Minimally Invasive Fellowship - Fellowship Program

Fellows have a unique opportunity to learn the latest techniques and skills in advanced endoscopy and reproductive surgery while working under the expert guidance of Camran Nezhat, MD, FACS, FACOG.

Interested surgeons may apply through the AAGL/ASRM web site, or through our Center directly by emailing us at .

Program Description

American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists/ Society of Reproductive Surgeons (AAGL/SRS) One-Year or Two-Year Fellowship in Gynecologic Endoscopy. The fellowship is a gynecologic endoscopic fellowship under the direction of Dr. Camran Nezhat, along with other faculties and consultants, including Farr Nezhat M.D., FACOG, FACS, Ceana Nezhat M.D., FACOG, FACS, Wm. LeRoy Heinrichs, M.D, Ph.D, Myriam J. Curet M.D., FACS, Harcharan S. Gill M.D., FACS, Ralph S. Greco M.D., FACS, Christopher K. Payne M.D., FACS, Andrew A. Shelton M.D., FACS, Mark Welton M.D., FACS, Richard White M.D., FACS and Christopher K. Zarins, M.D., FACS. The setting is The Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Stanford University Hospital, and Stanford University Medical Media and Information Technologies (SUMMIT), Palo Alto, CA. The primary training goal is improving patient care and to teach advanced endoscopic operative skills to individuals who are interested in propagating the field of endoscopic pelvic surgery. A secondary goal is to contribute new knowledge about learning and teaching with advanced surgical trainers.

The surgical experience includes operative hysteroscopic techniques in dealing with uterine anomalies, intrauterine fibroids, polyps, septum, tubal obstruction and adhesions, bleeding etc. The laparoscopic training includes understanding and treating advanced-stage endometriosis. This includes ovarian, peritoneal, GI, GU endometriosis and other extra-genital endometriosis. The role of laparoscopy in hysterectomy will also be thoroughly taught. The fellow will also learn the disciplines of approaching and treating fibroids, infertility pathology, ovarian pathology, urogynecologic procedures for incontinence and pelvic reconstruction, and gynecologic oncology. In addition to laparoscopic procedures the fellow will become proficient in ultrasonography, cystoscopy, stent placement, and proctoscopy. A unique feature of this program is the availability of laparoscopic and hysteroscopic virtual reality simulators that provide force feedback (haptics), which helps to improve surgical skills while also providing valuable epistemological insights that will help improve the way surgery is taught and learned.

Research plays a significant role in advancing medicine and improving patient care. Fellows are therefore encouraged to participate in technical innovation for the advancement of minimally invasive surgery and surgical education and training. The fellowship includes both advanced clinical and basic science research opportunities at Clark Research Center. All fellows are expected to be productively involved in the writing and research experience. These include abstracts, poster presentations, video presentations, journal publications, grants, and experimental designs.This is a 1 to 3 year program. The decision to offer an extension is made at the end of the first year. There are 40 to 50 applicants per year. The applicants are chosen from AAGL/ASRM and direct applicants. The week is usually organized as one day clinic and 4 days of OR. There are on average 2-3 cases per day. The fellows are required to attend OB/GYN grand rounds on Mondays and General Surgery grand rounds on Tuesdays during the academic calendar. Other educational activities are encouraged out of the medical school and the university. Fellows have opportunities to rotate through the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, with Dr. Farr Nezhat and The Nezhat Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia with Dr. Ceana Nezhat.

Consultant Surgeons

Myriam J. Curet, MD, FACS,
Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Harcharan S. Gill, MD, FACS,
Department of Urology
Associate Professor- Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Ralph S. Greco, MD, FACS,
Division Head, General Surgery
Director of Residency Program
Professor or Surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Wm. LeRoy Heinrichs, MD, PhD,
Professor (Emeritus) of OB/GYN
Past Chair of the Dept. of OB/GYN
Associate Director of SUMMIT (Stanford University Medical Media
And Information Technologies)
Director, Surgical Simulation at SUMMIT
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, CA 94305
Tel: (650) 723-2422
Fax: (650 498-4082
Email: wlh@stanford.edu

Ceana Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS,
Director of Nezhat Medical Center & Endometriosis Clinic
Atlanta, GA

Farr Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS,
Director of Gynecologic Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Mount Sinai Medical Center
Professor of OB/Gyn, Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine
Past President of Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons
New York, NY

Christopher K. Payne, MD, FACS,
Director, Female Urology & Neurourology
Department of Urology
Associate Professor- Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Andrew A. Shelton, M D, FACS,
Department of Surgery
Assistant Professor of Surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Mark Welton, M D, FACS,
Chief, Colo-Rectal Surgery
Professor of Surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Richard White, MD, FACS,
Director of thoracic surgery
Professor of thoracic surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Christopher K. Zarins, MD, FACS,
Chidester Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery - Stanford University Medical Center
Palo Alto, CA

Director

Camran Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS,
President Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Director Special Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery in Palo Alto, California
Clinical Professor of GYN/OB
Clinical Professor of Surgery
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University
900 Welch Road Suite 403
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 327-8778
Email: