Andrea O'Riordan, MD
Resident
Education
Undergraduate School: University of California – Los Angeles
Medical School: Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine
PubMed Names: Andrea O’Riordan, O’Riordan A
Residency
Why did you choose WashU for your residency?
I originally thought I’d return to the West Coast after medical school, but during my first four years here, I fell in love with both WashU and Saint Louis. I love the entire OBGYN department and found wonderfully supportive communities both within and outside of WashU. We truly have a world-class training program with an amazingly diverse patient population, fantastic mentorship, seemingly infinite research and advocacy opportunities, and an outstanding culture that prioritizes education and fosters personal growth.
Why OBGYN?
I love everything, but particularly the depth and variety of patient relationships – from annual visits to major surgeries. It’s such a privilege to care for women throughout all phases of life.
What are you looking forward to the most about being a resident here at WashU?
The community! I love our patients, and I’m so excited to be part of the close-knit team taking care of them.
What goals do you hope to accomplish during your residency?
I hope to become a capable and confident physician and surgeon to provide my patients with the world-class care they deserve, while centering compassion and curiosity in everything I do.
What are your research interests?
Prevention and treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and early-stage endometrial cancer, barriers and facilitators to OBGYN/Gynecologic Oncology care in high-risk populations, post-surgical outcomes, and improving patient quality of life.
Awards & Honors
Gold Humanism Honor Society
Robert S. Brookings Medical School Prize
Distinction in Foundational Knowledge for Practice, Patient Care, and Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Personal
Hometown: Palo Alto, California
Pronouns: she/her/hers
What do you do outside of work?
I love being outside! I used to be a competitive rock climber, and I still really enjoy getting outside to climb (usually in Southern Illinois) or heading to the climbing gym downtown. I also enjoy knitting, gardening, and reading.
What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be an Irish dancer for almost ten years!
We know it’s early, but do you have any fellowship plans for after residency?
As of right now, I’m considering Gynecologic Oncology. I find a lot of fulfillment in helping patients live their most meaningful lives, especially as they navigate life-changing or life-limiting diagnoses. That said, I really love all of OBGYN, so we’ll see where I end up in four years!
What advice would you give medical students applying for a residency in OBGYN?
It’s all going to be okay! I didn’t figure out I wanted to do OBGYN until pretty late in my third year, and I felt like I was way behind everyone else. I found the application process to be quite holistic — interviewers were really interested in everything that had led me to OBGYN. They often asked about things I had worried weren’t relevant. Remember to be your authentic self! You’re looking for a program that fits you, not the other way around. Most importantly, make sure to be kind to yourself as you navigate a very difficult and stressful process. We’re all rooting for you!