Robotic General Surgery Fellowship / Clinical Instructorship

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Specialty:

Lehigh Valley Hospital | Jefferson Health, Lehigh Valley Region Duration: 1-Year Clinical Fellowship (Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027)

Position yourself at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery through an intensive, high-volume clinical fellowship at a nationally recognized, comprehensive robotic center of excellence. Lehigh Valley Hospital / Jefferson Health, Lehigh Valley Region is accepting applications for a full-time, one-year post-residency training program in advanced robotic general surgery designed to equip the surgeon trainee with state-of-the-art operative mastery and clinical leadership.

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP & FACULTY

Train directly under nationally recognized robotic surgery proctors, advisors, and clinical innovators:

• Dr. Bogdan Protyniak, MD, FACS, FASCRS (Program Co-Director) Khubchandani Endowed Chair of Colorectal Surgery; National Proctor and Case Observation Site Director specializing in multi-quadrant robotic colorectal surgery and transanal minimally invasive robotic surgery (TAMIS).
• Dr. Paul Cesanek, MD (Program Co-Director) Director of Robotic Surgery, Medical Director of Surgical Services, and Surgical Advisory Board Member/Proctor specializing in advanced bariatric and foregut procedures.
• Participating Faculty: Dr. Daniel Harrison, DO; Dr. Nicolas Teleo, MD; Dr. Alexandra Vagasi, MD.

CLINICAL TRAINING SITES & ROTATION LOCATIONS

The fellow will gain broad clinical and operative exposure across major network campuses throughout the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions:

• Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest (Allentown, PA)
• Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg (Bethlehem, PA)
• Lehigh Valley Hospital Hecktown Oaks (Easton, PA)
• Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono (East Stroudsburg, PA)

OPERATIVE VOLUME & CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Lehigh Valley Hospital completed 4,361 robotic cases across the past 12 months (including 2,939 benign foregut, 1,034 abdominal wall, and 388 colorectal procedures; core participating faculty volume was 1,380 cases). The fellow will achieve comprehensive autonomy across complex multi-specialty case mixes:

• Target Operative Experience: Minimum of 150 complex robotic procedures (serving as primary console surgeon or teaching assistant in 125 cases; bedside first assistant in up to 25 cases; maximum 10 cholecystectomies count toward credit).
• Benign Foregut & Bariatric Surgery: Toupet and Dor fundoplications, Heller myotomy, complex paraesophageal and diaphragmatic hernia repairs, IOC with bile duct exploration, robotic sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and revisional bariatric surgery.
• Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Robotic inguinal hernia repairs, complex ventral and incisional hernia repairs, and advanced component separation (including TAR).
• Colorectal Surgery: Multi-quadrant robotic colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis, colostomy reversal, low anterior resection with low colorectal anastomosis, abdominoperineal resection, total proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch, ventral mesh rectopexy, presacral cyst excision, and transanal minimally invasive robotic surgery (TAMIS).

CURRICULUM, SIMULATION & OBJECTIVE EVALUATION

• Progressive Three-Phase Training:
  • Phase 1 (Months 1-2): Console-based simulation via the institutional robotic certificate pathway, SimNow module training, dry-lab precision drills, and bedside first-assisting to master port placement, docking, and team workflow.
  • Phase 2 (Months 3-9): Supervised console practice across foregut, bariatrics, abdominal wall, and colorectal cases with weekly post-case debriefs and surgical video analysis.
  • Phase 3 (Months 9-12): Transition to advanced autonomy and operative leadership in complex re-operative cases, multidisciplinary planning, and program certification.
• Semi-Quantitative Assessment: Real-time operative feedback using validated GEARS (Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills) evaluations following each case, supplemented by quarterly faculty reviews and biannual Clinical Competency Committee evaluations.

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY, TEACHING & INTERDISCIPLINARY CARE

• Dedicated Research Time: Two dedicated days per month for surgical outcomes research, quality improvement initiatives, and procedural registry maintenance. Fellows are expected to publish at least one peer-reviewed manuscript and submit abstracts to national conferences (SAGES, ASCRS, ACS).
• Multidisciplinary Leadership: Active participation in weekly Benign Foregut Conferences, biweekly Rectal Tumor Boards, Morbidity & Mortality reviews, and semiannual journal clubs.
• Surgical Education: Fellows serve as peer mentors and clinical instructors, leading robotic simulation labs and bedside training for general surgery residents.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: Applicant salary will be in accordance with a PGY-6 Resident.
• Benefits Package: Highly competitive benefits including low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance; fully covered malpractice insurance.
• Academic & Conference Support: Dedicated time outside of normal PTO to attend national conferences, present research, and participate in advanced educational courses.
• Schedule: Attractive, structured work schedule with dedicated operative, clinic, and research allocations.

LOCATION: THE LEHIGH VALLEY & POCONO MOUNTAINS, PENNSYLVANIA

• The Lehigh Valley: A vibrant, fast-growing region in eastern Pennsylvania with over 700,000 residents across three mid-sized cities and suburban communities. It features a moderate cost of living, top-ranked school systems, ten colleges and universities, two symphonies, art museums, minor league sports, and summer music festivals. Located just 60 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of New York City (Learn more: https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/).
• The Pocono Mountains: Situated immediately to the north, the Pocono Mountains region offers premier four-season outdoor living, including hiking along the Appalachian Trail, mountain biking, championship golf, lake recreation at Lake Wallenpaupack, and top winter ski resorts providing an ideal balance of clinical rigor and outdoor lifestyle.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of an ACGME-accredited General Surgery Residency (or equivalent) prior to July 1, 2027; Board-eligible or Board-certified in General Surgery.
• Valid Pennsylvania Medical License and DEA registration (or eligibility to obtain prior to start).
• Legally authorized to work within the United States.

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation

Lehigh Valley Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.

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