University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine

Program Director:  Glenn T. Ault, MD, MSEd
Division of Colorectal Surgery
1441 Eastlake Avenue #7418
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 442-4093
 

Number of Residents (per year):  2

Number of Faculty (ABCRS Certified):  4

Salary/Year:  $65,000 + benefits

Case mix/number of cases: Anorectal - 155, Endoscopy - 250, Colon/Rectal - 175
The anorectal and colon cases include a broad mix of both routine and complex procedures as well as laparoscopic versus open procedures. The resident is expected to identify the problems, arrive at a diagnosis, perform the surgical procedure, and follow the patient postoperatively. Unlike many programs where the fellowship is primarily preceptorial, the resident has primary responsibility for the running of the colorectal service at L.A. County Hospital with in-house supervision from the faculty.

Strengths of program:  This is an academically oriented program that offers broad experience in continence preserving colonic procedures. In addition, there is an AIDS Colorectal clinic where patients with HIV associated anorectal problems are managed. The program offers the breadth of colorectal surgery and its affiliating institutions consist of a large County Hospital, a University Referral Center Hospital, and a Cancer Center. An anorectal physiology laboratory including three-dimensional ultrasound is also part of this program. Aggressive surgical management including continence preserving management for recurrent rectal cancer characterizes the program. There is an integrated research program including health sciences research, gene therapy, colonic physiology, laparoscopic physiology, and laparoscopic cancer management.

Clinic & Office Experience:  There is a weekly clinic at the L.A. County Hospital in which 70 patients are seen. There are several weekly private clinics where patients are seen as well. Office exposure is provided to allow the resident broad experience in preoperative, postoperative and outpatient care.

Interaction with general surgery residents:  There is a full general surgical residency program at the University of Southern California. The colorectal fellow supervises the colorectal service at L.A. County Hospital. The service is supported by a surgical residents, a physician assistant and a nurse for ancillary support and has medical students.  The academic practice rotation includes a Nurse Practitioner and an intern. The colorectal resident is expected to be active in the teaching of residents and students. No in-house night call is required for the colorectal fellow.

Conferences:  Anorectal and colonic physiology, research conference, weekly colorectal case review conference, multidisciplinary GI tumor board, colorectal journal club monthly, general surgical M&M conference weekly, general surgical Grand Rounds weekly, biweekly colorectal pathology conference. Visiting Professors provide colorectal symposiums two times a year. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in weekly GI grand rounds as well as bi-monthly IBD conference.

Research year:  Available.  This research year can be coupled with being the Ano-rectal Physiology fellow.

Elective rotation: Available upon request.

Requirement for paper: All residents are expected to participate in scholarly activity, which is a requirement for graduation.  Scholarly activity includes a research paper, a book chapter, literature review, and presentation at local or national meetings.

Opportunity to attend meetings: The Division funds attendance to the annual ASCRS Meeting and any other meetings at which a paper is presented. The Division also funds participation in laparoscopic surgery course sponsored by the program directors association.