Program Overview

Program Overview

Advanced training in endocrine surgery is offered by Cleveland Clinic's Department of Endocrine Surgery under the preceptorship of Eren Berber, MD.

The purpose of the program is:

  • To teach visiting surgeons the advances in the field of endocrine surgery.
  • To demonstrate how standard endocrine surgical procedures, such as thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and adrenalectomy are done in a safe fashion.
  • To illustrate the appropriate cost-effective workup of endocrine surgical pathologies.
  • To demonstrate how ultrasound could be used in an endocrine surgical practice.
Curriculum

Curriculum

The objectives of the program are:

  • To learn the standard workup of patients with thyroid nodules, hyperparathyroidism and adrenal nodules.
  • To learn how these patients should be prepared for surgery.
  • To learn how to perform a surgical ultrasound.
  • To learn how standard endocrine surgical procedures (thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy and adrenalectomy) are done.

Sample weekly schedule for the Surgery Hands-on Training Pathway:

  • Monday: OR
  • Tuesday: OR
  • Wednesday: Full-day clinic
  • Thursday: Half-day clinic
  • Friday: OR

In addition, Monday 7-8 a.m., Wednesday 5-6 p.m., and Thursday 5-6 p.m. there may be conferences on thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal patients.

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).
  • 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.