Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
The Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital provides clinical experience, didactics and training. This advanced training will elevate your knowledge and skills, ensuring you provide the highest level of medical care to gynecological patients.
Comprehensive Training and Clinical Experience
This two-year program focuses on women’s health care, while accommodating your interests. As a fellow, you will gain exposure to:
- Academic and community practice settings – Train at Good Samaritan University Hospital for the most well-rounded fellowship possible.
- Minimally invasive gynecologic procedures – Use robotic, laparoscopic, hysteroscopic and vaginal approaches.
- Multiple gynecologic subspecialists – Gain skills in gynecologic oncology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS), reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI), and urogynecology.
Accreditation
The Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital is fully accredited through the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopic (AAGL) and developed under the direction of Dr. Keith R. Downing.
Program Leadership
Keith Downing, MD
Program Director
Fellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Jennifer McEachron, DO
Gynecologic Oncology Core Faculty
Fellowship: Downstate Medical Gynecologic Oncology, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, NY
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies
Charline Peterson
Program Coordinator
Peter Sticco, MD
Associate Program Director
|
Contact the Department of Medical Education for additional information on the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital. Charline Peterson, Program Coordinator |
Leadership, Faculty, Fellows & Graduates
| Keith Downing, MD, Program Director |
Fellowship: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery |
|
John J. Vullo, DO, Associate Program Director |
Residency Training Specialty/Location: Obstetrics and Gynecology/New York Medical College - St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond, Staten Island, NY |
| Firas Bridges, MD | Fellowship: New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center Residency: New York Medical College, South Shore Medical Center Medical School: Ross University |
| Mark C. Pillitteri, MD | Residency: Brooklyn Hospital Center Medical School: University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO Undergraduate: Adelphi University, NY |
| B. Hannah Ortiz, MD, FACOG, FACS | Fellowship: Harvard Medical School – Brigham & Women’s Residency: Stanford University Medical School: Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY |
PGY 6:
Anthony Nguyen, MD
- Residency: OB/GYN: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health at South Shore Hospital
- Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Undergraduate: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
- Hometown: Irvine, CA
PGY 5:
Hannah L. Marshall, MD
- Residency & Internship: SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
- Medical School: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Since 2015 our program has been preparing residents to become skilled leaders in medicine. Like past graduates, our most recent graduates are ready to take the next step. 2023: 2022: Residency: Orlando Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital, Orlando, Florida – OB/GYN 2021: After Fellowship: The Kaldas Center-Appleton, Wisconsin 2020: After Fellowship: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Veronica Galaviz, MD
Courtney R. Fox, MD
Medical School: University of Queensland, Ochsner Clinical School, Brisbane, Australia
Undergraduate: Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Westborough, MassachusettsSalvatore Paolillo, MD
Residency: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Running, cooking and bikingIsabel Eisner, MD
Residency: Stony Brook University Hospital
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Reading, drawing/painting, 3D imaging, unusual sports (aerial acrobatics, rock climbing, Japanese fencing, Cross Fit)
Program Features & Frequently Asked Questions
Good Samaritan Hospital offers our residents a competitive salary and benefits package. Some residency programs offer additional perks to help you as you learn.
Salaries
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
- PGY 1 $66,700
- PGY 2 $69,850
- PGY 3 $72,350
- PGY 4 $75,500
- PGY 5 $78,200*
- PGY 6 $78,400*
*Includes $1,000 for required rotational travel expenses
Benefits
- Housing stipend; $3,000
- CME annual: $1000
- CME in final year of training $2,000 (total)
- Meals: annual meal stipend $2,400. No free meals provided.
- Cell phone stipend: $500
- Education stipend: $500
Rotations
Formal rotations provide dedicated time for clinical research where you will work with faculty mentors, as well as the Academic Development Committee and Institutional Review Board (IRB) developed at Good Samaritan Hospital. Hands-on experiences are under the supervision of trained mentors. You will also have additional training from selected rotations pertinent to women’s health.
PGY 5 (Year 1)
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Rotation:
6 months – Drs. Sticco and Pillitteri
Urogynecology/Gyn Onc OR Rotation:
6 months – Drs. Keith Downing, Yi-Chun Lee and Jennifer McEachron
Sub-rotation: General Surgery:
3 months (2nd/4th Fridays Jan-Mar_ - Dr. Firas Bridges
Sub-rotation REI:
3 months (2nd & 3rd Wednesdays) – Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax
Sub-rotation: Gyn Oncology Service
6 weeks – Drs. Yi-Chun Lee and Jennifer McEachron
Sub-rotation: General Surgery:
3 months (2nd/4th Fridays, Jan-Mar) - Dr. Firas Bridges
Sub-rotation: REI:
3 months (2 & 3rd Wednesdays) - Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax
Urogynecology Office Rotation:
6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing
PGY 6 (Year 2)
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Rotation:
1-6 months – Drs. Sticco and Pillitteri
Urogynecology/Gyn Onc OR Rotation:
6 months – Drs. Keith Downing, Yi-Chun Lee and Jennifer McEachron
Sub-rotation: General Surgery:
3 months (2nd/4th Fridays Jan-Mar_ - Dr. Firas Bridges
Sub-rotation REI:
3 months (2nd & 3rd Wednesdays) – Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax
Urogynecology Office Rotation
6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing
Sub-rotation: General Surgery:
3 months (2nd/4th Fridays, Jan-Mar) - Dr. Firas Bridges
Sub-rotation: REI:
3 months (2 & 3rd Wednesdays) - Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax
Urogynecology Office Rotation:
6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing
- AAGLFMIGS Webinar Series
- AAGL FMIGS Required Readings (quarterly)
- Department Grand Rounds
- OB/GYN Residency Topic Review or Didactic Series
- Chairman’s Statistical Review
- ADC – Academic Development Committee
- Journal Club
- Core Competency Modules - AMA
- ACLS/BLS Certifications
- Thesis completed and submitted for publication before graduation from the program
- 2 Required courses in clinical research • 6 hours per year of research lectures
- At least one (1) IRB-approved research project relative to MIGS
- Complete a scholarly work by the end of one’s first year of training. This may include a surgical video, case report, review article, textbook chapter or hypothesis based research project
- Participation in Quality Improvement (QI) and Patient Safety Projects
Q: How can I apply to the fellowship program?
A: The Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Program accepts applications through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). For more information please send an email to fmigs@aagl.org.
Q: What Matches do you participate in?
A: Our fellowship program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Q: What is the minimum score requirements for the COMLEX or USLME exams?
A: Our program does not have a minimum score requirement for either the COMLEX or USMLE exams. We review all applications holistically and look for well-rounded applicants.
Q: How many fellows do you accept per year?
A: Each year we accept one (1) new fellow into our program, for a total of two (2) fellows in the program.
Q: When should I expect a response regarding my application?
A: Applications are typically reviewed beginning in June once programs received applications from the AAGL. Typically, between June-August applicants will be notified if selected for an interview.
Q: How many letters of recommendations do you require?
A: Three letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted when applying. It is preferred that one of these letters be submitted by your current or former program director and/or chairman of your department.
Q: What is your Accreditation status?
A: This fellowship is fully accredited through the AAGL.
Q: How is the educational component of your program structured?
A: Fellows have dedicated academic time on Fridays to support activities such as: Journal Club, faculty and subspecialist lectures and discussions, Tumor Board, Academic Development Committee, Chairman’s Statistical Review, Grand Rounds, PI Committee meetings, and scholarly activities. Fellows are required to participate in research and quality improvement (QI) projects as well as complete two assigned epidemiology research courses.
Q: Will I have the opportunity to work with medical students / residents?
A: Our fellows work with residents in our ACGME accredited Obstetrics and Gynecology Program as well as other visiting residents and medical students.
Q: What is the patient mix?
A: Our patients come from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, we treat and manage a broad range of gynecologic pathology.
Q: What are the research opportunities?
A: Research is a mandatory component to fellowship training. Additionally, all fellows are required to participate in scholarly activity. Please see the research section for more information on specific research requirements.
Q: Are there opportunities to teach?
A: Our fellows present didactic lectures to residents in our ACGME Obstetrics and Gynecology Program. Along with dedicated lectures, fellows also participate mentoring and resident simulation labs.
Q: Do you lose out by being at a community based academic hospital as opposed to a University hospital?
A: You receive the best of both worlds here at Good Sam. There is ample opportunity to interact with other fellows, residents, and teaching faculty, as well as with private attending physicians. Fellows are well respected by nurses and staff for their clinical skills and judgment throughout the hospital.
Q: Why should I choose this program?
A: There are many strong points in this program: the diverse patient mix, robust clinical experience, structured didactics, supportive attending physicians and of course the beautiful beaches of Long Island come to mind first.
Q: What makes Good Sam special?
A: Ask our fellows and they will tell you that the camaraderie between the fellows and the attending is truly what makes Good Sam special. They develop a unique bond not only with the other fellows but also residents in other programs as well. They support one another and really become like family.
Q: What is it like to live on Long Island?
A: Living on Long Island is great! Long Island is a 118 mile long stretch of diverse cultures, unique arts and entertainment, and just a quick drive or train ride away from New York City. Long Islanders enjoy four changing seasons with year round activities for all.
Q: Will I complete all of my training at Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center?
A: While our fellows primarily train at Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center, they occasionally see patients at the other five hospitals within the Catholic Health consortium.
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