abdominal surgery.

Accreditation

Fully Accredited by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
Last site visit: 2022

Prerequisites

Successful completion of a residency in OB/GYN

Current Fellows

Rachel Zeuner, MD (PGY5)

Firas Shalabi, MD (PGY6)

Application Process

Applications are accepted through American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists( AAGL)
Application deadline: January 1, 2025
Invitations to interview: February 10, 2025 and February 14, 2025
Interview month: May

Selection Process

NRMP

Contact Us

Daiana Actis
718.430.3152
dactis@montefiore.org

Fellows operate at all Montefiore sites where MIGS surgery is performed (Weiler, Hutchinson Metro Center, Moses, and Wakefield). Fellows are responsible for service responsibilities as the GYN attending in 2 month rotations. Research time is incorporated into the weekly schedule.

Sample Weekly Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
AM OR Didactics OR Didactics/Clinic OR/office procedures
PM OR Preoperative & Pelvic Pain Clinic OR Clinic OR
Didactics
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
7:00 a.m.: Department Statistics Conference 7:00 a.m.: Wakefield Chief of Service Rounds
8:00 a.m.: Department Grand Rounds 8:00 a.m.: Moses Chief of Service Rounds
9:00 a.m.: Journal Club
10:00 a.m.: Research/Division Meeting

Research and Scholarly Activity

Fellows:

  • Have protected time to complete a research project
  • Complete a course in biostatics
  • Are mentored in developing a research question
  • Design a hypothesis driven analytic study
  • Prepare a manuscript to be published and presented at a national meeting