Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery Fellowship

Welcome from the Program Director

Welcome to Rush 

The fellowship program is designed to provide a well-rounded clinical training in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery utilizing advanced laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and flexible endoscopic techniques. The fellow gains a wealth of experience in the comprehensive evaluation and minimally invasive surgical management of morbid obesity, hernia, and benign diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A comprehensive curriculum guides and focuses the academic program. One fellow is accepted each academic year.

The mission of the fellowship program is to train future leaders in academic or community surgical practice with a renewing commitment to education and innovation in surgical clinical care. In keeping with this mission, ample opportunity is provided for the fellow to engage in academic pursuits, including dedicated time to research. Fellows are encouraged to submit at least two abstracts to national meetings during the fellowship year. Faculty provide mentorship, but an expectation is that at least one research project is fellow self-directed. As an instructor in the Department of Surgery, the fellow will be expected to model excellence in professionalism and to teach general surgery residents and students. To facilitate transition to independent practice, the fellow will be assigned acute care surgery call on an infrequent basis, with backup by fellowship faculty.

Current Fellow 

John Lewandowski, MD 

College/University: Miami University

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine

Residency: Rush University

Why Rush?

 

Experience

“The fellow is able to operate at the academic medical center as well as multiple community sites, including Rush Oak Park and Rush Copley. There is opportunity for teaching residents, both in and out of the operating room, both for general surgery call cases and bariatrics. A monthly curriculum covers all aspects of bariatric surgery, as well as foregut and complex laparoscopic subjects. The weekly schedule consists of 2-4 days/week in the OR and 2-3 days/week in clinic, depending on the week. There is time available for research and other academic endeavors.” 

Faculty

Philip Omotosho, MD

Program Director, Division Chief, Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery

Alfonso Torquati, MD

Helen Shedd Keith Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, Professor

 

Jonathan Myers, MD 

Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, Department of Surgery, Professor

Scott Schimpke, MD

Assistant Professor, Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery

Benjamin Veenstra, MD

Co-Director, Surgical Clerkship Program, Assistant Professor

 

Marc Sarran, MD

Department of Surgery, Assistant Professor

 

Requirements

Requirements for consideration 

  • Completion of a General Surgery residency at an ACGME accredited surgery residency program 
  • Meets criteria for medical licensure in the State of Illinois
Contact

Who to contact: 

Rebecca Fessler

Education Manager

Rebecca_Fessler@rush.edu