Gelila Goba, MD, MPH

Dr. Gelila Goba is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Medicine. Her clinical expertise includes obstetric care for moderate risk pregnancies, trial of labor after Cesarean section, operative vaginal delivery, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, fibroid surgery, and the management of abnormal pap smears, menopause, complex gynecologic conditions, and contraception. Dr. Goba has a major commitment to women’s health, both in Chicago and globally. She is the Director of the University of Illinois at Chicago Ob/Gyn’s Global Women’s Health Fellowship, and is a core faculty member of the University’s Global Medicine (GMED) Program for medical students. Additionally, Dr. Goba established The Mela Project, a four-year OB/GYN Residency Program through Mekelle University in Ethiopia. Supported by the Chicago-based IDP Foundation, The Mela Project provides resident education, mentored research and OB/GYN faculty development in Mekelle. Many UIC faculty donate their time to this Project. The ultimate goal is to establish an OB/GYN Center of Excellence at Mekelle University. Under Dr. Goba’s leadership, The Mela Project is expanding regionally and beyond, to include South Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia. In 2016, Dr. Goba received the UIC Rising Star Award for Obstetrics & Gynecology. Prior to her residency, Dr. Goba was the Director for EngenderHealth Ethiopia, an organization aimed at improving maternal and child health globally and obtained grant and private donor funds to support maternal health and HIV/AIDS efforts in Ethiopia.