Currently few, if any, laparoscopic bariatric surgery training opportunities exist that bridge the gap between introductory training and actual clinical practice. This oportunity provides a focused and concentrated training experience under the preceptorship of Ali Aminian, MD. 

Under the Surgery Hands-on T raining Pathway, you will achieve baseline competency (not necessarily proficiency) in laparoscopic bariatric surgery in order to begin a safe clinical and operative practice. 

This training will also give you a basic understanding of preoperative and postoperative management concepts.

Velow are various options for the CAST Surgery Hands-on Training Pathway. For the Preceptorship Pathway, we will closely with you to make sure all of your needs are met.

One-week Freshen-Up Course* 

• Scrub in for eight to 12 bariatric procedures 
• Spend one day in clinic 
• Manage eight to 12 pre/postoperative patients 
• Manage eight to 12 inpatients 
• Attend one hour of didactic conference 
• Cover bariatric operative and perioperative management topics

*To attend this course, you must have completed more than 100 bariatric surgery cases. 

Two-week Course 

• Scrub in for 15-20 bariatric procedures 
• Spend two days in clinic 
• Manage 15 to 20 pre/postoperative patients 
• Manage 15 to 20 inpatients 
• Attend four hours of didactic conference 
• Cover bariatric operative and perioperative management topics

Four-week Course 

• Scrub in for 30-35 bariatric procedures 
• Spend four days in clinic 
• Manage 30 to 35 pre/postoperative patients 
• Manage 30 to 35 inpatients 
• Attend six hours of didactic conference 
• Cover bariatric operative and perioperative management topics

Six- to Eight-week Course 

• Scrub in for 50-55 bariatric procedures 
• Spend six days in clinic 
• Manage 50 to 55 pre/postoperative patients 
• Manage 50 to 55 inpatients 
• Attend eight to 10 hours of didactic conference 
• Cover bariatric operative and perioperative management topics

Please note: Case volume is estimated and may vary depending on scheduling and staff availability.

Applicants must: 

• Be licensed in the state of Ohio or eligible to obtain a Special Activities Permit from the Ohio State Medical Board (Applicants for the Surgery Hands-on Training pathways only)
• Be board-certified or board-eligible in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery 
• Have completed an ACGME-approved residency in General Surgery 
• Have experience in advanced laparoscopy including but not limited to laparoscopic fundoplication, colectomy, splenectomy and hernia repair 
• Have practicing privileges in their home institutions

International Applicants:

• To participate, non-citizen physicians can participate without Clinic visa sponsorship if they have unrestricted U.S. employment authorization, e.g. lawful permanent resident (green card); Temporary Protected Status; Temporary Resident Status, Refugee or Asylee status, or any other status which authorizes the non-citizen physician to work without employer sponsorship.
• If you do have current U.S. employment authorization, as an international physician, you must also be ECFMG certified, having taken USMLE 1-3, in order to participate.
• If you only have ECFMG, then you will need to have actively practiced medicine in the U.S. for the last 2 years, or have been in an ACGME training program within the last 2 years.
• If you have not done either of those items, then you must complete all parts of USMLE to be eligible for Special Activities License.
• If you meet these qualificiations, then we can proceed with your application for the CAST program.
• If not, you will be directed to the International Observership program and they will be able to explain the opportunities available to you there.

Trainees can schedule to attend from 1 to 8 weeks.

• Hands-on Training - $5000/week
• Preceptorship Training - $2500/week
• Hybrid Training - $5000/week

**Please note that you will have the option to split up your training weeks throughout the year, if necessary.

**In the event that you need to cancel after payment has been received, application has been approved, and onboarding has begun, you will incur a cancellation fee of 30% of your tuition. The remaining balance (70%) will be reimbursed back to you.

The first step is to complete and submit this pre-application form. 

Our office will contact you shortly thereafter.