Your clinical practice at Innercare will immerse you in the full spectrum of obstetrics and gynecology, serving a remarkably diverse patient population that reflects the Imperial Valley's unique border community demographics.
With approximately 70% Medi-Cal (administered through CHPIV - the county IPA and Local Health Authority via Health Net), 20% commercial insurance, and 10% uninsured patients on a sliding scale system, you'll provide care to everyone from established families with comprehensive prenatal care to patients arriving at term with no prior documentation — each requiring your expertise and compassion.
The 24-hour call system means that when you're on duty, you own the service completely, managing everything from routine deliveries to emergency C-sections, with the satisfying knowledge that you're providing continuity of care for the entire community during your shift.
The clinical workflow has been refined over years to maximize both efficiency and physician satisfaction. During your clinic days, you'll see approximately 20 patients — though the schedule books 30 to account for no-shows — supported by two medical assistants who handle rooming, translation, and EMR documentation. As Dr. Wu confirms, "20 patients is reasonable to do. For OB/GYN we are usually able to be fairly proficient and efficient."
The practice maintains a balanced 50/50 split between obstetrics and gynecology, allowing you to maintain surgical skills while building long-term patient relationships. The practice uses NextGen in the clinic and Cerner at the hospital, with bilingual MAs functioning as scribes and clinical assistants.
Your call days follow a rhythm balancing intensity and efficiency. Expect 4–5 vaginal deliveries on a typical night and up to 11 on heavy days. You'll perform 1–3 C-sections per week with two dedicated C-section suites in the L&D unit — no competing with main ORs.
The L&D unit includes approximately 10 labor rooms and can accommodate 20 postpartum patients when doubled up. Nurses range from newly trained to 20+ years of experience. As Dr. Wu notes, "we have a pretty strong talent pool and the nurses are actually very well trained."
You'll have 24-hour anesthesia coverage by CRNAs from the military hospital, backed by anesthesiologists, ensuring you can perform emergency C-sections within the critical 20-minute window.
This is a team-based call structure where physicians genuinely support one another. As Dr. Wu shares, "we do watch out for each other personally and also as families."
On-call, you're on-site for 24 hours, with permission to leave briefly for meals if within 20 minutes. Expect about 10–20 triage calls per shift, many screened by after-hours triage nurses. Scripps OB fellows assist during rounds and can provide 12-hour call support from 8 AM to 8 PM.
You'll have access to Da Vinci Xi robots at both Pioneers and El Centro, with 75–90% utilization rates. OR scheduling is managed quarterly with monthly review, ensuring fairness and efficiency.
The main OR has eight operating rooms running 7 AM–5 PM, with two 24/7 L&D suites. Turnover averages 30–40 minutes. Circulators and certified scrub techs are experienced and reliable.
Dedicated coordinators, Mia and Gloria Cisneros, manage scheduling and authorizations. On-call, you might perform two cesarean sections and one minor procedure alongside vaginal deliveries.
VBACs are not performed due to insurance limitations — simplifying clinical decisions. Deliveries before 35 weeks are stabilized and transferred. GYN oncology cases are referred out.
These protocols reduce stress while maintaining safety. Midwives and nurse practitioners manage routine prenatal visits up to 36 weeks, allowing you to focus on complex cases. Each site has 1–2 midwives or PAs with hands-on OB experience who know when to escalate care.
Your clinical work can expand into academics via the Imperial County Clinical Research Network (ICCRN) and partnerships with San Diego State University. Current NIH-funded projects include continuous glucose monitoring and maternal outcomes research.
The upcoming GME program, backed by a $2.6 million grant, will support new residency programs. You’ll also work with fellows from Scripps and residents from UCSD and Eisenhower, who round and see patients under supervision without billing responsibilities.
This environment offers the rare opportunity to practice full-scope OB/GYN while maintaining true personal boundaries. You’ll be essential to your community and supported by systems built to protect against burnout.
With volumes that keep you sharp but not overwhelmed, modern technology, and genuine collegiality, this is what sustainable, purpose-driven OB/GYN care looks like.