Obstetrics is the branch of medicine concerned with the care of a woman during her pregnancy, delivery (parturition), and recovery from childbirth (puerperium). Gynecology is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases unique to the female genital tract, endocrine system, and reproductive system. Obstetrics was originally a separate branch of medicine, and gynecology was originally a division of surgery. Years ago, most medical schools presented separate theoretical courses in obstetrics and gynecology in the second year followed by clinical clerkships in the third and fourth years. As knowledge of the pathophysiology of the female reproductive tract increased, obstetrics and gynecology merged into a single specialty. Didactic obstetrics and gynecology at the Nova-Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine has, therefore, been condensed into a course known as "Women's Health" taught in the second year, with the practical work in the clinics and hospitals condensed into core clerkships or rotations in the third year.
The Mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is to advance the specialty through practice and research, to educate and train future osteopathic physicians to provide competent, compassionate, and comprehensive health care for women, and to recognize those situations where the patient's gender makes a difference in diagnosis and/or treatment.