Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Advanced Training Program

 

 
 
 

Program Overview

2020 FMIGS Logo

The University of Michigan Advanced Training Program in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery is a two-year American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) accredited program.  The AAGL Fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery was established in 2001 for gynecologists seeking subspecialty training advanced endoscopic procedures in gynecology. The University of Michigan established its Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Advanced Training Program in 2003 and became accredited by the AAGL in 2005. 

Clinical Goals

The clinical educational objective is to provide trainees with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to independently manage complex gynecologic patients that may benefit from advanced endoscopic procedures. Specific educational goals for each trainee include the development of the following:

  1. Sufficient understanding, experience, and proficiency to perform advanced laparoscopic, robotic, hysteroscopic, abdominal and vaginal surgery for complex, benign gynecologic conditions.  These conditions include uterine fibroids, advanced endometriosis, benign ovarian neoplasms, ovarian remnants, and chronic pelvic pain.
  2. To evaluate and appropriately select the appropriate medical and/or surgical treatment plan for women presenting with complex, benign gynecologic conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, symptomatic uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and/or endometriosis.

Teaching and Research Goals

Each trainee will be provided with resources and experience to develop academic skills. Specific objectives for the teaching and research curriculum include the following:

  1. Ability to use appropriate methods and educational aids to teach medical students, residents, and allied health care professionals in clinical or classroom environments.
  2. Sufficient understanding and proficiency to complete clinical and/or health-services research projects, in addition to the development of collaborative skills with others that foster ongoing research activities.
  3. Ability to write scientific articles and grant applications, and to contribute in an academic setting.

 

The comprehensive goal of the Program is to train academic trainees who are outstanding clinicians, teachers, and research contributors. 

Core Program Components

Clinical Experience

Trainees actively participate in all aspects of inpatient and outpatient care of patients seen by the MIGS faculty.  This includes the evaluation, planning, treatment and follow-up of patients seen in the Minimally Invasive Surgery Referral Clinic, the Michigan Medicine Endometriosis Center and the Pelvic Pain Consultative Clinic.  Through this experience, trainees will become proficient in the minimally invasive approach to common gynecologic complaints such as abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, and adnexal masses.  Trainees will also gain valuable and extensive experience in the multi-system and multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis.  Trainees will spend approximately 1 – 1.5 days in the clinic.

Learn More about the Clinical Experience

Teaching Experience

Michigan Medicine is recognized as one of the premier residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States and MIGS trainees play an integral role in the education of residents and medical students within the department.  One resident (PGY3 or PGY4) and one or more medical students are assigned to the division for each rotation.  Residents and medical students function as important members of the health care team under the direction of the MIGS trainees.  In addition to teaching on daily work rounds and in the operating room, trainees are asked to prepare and deliver formal lectures and seminars for the resident core curriculum and to lead the discussion at department journal clubs.

Research Experience

Trainees have numerous opportunities to receive formal training and mentorship in clinical research.  Clinical research activities may include participation in institutional studies and NIH-funded projects.  An important ancillary goal of the two years of clinical training is to provide a framework in which the trainee can learn to balance the demands of clinical care with those of scholarly pursuits, including ongoing clinical research and manuscript preparation.

Learn More About the Research Experience

Additional Learning Opportunities

The Department is home to 10 Board-certified and non-Board certified clinical and research fellowships in obstetrics and gynecology. To promote cross-specialty collaboration, all trainees take part in our Michigan Medicine Didactic Curriculum. These are ½ day educational seminars on numerous topics relevant to clinical research and academic leadership.  Topics include research design and implementation, identifying funding opportunities, manuscript timelines and preparation, how to be an effective teacher, and employment contracts. In addition, the department sponsors social events for fellows and advanced trainees across all specialties to further encourage collaboration and to help fellows build both a professional and personal network.

Our advanced trainees also participate in weekly didactic conferences on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Application Information

  • Completion of a residency program accredited by ACGME, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or National Joint Committee on Accreditation of Pre-registration Physician Training Programs of the Canadian Medical Association
  • Completion of all three USMLE exams
Due to Department of Labor prevailing wage regulations, we are unable to consider applicants that possess any type of visa.

Applications are only accepted through the AAGL.

To complete the application process, please visit the AAGL website.  

The application deadline for a July 2024 start date is Monday, May 1, 2023. Invitations will be extended on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Virtual interview dates will be on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 (am and pm), and Tuesday, September 5, 2023 (am).

 
 

Salary

The University of Michigan offers highly competitive salaries and generous benefits to our fellows and advanced trainees. Trainee salary will be commensurate with that of a House Officer at an equivalent level of training based on the HOA contract. More information about trainee salary, benefits, and employment eligibility are available on the University of Michigan House Officers Association website.

Program Leadership

Dee E. Fenner, M.D.

Department Chair

Courtney Lim, M.D.

Program Director

Sawsan As-Sanie, M.D., M.P.H.

Associate Program Director
Bethany Skinner

Bethany Skinner, M.D.

Associate Program Director

Maeve Sullivan

Program Manager
L4000 University Hospital South
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5276
734-764-7261