The latest research shows a growing shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, which poses potential consequences for women’s health care. The shortage is so critical locally, Buffalo ranks sixth among U.S. metropolitan areas. “I counsel and advise a lot of medical students who were thinking about OB/GYN, and they still have this perception of OB/GYN as a very difficult lifestyle, and it scares people away,” says
Vanessa M. Barnabei, MD, professor and outgoing chair of
obstetrics and gynecology. “The biggest pool of OB/GYNs we have is from our own (UB) training program,” says Barnabei. “Right now, we train 8 per year. So we typically have 2-4 of those people staying in the community.”