Cleveland Clinic Florida

Program Director: Eric G. Weiss, M.D.
2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
Weston, FL 33331
Phone: (954) 659-5240 Fax: (954) 659-5757

Email: quintam@ccf.org   
Web site: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/florida/research/residency/colorectal.htm

Number of Residents (per year): 5

Number of Faculty (ABCRS Certified): 7

Salary/Year: PGY 6=$52,649; PGY 7=$54,188

Case mix/number of cases: Cases cover the gamut of both routine and complex abdominal and anorectal diseases. Each resident performs approximately 200 to 250 abdominal colon cases (including 50-75 laparoscopic procedures) and 150-250 anorectal cases. Colonoscopic volume ranges between 200 and 300 cases per resident, more than one fourth of which are therapeutic.

Strengths of program: The size of the program enables daily interaction among the staff, the clinical residents, research residents and fellows, the enterostomal therapists, nurse clinicians, 1 clinical nurse, and a PA. There are 10 rotations of approximately 5 weeks each. Each rotation is repeated 2 times during the year. Each resident is assigned to a specific staff member per rotation while at the Weston facility. Each resident will also spend 2 rotations in Naples in a similar rotation format working with 2 colorectal surgeons at that site. Other strengths include the strong commitment to didactic education and to the support of publications and presentation by the resident staff. In terms of case mix, the strengths are inflammatory bowel disease, functional disorders, and laparoscopy.

Clinic or office experience: Each resident spends a minimum of three one-half days in the office each week. This exposes the residents to all facets of the preoperative and postoperative care as well as intraoperative and in hospital post-operative care.

Interaction with general surgery residents: There are no general surgery residents. Therefore, there is no competition for cases.

Conferences: The 16 conferences held each month include colorectal pathology, colorectal radiology, colorectal/gastroenterology journal club, tumor conference, colorectal morbidity and mortality, colorectal physiology patient presentations, research forum, anorectal physiology interpretation, grand rounds, as well as visiting professors four times per year.

Anorectal physiology availability: Intensive exposure includes manometry, rectal volume analysis, anal ultrasonography, concentric and single fiber EMG, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency evaluation, cinedefecography, colonic transit study, small bowel transit study, biofeedback, and mucosal electrophysiology study. All studies are performed by the residents with staff supervision.

Outside rotations: Can be arranged upon request.

Research year available: Yes.

Requirement for paper: All residents will participate in research and at least one research project.

Opportunity to attend meetings: Attendance at the Annual International Colorectal Disease Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale and for any presentations are supported by the program.