2018 – Another Big Year for FMIGS

It is with great humility that I started work this year as your Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (FMIGS) Board President. The importance of our fellowship training can’t be understated. Departments are adding minimally invasive divisions and faculty, the number of fellowship programs continues to increase, and FMIGS remains the most competitive of Ob/Gyn programs in the NRMP match, which speaks to the growing appreciation of the value of advanced training in benign gynecologic surgery. Having served on this board for the past four years, I’ve witnessed exciting changes as we continue to enhance program qualifications and work toward a focused practice recognition.

This year I have the privilege of working with a tremendously talented group on the Board. In addition to AAGL’s Executive Director, Linda Michels, and our Medical Director, Dr. Frank Loffer, the 2018 group includes: Dr. Javier Magrina, Immediate Past-President; Dr. Ted Anderson, Vice President; Dr. Amanda Yunker, Secretary-Treasurer; Dr. Gretchen Makai, Program Director Representative; Dr. Noah Rindos, Fellow Representative; Dr. Nicole Donnellan, Director; Dr. Hye-Chun Hur, Director; Dr. Cara King, Director; and Dr. Nash Moawad, Director.

When I’m not in the OR, running is another passion of mine. Here I am at the New York City Marathon in 2017.

I’d like to acknowledge the important work of our committees as well: Assessment (Dr. Cara King, Chair); Audit (Dr. David Eisenstein, Chair); Bylaws (Dr. David Olive, Chair); Case Review (Dr. Hye-Chun Hur, Chair); Communications (Dr. Amanda Yunker, Chair); Curriculum Standardization (Dr. Sangeeta Senapati, Chair); Education (Dr. Arnie Advincula and Dr. Ted Lee, Chair and Co-Chair); Finance (Dr. Amanda Yunker, Chair); Grievance (Dr. Bethany Skinner, Chair); International Fellowship (Dr. Magdy Milad, Chair); Liaison (Dr. Ted Anderson, Chair), Nominations (Dr. Javier Magrina, Chair); Research (Dr. Kim Kho, Chair); Site Review and Compliance (Dr. Magdy Milad, Chair); Young Alumni Network (Dr. Megan Wasson and Dr. Ade Oshinowo, Chair and Co-Chair). Some highlights of these groups’ work include working ever-closer to a boarded recognition, developing another successful surgical boot camp, incorporating milestones into fellow feedback using myTIPreport.org, collaborating research efforts through the Fellows Pelvic Research Network, and providing mentorship through the newly-established Young Alumni Network.

Teaching fellows and residents with FMIGS alumni faculty at the annual boot camp is always a highlight of the year.

Finally, the Board approved incorporating FMIGS as a professional interest partner of AAGL. There has always been a strong relationship between the fellowship and our parent organization and we anticipate formalizing this affiliation will continue to improve coordinated efforts in achieving our mutual goals of educating trainees and ultimately improving women’s health through excellence in gynecologic surgery.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I’m excited for the work ahead and always open to hearing input and advice from our members.