Comprehensive Flexible Endoscopy Fellowship

The University at Buffalo Comprehensive Flexible Endoscopic Surgical Fellowship provides a variety of surgical experiences with a focus on advanced endoscopic procedures. The clinical experience is gained through progressive responsibility and increased autonomy over the course of the one-year fellowship. This includes the opportunity to allow the fellow to take call as a surgical attending and to manage their own patients with faculty back up as needed.

The fellowship follows the national Flexible Endoscopy curriculum set forth by the Fellowship Council. In addition to the objectives provided by the Fellowship Council, program goals and objectives are as follows:

1. Train the fellow in advanced therapeutic endoscopic techniques related to the hepatobiliary system, GI malignancy, and acid-peptic disease
2. Ensure the fellow can perform and assess foregut physiology studies
3. Train the fellow in endoscopic bariatric procedures 
4. Train the fellow in minimally invasive and robotic surgery

At the completion of fellowship, the fellow will be proficient in the following minimally invasive surgical techniques:

• Advanced Endoscopy: ERCP, laparoscopic and percutaneous choledochoscopy, POEM, POP, Balloon dilation, RFA, EMR, Enteral Access, Endoscopic management of fistula/perforation
• Foregut Physiology Studies: Esophageal Manometry and Bravo pH Probe
• Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and transoral outlet reduction
• Minimally Invasive and Robotic General Surgery including ventral hernia repair, inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, benign foregut

To achieve this goal, this curriculum provides a guide to the topics for study, and the knowledge and skills required to become a surgical endoscopist.

Fellows are expected to log the following number of cases by the completion of the one-year fellowship.

• MFSH M&M (Wednesdays, 7 a.m., required)
• Weekly Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (Thursdays, 6:45 a.m., required)
• Present at Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (required)
• Quarterly Journal Club (required)
• Monthly Upper GI Conference (First Tuesday of the month, 5 p.m., optional)
• Weekly ECMC M&M Conference (Tuesdays, 7 a.m., optional)
• Present at Department of Surgery Research Day (optional)
• Attendance at national meetings: SAGES 
• Attend SAGES Endoscopy Course for Fellow
• Submit an original manuscript for publication
• Opportunity to attend educational seminars deemed appropriate by the Program Director, including but not limited to: courses sponsored by SAGES or other reputable/national organizations

Holly Johnson, MD 

Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo

Residency: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo