We have two fellowship positions available each year as a one year appointment. This appointment can and has in the past been extended for a second year, especially for those individuals who would like to take advantage of any number of clinical and research opportunities available in our center that can not be accomplished in one year. The year is funded at an R6 level salary with benefits.

The requirements for this fellowship position are a level of surgical maturity in an accredited training program that will permit the Fellow to participate effectively in the clinical, research, administrative, and educational goals of the Center. Most fellows have completed a general surgical training program and seek to gain research, clinical, and teaching experience that will provide a foundation for a future academic career in minimally invasive surgery, while enhancing their flexible endoscopy and videoendoscopic skills.

The career path of our graduates have been split between academic and larger practices that allow them to be leaders in MIS in their community. Many of our previous fellows have gone on to academic positions as specialists in minimally invasive surgery, and many are currently directors of fellowship programs. Each fellow performs approximately 140 advanced procedures, and produces at least four publications during their year with us.

International applicants are welcome. The candidate must be conversationally fluent in spoken and written English, and eligible for H1-B or J-1 visa status. He/she must have satisfactorily completed the ECFMG examinations and hold a current, unexpired certificate to be able to obtain a medical license in Washington State. Please refer to their website at http://ecfmg.org for further information.

Our fellowship provides a rich experience, that focuses on clinical and research endeavors in the field of MIS. The fellows participate in a broad range of procedures for diseases of the esophagus, stomach, biliary tract, pancreas, colon, adrenal, spleen, hernias, and obesity surgery. We have a particular focus on esophageal diseases, with over 100 antireflux, paraesophageal hernias, Heller myotomy, diverticulectomy, and esophagectomy performed each year. In addition, we provide experience and training in flexible endoscopy, and research opportunities in endoscopic surgery and NOTES. Our focused areas of research are in minimally invasive techniques, esophageal surgery, and surgical robotics. We have an advanced surgical robot (Da Vinci) used for both research and advanced laparoscopic operations.

The fellows are occasionally asked to take call, but this should not be more than 10 days a year. Thus, they may focus on the technical and research aspects of MIS. Additionally, the fellows are encouraged to present at regional, national, and international meetings. Meeting and travel expenses are supported by the center and not the fellow's salary.

We feel we provide a unique training experience, especially for a surgeon pursuing MIS as a focused career and/or academic focus.

The role of the Fellow includes:

‑ assisting and performing basic and advanced videoendoscopic procedures in the OR

‑ facilitating transfer of advanced videoendoscopic skills to community surgeons and the affiliated hospitals of UW Medicine

‑ assisting in the coordination of daily activities for the CVES experimental surgical laboratory

‑ maintaining a video library and database of selected videoendoscopic cases

‑ helping to schedule and organize surgical training curriculum for our residents, with both applied research as well as the development of surgical simulators for the training of videoendoscopic skills

‑ assisting in the design, conduct, evaluation, and presentation of studies dealing with training techniques and measurement of surgical skills in videoendoscopic surgery

‑ assisting in the design, conduct, evaluation and presentation of research studies dealing with the study of force factors, integration of force feedback devices, and development of intelligent, force sensory surgical instruments

‑ assisting in study design and collection, analysis, presentation, and publication of clinical research including data gathered by chart review and prospective data collection in the clinic and Swallowing Center laboratory, on the ward, and in the operating room.

Selection for fellowship in the CVES is by competitive application. All applicants will be expected to register for the match process through the MIS Fellowship Council's website at: http://www.fellowshipcouncil.org/.

Applications are due by September 1st for the fellowship year beginning July 1st of the following year. Selected applicants will be invited to visit Seattle for an interview and tour. Applicants participate in a match which is posted on the MISFC website; please see their site for information about the match.

Review Criteria for Selection of Fellows:

1. Chief resident or board-eligible surgeon from an accredited surgery program.
   
   
2. Interest and demonstrated aptitude in surgical education and clinical investigation.
   
   
3. Three letters of reference from practicing videoendoscopic surgeons, or from the applicant's residency program director, provided the applicant is no more than one year out of residency.
   
   
4. A personal statement detailing specific educational goals and interests, to reflect desired achievements through the course of this program.
   
   
5. Current Curriculum Vitae.

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ESOPHAGEAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
For those interested in a research fellowship, please see the Department of Surgery website description of the Esophageal Research Fellowship in the Swallowing Center at: http://depts.washington.edu/surgery/traing-educ/esophageal-fellowship.html

FORMER
CVES FELLOWS

Edgar Figueredo, MD, Fellow 2005-07

Andrew Wright, MD, Fellow 2005-06

Jedediah Kaufman, MD, Fellow 2004-05

Dave Lal, MD, Fellow 2004-05

Federico Cuenca-Abente, MD, Fellow 2003-04

Todd Woltman, MD, PhD, Fellow 2003-04

Andy Isch, MD,
Fellow 2002-03

Todd Kellogg, MD,
Fellow 2002-03

Marco Barreca, MD,
Fellow 2001-02

Lily Chang, MD, Fellow 2001-02

Brant
Oelschlager, MD,
Fellow 2000-01

Dmitry
Oleynikov, MD,
Fellow 2000-01

Pablo
Omelanczuk, MD,
Fellow 1999-00

Amjad Ali, MD,
Fellow 1999-00

Massimiliano Solazzo, MD,
Fellow 1999-00

Dieter Pohl, MD,
Fellow 1998-99

Christina Richards, MD,
Fellow 1998-99

Thomas Eubanks, DO,
Fellow 1997-98

Mark MacFarlane, MD,
Fellow 1997-98

Chia Chi Kao, MD,
Fellow 1996-97

Santiago Horgan, MD,
Fellow 1995-96

Carlos Arreola-
Risa, MD,
Fellow 1994-95

This page last updated 8/2/07
Comments to cves@u.washington.edu
©2007, University of Washington Department of Surgery

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