University of South Florida Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

Program Description

The University of South Florida Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship is a one-year clinical training program that provides advanced training in the comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.  Our ACGME accredited program offers two clinical positions each academic year.  The colorectal surgery fellows work closely with our 5 board-certified colorectal surgeons who are dedicated to excellence in clinical care, research and education.

Clinical Rotations

The primary clinical site for the fellowship is Tampa General Hospital, a 1006 bed teaching hospital affiliated with the USF Morsani College of Medicine.  The Colorectal Surgery Service at TGH consists of the attending surgeons, the 2 CRS fellows, a PGY-5 general surgery resident, a PGY-1 general surgery resident, a medical student, and a physician assistant.  The CRS fellows will participate fully in the care of both colorectal inpatients and outpatients with a focus on diagnostic, therapeutic, endoscopic and surgical techniques relevant to the care of these patients.  The CRS fellows will function to manage the service with responsibility and authority at a level between the attending surgeons and the general surgery residents.  The service has a high clinical volume and has been carefully designed to provide an excellent experience for the CRS fellows without negatively impacting the experience of the general surgery residents.

The fellows will also rotate on a part-time basis to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, a 415-bed teaching hospital also affiliated with the USF Morsani College of Medicine.  The JAHVH is located in North Tampa and is physically connected to the university.  The JAHVH rotation with the CRS attending will focus on enhancing the CRS fellows’ operative and endoscopic training.  The JAHVH service is supported by general surgery residents at the PGY-5, PGY-3 and PGY-1 levels.

Conferences and Didactic Training

There is protected time for education which occurs weekly on Monday mornings.  The CRS fellows attend the USF general surgery M&M conference and grand rounds.  The education series for the CRS fellows is separate from the general surgery residency education and has been tailored to the advanced needs of the fellowship; it consists of lectures given by the CRS attendings on topics derived from the ASCRS textbook and additional conferences focusing on written and oral board preparation, research activities and journal clubs.  Mock colorectal oral boards are given to the CRS fellows several times a year.  Additionally, the fellows will participate in multidisciplinary conferences such as Tumor Board and Inflammatory Bowel Disease,  and Pelvic Floor Disorder conferences.

Clinical Research

The fellows are expected to participate in at least 1 clinical research project during the year.  Both an abstract submission to a national meeting as well as a manuscript submission to a peer-reviewed journal are expected.  Research education and support are provided throughout the year in order to achieve these goals. 

Application Process

Fellows are chosen through the National Residency Match Program.  Eligible applicants must have completed (or be on track to complete) a general surgery residency program and be eligible to take the American Board of Surgery examinations.  Applications should be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service via www.aamc.org. 

Contact Information

Margaret Child, MPH
mmchild@usf.edu
 

Jorge Marcet, MD
Program Director
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, USF Health