Bethlehem, PA
Number of Positions Offered: 1
Mastery in General Surgery Program Chief
James Cipolla, MD, FACS
james.cipolla@sluhn.org
Additional Information
St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem Campus
801 Ostrum St.
Bethlehem, PA 18015
484-526-2200
Administrative Contact
Jodi Stoudt MBA
Jodi.stoudt@sluhn.org
484-526-3720
Website
St. Luke's University Hospital
Rotations include General Surgery, Trauma, Rural Surgery, and electives available in Urology, ENT, Colorectal, CT, Thoracic, Pediatric. All rotations take place at St. Luke’s University Hospital, however, mentors are available across the system. An optional international rotation in Cameroon is also available.
While some rotations may not have residents, the Junior Associate would be expected to perform at least 75% of a general surgery case they staff independently. The Junior Associate will also be expected to be the primary surgeon on some cases and teach the junior residents who will be assisting. Any case that is scrubbed by the Junior Associate would be coupled with the pre- and post-op decision making using a graduated autonomy model.
Rotations include:
- General Surgery/Acute Care Surgery at Bethlehem Site - 4-6 months
- Trauma - 1 month
- Rural Surgery - St. Luke's Miners Hospital, Coaldale, PA - 2 months
- Electives - Urology, ENT, Colorectal, CT, Thoracic, Pediatric - 1-2 months
- International Rotation in Mbingo, Cameroon (optional) - 1-2 months
- General Surgery - St. Luke's Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg, NJ - 1-2 months
If chosen, the international rotation provides a fully independent opportunity (Supervisor is on site) to take care of diseases that present at later stages and require unique decision-making skills as resources are allocated much differently. It also provides unique technical challenges as all procedures, of all specialties, are primarily performed by the Junior Associate.
Along with the Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE), an intake discussion with the Junior Associate will allow them to voice areas where they may need additional focus. With that information, the program will be tailored to meet those needs. Our network of hospitals in varying geographic locations allow us to create rotations and mentorships that can be focused on the identified needs.
The Junior Associate will be evaluated using a graduated autonomy model. Once baseline skills and knowledge base are assessed, the Junior Associate will be asked to provide treatment plans and algorithms for each contact. As they increase their comfort with patient types and procedures, they will be given opportunities to make independent choices for the care of their patients. The ultimate goal is to have the Junior Associate manage a large (>20 pt) service with minimal input from the Senior Associates. Also, technical goals would be geared to the ability to perform complex, re-operative cases as the primary attending, without a senior resident, and to perform basic cases with non-physician assistants. The Junior Associate will take call with a Senior Associate in close proximity. The goal will be to take independent call by the end of the program year.
A competency-based evaluation tool will be used for monthly feedback. Additionally, there is a daily feedback morning report venue where the entire staff review the service and admissions from the previous day. Mid-year and final assessments will incorporate feedback from the monthly assessments, case log review, program assessment from the Junior Associate, and a discussion of future plans.
Junior Associates will receive up to $2000 for CME activity. They will also be expected to participate in Hospital and Network wide PI/QI projects as well as attend Surgical Grand Rounds, Surgical M&M, and Monthly Tumor Boards. The Junior Associate will be required to attend and participate in the existing lecture series on practice management that includes evaluation of hospital finances, interacting with coding/billing team, creating QI/PI projects and navigating medico-legal climate.
Thomas G. Donkar DO (Rural Surgery)
Brian A. Hoey MD, FACS (General Surgery, Acute Care Surgery)
Richard P. Sharpe MD, FACS (International Rotation, General Surgery)
