Program Description:

The overall goal of the Fellowship is for the graduate to serve as an independent specialist and consultant in the surgical management and techniques of advanced benign minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, surpassing the competence expected at the end of a categorical residency. Graduates will provide top quality patient care and education, and be leaders and innovators in gynecologic minimally invasive surgery and in the treatment of advanced gynecologic disorders such as uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and menopausal care management. They will have a broad understanding of advanced gynecologic disorders, especially ones that often end in a surgical intervention. In addition, they will have gained extensive surgical and clinical expertise that focuses not only on laparoscopic surgery but also on advanced abdominal and vaginal surgery. They will have gained an excellent understanding of research methodology and evidence-based practice principles.

Fellow progress is monitored during the entire 2-year period.  The graduating fellow is expected to become fully proficient in the following areas: management of complex benign and preinvasive gynecologic disease requiring surgical intervention; advanced knowledge of surgical techniques and equipment, pelvic anatomy and surgical outcomes. The fellowship will also focus on gaining expertise in robotic and traditional laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques. In addition, each fellow is expected to perform research which results in a thesis that meets board-certified requirements.

Research
A portion of the program will be devoted to clinical and/or laboratory research and fellows must conduct at least one research project under the guidance of a faculty who can mentor them in clinical research relevant to minimally invasive gynecology. The faculty consists of board certified and fellowship-trained specialists in the following areas: Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Urogynecology, Colorectal Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Rotations
While rotating on the inpatient gynecology service, the fellow will act in a supervisory role in patient care, clinical decision making, and resident physician management. They will also run morning teaching rounds on a daily basis and will actively supervise and contribute to patient management. On this service, they will also staff inpatient consults as well as preoperative and postoperative care under attending supervision. Additionally, fellows gain experience with frequent, active educational activities for residents and students. They will be primarily responsible for weekly Gynecologic Oncology Rounds, which will involve a curriculum containing a variety of simulation, didactic, and journal club activities.

In addition, they will obtain experience treating complex gynecologic problems in a nonsurgical manner including refractory abnormal uterine bleeding, cervical dysplasia, endometrial pathology, adnexal masses, and chronic pelvic pain. Additionally, fellows gain experience and become comfortable with office procedures including simple and complex hysteroscopy.

Fellows will gain ample experience with preoperative counseling and preoperative decision making as well as surgical aspects of reproductive endocrinology, including complex uterine pathology and Müllerian anomalies.

Each rotation will have approximately two days each week dedicated to operative experience. They will obtain sufficient breadth and depth of gynecologic cases to encompass a wide array of pathology, operative techniques and clinical competencies. They will also obtain experience

The Department of OBGYN has strong resources and extensive experience in clinical research. Faculty provide robust mentorship, and the fellowship director and associate director—both well published—offer additional guidance. Translational research support is also available through the Rudy L. Ruggles Biomedical Research Institute (RRBRI), which promotes collaboration across diverse scientific disciplines.

Danbury Hospital has a comprehensive, quality simulation center geared toward surgical training of fellows. The Center includes computerized laparoscopic simulators and a high-fidelity robotic stimulator. These tools are open to our fellows 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the Center includes equipment for a clinical case simulation. The Horblit Health Sciences Library & Multimedia Services Department is staffed by three Masters level librarians and a multimedia coordinator. In addition to a robust clinical program, the MIGS fellows will devote six months to research and have many opportunities to present at local and national meetings as well as publish original research.

Our program recruits one fellow every 2 years and will be again recruiting for Academic Year 2026-27.  Please review important dates on AAGL’s website:  CBGF Fellowship Applications | Apply for 2026 | AAGL

• CV
• Three current letters of recommendation
• A personal statement
• USMLE Step 3 Score
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
• Official copy of USMLE step 3 score (required)
• Photo
• Your residency ACGME case list

In addition, prospective candidates are expected to register with the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).  Interviews are by invitation only.

The program does not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, disability or national origin.