Colon and Rectal Surgery
Since 1976, the Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency at William Beaumont Hospital has provided broad, clinical training in this specialty at one of the nation's premier hospitals. A well-balanced exposure to surgical procedures, endoscopy and office practice is provided. This includes training in laparoscopic surgery, anal physiology and management of inflammatory bowel disease.

One strength of our program is the balanced training provided in each of these important aspects of colon and rectal surgery. This leads to a resident well-trained in surgery and endoscopy. Opportunities for clinical research lead to opportunities in academic medicine as well as private clinical practice.

Goals and Objectives
The primary goal of the Colon and Rectal Surgical Residency is to develop excellent colon and rectal surgeons who are capable of thriving in both the clinical and academic environment. Our strength as a training program is providing sufficient numbers of varied surgical and endoscopic cases to allow development of excellent skill in those areas. Knowledge is also gained in the clinic and office settings such that outpatient problems can be competently managed. Didactic conferences and Journal Club help the trainee to gain the level of clinical knowledge to complement procedural skills.

Patient Population
Beaumont cares for a unique population of cancer patients. We are one of the largest health care providers in our state and attract a large number of newly diagnosed cancer patients from self-referrals as well as tertiary referrals to our center. Our patients are ethnically diverse, representing the broad spectrum of cultures from the northern Detroit suburbs and outlying communities.

Curriculum
The academic curriculum is based on the "Core Curriculum for Colon and Rectal Surgery; Knowledge Essentials for Residency Training" developed by the Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal surgery.

The colon and rectal surgical resident leads the Colon and Rectal Surgical Service at Beaumont Hospital. This provides for training in inpatient and outpatient surgical and endoscopic procedures. The resident staffs the Outpatient Clinic, under supervision of attending staff, where patients with colon and rectal surgical problems are seen on referral from other resident clinics. Time is spent each week in the private office of an attending colon and rectal surgeon for exposure to office practice as well as the business aspects of running a private medical practice.

Didactics
A weekly educational conference is provided by the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Presentations include core curricular topics as well as Interesting Case Presentations, Morbidity and Mortality presentations and a monthly Tumor Board. Weekly, a GI Radiology Conference is sponsored by the Department of Radiology and a GI Pathology Conference is presented by the Department of Pathology. A Journal Club is held monthly.

The colon and rectal surgical resident is also invited to attend the various conferences presented by the Department of Surgery as he/she finds appropriate.

Research
A research project is required for completion of the program. Recent poster and podium presentations have been made at the meetings of the Michigan Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery, as well as the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery. This includes a poster presentation honored with the Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery award in 2000.

Ongoing research projects offer immediate opportunities for each resident. Ample clinical material allows for a wide spectrum of potential clinical research projects.

Outcomes
All graduates of the Beaumont residency in colon and rectal surgery have been certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. This accomplishment speaks to the quality of the educational program.

Graduates of our program are practicing colon and rectal surgery in such diverse geographical sites as Tennessee, Texas and Missouri, and as faculty members at William Beaumont Hospital.

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This article is reposted with thanks to William Beaumont Hospital.