FELLOWS & OBSERVERS

migs FELLOWSHIPS (full credentialing & physician privileges required):
no 2024 SURGICAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
PLEASE RETURn TO THIS PAGE FOR UPDATED DETAILS at a later time.

PHYSICIAN OBSERVERSHIP ONLY, OPERATING ROOM (2 DAYS MAX):
post-grad OBSERVATIONAL opportunities ARE AVAILABLE on a highly limited basis and ONLY at the discretion and APPROVAL OF THE cec MEDICAL DIRECTOR. the hospital application process is quite lengthy and physician observers are strongly encouraged to submit their application at least 90 days in advance of their desired observation dates. please note covid testing and/or proof of vaccinations may be required by the hospital.

office clinical shadowing only (2 days max):
UNDERGRAD, NURSING, ALLIED HEALTH AND/OR OTHER STUDENTS SEEKING OFFICE SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES ONLY (2 DAYs MAX): CANDIDATES MUST SEND LETTER OF INQUIRY INCLUDING REQUESTED DATEs ALONG WITH CV/BIOSKETCH & RECOMMENDATION LETTER FROM DEPT CHAIR OR ADVISOR. OBSERVERS MUST BE ENROLLED IN OR a RECENT GRADUATE OF A RELEVANT PROGRAM AT AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM OR UNIVERSITY, or be working in their credentialed field. covid testing and/or proof of vaccinations may be required. WE ARE A STATE OF GA CBFP (COMMUNITY-BASED FACULTY PRECEPTOR) SITE.

FOR more INFORMATION PLEASE READ ON:

MD/Licensed Provider Observers: Operating Room (not hands-on)
The CEC offers an OR Observation Education Program for licensed providers (MD, DNP, RN, DPT, etc.) who may wish to visit us in our Atlanta, GA operating room but who do not want to participate in a Surgical Fellowship. This observer-only program is NOT hands-on and participants will not receive a Certificate of Training; however, our Observerships offer insight on many levels ranging from surgical complexities of pelvic pain pathologies and endometriosis to our leading practice culture of patient-centric care. No fee applies; likewise, no funding or compensation is offered. Certification is not provided, but we are happy to provide you with a letter confirming your attendance. Please note there is a lengthy hospital application required for OR Observerships; you will also be tasked with providing a full health history and evidence of current immunizations to the hospital and COVID testing requirements may apply. As such, please allow at least 3 months for application processing time. To inquire and schedule your visit, please contact our Program Director. Note that health professionals who wish only to observe/shadow in the office ONLY will not be required to complete a hospital application; however, COVID testing may be required.

Student Observers: Office Only
The CEC is always delighted to have qualified student observers join us in the office (2 days max). We’ve had the privilege of hosting pre-med students, biomedical engineering students, Medical Assistants, Nursing students, high school science and health students, PhD candidates and a variety of others from all healthcare and academic pursuits. No fee applies; likewise, no funding or compensation is offered. Confirmation of Hours and/or any other documentation that may be required will be provided to the student following their visit. To inquire and schedule a day to observe at the CEC offices, please contact our Program Director. Observers must be enrolled in or a recent graduate of a relevant program at an accredited program or university, or be working in their credentialed field. Covid testing may be required.

Other Observerships: Industry, Media, Credentialed Press, etc.
Members of industry who do not already have Northside access, journalists and credentialed press, medical documentarians and filmmakers should contact our Program Director for further discussion about your specific requirements. Please be advised the Northside Hospital system does not permit filming in any operating rooms or on hospital grounds at any location. Similarly, the Center for Endometriosis Care does not allow filming in or around our offices when patients are present. However, please inquire with your specific needs and we will do our best to assist you.

FULL FMIGS Excision Surgery Rotations & Training: the CEC’s FMIGS Program is for licensed, board-certified MDs only. Please read the following carefully.

No funding or compensation is offered, unless otherwise specified on an individual basis. Sponsorship is the responsibility of the attendee and/or their sponsoring institution. All associated costs including those related to your malpractice ($1MM/$3MM), relocation (Visa, temporary local housing, etc.) and credentialing (hospital application fees, etc.) are borne by the Fellow and/or provided for by the Fellow's sponsoring institution. Upon the successful completion of a CEC Fellowship, the CEC will provide appropriate documentation for purposes of recognition and serve as a reference for the Fellow. Fellowships are of varied duration, with specific arrangements made on a case by case basis.

In order to plan accordingly, please be advised that once accepted for rotation at our Center, it will take you approximately six months for your credentialing process to be completed before you can begin. International Fellows who require a Visa or other immigration documentation will need to start the process 18 months in advance, as the United States H-1B application deadline is in April the year prior to an October (or later) start in our offices. Fellows must obtain a valid GA State Medical license, DEA credentials, malpractice insurance, and Northside Hospital privileges; this is a very lengthy procedure which must be completed and in place before your Fellowship can start.

About the Program: the Center for Endometriosis Care/Kenny R. Sinervo, MD, FRCSC, LLC is committed to creating an enduring legacy of education and training in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, specific to the advanced excision of endometriosis and complex surgical competencies, for the next generation of providers.  To that end, our Faculty has developed a strong training program for the expert excision of all stages of endometriosis and advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, which we have offered for many years. This program provides qualified gynecologists with an opportunity to participate in a unique, in-depth Preceptorship under the guidance of a leading surgical team. Participants will receive their Certificate of Training upon successful completion and satisfactory evaluation.

Through a comprehensive didactic approach, CEC Fellows engage in extensive clinical hands-on exposure under the tutelage of our world-class surgeons specializing in advanced Laparoscopic Excision of Endometriosis (LAPEX).  The intimate and dedicated nature of our program is highly effective, designed to facilitate expansion of surgical abilities in a complex specialty utilizing the C02 laser as an advanced dissection and cutting tool, while promoting development of expertise in the assessment, knowledge and treatment of individuals of all ages with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain pathologies.

CEC surgeries range from LAPEX of highly complex, extrapelvic (thoracic, etc.), deeply fibrotic endometriosis including urogenital/colorectal involvement and retroperitoneal dissection to myomectomy, Laparoscopic hysterectomy, adhesiolysis, tubo-ovarian procedures and far beyond.  Clinical time will be spent under the tutelage of Ken Sinervo, MD with exposure to CEC surgical staff and corresponding disciplines e.g., gastroenterology, urology, hospital and OR staff.

We have hosted successful Fellowships from such institutions as (to name but a few) the Center for Advanced Gynecology (VA), Kaiser (CA), Saint Louis University Medical Center (MO/multiple Fellows), Mayo Clinic (MI/multiple Fellows), the University of California at San Francisco (CA), Hurley Medical Center (MI), Riverside Health System (VA), St. Peter's University Hospital (NJ), University of Oklahoma College of Medicine/Health Sciences Center (OK), Universitary Hospital Samaritane-Santa Fé Bogotá (Colombia), Johns Hopkins (MD), LuccaHealth Specialty Medical Center (Ghana), and countless others. Our Fellows and Observers come from all over the world to learn from the CEC.

The camaraderie and novel training environment permits the CEC to develop surgical leaders and future teachers in endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain gynepathologies while facilitating enhancement and refinement of advanced Laparoendoscopic skills for those qualified.  Ultimately, this improves the standard of care for individuals with endometriosis and pelvic pain from every region of the world.

Minimum requirements to receive CEC credentialing (not negotiable/NO EXCEPTIONS):

  • Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and/or the American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) and/or international equivalent (e.g., FRCSC);

  • Certified by either the AAGL, the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy, or an equivalent/appropriate accrediting organization;

  • Demonstrated MIGS skill above novice level;

  • Understand and agree with the science and principles of LAPEX (Laparoscopic Excision); uniformly use LAPEX on every case of endometriosis;

  • Letter of Recommendation from a supervising Faculty Member, Fellowship Director or Department Chairperson; this must be emailed, mailed or faxed directly to the CEC Program Director, not to the FMIGS candidate;

  • Curriculum Vitae, including explanation of any breaks in education and employment as applicable, must be provided;

  • Fluency in spoken and written English as a first or second language;

  • It is the Fellow’s responsibility to investigate and obtain any applicable Visa or other licensure requirements for the United States; foreign national, permanent resident, refugee or asylee must provide proof of resident alien status and have the legal right to work in the United States. We cannot undertake this effort for you. Please include copies of all such paperwork as necessary in your application documents; and finally, please provide:

  • A personal statement reflecting on your career goals and reason(s) for applying to the CEC’s Fellowship Program; must include experiences to date including outcomes data (pain relief, complications, recurrence rates).

Fellows go on in their own practices to adhere to the CEC’s approach:

  • Gather a team of multidisciplinary surgeons to complete the excision at the initial surgery (for example – thoracic, bowel, bladder etc. disease); and

  • Maintain the highest standards and CEC reputation for compassion, inclusion, expertise and interest in advancing the treatment and understanding of all individuals with endometriosis from all socio-cultural-economic walks of life.

Educational objectives during our rotation focus on evidence-based medicine, anatomical principles, instrumentation and operative Laparoscopy involving all stages of endometriosis including extrapelvic manifestation (thoracic, diaphragmatic, etc.). Operative procedures include but are not in the least limited to Laparoendoscopic Excision of endometriosis stages 1-4, adhesiolysis, myomectomy, hysteroscopy, appendectomy, hysterectomy +/-BSO, adnexal surgery, retroperitoneal dissection including ureterolysis, complex pelvic floor reconstruction/repair, diagnostic/operative cystoscopy and bowel excision/full thickness resection. All procedures are performed by conventional Laparoscopy. Educational emphasis is on an integrated operating room organization; indications, risks and benefits of MIGS; patient preoperative management and operative positioning/preparation; instrumentation, energy source(s) and trocar selection/port placement; strategies for access, dissection, hemostasis, tissue handling and removal; suturing; adhesion formation/prevention and more. Responsible use of equipment and performance requires comprehensive knowledge about instrumentation function as well as previous operative experience.

Fellows will also be expected to attend, round, see pre-ops and other CEC patients when they are not in surgery. Fellows will also be responsible for a portion of on-call duties including holidays, nights and weekends as well. In alignment with similar Fellowship Guidelines, Fellows will engage in hands-on surgery initially as First Assist, and then perform procedures as appropriate commensurate to level of skill and level of complexity of case. No research requirement is indicated unless a specific endeavor presents at the time of Fellowship, though all CEC cases are recorded and Fellows are encouraged to edit those cases for presentation at conferences, journal submissions and/or teaching videos.

Acceptance INTO ANY CEC OBSERVERSHIP OR FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY is at the sole discretion of the CENTER’S Medical Director; all decisions are final.

Ken Sinervo, MD, MSc, FRCSC, ACGE, Medical Director
Heather Guidone, BCPA, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Statement of Diversity & Inclusion:
The Center for Endometriosis Care (CEC) fosters a culture of opportunity and mutual respect. We celebrate the multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, national origin, geographic background, ability and disability, physical characteristics, veteran status, political ideology, religious belief and/or age. Our team is reflective of the global community we serve, and incorporates the broad skills, experiences and capabilities which can only be achieved through such diversity and inclusivity.