Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a scientific, clinical and academic institution with a long history of firsts. We foster a shared commitment to predict, prevent and treat the world’s toughest diseases. Our collaborations are changing the future of medicine, in Boston and beyond. As one of the main teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School, our culture of providing excellence in patient care, teaching and research affords an exceptional environment for clinical training and participation in exciting advances in basic and clinical research.

The advanced minimally invasive surgery fellowship offers an opportunity for board-eligible surgeons to acquire advanced minimally invasive surgery (MIS) skills in all aspects of laparoscopy. This one-year fellowship, first established in 2004, has been fortunate to attract outstanding candidates that have gone on to develop successful practices and academic careers not only in the U.S., but across the world.

The fellowship is designed to offer exposure to a broad range of laparoscopic procedures, with an approximate 60% to 40% case split between bariatric surgeries and complex MIS procedures, respectively. The fellowship provides experience in complex foregut, hernia, solid organ and colorectal surgery. The bariatric experience provides extensive exposure to different kinds of surgeries, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as advanced revisional bariatric procedures.

The da Vinci® Surgical System is available and provides further opportunity to learn leading-edge MIS techniques. Fellows can tailor their experience to meet their needs and interests and are strongly encouraged to undertake a clinical research project. Fellows will have independent outpatient clinic and operating experience opportunities.

The fellows rotate for one month at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the second half of their fellowship. They also work closely with residents within the general surgical residency program.

Committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of surgeons and leaders in medicine, our faculty is comprised of experienced clinicians who impart a breadth of knowledge and expertise during clinical rounds and in clinics. Our faculty is dedicated to teaching, lifelong mentorship, and leadership of local, national and international surgical societies.

Ali Tavakkoli, MD

Ali Tavakkoli, MD

Program Director

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Quick Facts

  • One fellow is appointed annually to this one-year fellowship.
  • Fellowship offers an exposure to a broad range of laparoscopic procedures, including foregut, bariatric, solid organ and colorectal.
  • Fellows rotate for one month at a similar program at Massachusetts General Hospital.
  • All faculty hold full-time teaching appointments at Harvard Medical School.
  • The fellows are expected to participate in research projects and present at local and national meetings.
  • Robotic and endoscopic experience can be included in the standard curriculum.

Faculty

Current faculty includes:

Research Opportunities

Our group is very active in clinical and basic research, providing numerous opportunities for the fellows. The fellow is expected to take on one bariatric and one MIS project per year and submit abstracts to local and national meetings.

Applications

We offer one fellowship position beginning August 1. All recruitment activities are processed through the Fellowship Council, including the application process and the match. Please visit the Fellowship Council website for more information.

Selection of Interview Candidates

Each application is reviewed in its entirety with a focus toward a combination of overall academic excellence, leadership ability, career development potential and personal character.

We interview approximately 15 to 20 candidates each year. Although we receive applications from many well-qualified candidates, it is not possible to interview all who apply. Those who are invited will be notified approximately two months prior to the date of the scheduled interview. We will hold virtual interviews on April 11 and 12, 2024.

Resources

For more information about the Consortia for Improving Medicine with Innovation and Technology (CIMIT)

Read about the minimally invasive program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


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