AdventHealth Florida Program

Overview of the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at AdventHealth, founded in 2009, is one of only five ACGME-accredited fellowships in the subspecialty of colorectal surgery in Florida. This one-year fellowship has been designed to train three fellows annually, seeking to prepare them as well-rounded, board-certified colorectal surgeons capable of pursuing careers in both academic and private practice settings. The program’s instructional environment is enriched through various clinical rotations across multiple AdventHealth facilities, promoting exposure to a diverse range of patients and conditions.

Clinical Training Environment

Fellows are immersed in a robust clinical training environment at the AdventHealth Medical Center, a large acute care facility featuring 2,247 beds. This community hospital not only serves Greater Orlando but also functions as a significant tertiary referral center for diverse regions including the Southeast U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. The program emphasizes innovative techniques in colorectal surgery, ensuring that fellows are adept in the latest methodologies such as robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgical techniques inclusive of TAMIS (TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery) and transanal TME (Total Mesorectal Excision).

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship curriculum aligns with the ACGME core competencies, which include Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-Based Learning, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practice. The fellows undergo clinical exposure across several core rotations with designated faculty mentoring. Direct clinical experiences are supplemented with didactic sessions and dynamic educational conferences, including morbidity and mortality (M&M) discussions and journal clubs.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a central role within the fellowship, facilitated through the GME research department and the Surgical Health Outcomes Research Enterprise. Each fellow is expected to engage in clinical research leading to presentations at national conferences and contributions to academic publications. The program supports fellows in various research projects and publications across local, national, and international platforms.

Outpatient Experience

Fellows gain substantial outpatient experience through regular office-based sessions at the Center for Colon and Rectal Surgery, where they care for patients and develop vital skills in patient assessment and management. This frequent interaction within outpatient settings fosters a seamless transition and understanding of comprehensive patient care.

Case Volume and Exposure

The fellowship assures a high case volume, allowing fellows to achieve essential skills necessary for board certification. Typical expectations include performing between 150-200 minimally invasive colorectal resections, 300 anorectal procedures, and 200-300 colonoscopies throughout the year, facilitating a well-rounded surgical experience.

Program Eligibility and Application Requirements

Applications for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship must be completed through the Electronic Residency Application Service and require proof of completion of an ACGME or AOA-accredited General Surgery residency. Candidates must provide comprehensive documentation including a letter of recommendation from their residency program director, at least two additional letters from faculty or surgical colleagues, and competency in the written and spoken English language.

Visa Support

The program sponsors H-1B visas for qualified international medical graduates (IMGs), ensuring that foreign nationals can apply for residency positions.

Competitiveness of the Fellowship

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at AdventHealth is considered competitive, welcoming both MD and DO graduates with strong surgical backgrounds. The program is friendly towards international medical graduates and those with unique qualifications who meet the stipulated criteria.

Faculty and Mentorship

The fellowship program prides itself on a diverse team of renowned faculty members specializing in colorectal surgery, who are committed to the education and mentorship of fellows throughout their training.

Benefits and Well-being

Fellows benefit from a comprehensive package that includes a competitive salary, continuing medical education (CME) allowance, and support for professional licensing fees, contributing to the overall well-being and career advancement of participants.

Living in Orlando

Orlando offers a vibrant lifestyle that complements the rigorous demands of the fellowship. With numerous attractions including theme parks, cultural experiences, and excellent weather year-round, fellows can enjoy rich personal and professional lives.

The combination of a supportive training environment and advanced surgical techniques makes the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at AdventHealth an excellent opportunity for aspiring colorectal surgeons.