Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Fellowship

Xun (Julie) Lian, MD, FACOG Program Director	William M. Burke, MD, FACOG Associate Program Director

The Department started a Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Fellowship in July 2009.  The fellow will act as a junior attending and it is anticipated that the addition of a fellow will further increase the residents exposure to advanced laparoscopic procedures. 

Accreditation Period: 2019-2026

2-Year Program

The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship is a two-year program, structured to provide the fellow all aspects of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, research endeavors and educational opportunities. Surgical training is a key component of our MIGS fellowship. Our MIGS division provides a robust surgical program with focus on advanced laparoscopy including hysterectomy, myomectomy and endometriosis surgeries, utilizing a balance of conventional laparoscopy as well as daVinci robotic surgery. Four main surgical approaches: laparoscopy, robotic surgery, hysteroscopy, and vaginal surgery are all encompassed. Emphasis is placed on pelvic anatomy to allow the fellow to become confident in navigating all pelvic spaces when encountering complex surgical cases. There are twice yearly opportunities to participate as a teaching proctor in pelvic anatomy cadaver lab as well as an animate lab laparoscopy workshop allowing the fellow to gain skills and to teach house staff as well. A simulation lab with laparoscopic pelvic trainer and robotic simulation is available to the fellow at any time. 

Fellows interact and operate with skilled mentors not just in minimally invasive surgery, but also gynecologic oncology and female pelvic floor surgery. A unique and valued component of the fellowship is the emphasis on gynecologic ultrasound for various gynecology conditions. Ultrasound training includes traditional abdominal and vaginal modalities, as well as 3D reconstructions, saline sonohysterogram and sonohysterosalpingogram. The fellow will also become familiar in interpreting in pelvic MRI. Our fellows also function as junior faculty, taking on the role of gynecology attending for the house staff approximately once a month, supervising consults and any emergent cases from the Emergency Room that require surgery as well as taking a 12-hour OB-GYN call twice a month. Fellows are also on MIGS home call on average for two weeks each month, under the supervision of a MIGS attending. 
 

As a faculty member of an academic medical center, the fellow will have the advantage of being exposed to a wide variety of resources. These resources include the Health Sciences Center Library, a Departmental Research Division, Department of Public Health (including access to biostaticians), and experts in Gynecologic Pathology. The fellow will participate in at least one independent original research project relevant to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The fellow will be able to complete at least one course in clinical research, research design, biostatistics, or epidemiology.

Grand Rounds
Weekly Grand Rounds feature presentations from distinguished visiting guest speakers as well as from without our own faculty. 

Chairman Rounds
Twice monthly Chairman Rounds feature interesting cases from each service as presented by members of the house staff. Stimulating discussion and teaching opportunities are provided by the academic faculty and members of community providers. 

Journal Club
MIGS Fellowship Journal Club is held monthly with an interesting contemporary paper or a paper selected from the FMIGS reading list presented by the fellow followed by critical discussion and review of the topic led by a faculty member. The MIGS division is also invited to lead the discussion during one of the house staff Journal Club sessions. 

Gynecologic Ultrasound Conference
There is a monthly gynecologic ultrasound conference where patient cases are presented that have interesting and educational sonographic images. The cases are presented from initial patient presentation with an in-depth review of the sonographic findings and an interactive discussion of the management options and patient’s treatment course.  The fellow is expected to attend these conferences and on occasion, facilitate the discussion amongst the housestaff.  Weekly half-day gynecologic ultrasound sessions with an expert faculty member allow the fellow to perform and interpret gynecologic ultrasounds for various gynecologic condition.

Research Meetings
The MIGS division meets regularly to discuss ongoing and new research projects. The fellow participates in all divisional research, either through leading or actively participating the research project.

	Jennifer M. Blaber, MD Clinical Assistant Professor in Obstretrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine Director, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery Division Specialty:Obstretrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Well Woman Gynecology
	William M. Burke, MD, FACOG Associate Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Fellowship Clinical Associate Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine Interim Chair: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine  Specialty: Gynecology Oncology
	Christine A. Conway, MD, AIUM Certified  Medical Director, Ambulatory Operations Clinical Associate Professor of Obstretrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine Specialty: Obstretrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Gynecological Ultrasound, Well Women Gynecology
	Gabrielle Gossner, MD Clinical Associate Professor Specialty: Gynecologic Oncology
	Todd R. Griffin, MD, FACOG Clinical Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Robotics, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Well Women Gynecology
	Sara Kim, MD, FACOG Clinical Assistant Professor Speciality: Obstetrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Well Woman Gynecology
	Xun (Julie) Lian, MD, FACOG Clinical Assistant Professor Program Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Fellowship Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Well Woman Gynecology, Gynecologic Ultrasound
	Caitlin Waters, MD, FACOG Clinical Assistant Professor Program Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Fellowship Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Subspecialty: Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Gynecologic Surgery, Well Woman Gynecology, Gynecologic Ultrasound

	Nicole Massad, MD (2023-2025) Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
	Aliyah Ali, MD (2024-2026) Residency: NYU Langone Medical School: Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio