NYU Langone’s Department of Surgery offers a one-year Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship led by George S. Ferzli, MD, program director, and John K. Saunders, MD, associate program director. Our fellowship trains physicians in the most advanced laparoscopic and robotic procedures.

Fellows in our program learn to perform complex laparoendoscopic procedures and develop an understanding of diagnosis, perioperative and postoperative evaluation, and follow-up care for patients. We accept two candidates each year into the program.

Our fellowship provides opportunities to gain skills and experience performing the following types of surgery:

• gastric sleeve, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), duodenal switch, and gastric band surgery
• esophageal surgery
• hernia surgery
• biliary surgery
• bowel surgery

Additionally, fellows participate in research activities and train surgical residents and medical students. They also attend and present at national and international meetings, including the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). These meetings give fellows opportunities to interact with experts in the field and gain exposure to the latest developments, techniques, and laparoscopic and robotic technology.

During our program, fellows rotate among the following locations, each of which provides training in robotic surgery:

• Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion: 4 months
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: 4 months
• NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn: 4 months

They are also involved in outpatient clinical care once a week, seeing patients before and after their surgery.

Duration of Fellowship Training

Appointments to the fellowship run from August 1 through July 31 of the next year. Fellows spend 90 percent of their time in clinical activities and 10 percent engaged in research.

Fellowship Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

To apply for the Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
• be a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian medical school
• have passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Step 1, 2, and 3 exams
• be board-certified or -eligible by the American Board of Surgery, the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• have a New York State medical license

Applications to the Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship must be submitted online through The Fellowship Council. The application deadline is February 8.

Chosen applicants will be invited for an interview. Final selection is made via a separate Fellowship Council matching process.

Contact Us

For more information about the Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, please contact Katherine Kim, program coordinator, at 212-263-6378 or Katherine.Kim3@NYULangone.org.