Program Overview

Program Overview

Advanced training in minimally invasive surgery is offered by Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Colorectal Surgery under the preceptorship of Emre Gorgun, MD and Scott Steele, MD

Curriculum

Training in techniques include but are not limited to advanced endoscopic surgery (EMR/ESD), laparoscopic colorectal surgery, single incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery, robotic surgery and IBD.

Sample training schedule may include C-scope, OR, clinic, and didactics.

Please note: Case volume is estimated and may vary depending on scheduling and staff availability.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Applicants must: 

  • Be board-certified or board-eligible general surgeons who routinely perform basic laparoscopic procedures.
  • Be licensed in the state of Ohio or eligible to apply for a Special Activities Permit from the Ohio State Medical Board (Applicants for the Surgery Hands-on Training pathways only).
  • For ESD training, trainee should have special interest in colonoscopic procedures and must have completed 500 C-scopes since training.
  • Have practicing privileges in their parent institution.
  • Provide a statement of goals and expectations, along with the application.

International applicants:

  • To participate, non-citizen physicians can participate without clinic visa sponsorship if they have unrestricted U.S. employment authorization, e.g. lawful permanent resident (green card); Temporary Protected Status; Temporary Resident Status, Refugee or Asylee status, or any other status which authorizes the non-citizen physician to work without employer sponsorship.
  • If you do have current U.S. employment authorization, as an international physician, you must also be ECFMG certified, having taken USMLE 1-3, in order to participate.
  • If you only have ECFMG, then you will need to have actively practiced medicine in the U.S. for the last two years, or have been in an ACGME training program within the last two years.
  • If you have not done either of those items, then you must complete all parts of USMLE to be eligible for Special Activities License.
  • If you meet these qualifications, then we can proceed with your application for the CAST program.
  • If not, you will be directed to the International Observership program and they will be able to explain the opportunities available to you there.
Duration and Tuition

Duration and Tuition

Trainees can schedule to attend from 1 to 8 weeks.

  • Hands-on Training: $6,000/week.
  • Preceptorship Training: $3,500/week.
  • Hybrid Training: $6,000/week.

Please note: You will have the option to split up your training weeks throughout the year, if necessary.

In the event that you need to cancel after payment has been received, application has been approved, and onboarding has begun, you will incur a cancellation fee of 30% of your tuition. The remaining balance (70%) will be reimbursed back to you.

How To Apply

How To Apply

The first step is to complete and submit the pre-application form

Our office will contact you shortly thereafter.