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Medical College of Wisconsin Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery Fellowship

MIGS Faculty

Welcome to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Advanced GI/MIS and bariatric surgery fellowship program!

The MCW Advanced GI/MIS and bariatric surgery fellowship program provides a variety of outstanding training opportunities and is accredited by the Fellowship Council. Our shared program goal is to provide our fellow with:

  1. exceptional operative and technical skill development and evidence-based clinical care acquisition in minimally invasive approaches to bariatric, foregut, and hernia surgery. 

  2. academic research opportunities that contribute to the advancement, quality, and safety of the field of minimally invasive bariatric, foregut, and hernia surgery.

  3. professional development as an educator and teacher of minimally invasive bariatric, foregut and hernia surgery to residents, students, staff and public.

Our fellowship has evolved substantially since its inception in 2003. Our division has grown in recent years, and the variety, volume, and complexity of cases and experiences available to a fellow has expanded as well. The Advanced GI/MIS and bariatric surgery fellow at MCW is appointed as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery and will collaborate with all our surgeons in the Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Our surgeons perform a wide variety of cases. These include minimally invasive foregut procedures (fundoplication, re-operative anti-reflux surgery, paraesophageal hernia repair, surgical and endoscopic treatment of achalasia), bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional surgery for weight regain and complications), and hernia repair (abdominal wall reconstruction, ventral and inguinal hernia repair). The fellow will get exposure in all domains of surgical technique including laparoscopic, robotic and open approaches. Opportunities also exist for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. For updated case volumes of recent fellows, please visit the Fellowship Council website at: Fellowship Council - Display Listing.

Research and Education

As a part of the Medical College of Wisconsin, the MIS/bariatric surgery fellow will be a part of all that a teaching hospital has to offer including working with General Surgery residents who will assist with the care of your patients. You will also have the opportunity to teach and guide medical students through their rotation.

The fellow will be engaged in clinical research, surgical quality research, and/or surgical education research. It is expected that the fellow travel to present his/her research at one or more national meeting(s). The Division of Minimally Invasive and Gastrointestinal Surgery Research Program is structured to facilitate the research initiatives and provides outstanding support to the fellow. Our research support includes engaged faculty mentorship, dedicated research coordinators, and statisticians who are available to assist the fellow with research endeavors.

As part of the Medical College of Wisconsin, our division currently performs collaborative research with the Clinical and Translational Research Institute of Southeastern Wisconsin (CTSI), MCW Cardiovascular Center, and Children's Research Institute. Wet and dry labs are provided through the Biomedical Research Center. Current research projects include: (1) microbiome mediated mechanisms for cardiovascular disease improvement after bariatric surgery (basic science and clinical), (2) social determinants of health related to bariatric surgery outcomes, (3) robotic curriculum and education development for residents, (4) hospital and statewide surgical quality improvement, and (5) hernia and new device-related clinical trials. Our faculty members have society and NIH-research funding as well as participate in industry-sponsored trials.

 

Why become a fellow at MCW?

As a major academic medical center, and the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area, the Medical College of Wisconsin is a distinguished leader in the advanced training of physicians, researchers, pharmacists and health professionals. Together with its top-tier partner institutions, the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH) puts you at the forefront of advancement that’s improving the vitality of society.
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Our Team

Meeting the faculty, advanced practice providers, and program staff.

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Current and Former Fellows

Meet our current Fellow and see what our past Fellows are up to.

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Minimally Invasive Surgery Division Team dinner 2021

MCW as Family!

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Benefits

 

Reasons to live in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why MCW residents and fellows take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

Contact Information

Andrew Kastenmeier, MD
Andrew Kastenmeier, MD
Program Director
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Tammy Kindel, MD, PhD
Associate Director
Keri Blaszczynski
Program Coordinator
(414) 955-1769
(414) 955-0085 (fax)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Division of General Surgery
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226