Welcome from our Program Director
Antonio Saad, MD
Program Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship
Welcome to Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program
Inova Fairfax Hospital is renowned for its comprehensive care in obstetrics and gynecology. Our MFM fellowship exemplifies our commitment to advancing women’s health. As one of the largest women’s hospitals in the nation, we perform over 10,000 obstetrical deliveries and more than 5,000 gynecologic surgeries annually. This volume, coupled with the complexity of cases referred from across the Inova health system, ensures that our fellows are exposed to a wide range of clinical experiences, from routine care to the most challenging conditions.
Our fellowship program is distinguished not only by its clinical exposure but also by the diversity of our patient population. Serving a community with a rich mosaic of cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds, our fellows gain invaluable experience in delivering culturally sensitive, patient-centered care. This aspect of training is crucial, as it prepares our fellows to meet the needs of all patients with empathy and excellence.
Research is a cornerstone of our fellowship. At Inova, we are dedicated to advancing medical science, particularly in obstetrics. Our Perinatal Research Unit is at the forefront of maternal and fetal research, participating in several clinical trials with a robust infrastructure that supports innovative investigations. Our fellows engage in a broad spectrum of research activities, from quality improvement and simulation-based projects to groundbreaking translational, clinical trials, and population health research. Our Women’s Health Integrated Research Center (WHIRC) at Inova provides access to over 40 scientists, technicians, and a vast biobank, making it an ideal environment for fellows interested in significant research contributions.
The Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, located in the vibrant and historical greater Washington, DC area, offers a dynamic place to learn and a wonderful place to live. Whether you’re interested in the arts, history, dining, or outdoor activities, the region has something to offer everyone.
Our fellowship program is committed to your personal and professional growth. Through an individualized curriculum, mentorship, and a supportive learning environment, we aim to develop leaders in the field of maternal-fetal medicine. Our graduates leave Inova well-prepared to advance in the field of MFM, whether in clinical practice, research, or academia.
Warmest regards,
Antonio Saad, MD
Program Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship
Inova Fairfax Hospital, Director of the Perinatal Research Unit
Eligibility and application process
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an MD or DO degree from a program recognized by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association.
- Have completed an ACGME-accredited residency.
- For graduates from medical schools outside the U.S. or Canada, possess a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The Inova Fairfax Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), selects one fellow annually. This fellowship is a participant in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), with the rank list submitted at the end of September and Match Day on the second Wednesday of October.
Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) beginning December 1, with a deadline of April 28, 2024.
Required application materials
Required application materials include:
- A photograph
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- USMLE scores
- ECFMG report (if applicable)
- Academic transcripts
- Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPE)
- CREOG in-house scores
These materials should be emailed directly to the Educational Specialist at the provided email address.
Selection process
The selection process involves:
- Personal interviews with department faculty
- Evaluation of letters of recommendation
- Review of USMLE scores
- Assessment of the candidate's interest in maternal-fetal medicine and their clinical and research endeavors
- Consideration of the candidate's honors, awards, and overall achievements
Interview & Start Dates
Interview invitations are issued in the spring, with interviews conducted from July to September. The fellowship training commences on August 1.
Curriculum
| Didactic Activity | R/RS/O | Fellowship Level? (Yes/No) | Who is responsible for planning the activity? | Frequency/Duration |
| Fellows Conference | R | Yes | Program Director | Weekly |
| Grand Rounds | RS | No | Residency Director | Weekly |
| MM Conference | RS | No | Obstetrics Chair | Biweekly |
| Journal Club | R | Yes | PD | Monthly |
| Ultrasound Conference | RS | Yes | PD/Core | Monthly |
| Genetics Conference | RS | Yes | PD/Genetics Core | Monthly |
| Fetal Care Conference | R | Yes | PD/FCC | Biweekly |
| MFM Sim Lab | R | Yes | PD/Sim Staff | Quarterly |
Conference and lecture schedule
| Date | Topic |
| 10/25/2023 | Fetal ECHO: Sullivan |
| 11/1/2023 | Maternal Sepsis: SAAD |
| 1/24/2024 | IRB regulations and Clinical Research principles |
| 1/31/2024 | Complicated Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy |
| 2/7/2024 | Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) |
| 2/21/2024 | Cervical Cerclage (ACGME-required) |
| 2/28/2024 | Operative Vaginal Delivery (ACGME-required) : SAAD |
| 3/6/2024 | External Cephalic Version (ACGME-required) : SAAD |
| 3/20/2024 | U/S Series Lecture – Right Heart Malformations |
| 3/27/2024 | Pregnancy Termination (ACGME-required) |
| 4/3/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series - "How to be a Lifetime Educator Now and Beyond" |
| 4/10/2024 | Skeletal Dysplasia |
| 4/17/2024 | Infectious Diseases as They Relate to Pregnancy |
| 4/24/2024 | Common Genetic Referrals and Their Recurrence Risks (ACGME-required) |
| 5/1/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Evidence and Practical Tips for CGM and Insulin Pump Use in Pregnancy" |
| 5/8/2024 | Sickle Cell Disease |
| 5/15/2024 | Fragile X and Associated Disorders (ACGME-required) |
| 5/22/2024 | Targeted Maternal Fetal Imaging Using Ultrasonography (ACGME-required) |
| 5/29/2024 | Placental Pathology Cases (PAS: accreta) |
| 6/5/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Study Design 101" |
| 6/19/2024 | Diabetes Management in Pregnancy |
| 6/26/2024 | Prevention of Preterm Birth |
| 7/3/2024 | MFM Fellowship Interviews |
| 7/10/2024 | MFM Fellowship Interviews |
| 7/17/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series Continues |
| 7/24/2024 | Prenatal Repair of Fetal Myelomeningocele |
| 7/31/2024 | U/S Series Lecture – Left Heart Malformations |
| 8/7/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Physician Wellness: Mindset for Long-term Success" |
| 8/21/2024 | Cesarean Hysterectomy (ACGME-required) |
| 8/28/2024 | Valvular Disease in Pregnancy |
| 9/4/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Telemedicine in MFM" |
| 9/18/2024 | Antepartum Fetal Assessment (ACGME-required) |
| 9/25/2024 | Invasive fetal diagnostics and therapeutic procedures (ACGME-required) |
| 10/2/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Fellow Bootcamp" Part 1 |
| 10/16/2024 | U/S Series Lecture: VSD, ASD, and Atrial Septal Aneurysm |
| 10/23/2024 | Obstetrical Critical Care (ACGME-required) ARDS and other common conditions (SAAD) |
| 10/30/2024 | U/S Series Lecture – Conotruncal Malformations |
| 11/6/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Fellow Bootcamp" Part 2 |
| 11/20/2024 | Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy |
| 11/27/2024 | Intrauterine Growth Restriction (ACGME-required) |
| 12/4/2024 | SMFM Lecture Series "Fentanyl and Methamphetamines in Pregnancy" |
| 12/18/2024 | U/S Series Lecture – Myocardial and Pericardia |