The University of Iowa is the birthplace of obesity surgery. Dr. Edward Mason — the “Father of Bariatric Surgery”— conceived and performed the first gastric bypass at the University of Iowa in 1965. The bariatric surgery fellowship program at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics was first accredited by the Fellowship Council in 2008. In addition, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) have repeatedly recognized UI Hospitals & Clinics as an accredited comprehensive center. Today, our growing bariatric surgery program is comprised of an interdisciplinary care team that includes a complement of surgeons, physician extenders, clinical psychologists, dieticians, program coordinator and support staff committed to comprehensive care and to maximizing the long-term health and success of each patient.
The fellowship is a one-year program combining all aspects of care for the bariatric surgery patient as well as additional insight into the academic, research, administrative and fiscal aspects of a bariatric surgery program. Historically, the program utilizes the sleeve gastrectomy and roux-en-y gastric bypass in roughly equal proportions. In addition to primary weight loss operation there is exposure to revisional weight loss surgery patients from work-up to a redo procedure. There is a robust experience in advanced foregut cases including paraesophageal hernia repairs, laparoscopic Heller myotomies, POEM and cutting-edge anti-reflux procedures.
The fellow also has an opportunity to perform a variety of open and laparoscopic abdominal wall procedures including eTEP approaches. Finally, each fellow is trained in the interpretation of esophageal function testing including pH testing and esophageal manometry. On average, 70% of the case mix is bariatric surgery and 30% predominantly foregut procedures. Research within our program focuses primarily on outcomes and translational science. All fellows are encouraged to participate in research while at UI Hospitals & Clinics including protocol development, abstract submission, presenting their data and submitting manuscripts.
UI Hospitals & Clinics is located in Iowa City and draws from a population of approximately 4 million people. The facility is an 860-bed quaternary hospital that annually admits more than 35,000 patients and is the only comprehensive academic medical center in Iowa. We received over 50,000 emergency department visits; performed more than 32,800 major surgical operations; and led over 150,000 minor surgical procedures. In 2016, Forbes Magazine named UI Hospitals & Clinics as the number 1 employer in the health care industry category and we are consistently recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States because we are devoted to innovative care, excellent service, and exceptional outcomes.
Living in Iowa City, Iowa, you can be assured there is something to do for every interest - learn more about Iowa City's music, art, sports, theater, shopping, restaurants, and more. With a population of approximately 175,000 and the University of Iowa college campus, Iowa City is proud to support a diverse cultural environment to work, live, and play!
The conference and teaching program schedule consists of the following:
The fellow is expected to attend all conferences apart from the Bariatric Case Conference. For Bariatric Case Conference the fellow is the active lead and is to review the following weeks cases and lead review of articles making up part of the curriculum. Additionally, the fellow is responsible to present the Bariatric M&M cases selected for presentation each week for the Surgical Audit (Morbidity and Mortality) Conference.
The fellow is responsible to record their work hours daily to ensure they remain compliant with the duty hour requirements set by ACGME. The normal work week for the fellow is approximately 60 hours per week. The fellow does take call to cover the service, but the Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery Fellow does not take in-house call. The fellow is an active participant in clinic 2 days per week. If there are emergency cases during clinic then the fellow is excused from clinic. The fellow will also respond to consults for in-house patients. Clinical support for the fellow consists of nurse clinicians, physician assistants, and physician extenders. In regard to fellowship oversight, the fellow can obtain support from the program coordinator.
There are no specific rotations throughout the year, but rather opportunities for the fellow to tailor to the fellow’s year to include cases that are meet the goals of the fellow outlined at the start of the year.
The fellow typically attends a SAGES Endoscopy course as well as other society-sponsored events that are professionally or clinically relevant. There is also support for attendance at the annual meeting for SAGES or ASMBS.
Primary Program Site is at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics which consists of 860 hospital beds, 30 Main OR rooms, 12 ambulatory surgery rooms, 8 children's hospital OR rooms, and 36 SNICU beds.
Even before it was required by Fellowship Council, UIHC provided Occurrence-based malpractice coverage for all residents and fellows. A few facilities available to our fellow include Dry Lab, Wet Lab, Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation, University of Iowa Libraries, Administrative Support, and Clinical Research
Learn more about the Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation.
Visit the University of Iowa Libraries.
The fellowship estimates roughly 15% of the fellow’s time to be in research with the remaining 85% being clinical. Research support in the form of statistical assistance is available to fellows along with general surgery residents with dedicated time in the lab, as well as medical students assisting in data collection.
Benefits offered by University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are competitive with other top training programs in the country. Benefits include:
Stipends are also comparable to other top training programs in the country and in keeping with the cost of living in Iowa.
Contracts are issued to house staff each year until training concludes, and promotion at the end of each year is granted based on demonstrated clinical competence and professional growth. House staff members who do not meet standards for promotion to the next level of training may require remedial action, as deemed appropriate by the Program Director.
Eligibility criteria for applicants of a GME residency or fellowship training program are:
Graduate from one of the following:
Eligible applicants should apply directly to the residency or fellowship training program. Deadlines and application criteria vary; review those requirements at the individual program websites. Each program has specific guidelines for conducting interviews, what to expect during the interview, and American Board of Medical Specialties certification requirements.
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is an agency of the State of Iowa, which self-insures the tort liability of the State and its employees under the provisions of the State Tort Claims Act, Chapter 669, Code of Iowa. Resident and Fellow Physicians at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are State employees for the purposes of the State Tort Claims Act. The coverage provided to Resident and Fellow Physicians by the State Tort Claims Act is occurrence coverage.
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is an agency of the State of Iowa, which self insures the tort liability of the State and its employees under the provisions of the State Tort Claims Act, Chapter 669, Code of Iowa. Resident and Fellow Physicians at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are State employees for the purposes of the State Tort Claims Act. The coverage provided to Resident and Fellow Physicians by the State Tort Claims Act is occurrence coverage.
GME contracted residents and fellows must apply for a license from the Iowa Board of Medicine at least three months in advance of the training start date. The Iowa Board of Medicine will not accept a license application more than six months in advance of the contract start date. Every resident or fellow physician or dentist is responsible for acquiring a medical license prior to practicing medicine at UI Hospitals & Clinics. State of Iowa law prohibits practice without the proper license.
The GME office recommends all residents and fellows apply for a license through the Iowa Board of Medicine by using the Uniform Application (UA). This application provides state specific instructions for Iowa. The Iowa Board DOES NOT require applicants to use the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) as part of the application process, though they do accept FCVS if you choose to use their service. For recent medical school graduates, the Board strongly recommends applicants NOT utilize FCVS.
Resident Licensure
The Iowa Board of Medicine offers a resident license authorizing the licensee to practice as an intern, resident or fellow while under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in a board-approved resident training program in Iowa. This license expires on the expected date of completion of the training program as indicated in the licensure application. The license becomes inactive when a physician leaves the program or can be extended if completion of the program has not been met by the expected date.
Permanent Licensure
Some fellowship programs require a permanent license. Contact your program director to confirm whether a permanent license is appropriate. If you are eligible to moonlight, you will be required to have a permanent license.
Specific licensing questions can be directed to the Iowa Board of Medicine.
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