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. 

  

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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

Renee Mueller, MD, FACS, FASCRS Orlando, FL

"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

Soloman David, MD Mineola, NY

  

"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
"I came to the LSU colorectal fellowship knowing I would benefit from excellent training. At Colon and Rectal Associates, I learned new and superior techniques in colon surgery, and I was mesmerized by true fellowship quality anorectal surgery. My surgical education was greatly enhanced, and I see all of the staff as lifelong mentors. The experience gained via the large volume of both colon and anorectal cases, and the wide variety of disease seen in Louisiana, trained me well for my career in a community colon and rectal surgical practice. When I began to pursue robotics in 2013, it would be an LSU colorectal alumnus who would mentor me, just as many years before. At any colorectal surgical meeting there is always Shreveport staff to assist or just enjoy the camaraderie. I can think of no place better to gain surgical education, experience, mentors, and friends who will become and remain an integral part of your life and career!" 
- Hollis T. Rogers, III, MD, FASCRS - Fayetteville, AR
doctor with patient

 

 

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.

doctors looking at a file

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

Michael Stratton, MD

Michael Stratton, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery
View Profile for Michael Stratton, MD
Andrew Werner, MD

Andrew Werner, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
View Profile for Andrew Werner, MD

Training Sites

Ochsner LSU HealthShreveport Academic Medical Center - Shreveport, LA

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 Schumpert Highland Medical Center - Shreveport, LA

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.

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship