Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires scholarly activity for both faculty and residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn). There is little evidence on the most effective method to train, recruit, and retain research faculty who can mentor resident researchers at small programs. Innovation To address this problem, we created the “Baby Steps” program for a small university-based Ob-Gyn program. Methods After a thorough assessment of existing resources, a postdoctoral researcher was recruited and coupled with an established researcher to raise the standards of resident research, facilitate and coordinate resident projects, and support clinical faculty participation in research activities. Grant submissions, grants awarded, publications submitted, presentations, and awards were tracked before and after the implementation of the Baby Steps program for faculty and residents. Results After 2 years the program has already begun to show an increase in scholarly activity. In a program of 12 residents, 8 made one or more presentations at regional or national meetings within the previous 24 months. Additionally, 8 of 12 clinical faculty members were engaged as mentors in resident research, compared with only 3 in past years. Further, abstract, paper, and grant submissions by faculty increased approximately 25%. Conclusion The addition of a mentored postdoctoral researcher was associated with improvements to both resident and faculty research activities. Based on this success, a sister residency program has incorporated the Baby Steps approach into its training.

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There can be little argument that embryo quality is one of the most critical factors in the success of assisted reproductive techniques. Yet the current methods of grading embryos are subjective at best. While a number of different groups have described more qualitative means of assessing embryo quality, the current standard remains morphology. Morphology has proven a good standard, but it does not allow for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities nor can it assess the biochemical status of the embryo prior to transfer. This laboratory recently described a method to estimate embryo weight and suggested weight might be a good indicator of biochemical status. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between maternal body composition and embryo weight and determine the influence maternal chemistry had on embryo development. The data continue to suggest that maternal body composition, especially body fat, influences the chemical nature of the embryo and may play a critical role in long-term survival.

likely to have ever been employed by the armed forces (32.7% vs 11.7%, p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Most urologists learn on PT from the mass media. Education by framing PT as a means of improving the lives of injured veterans appears to improve urologists' attitudes. Various demographic differences exist in race and age that can inform educational efforts.