All 2025-2026 Fellowship spots have been filled with internal candidates. To be placed on a waiting list send ONLY YOUR CV to estevasg@natividad.com.
Natividad Obstetrical Fellowship Program
Overview
Natividad offers a one-year Fellowship in Obstetrics, available to graduates of Family Medicine Residency programs in the United States. With over 2,500 deliveries each year, including approximately 675 Cesarean sections, Natividad can provide advanced obstetrical operative training to Obstetrical Fellows, alongside an unopposed Family Medicine Residency program. Each of our fellows average 150 Cesarean sections per year. We currently support four obstetrical fellowship positions.
Offering an ideal location and climate on the Central Coast of California, Natividad is within a short commuting distance to Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Santa Cruz and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Mission
Our mission is to expand the availability of highly-skilled obstetrical services to rural communities by training qualified Family Medicine physicians in full-spectrum obstetrics, including vaginal operative deliveries and Cesarean sections.
Goals & Objectives
Our goals for the obstetrical fellows are to:
- Develop competency in all aspects of antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care
- Develop advanced competency in operative obstetrics, including: C- sections, operative vaginal deliveries, tubal ligations, third and fourth degree laceration repairs, and dilation and curettages
- Perform, and/or interpret, non-stress tests, obstetrical ultrasounds, and biophysical profiles
- Learn the foundational aspects of quality and safety in Labor & Delivery
- Develop and maintain competency in teaching obstetrics to Family Practice residents and medical students
Methods
Obstetrical fellows will meet their goals under the direction of both Natividad’s OB/GYN department physicians and the Family Medicine faculty.
The OB fellows will be responsible for the following:
- Provide initial consultation and ongoing prenatal care in the outpatient clinical setting with OB/GYN attendings
- Admit and manage patients on the Antepartum service, Labor & Delivery and the Emergency Department
- Provide ongoing management to laboring patients
- Perform normal and operative vaginal deliveries, including C-sections
- Assist in gynecologic surgeries
- Provide care in a Family Medicine clinic on day per week
The OB fellows will participate in didactic teaching of the fundamentals of obstetrics to our PGY-1 and PGY-2 FM residents and medical students. Fellows will also have their monthly didactic sessions taught by the OB/GYN faculty, covering high-risk obstetrical issues. In addition, a hands-on formal ultrasound course will be coordinated. Furthermore, OB fellows will present one Grand Rounds lecture during the fellowship year.
Schedule
- 12-month program
- Average weekly schedule includes one day in a Family Medicine Clinic
- Monthly OB/GYN outpatient clinic with OB attendings
- Two to three 12-hr L&D calls, and an occasional 24-hr call
- Goal is for one golden weekend per month
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for our Fellowship in Obstetrics, one must have or be eligible to receive a California medical license, graduate from a Family Medicine Residency program in the United States, and be eligible for Board Certification in Family Medicine. We do not accept J-1 Visa’s.
Requirements to apply
- At the time of graduation, applicants must have personally performed 75 vaginal deliveries
- Experience as a primary surgeon in C-sections is strongly encouraged but not required
- It is recommended that the fellow complete training in Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol (NRP) and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) prior to starting the fellowship
- Spanish is highly recommended but not required
Application
- Procedure list, which includes – (please tally your numbers)
- Number of vaginal deliveries
- Number of operative deliveries
- Number of C-sections performed as primary surgeon
- Number of C-sections performed as first or second assist
- Curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation (please do not send more than two letters total) from the following:
- Residency program director
- One attending physician who has worked closely with you in an obstetrical setting
- One page personal statement on why you would like to pursue a Fellowship in Obstetrics
- Once accepted, standard credentialing requirements, including medical school transcripts, current DEA, diplomas, etc. will be needed
Deadlines
Applications are accepted from May 31 until July 31. We usually begin our interview process for the following year’s fellowship in late August.
Send materials via email to:
Soraya Esteva, MD, FACOG
Program Director, Family Medicine Fellowship in Obstetrics
estevasg@natividad.com
Our physical address is:
Natividad
1441 Constitution Blvd – Bldg 400
Salinas, CA 93906
Tel: (831) 755-4196
For more information, contact Dr. Esteva by email at estevasg@natividad.com
