Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

The fellowship provides structured, mentored experience across the full spectrum of benign and malignant colorectal disease, emphasizing progressive autonomy, surgical decision-making, and multidisciplinary care.

Fellows graduate with the clinical confidence and specialty expertise required to function as integral members of high-volume colorectal surgery teams in academic or complex practice settings.

The fellowship aims to:

• Develop advanced clinical expertise in colon and rectal surgical benign and malignant diseases
• Enhance procedural and perioperative management skills
• Foster independent clinical decision-making in inpatient, outpatient, and operative settings
• Strengthen collaboration within multidisciplinary oncology, inflammatory bowel disease, and pelvic floor teams
• Prepare fellows for long-term careers in colon and rectal surgery practice

The curriculum is structured around progressive responsibility and longitudinal learning, integrating clinical experience, didactics, and procedural training.

Core curriculum components include:

• Comprehensive evaluation and management of colorectal surgical conditions
• Perioperative care and postoperative complication management
• Interpretation of endoscopy, imaging, and pathology
• Evidence-based practice and guideline-driven care
• Patient education, survivorship, and quality-of-life considerations

Didactic content may include:

• Weekly or biweekly colorectal surgery conferences
• Tumor boards and multidisciplinary case conferences
• Morbidity and mortality conferences
• Journal clubs and guideline reviews

Fellowship Rotations:

Fellows rotate through key clinical areas to ensure well-rounded exposure to the specialty.

• Core Colon and Rectal Surgery
  • First assist in OR cases both intra-abdominal and anorectal
  • Bedside procedures
  • Indications, interpretation and peri-procedural care for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy
• Benign Anorectal Disease
  • Hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas and abscesses
  • Office-based procedures and postoperative care
  • Rotate with high resolution anoscopy clinic
• Colorectal Oncology
  • Management of colon, rectal and anal malignancies
  • Preoperative staging and postoperative surveillance
  • Multidisciplinary cancer care
  • Rotate with medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, wound/ostomy clinic
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Medical and surgical management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Rotate with gastroenterology, nutrition, radiology, wound/ostomy clinic
• Pelvic Floor & Functional Disorders
  • Fecal incontinence, constipation, rectal prolapse
  • Exposure to pelvic floor testing and nonoperative management strategies
  • Rotate with urogynecology and pelvic floor physical therapy

Clinical Responsibilities:

Throughout the year, fellows progressively assume responsibility in:

• Inpatient rounding and care coordination
• Preoperative evaluation and surgical planning
• Postoperative management and complication recognition
• First assist in colorectal surgical procedures
• Outpatient clinics and longitudinal patient follow up

Supervision and autonomy are tailored to fellow experience and competency development.

Procedural and Technical Skills:

Fellows receive hands-on training in:

• Operating room first assist for open, laparoscopic and robotic procedures
• Bedside and clinic-based procedures
• Wound, ostomy, and postoperative care
• Perioperative management of drains, stomas and lines

Evaluation and Feedback:

Fellows are evaluated through:

• Ongoing direct observation and feedback
• Structured competency assessments
• Semi-annual and end-of-program evaluations
• Milestone-based progression aligned with program objectives

Mentorship and Professional Development:

Each fellow is paired with dedicated colorectal surgery faculty and advance practice providers for mentorship, career guidance, and professional development. Fellows are encouraged to participate in:

• Quality improvement initiatives
• Research or scholarly activities (as available)
• Professional meetings and conferences

• Any graduated AG-ACNP/ACNP, FNP, or PA-C
• Current AG-ACNP/ACNP, FNP, or PA students currently enrolled in an accredited program

• National board certification
• Florida licensing

• Curriculum vitae/resume
• One-page statement of interest
• Transcripts from graduate education program — if you are a current student, send transcripts reflective of status within the program (minimum GPA of 3.5 required)
• Copy of BLS and ACLS certifications
• Three letters of recommendation addressing clinical experience, clinical knowledge, critical thinking and professionalism — specifications for letters of recommendation found on application
• Completion of application found here

Fellows are selected based on demonstrated academic and clinical achievement, commitment to practice in a critical care environment, motivation, communication skills, overall maturity and growth mindset.

Upon acceptance of the online application, applicants must be available for an interview with program staff at AdventHealth. All travel-related costs are at the expense of the candidate.

Successful applications will meet all hiring requirements of the AdventHealth Medical Group Human Resources Department.

The AdventHealth APP Fellowship values diversity across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as age, gender identity, disability and years of experience in the healthcare field.