MIS / Bariatric and Foregut Surgery Fellowship at Summa Health

A one-year fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Foregut Surgery is available at Summa Health System – Akron Campus. In collaboration with the Department of Surgery, and with support from the Summa Health System Foundation’s Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery (CMIT), the fellowship is geared towards advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgical applications in general and bariatric surgery.

This is a unique fellowship and learning opportunity.  In the age of individual specialization with regards to minimally invasive general surgery, there are no other general surgery fellowships at this facility and the incoming fellow will have the opportunity to do both bariatric surgeries as well as advanced minimally invasive surgery on the abdomen.  Because there are no other general surgery fellowships (especially colorectal fellowship), there will be a unique opportunity to be proficient in minimally invasive weight reductive surgery, including laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, as well as revisional surgery, as well as a full complement of minimally invasive surgical procedures on the abdomen, including colon, solid organ, endocrine, hernia, and anti-reflux surgery. The recent addition of robotic general and bariatric surgery will certainly make the fellowship complete with learning opportunities.

This is a high volume, minimally invasive surgery program.  The emphasis is clearly on bariatric surgery; however, there is a substantial portion of which is minimally invasive abdominal general surgery. This includes solid organ surgery (including laparoscopic pancreatic resections), foregut surgery with antireflux as well as revisional antireflux surgery, abdominal wall hernia as well as inguinal hernia reconstructions, midgut and hindgut surgery including laparoscopic small bowel and colon resections for both benign and malignant disease. 

The position of the fellow would require a valid Ohio medical state license, as he/she will be clinical staff at this institution and will be part of the call system for the above three mentioned surgeons, taking general surgery and bariatric call, at a ratio of one and four.  There is no mandatory trauma call requirement. There will be monies allowed for CME/travel and research will be heavily emphasized, with the requirement of an annual submission/presentation at a national meeting. 

At Summa Health System – Akron Campus, there is a categorical general surgery residency program; however, the fellow will serve as an attending, working exclusively with Drs. Zografakis, Dan, and Pozsgay; however, the fellow will certainly be involved within the clinical management of patients, including educational opportunities instructing residents. 

Summa Health System – Akron Campus is a level I trauma facility in Akron, Ohio, more information is available with regards to the facility, as well as the ASMBS COE certified Bariatric Care Center at www.summahealth.org/weightloss.