Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery/ Foregut

About the Program

The Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery and Foregut fellowship is a one-year fellowship that focuses on clinical and research endeavors in the field of Minimally Invasive Surgery, including foregut surgery, bariatrics, and abdominal wall reconstruction. This fellowship helps candidates to gain clinical, research, and teaching experience that will provide a foundation for future academic careers in minimally invasive surgery while also enhancing their flexible endoscopy, laparoscopic, and robotic skills. The Advanced GI MIS/Foregut fellowship, accredited by The Fellowship Council, allows fellows to train under and work side-by-side with internationally recognized surgeons in minimally invasive surgery. Many of our fellows have gone on to become directors of residency and fellowship programs, directors of bariatric, foregut, and/or hernia centers, as well as specialists in minimally invasive surgery in other academic or high-volume community positions. During this fellowship, fellows:

  • Perform a high volume of anti-reflux, paraesophageal hernia, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, Heller myotomy, esophagectomy, and abdominal wall procedures including many revisional operations
  • Perform flexible endoscopies in our GI suite
  • Participate in foregut, bariatric, and hernia clinics and staff our active motility laboratory
  • Act as clinical instructors and supervise residents on the MIS service

At the conclusion of this fellowship, fellows are eligible to obtain an Advanced GI MIS and a Foregut Certification from SAGES (the Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons). Some fellows have also been able to attain ASMBS (the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) Certification. All fellows will leave with the skills needed to comprehensively investigate, diagnose, recommend appropriate treatment for, perform the appropriate operation on, and provide expert pre-, peri-, and post-operative care for patients.

 

Quick Facts

  • Started in 1994, the Advanced GI MIS/Foregut Fellowship is one of the most established programs in the country
  • Our Esophageal Diagnostic Lab is one of the highest volume labs of its kind in the United States
  • The Center for Esophageal and Gastric Surgery, where fellows spend much of their time, performs over 1,200 procedures annually

 

Program Leadership

Dr. Andrew Wright

Andrew Wright, MD
Program Director
Center for VideoEndoscopic Surgery Endowed Professor
Director, UW Medicine Hernia Clinic

Dr. Saurabh Khandelwal

Saurabh Khandelwal, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Associate Program Director
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, UW Medicine Bariatric Program
Co-Director, UW Medicine Center for Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery