Thomas C. King Surgical Education Fellowship

About the Fellowship

The Thomas C. King Surgical Education Fellowship at Columbia University offers a one- or two-year opportunity for general surgery residents interested in academic surgical careers with a strong focus on medical education, curriculum development, and research. Fellows work under the mentorship of Dr. Cary Aarons, Vice Chair for Education and Program Director of the General Surgery Residency program, and Dr. Roman Nowygrod.

This flexible program provides exposure to undergraduate and graduate surgical education, faculty development, and education research while allowing fellows to tailor their experience based on individual interests. Past fellows have pursued concurrent certifications in public health and surgical science. Fellows will receive a salary equivalent to their postgraduate year (PGY) level. 

Fellowship Responsibilities

Medical Student Education

Fellows play a key role in the third- and fourth-year surgical clerkships, overseeing educational initiatives and student support. Responsibilities include:

  • In conjunction with the clerkship coordinator, organize third-year medical students general surgery rotation, including orientation, suturing sessions, student placements, and delivering relevant lectures
  • In conjunction with the clerkship coordinator, organize fourth-year Columbia and VSLO medical students general surgery sub-internships
  • Serve as a member of the grading committee, reviewing clerkship evaluations and exam performance to ensure fair and comprehensive assessment of medical students at the end of their rotation
  • Manage end-of-rotation assessments, including their clinical skills exam/OSCE
  • Conduct end of clerkship exit interviews and gather student feedback to improve clerkship
  • Participate in Ready for Residency (R4R) Bootcamp for graduating students, including lectures and advanced suturing and laparoscopy skills.
  • Participate on VP&S committees to further develop curricula
  • Participate or lead new educational initiatives as related to medical student education

Resident Education

The fellow will also support house staff education and professional development through:

  • In conjunction with the education chiefs (PGY5s), organize didactic sessions and simulation curriculum throughout the year
  • Schedule and organize ABSITE review sessions and lead practice question sessions
  • In coordination with the administrative chiefs, coordinate and help run Intern Bootcamp
  • Participate or lead new educational initiatives as related to resident education

Scholarly Curriculum

Fellows will participate in curriculum development, scholarly projects, faculty meetings, and hospital-wide initiatives to advance surgical education, including:

  • Monthly Clerkship Directors Meetings and VP&S assessment committees.
  • Dean's Advisory Meetings to discuss medical student success and career planning.

Fellows will engage in a structured scholarly curriculum designed to develop expertise in surgical education research, curriculum development, and leadership which can be tailored to the individual fellows needs and interests. 

This includes participation in the Association for Surgical Education (ASE) Surgical Education Research Fellowship, equipping fellows with the skills to design, implement, and publish educational research. Additional training opportunities include the CUIMC Educator Development Certificate and the Center for Teaching and Learning Summer Institute, focusing on inclusive teaching, curricular development, and clinical feedback. Fellows will also attend the ACS Residents as Teachers and Leaders Course to refine teaching strategies and leadership skills. 

Networking opportunities include engagement with Columbia’s Science of Learning Research Initiative (SOLER), Michigan’s CSTAR research meetings, Collaboration of Surgical Education Fellows (CoSEF), providing access to peer mentorship, journal clubs, and research collaborations. 

Attendance at national conferences such as Surgical Education Week (ASE/APDS) and the ACS Surgical Simulation Summit is encouraged, offering opportunities for abstract submission, scholarly presentations, and professional development.

Application Information

General surgery residents at an accredited ACGME program, who have finished at least two clinical years, can apply for the position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit:

  • A CV
  • A personal statement describing their interest in surgical education and career goals
  • +/- Two letters of recommendation

For inquiries, please contact Doris Leddy at dl642@cumc.columbia.edu

Program Fellows:

  • Ayodeji K. Folarin, MD (2025-present)
  • Caitlin Silvestri, MD (2023-2025)
  • Sophie E. Mayeux, MD (2022-2023)
  • Emaad J. Iqbal, MD (2021-2022)
  • Elizaveta Minko, MD (2020-2021)
  • Jake G. Prigoff, MD (2019-2020)
  • Karan Grover, MD, PharmD (2018-2019)
  • Brendan F. Scully, MD (2017-2018)
  • Anne C. Onishi, MD (2016-2017)
  • Gregory Charak, MD (2015-2016)
  • Christine Hsieh, MD (2014-2015)
  • Peter Downey, MD (2013-2014)
  • Abbey L. Fingeret, MD (2012-2013)
  • Ana Berlin, MD, MPH (2010-2012)