Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency

University of Illinois College of Medicine/Carle Foundation

The CRS Fellowship program affiliated with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign was established in 1974 when the first two fellows were admitted and trained.  Now in its 30^th year, our accredited program continues to accept two residents per academic year.

The program has two attendings on staff and incorporates all facets of colon and rectal surgery.  The clinical and operative experience is established by assigning each fellow to a specific attending for one-month rotations.  During this period, the fellow is exposed to the day-to-day clinical aspects of colon and rectal surgery.  He/she participates in the pre-and post-operative management as well as the operative management of major and minor colon and rectal procedures.  The endoscopic experience is derived from 1) flexible sigmoidoscopies performed in the clinic and bedside, and 2) colonoscopies performed on patients seen in either the clinic or as a hospital consults in the special procedure lab.  The resident is expected to establish a schedule for experience in the anorectal physiology lab, participating in anorectal manometry, biofeedback and endoanal and endorectal ultrasound with the colon and rectal attendings and a registered nurse.  Resident experience with stoma placement and management is also provided by an enterostomal nurse.

The academic aspect of colon and rectal surgery includes weekly conferences on Tuesday morning.  Initially, a patient care conference is held to discuss current hospitalized patients, social or nursing issues, new or old consults, and operative procedures during the week.  This conference is attended by the nurse manager, case coordinator, the enterostomal therapist for the colon and rectal floor, and other appropriate people.  The next couple of hours are devoted to selected colon and rectal issues, which include fellow presentations on required topics, guest lecturers, attending lectures and CARSEP discussions.  In addition, weekly pathology sessions are held at which pathological specimens are reviewed in a teaching conference with the pathologist.  Other academic requirements include a brief paper for submission to the Carle Selected Papers, a research paper, and paper written by all colon and rectal fellows, which is published yearly as “Selected Topics in Colon and Rectal Surgery”.  The residents are encouraged to provide lectures or case discussions for the Family Practice and Internal Medicine Resident lecture series as well as for the nurses’ In-service Education.

Each resident should expect to accumulate approximately 150-175 major procedures including 5-10 ileoanal pouches; 100-125 minor anorectal procedures; 150 colonoscopies; and 400-500 flexible sigmoidoscopies.

The affiliation with the UICOM-UC provides interaction and assistance with teaching medical students, and thus allows for a clinical teaching appointment.  In addition, residencies in Family Practice, OMFS and Internal Medicine render an academic atmosphere in all areas of patient management.

Graduates are in solo or group private practice, academic institution, managed care and military service; and several continue to be involved in surgical education or surgical residencies.

Salary:            $52,500

Moving Expenses:  Up to $1000 reimbursed with receipts

Disability:
Short Term Disability is provided through contract as a salary guarantee through end of the contract year.  Information on how to purchase Long Term Disability through Carle is available from Hospital Personnel.

Health & Dental Plans:
Effective first day of residency.  Health and Dental insurance plan at no cost to employee and dependents.

Tax Deferred Annuity:
All residents are eligible for payroll deduction, prior to the computation of taxes, for purchase of an annuity.  Employee chooses type and size.

Three Lab Coats with Name and Scrubs

Life Insurance:
Residents receive term life of $75,000.  Additional $5,000 for spouse and $2,500 for children to age 19 or 23 if full-time resident.

Malpractice Insurance: Including tail insurance

Meals on Call

ACLS and ATLS courses as needed

Vacation:
Annual paid vacation of two (2) weeks or ten (10) working days

Miscellaneous:
Direct Deposit  Paychecks may be deposited directly into savings or checking account.

Credit Union  Membership available for employees.

Employee Assistance - provides professional counseling to employees                    

Employee Health  - provides medical care when needed due to work related injuries.

Fitness Center   $10 initial fee and $5/payperiod for individuals; $20 fee and $7.50/ per pay period for families.

IMPE - University of Illinois Faculty Status Card allows you to use this facility.

Discounts:
Carle Rx Express: 15%(over the counter and most prescriptions)
Carle Clinic Optical: 20% (if eye ware paid in full when picked up)
Cafeteria: 30%
Carle Medical Supply: 15%
The Caring Place Day Care: 10%
Carle Medical Supply: 15%                

Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Agreement

Click here for a copy of the agreement.