FSF Welcomes New Board President Dr. Dennis L. Fowler; Increasing Funding for Surgical Fellowships Among Top Priorities

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Foundation For Surgical Fellowships

Jul 30, 2013, 03:00 ET


Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 30, 2013 -- The Foundation for Surgical Fellowships (FSF) announced today the election of Dennis L. Fowler, M.D., M.P.H., as its new president.

“I am honored to take on this role at FSF at this critical juncture,” Dr. Fowler said. “With emerging new technologies on the rise and the need for advanced surgical training never more important, my goal will be to significantly increase funding for fellowships that will train current and future surgeons to deliver the highest quality surgical care and state of the art procedures to patients.” Dr. Fowler is currently the Gerald and Janet Carrus Professor of Surgical Science at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Fowler’s research interests include surgical outcomes research, education/simulation research, and the development and testing of healthcare technology.

Under Dr. Fowler’s leadership, FSF will continue to serve as the preeminent funder of surgical fellowships in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, and Hepato-Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, while continuing significant support for fellowships in Colon & Rectal Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Robotic Surgery.

“Dr. Fowler played a key role in the early development and expansion of minimally invasive surgical methods,” said Dr. Greg V. Stiegmann, FSF Founder and Immediate Past President. “It is important to note that without the funding from FSF, the majority of surgeons currently receiving funding to train as fellows in these life saving techniques would not be properly trained. Dr. Fowler’s extensive experience as a surgical educator and his thorough understanding of the importance of fellowship training in the context of the current surgical residency structure make him an ideal leader for the Foundation,” Dr. Stiegmann added.

In 2012, more than 9 million dollars was distributed to 145 qualified postgraduate Surgical Fellowship training opportunities across the country. FSF strives to secure the funds necessary to support innovative postgraduate training that will greatly improve the care of surgery patient.

About FSF
The Foundation for Surgical Fellowships exists to fund high quality fellowships in various areas of surgery, including but not limited to flexible endoscopy, minimal access surgery and other related disciplines. Through a blinded application and review process, the Foundation will identify and distribute funds to qualified organizations based on criteria of excellence. The Foundation for Surgical Fellowships will promote and support the continued availability of postgraduate surgical training opportunities of the highest quality.

Adeena Bleich, Foundation For Surgical Fellowships, http://www.surgicalfellowships.org, 310-437-0555 141, [email protected]