Program Overview

Bariatric Surgery Fellowship

Overview

The Bariatric Surgery Fellowship provides comprehensive training in the surgical management of obesity and complex GI disorders. The program focuses on laparoscopic and robotic gastric bypass and sleeve, along with duodenal switch, and includes training in complex endoscopy and bariatric endoscopy.

Program Details

• Comprehensive training in the surgical management of obesity and complex GI disorders.
• The bariatric portion of the fellowship will focus on laparoscopic and robotic gastric bypass and sleeve, along with duodenal switch.
• The program is versed in complex endoscopy and bariatric endoscopy.
• The other portion of the fellowship will be dedicated to Advanced GI surgery, specifically foregut, esophageal, hernia, and surgical endoscopy such as POEM.
• There will be a section of the Fellowship dedicated to esophageal motility disorders, where fellows will work with one of the leaders in the field to master manometry, pH studies, and swallow studies deepening their knowledge of foregut pathology.
• Strong emphasis is placed on evidence-based outcomes and clinical research.
• Fellows will participate in all aspects of in- and out-patient care and the daily running of a busy clinical practice and are expected to participate in quality improvement projects and the MBSAQIP.
• In addition, fellows are expected to participate in clinical research projects based on the program's large prospective database and to present their data at national meetings.

Special Features of this Fellowship

• The program has a systemic approach to case assignment where the fellow does near all gastric bypass procedures over the course of a year.
• The fellow will work in close relation with the residents in regard to complex laparoscopic operations and sleeve gastrectomies.
• The fellow will advance and move into a teaching assistant role over the course of the year.
• The fellow will supervise care of all patients on the service in addition to 'staffing' residents on 'select' general surgery procedures.
• The fellows are on home call for the service only and do not cross-cover any other services. Night call is covered by residents on the 'night float team'.
• The fellows are expected to participate in educating medical students and training residents as part of their scholarly activities.
• The fellow will also host a bariatric/foregut meeting with a predetermined curriculum.
• Another feature of the fellowship is the ability to tailor research opportunities based on the Fellow's interest and previous experience.

Training Centers

• Tampa General Hospital, the training affiliate, is named #1 hospital in Tampa Bay by the US News & World Report.
• The Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) is the largest simulation training center in the USA, including a virtual OR, animate labs, 4 robotic training stations, and advanced training facilities.
• The TGH & USF Health Bariatric Center is a 6,000 sq. ft. one-stop care clinic for metabolic surgery and weight management. The center provides an extraordinary patient experience and enhances training of Fellows and other learners.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of training, fellows will be able to establish and build comprehensive programs for the treatment of obesity and minimally invasive surgery. Fellows will learn leadership skills and business development and communication skills so they will become effective leaders in their field.