Esophageal Research Fellowship

About the Program

The University of Washington's Esophageal Research Fellowship is an integral component of the Center for Videoendoscopic Surgery. This research fellowship is a one-to-two-year program focused on outcomes of esophageal, gastric, bariatric, and hernia surgery. It provides surgeons with extensive experience in research methodology, writing, and outcomes research. The program is designed for the surgeon who is interested in foregut surgery and provides a strong foundation to become a leader in academic surgery.

During this fellowship, fellows:

Run weekly research meetings with the Fellowship Director, other key CVES faculty, and clinical fellows
Receive training in esophageal function testing and interpretation (manometry, pH monitoring, and impedance)
Review and interpret 15-20 esophageal function studies per week in the Esophageal Diagnostic laboratory
Participate in grant writing, hypothesis generation and testing, data collection and study management, statistical analysis, and scientific writing and presentation.
Attend national surgical meetings to present research papers

Fellows will leave this fellowship with the skills to run an active esophageal physiology lab and perform outcomes research in surgery. This position does not participate in patient care.

Program Leadership

Andrew Wright, MD
Program Director
Center for Video Endoscopic Surgery Endowed Professor
Director, UW Medicine Hernia Clinic

Saurabh Khandelwal, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Associate Program Director
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, UW Medicine Bariatric Program
Co-Director, UW Medicine Center for Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery

CLINICAL TRAINING

Clinical Experience

Although the Esophageal Research Fellow will not participate directly in patient care nor have any clinical privileges, a key role of the fellow is to assist in the daily activities for the Esophageal Diagnostic Laboratory located within the Center for Esophageal & Gastric Surgery. The fellow will be very involved in the analysis and interpretation of esophageal function studies, working closely with the clinical fellows and other faculty members on a daily basis. The fellow will also be expected to organize and complete several research studies in the area of esophageal physiology and esophageal surgery as well as provide support when CVES provides advanced surgical training to community surgeons.

For the majority of this fellowship, the fellow will be independently managing IRBs, writing proposals, analyzing data, and writing manuscripts for multiple research projects throughout the one or two years of the fellowship. With that, the fellow will also be expected to maintain and update the Esophageal Research database since that is one of the main databases used for research studies during the fellowship.

Training Sites

UW Medical Center-Montlake

As the No. 1 hospital in Seattle and Washington State (U.S. News & World Report), UW Medical Center - Montlake is one of the nation’s foremost tertiary referral academic health centers. Utilizing our over 500 beds and 5,000 employees, we deliver exceptional, multidisciplinary care to a vast array of patients who come to us from across the globe.

From first of their kind, life-saving surgical procedures to routine adult, maternal and newborn medicine, we're training the next generation of medical professionals. By using the latest advances in medical technology and patient- and family-centered care, we're building a better future for our community.

Conferences

Weekly Meetings

Wednesdays:

6:30am: Grand Rounds (first Wednesday of the month)
7am: QA/QI (2nd-5th Wednesdays of the month)
2pm: CEGS Meeting (2nd Wednesday of the month)
3:30pm: CVES Research Meeting (weekly)

Thursdays:

4:30pm Multi-Campus Hernia Conference (first Thursday of the month)

HOW TO APPLY

Recruitment and Selection

The Esophageal Research Fellowship recruits a single one-to-two-year fellow in the fall preceding an open vacancy in the fellowship.

To be eligible to apply to our program, the candidate must:

Have a MD or equivalent medical degree
Be on track to complete a general surgery residency or have completed equivalent surgical training
Demonstrate written and verbal fluency in English
Have a level of surgical maturity obtained in a recognized surgery resident program that will permit the fellow to participate effectively in the research, administrative and educational goals of CVES
Have medical research experience
If international, be eligible for a J-1 Visa sponsorship

Application Process and Dates

A competitive application process decides selection for this fellowship. Once the following listed documents are sent to the Program Administrator, the Program Director(s) will reach out to any suitable candidates to schedule a virtual interview. The application period is on a rolling basis, but fellows are chosen in the fall and begin the following summer.

The following documents are required for application:

A personal statement detailing specific educational goals and interests and outlining what the applicant hopes to achieve through the course of this program.
A current Curriculum Vitae.
Three letters of reference from surgeons who took part in the applicant's medical training.

International Medical Graduates

We welcome graduates of international medical schools to apply to our fellowship as long as they can fulfill the previously listed eligibility requirements.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH

Mentorship

During the fellowship year, fellows meet with either one or both Program Directors and with the chief of surgery on a regular basis.

Leadership

This program provides fellows with many opportunities to grow their leadership skills. These opportunities include:

Leading the weekly research conference where project updates and presentations are given
Running monthly clinic operations meetings
Helping to run the motility lab
Independently writing 2-4 manuscripts and/or book chapters

Research

The Center for VideoEndoscopic Surgery conducts research relating to clinical outcomes of gastric, esophageal, bariatric, and hernia surgery. We have around 10 different databases that can be accessed for research. Fellows are expected to participate in at least five research studies and will present their research either at SAGES or at ASMBS. They will also present at our departmental research day.

Educational and Research Conferences

Schilling Lecture & Research Symposium - March

Department of Surgery Research Symposium and Schilling Lecture. This is an opportune moment to reflect on both the phenomenal quality of research in the department and the distinguished group of scholars who have joined us as lecturers and visiting faculty over the years. The Schilling lecturers represent the best and brightest across the spectrum of clinical and research disciplines in surgery. Their lectures inspire our residents and faculty and their engaged participation in the Research Symposium celebrates the work of our trainees. The Schilling Lecture & Research Symposium are made possible by a generous gift from the late Helen Schilling in honor of her husband Dr. John Schilling. The Schillings were deeply committed to teaching, scholarship and research and this event, during which residents and fellows showcase their research supported by faculty mentors, is a great aspect of their legacy. It is with tremendous pride and gratitude that we carry on this tradition and look forward to doing so for years to come.

Harkins Society - October

In 1955 “The Society of the Golden Pouch,” a spoof surgical society, was established by residents to honor the Department of Surgery’s first Chair, Henry N. Harkins, with a dinner celebrating his fiftieth birthday. The “founders” intended that the new society would disband at the end of the evening. The Harkins Society, as it was renamed, instead went on to become the Department’s Alumni Society. Its membership includes the Department of Surgery Faculty, former chief residents, and fellows. In 1963, the Society was incorporated as a tax-exempt organization. Today, the Harkins Society is rich with tradition.

Strauss Lecture - October

In presenting the Annual Strauss Lectures the Strauss/Friedlander family is carrying on the tradition established so many years ago by Dr. and Mrs. Alfred A. Strauss. Born in Germany in 1881, Dr. Strauss came to Colville, WA at the age of ten. An honor graduate of the University of Washington in 1904 and an outstanding member of the Alumni Association, he received the singular honor of the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus in 1951.

Annual Department of Surgery Education Seminar

Surgical education is at the heart of the Department of Surgery’s mission. Every June, the entire Department of Surgery gathers to discuss a topic within surgical education with the goal of improving the training of our residents as well as improving the culture of the Department. Both Faculty and trainees are invited to present and lead the discussion.

ALUMNI

Below is the list of our graduates and their first positions out of the fellowship:

Rocio Carrera Ceron, MD
2020-2022
Director, General Surgery Residency Program
Hospital General Ajusco Medio

Jennifer Minneman, MD
2018-2020
Surgeon
The Surgicalist Group

Alejandro Rodgriguez Garcia, MD
2015-2017
Surgeon
Private Practice

Maximiliano Crespin, MD
2012-2014
Research/Clinical Fellow
University Health Network, University of Toronto

Maximiliano Loviscek, MD
2011-2012
Surgeon
Universidad Austral, Hospital de Clinicas Jose de san Martin

Laura Filippa, MD
2009-2010
Senior Research Fellow
University of Washington

Renato Soares, MD
2008-2009
Attending Surgeon
Hospital do Trabalhador

Martin Montenovo, MD
2006-2008
Associate Professor
Vanderbilt University

Elina Quiroga, MD
2004-2005
Associate Professor
University of Washington

LIVING IN SEATTLE

Salary and Benefits

University of Washington (UW) offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package:

Choose from top medical and dental insurance programs
Plan for your future with tax deferred investing through the UW retirement options
One month of vacation
Life and long-term disability insurance

More information can be found on the UW Benefits website.

CVES also provides fellows: a laptop, a shared office, and $2,000 to spend on conferences and professional development.

Where do fellows live?

Most residents live in one of the many neighborhoods that are walking or biking distance from one of our 5 main training hospitals. Whether you are looking for an apartment in the center of Seattle’s night life, a single-family home with a yard on a quiet street, or quick access to one of our parks, biking/running trails, or waterfronts, Seattle offers vibrant neighborhoods that make life outside the hospital even more enjoyable. Please explore the map below to learn more about these neighborhoods:

Survey results from current trainees show that about 50% live in our Capitol Hill neighborhood and around 50% pay $1500 and less in rent (per person).

Of current residents...

61% live with a partner
26% have a platonic roommate
11% have children
42% have pets
65% have house plants

Will I need a car?

Seattle is ranked as having the #1 best public transportation in the US and is one of the top 10 most walkable cities in the US. Although our fellows get around by walking, cycling, public transit, and more, the vast majority do have a personal vehicle. Not only is this good for commuting between hospitals, but it also makes weekend trips to the surrounding cities and parks even easier.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is home to Pike Place Market (the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in the country), the Space Needle (the 605ft tower holding the world’s first revolving glass floor), the “original” Starbucks (the actual original Starbucks was a few blocks away before it moved to its current spot 5 years later), and so many more nationally recognized places and buildings you can visit during your time here. The entire state of Washington also has a myriad of different landscapes where you can involve yourself in various activities. With our beautiful state (and national!) parks, scenic islands, breathtaking lakes, and awe-inspiring glaciers, you’re sure to find an adventure if you ever seek one.