Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship - Grant Medical Center

The OhioHealth Colorectal Surgery program is a one-year ACGME accredited program training competent, diversified, and caring generations of surgeons since its inception in 1974. We strive to train the next generation of colorectal surgeons by transitioning a wealth of “old school” proctologic techniques as well as boldly advancing the specialty with the latest technologies and therapies to cure and alleviate diseases afflicting the colon, rectum and anus.

Our program graduates have become future leaders in the field of colon and rectal surgery in both clinical and academic environments.

The program offers a broad-based experience with emphasis on complex anorectal surgery, colonoscopy, open and minimally invasive abdominal surgical techniques including robotics, tamis, laser surgery and sacral nerve stimulators.

The resident works one-on-one with six board certified colorectal surgeons between two hospitals, with freedom to cover all cases and clinics.

Other members of the colorectal service include medical students, general surgery residents, a fulltime physician assistant and a nurse cancer navigator.

There are robust weekly didactic and teaching conferences involving colorectal surgery, oncology, multidisciplinary tumor board, and morbidity/mortality conferences. These, as well as quarterly mock oral board examinations, access to CARSITE, CARSEP and CREST are designed to optimize resident success in ABCRS certifying examinations. The resident also assumes primary responsibility for bi-weekly charitable colorectal surgery clinic to help the trainee gain a high level of clinical knowledge to complement procedural skills.

The resident has the opportunity to participate in other educational opportunities which include a one-month rotation at The Cleveland Clinic, attendance at local and national meetings and advanced robotic and endoscopy courses. It is expected the resident will submit an abstract to the annual ASCRS and Regional Society Meeting for either a podium or poster presentation.

The Academic Curriculum is based on the “Core Curriculum for Colon and Rectal Surgery; Knowledge Essentials for Residents Training” developed by the Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Our educational goal is to improve the knowledge and skills of our trainees in the full spectrum of colorectal surgery and to provide the best training possible to graduate competent colorectal surgeons and to prepare you for independent practice while ensuring certification by ABCRS.

The overall goal of this program is to provide our fellows with an educational experience that prepares them for independent practice. Some additional program objectives include:

• The ability to make appropriate treatment plans for patients with disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract and anus
• Evaluation and interpretation of imaging studies of the bowel, including plain and contrast x-rays, CT and MRI scans, ultrasound studies, angiography, and radionucleotide scintigraphy
• Performance of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies, including anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy with and without polypectomy, and advanced endoscopy
• Planning, performance, and follow-up care of operative procedures of the colon, rectum, and anus
• Recognition of common colorectal conditions including management of their complications
• Performance of common anorectal office procedures, such as banding of hemorrhoids, drainage of abscesses, excision of thrombosed hemorrhoids, and other anorectal conditions
• Evaluations of defecography, intestinal transit studies, anorectal manometry, and other pelvic floor therapeutics
• Actively participate and meet expected goals with respect to clinical colon and rectal research projects
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques in the treatment of disease involving colon, rectum, and anus
• Diverse exposure to outpatient visits in the clinic and faculty office
• Practice-based learning while being involved in all aspects of patient care

Simulation training at OhioHealth provides 24/7 access to fellows across three medical campuses:  Grant Medical Center, Riverside Methodist Hospital and Doctors Hospital.

• The Education Center at Grant Medical Center is equipped with three patient simulators, 15 models, virtual reality training and a cadaver lab.
• The Center for Medical Education and Innovation at Riverside Methodist Hospital uses four adult patient simulators. It is also configured with virtual hospital rooms, such as an operating room, intensive care unit, trauma suite, and patient room.
• The Simulation and Education Center at Doctors Hospital provides virtual trainers, task trainers and a hospital based anatomical lab.

OhioHealth Grant Medical Center serves as our program’s base.  It’s a tertiary care level 1 trauma center that cares for the most complex patients while providing a supportive environment.  The surrounding area is home to ethically/socially diverse populations, including underserved patients who benefit from your care.

OhioHealth and partnering providers offer training at other locations, including:

• OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Foundation

We know that to take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves.  We work closely with our fellows to help them keep a healthy work-life balance.  We achieve this in a variety of ways that include but are not limited to the following:

• No in-house night call or moonlighting
• Wellness days
• 20 vacation days
• Free on-site fitness center membership
• Free on-site parking
• OhioHealth employee assistance programs
• OhioHealth Associate Health services
• Pastoral Care

Take the opportunity to attend various activities throughout the year including, social outings like bowling, a holiday party and OhioHealth-sponsored events.