General OB/GYN

The Generalist’s division is a group of academic obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives, and nurse practitioners who provide a broad spectrum of clinical services for women.

Education

As academic physicians, we are dedicated to preparing and training the next generation of physicians and specialists. All physicians need a solid foundation in women’s health, and we strive to teach these principles to each of our medical students. On a daily basis we participate in training the residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology. We train residents in inpatient and outpatient settings to the highest level of evidence-based medical care. The core competencies of residency education are emphasized: medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.

Research

All members of the Generalist division participate in research by mentoring students and residents in specific research projects. Three laboratory-based physician-scientists are in the Generalist division. Physician-scientists are both clinicians and researchers who seek to advance the field of women’s health through primary investigations. Our areas of focus are the physiology of preterm labor, immunology of pregnancy, and regulation of gene expression.

Patient Care

Together with the Certified Nurse Midwifery service, we form University Obstetrics and Midwifery (UOM). UOM is dedicated to providing a comprehensive integrated program for obstetrical care. The midwives strive for the highest quality midwifery care with a supportive, family-centered philosophy. This is complemented by the MD component of the group, which strives to bring patient oriented care to those requiring or desiring physician care. The seamless transition among our providers allows patients to individualize the correct mix of care they desire - be it fully midwifery, fully physician, or any mix in between. We also offer comprehensive genetic counseling for couples with known or suspected genetic conditions.

Gynecology:  Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient gynecological services are available. Our outpatient services include annual exams, Pap smear screening, contraception, menopause evaluation, and all other areas of routine gynecological services. Additionally, we provide tertiary care expertise in areas such as gynecology ultrasound, vulvar disease, and evaluation of the abnormal Pap smear. Our inpatient services focus on surgical procedures for non-cancer conditions. We emphasize minimizing surgery by maximizing medical management. However should the need arise, we recommend minimally invasive procedures where ever appropriate.

Welcome to our newest Generalist......

Ruhotina_Merima    

Merima Ruhotina, MD is thrilled to be joining the UVMMC team.  After receiving her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, she joined Teach for America and taught high school biology in Los Angeles.  After two years of teaching, she returned to the east coast and completed medical school at Larner College of Medicine.  She subsequently finished her ob/gyn residency at Women and Infants Hospital/Brown University and her MIGS fellowship at Yale New Haven Health System.  Dr. Ruhotina specializes in advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery and treatment of pelvic pain, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, and ovarian cysts.  Given her previous experience in education, she has a strong commitment to teaching medical students, residents and fellows.  She has a particular interest in curriculum development, simulation training, medical education research, and teaching gynecologic surgical skills.  She is overjoyed to return to Vermont after her positive experience as a medical student and cannot wait to work with all the faculty, residents, and medical students!