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, as well as other facilities in Catholic Health system, for the most well-rounded fellowship possible.
  • DaVinci robotic-assisted surgery system — Receive training on both Si and Xi systems using a dual console that allows you and your instructor to work simultaneously.
  • 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 Laparoscopist (AAGL) and developed under the direction of Dr. Keith R. Downing.

Program Leadership

Keith Downing

Keith Downing, MD
Program Director

John Vullo, DO
Associate Program Director

Denise Fliedner

Denise Fliedner
Program Coordinator

Contact the Department of Medical Education for additional information on the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital.

Denise Fliedner, Program Coordinator
Good Samaritan University Hospital
Department of Medical Education
1000 Montauk Highway
West Islip, NY 11795
631-376-4163 - phone
631-376-3420 – fax
Denise.Fliedner@chsli.org

Leadership, Faculty, Fellows & Graduates

Keith Downing, MD, Program Director
 

Fellowship: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Undergraduate: Syracuse University
Hobbies/Interests: family, football, baseball
Interesting fact about me: Competed for starting quarterback at Syracuse University with Donovan McNabb

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
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY
Undergraduate: New York University, New York, NY
Board Certifications: Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG and ABOG)
Hobby: Gardening
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:

Veronica Galaviz, MD

  • Residency: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
  • Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate: University of New Mexico-Pre Med
  • Hometown: El Paso, TX

PGY 5:

Veronica Galaviz, MD

  • Residency: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
  • Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate: University of New Mexico-Pre Med
  • Hometown: Odessa, TX
  • Hobbies / Interests: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center - El Paso

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
  • Undergrad: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
  • Hometown: Irvine, CA
     


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.

2022:

Courtney R. Fox, MD

Residency: Orlando Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital, Orlando, Florida – OB/GYN
Medical School: University of Queensland, Ochsner Clinical School, Brisbane, Australia
Undergraduate: Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Westborough, Massachusetts

2021:

Salvatore Paolillo, MD

After Fellowship: The Kaldas Center-Appleton, Wisconsin
Residency: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Running, cooking and biking

2020:

Isabel Eisner, MD

After Fellowship: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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

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

  • PGY 1 $69,275
  • PGY 2 $72,365
  • PGY 3 $75,455
  • PGY 3 Chief $77,955
  • PGY 4 $78,545
  • PGY 4 Chief $81,045
  • PGY 5 $80,605
  • PGY 6 $82,665

Benefits 

  • Health and dental insurance
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Medical malpractice insurance
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • $900 CME conference stipend annually; increases to $1,900 CME conference stipend in final year of primary residency training
  • $2,400 meal stipend*
  • $3,000 housing stipend*
  • $1,000 travel stipend*
  • Free parking
  • Lab coats

*Included in salary

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)

Gynecologic Oncology

4 months

Urogynecology

4 months

Minimally Invasive Gynecology

4 months

Research

Weekly

General/Colorectal Surgery

1 month

PGY 6 (Year 2)

Gynecologic Oncology

4 months

Urogynecology

4 months

Minimally Invasive Gynecology

4 months

Research

Weekly

Educational objectives include the training of OB/GYN residents, enabling you to develop and master the ability to teach and mentor. Your clinical and teaching responsibilities progress throughout the fellowship. Dedicated academic time on Fridays include:

  • Academic development committee
  • Chairman’s statistical review
  • Faculty and subspecialist lectures and discussions
  • Grand rounds
  • Journal club
  • PI committee meetings
  • Scholarly activities
  • Tumor board

Didactic instruction also includes ongoing structured teaching conferences and seminars.

Research is a mandatory component to fellowship training. Fellows are required to participate in research and quality improvement (QI) projects, as well as complete two assigned epidemiology research courses. Fellows are also required to participate in scholarly activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Program accepts applications through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Email fmigs@aagl.org for more information.

Each year we accept one new fellow into our program for a total of two fellows in the program.

Typically, we review applications in early June, and notify you between June and August if selected for an interview.

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.

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.

Yes, our fellows work with residents in our OB/GYN Residency Program, which is accredited by ACGME, as well as other visiting residents and medical students.

While our fellows primarily train at Good Samaritan Hospital, they occasionally see patients at other Catholic Health hospitals across Long Island.

Our patients have a socioeconomic and ethnically diverse background. Additionally, we treat those with a broad range of gynecologic benign and gynecologic pathology.

Our fellows present didactic lectures to residents in our OB/GYN Residency Program. Along with dedicated lectures, fellows also participate in mentoring and resident simulation labs.

There are many strong aspects to our program: the diverse patient mix, robust clinical experience, structured didactics, supportive attending physicians and, of course, Long Island's beautiful beaches.

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.

Ask our fellows and they will tell you that the camaraderie between the fellows and the attending is truly what makes us special. They develop a unique bond with other fellows and residents in other programs. They support one another and become like family.