Creighton University
Program Director: Alan G. Thorson, M.D.
9850 Nicholas Street, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68114-3419
Phone: (402) 343-1122; Fax (402) 343-1177
Email: crspecialists@msn.com
Web site: http://www.creighton.edu/Surgery/
Number of Residents (per year): 1
Number of Faculty (ABCRS Certified): 5
University Affiliation: Creighton University
Salary/Year: PGY6=$51,821 PGY7=$53,766
Case mix/number of cases: Each year the Colon and Rectal surgery service performs 900 anorectal cases, over 1,500 colonoscopic examinations and over 500 abdominal colon operations. Out of these cases, the residents' experience over the years has shown they average approximately 300 anorectal cases, 300 colonoscopic examinations and 200 abdominal colon resections (30% laparoscopic) each year. These numbers include a large variety of cases involving routine and complex problems and utilizing latest technology such as transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), artificial bowel sphincter and intra-operative radiation.
Strengths of program: The program is a broad based program centered at Creighton University with widespread community hospital support. It includes a complete Anorectal Physiology Laboratory. All endoscopic training is done by the colon and rectal surgery staff. There is no reliance on gastroenterology staff for any of this training. The program actively participates in a number of clinical trials.
Clinic or office experience: The resident is required to attend offices an average of 6 hours per week through the private practice offices of the Colon and Rectal Surgery faculty.
Interaction with general surgery residents: The Colon and Rectal surgery resident acts as a junior staff member to the general surgery residents on service at the teaching hospital for Creighton University. All surgery elsewhere is done only with colon and rectal surgery residents. Medical students from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center rotate through the colon and rectal surgery service.
Conferences: Weekly conferences include review of all patients being studied in the Physiology Laboratory, a teaching conference which utilizes one of the major colon and rectal surgery texts as a basis for discussion, and a journal club. A required three month weekly course in gastrointestinal pathology taught by a gastrointestinal pathologist is offered in the spring of each year. Numerous other conferences are available including frequent guest lecturers representing expertise in various fields of medicine.
Anorectal physiology availability: A fully functional lab offers anorectal manometry, anorectal EMG, transanal and transrectal ultrasound, and dynamic proctography (combined with peritoneography) in the evaluation of pelvic floor disorders. All of the physiology laboratory tests including dynamic proctography are done by the colon and rectal surgery faculty, staff and residents.
Outside rotations: None are offered.
Research year: A research year is available and fully encouraged. Most residents spend one year doing research.
Requirement for paper: Although not considered a formal requirement, we assume that residents will complete several papers during the year.
Opportunity to attend meetings: Residents are expected to attend the meeting of the ASCRS. Opportunities to attend other meetings are contingent upon papers being accepted for presentation at those meetings.