"I came to this fellowship to learn as much as I could about colorectal surgery but graduated with so much more. The program greatly expanded my surgical expertise but also exposed me to new methods and cutting-edge surgery. In addition, I found the warmth and compassion of southern hospitality from my attendings who truly cared about teaching me as well as helping me to settle into the community with my family. They were generous with their time and wisdom and taught me not only about surgery and clinical care of patients but also many other factors to be successful in our profession. I was very well prepared for my new job. This fellowship greatly exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it!"
- Renee Mueller, MD, FACS, FASCRS - Orlando, FL
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY FELLOWSHIP | Surgery
Our Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program is the first and only surgical fellowship in North Louisiana —and one of only 68 training programs offered in the United States and Canada dedicated to colon and rectal surgery. Our program is an ACGME accredited fellowship accepting one training candidate per year. We provide compassionate, high quality, state-of-the art care for patients with diseases and conditions of the colon, rectum and anus.
The surgery staff are committed to providing a broad and structured curriculum and preparing our fellows to enter independent practice at the completion of our training program. Our Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program aims to prepare surgeons to become proficient and clinically confident in the field of Colon and Rectal Surgery and will provide the necessary surgical training and academic education to produce board eligible colorectal surgeons.
Since its establishment, our Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program has continuously trained general surgeons in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery. To date, we have trained 53 surgeons who practice throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Puerto Rico. Our graduates are in both academic and private practice settings and the large majority limit their practice to colon and rectal surgery.
Contact Us
We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have about our Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program.
Tracy Weaver
Fellowship Coordinator
(318) 212-3027
Email: tweaver@wkhs.com
Graduate Testimonials
"I came to LSU for the varied caseload and operative experience. However, I did not know I would leave with a trusted network of physicians that I could call upon at any time. I graduated with an LSU family!"
- Soloman David, MD - Mineola, NY
- Hollis T. Rogers, III, MD, FASCRS - Fayetteville, AR
We’re proud of our accomplished Fellowship Program graduates and have been training tomorrow’s leaders in the field of colon and rectal surgery since 1976.
Technology Training
The Colon and Rectal Associates surgery staff are committed to providing a broad and structured curriculum and preparing our fellows to enter independent practice at the completion of our training program.
Our Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program aims to prepare surgeons to become proficient and clinically confident in the field of Colon and Rectal Surgery and will provide the necessary surgical training and academic education to produce board eligible colorectal surgeons.
APDCRS Core Curriculum
We follow the Core Curriculum for Colon and Surgery Residents prepared by the Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery (APDCRS). Didactic resources utilized include the ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery as well as the online educational modules provided by the ASCRS (CREST). Our goal is to foster a non-stressful educational environment that will prepare our trainees well for practice and successful completion of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery written and oral examinations after completion of their training.
Clinical Volume
ANORECTAL
130 cases including complex fistula repair, anal malignancies, sacral nerve stimulation for incontinence, and transanal excision including TEM platform
ABDOMINAL
175 cases including approximately 80 laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic cases, complex sphincter preserving procedures for low rectal cancer, and ileoanal pouch reconstruction for ulcerative colitis and FAP
ENDOSCOPIC
400 cases including routine screening, complex intervention including colonic stent placement and EMR, and anorectal ultrasound and physiology studies
Schedule
The weekly schedule allows protected time for endoscopy and clinic with at least two full days of surgery per week. Our fellows attend the LSU Health Shreveport colon and rectal clinic one half day per week, which allows them to serve in a teaching role with medical students and junior residents.
The fellowship training is based in the private practice of Colon and Rectal Associates, which is made up of the core faculty members. The clinical experience is primarily provided at two private health care systems in Shreveport (CHRISTUS Highland and Willis-Knighton Pierremont) and the offices of Colon and Rectal Associates. Rotations are three month blocks equally distributed between the hospital systems. The two hospitals and clinic are all conveniently located less than one mile from each other.
Faculty
Training Sites
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center
- University teaching hospital—Medical School and General Surgery Residency Program
- Sponsoring institution for graduate medical education
- Site of weekly outpatient clinic on Wednesday mornings, and occasional surgeries and endoscopies
Willis-Knighton Pierremont
- Not-for-profit organization—host institution for fellowship program
- Tuesday and Friday OR blocks
- Monday & Thursday Endoscopy days
CHRISTUS Highland
- Longstanding private Catholic hospital—host institution for fellowship program
- Tuesday & Friday OR blocks
- Monday & Thursday Endoscopy days
Application Requirements
All eligible applicants for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program are required to:
- Have completed an ACGME accredited training program in general surgery
- Be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery
- Be eligible for full licensure by the Louisiana Medical Board
Applications for the Fellowship Program will only be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Minimal requirements for consideration include:
- A completed application
- At least (3) letters of reference
- Record of general surgery ABSITE scores
We select our resident through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and do not have non-accredited training or research positions available.