Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship
Mission Statement
The goals of the UMass Memorial Division of Colon and Rectal surgery are encompassed in our four-part mission statement:
- Providing exceptional, state-of-the-art care for our patients
- Educating medical students, residents, and practicing physicians
- Advancing the field of colorectal surgery through research and investigation
- Serving as an educational resource and advocate for the Central Massachusetts community
UMass Memorial 2021 Fellowship Interview Dates:
2021 interview dates: Sept 20-21 and Sept 27-28, 2021
Faculty
- Division Chief
- Program Director
- Faculty
Coordinator
Teresa Paulin
Physician Extenders
Janet McDade, NP, Clinical Coordinator
Dorcas Taylor, FNP
Katelyn Stickney, FNP
Jennifer Guertin, PA
Current Fellow
John Konen, MD
John Konen is the current Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellow at the University of Massachusetts. He grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and completed his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, followed by his MD from Michigan State University. He then moved to Vermont to complete his general surgery residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). During his surgical residency, he conducted research with Dr. Gary Mawe in the department of Neurological Sciences and was awarded the Young Investigator Award by the International Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility for his work on colonic motility and luminally acting 5-HT4 receptor agonists. He also conducted research on organ preservation in rectal cancer, and a funded prospective trial in carbohydrate loading enhanced recovery in colorectal surgery patients. He was the recipient of the 2021 Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society Housestaff Award during his time at the University of Vermont. In his free time, John enjoys hiking, biking, camping, playing music, and spending time with his friends and family. John is a board-eligible general surgeon who is excited to continue his training at UMass to become a colon and rectal surgeon.
Academic Expectations
- Research
- ASCRS*, ACS, DDW, ASA
- Manuscript ready for submission
- Expenses will be covered for podium presentation
- Project will be assigned prior to starting fellowship
- Submission of abstract from research project to national meeting
- Minnesota or Cleveland Clinic CRS course (optional) – may use GME funds
- General Surgery Grand Rounds- topic and time TBD
- Medtronic Sacral Nerve Stimulator Course (paid)
- Colorectal Residents Annual Career Course (paid)
- Program Evaluation Committee - CRS
Clinical Sites
- UMass Memorial Healthcare
- University Campus (388 beds)
- Memorial Campus (385 beds)
- Hahnemann Campus
- Outpatient Visits
- Faculty Clinics
- ARP lab
- 67 Belmont:
- Southborough Medical Group (Dr. Alavi)
Milford Medical (Dr. Alavi)
Conference Schedule
- General Surgery M&M: Monday 5 pm
- Grand Rounds: Wednesday 7 am
- CRS Teleconference (w/ Lahey/RI/Baystate): 4th Wednesday at 8 am
- GI/Surgery IBD case conference : 1st Thursday 5 pm
- GI Pathology: every 8 weeks
- GI tumor Board: Friday noon
- Core Curriculum/Clinical Correlation: Thursday 6:30 am
- Journal Club: every 8 weeks
Team Structure
- Mentor/Mentee relationship
- Will be responsible for endoscopy/clinic/surgeries of assigned rotation only
- 2 teams
- JAM/JSD
- KA/PS
- Teams switch at end of the month
- Team make-up
- Discharge summaries, progress notes, orders, drain removal, etc.
- Fellow/junior
- Chief/junior
- PA helps with daily inpatient care/activities for both teams
Alumni
| Name | Current Location |
| Jennifer S Davids, MD (BWH) | Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Erica B Sneider, MD (UMass) | Colon and Rectal Surgical: A Division of ProHEALTH Care, Lake Success, New York |
| Pasithorn (Amy) Suwanabol, MD (UW) | Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Andrew T. Schlussel, DO | Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington |
| Uma Phatak, MD | Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Cristina Harnsberger, MD | Sansum Clinic Multi-Specialty Clinic, Santa Barbara, California |
| Clayton Tyler Ellis, MD | Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Sue Jean Hahn, MD | Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York |
| Jeremy Springer, MD | McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, Canada |
Fellowship News
- Long a College Town, Worcester Now Looks the Part - New York Times January 6, 2015
Links
- UMass Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Facebook - Colon & Rectal Surgery Fellowship: UMass Memorial
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Contact us for Fellowship Information
- Phone: (508) 334-6441
- Fax: (508) 334-9232
- Email Teresa Paulin
- Email Karim Alavi