Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Programs

The MIST Fellowship Consortium, directed by Dr. Erik Wilson, is composed of five unique fellowship programs. Fellows of each practice will spend a majority of time with their accepted faculty but all fellows will have the opportunity rotate through the practices of other groups to obtain their unique operative, clinical and academic experiences.

The strength of the University of Texas Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Consortium is the power it brings through the depth and concentrated knowledge of the faculty, all of whom bring a wealth of advanced, broad-based laparoscopic experience.


University of Texas Medical School at Houston & Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center

Program Director: Erik B. Wilson, MD
Fellowship Information

Two one year positions are offered annually encompassing a comprehensive fellowship program including both clinical and research opportunities. We offer diverse experiences in all aspects of advanced laparoscopic surgery including foregut surgery including primary and revisional bariatrics and Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic colectomy, solid organ resection, laparoscopic hernia repair and flexible endoscopy. There is a heavy emphasis of robotic surgery and a comprehensive experience in advanced endoscopy and endoluminal surgery, including endoscopic suturing and endoscopic fundoplication. Fellows also gain educational experience in managing our laparoscopic training lab and laparoscopic training courses. Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center is home to the Surgical Innovation and Robotics Institute, one of the largest programs for robotic surgery training in the world.


Bariatric Medical Institute of Texas

www.bmioftexas.com
Program Director: Frank Duperier, MD
Fellowship information

One position is offered annually encompassing a comprehensive bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship. This is a high volume fellowship emphasizing all aspects of bariatric surgery, including revisional bariatrics and bariatric endoscopy, as well as a diverse array of advanced laparoscopic cases, including colectomy, anti-reflux surgery, and solid organ surgery. There is a unique opportunity for training in endocrine surgery as the fellow desires. There is the opportunity for DaVinci robotic surgery training and certification. The surgical group performs 700 laparoscopic bariatric procedures, 400 non-bariatric laparoscopic procedures and 300 flexible endoscopies each year.


Colorectal Surgical Associates

Program Director: Eric Haas, MD

Two fellows are accepted annually for positions in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. The fellow in this position will use minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat colon & rectal problems and colon cancer and receive exposure to a large volume of colorectal surgery with flexible endoscopes. There is the opportunity for DaVinci robotic surgery training and certification.


Houston Northwest Medical Center

Program Director: Dr. Philip L. Leggett
Associate Program Director: Dr. Seeyuen Jane Lee
Fellowship Information

The fellowship program in Minimally Invasive Surgery at Houston Northwest is one of the first fellowships of its kind in the country, and is the longest-running of the four programs in the UT Health/MIST Fellowship Consortium.

Dr. Philip Leggett, who is a pioneer of laparoscopy in Houston, is well-recognized and has published extensively in medical journals detailing his innovative surgical techniques. This aspect of the fellowship is very busy with a well-rounded experience in laparoscopic general surgery with both Drs. Leggett and Lee. There an emphasis on anti-reflux and bariatric procedures, and diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy (Stretta, RFA, EMR), however there is also a broad experience in a variety general surgery cases, including elective foregut and hindgut, hernia, head and neck. An acute general surgical experience is incorporated into the program to allow fellows to develop their skills with more autonomy and help develop the fellows’ independence for future practice. There is the opportunity for Da Vinci robotic surgery training and certification. Two fellows are accepted annually.


University of Texas McGovern Medical School – Memorial Hermann, Memorial City

Program Director: John A. Primomo, MD
Fellowship Information

One position is offered annually for this 12 month fellowship in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. Fellows work with 2 fellowship trained minimally invasive surgeons whose practices are based on complex laparoscopic bariatric surgery (revisions, hand-sewn gastric bypasses and duodenal switches, as well as sleeve gastrectomies). We also offer experiences in advanced laparoscopic foregut surgery, including anti-reflux procedures (fundoplications), paraesophageal and hiatal repairs, and esophageal myotomies. Abdominal wall hernia repairs are also commonly performed at this site. There are numerous opportunities to develop mastery in upper endoscopy, as the two surgeons perform all of their own EGDs. There is also exposure to the robotic platforms for minimally invasive surgical treatment. Fellows will have the ability to complete publishable clinical research, and most fellows present research at national annual conferences during their one year of training.