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Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners!

Annie Apple, MD University of Penn  /  Jessica Chaoul, MD Columbia University  /  Jacqueline Early, MD Danbury  /  Laura Glaser, MD Loyola University Chicago

EMIGS Simulation Research Grant Program

Established in 2024, the EMIGS Simulation Research Grant was established through generous donations by Nash Mowad, MD and Barbara Levy, MD. This grant supports minimally invasive gynecologic surgery simulation research in topics such as laparoscopic and hysteroscopic simulation, resident and faculty attitudes about EMIGS, the impact of EMIGS on OR performance, resident confidence, and performance on in-training exams and board exams, etc. These grants are intended to encourage, foster and facilitate the exchange and dissemination of knowledge, information, skills and techniques.

These grants are designated for one-year research projects, although two-year projects will be considered. Grant amounts are determined by the applicant’s proposed budget, with most grants ranging between $2,500-$10,000 each. Grant awards are given in August of each year based on the EMIGS Research Committee and Foundation of the AAGL Board’s grading and approval.

Criteria:

  • Current US-based residents, FMIGS fellows, or early-career physicians (within 5 years from completing training).
  • Access to the EMIGS platform and didactic.
  • Research proposals focused on EMIGS will be prioritized.
  • The aims and objectives of the research must be clearly defined in the proposal.
  • The proposal must clearly define the research methodology, plans for recruitment and statistical analysis.
  • The applicant must have the capacity to successfully conduct the proposed research (e.g., facilities, equipment, etc.).
  • Budget for the project must be included.
  • JMIG has the first right of publication.

Research Examples: 

  • Comparing EMIGS to FLS
  • Comparing EMIGS performance with the in-training or ABOG qualifying exam performance
  • Review of resident comfort level and anxiety performing in the operating room
  • Two-year skill retention and certification exam performance and proficiency maintenance after FLS vs EMIGS
  • Skill Retention (Learning) in First Year OBGYN residents after EMIGS training.
  • Does EMIGS Simulation training and certification improve proficiency in the operating room?
  • A method to characterize the learning curve for performance of EMIGS simulator tasks: Defining a learning plateau and a learning rate
  • Self-Assessment versus objective Performance Metrics
  • Field Rating versus Central Rating of EMIGS task performance
  • Comparison of EMIGS Rating using video alone, +/- specimen review vs static images of specimens
  • Global Rating versus EMIGS Rating
  • Comparison of EMIGS vs Crowd Sourcing
  • EMIGS pass vs FLS pass (first attempt)
  • Compare PGY-1 current data versus as PGY-3
  • EMIGS + Feedback (CREOG Exam) vs Traditional Training, RCT evaluating EMIGS as a formative assessment
  • Comparison of Resident attitudes towards FLS vs EMIGS
  • EMIGS vs FLS training for vaginal vault suturing model performance

The 2025 EMIGS Simulation Grant application is now closed and will open again in May of 2026.