| In 1969, Dr. Eugene Salvati and Dr. Robert Rubin created the first and to this day, the only colon and rectal surgery training program in the state of New Jersey. Currently, there are roughly 50 similar programs throughout the United States. In 1969, Dr. Salvati received a telephone call from Dr. Patrick Hanley who was the Secretary of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Considered experts of this surgical specialty, Dr. Salvati and Dr. Rubin were strongly encouraged by Dr. Hanley to teach fully trained surgeons the evaluation and management of disorders of the colon and rectum. Based upon this recommendation, our colon and rectal surgery program was established.
To date the program is one of the largest sources of surgeons in the country who are certified in both general surgery and colon and rectal surgery. Approximately 1 in 20 board certified colon and rectal surgeons has been trained here. The program is affiliated with UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and John F. Kennedy Medical Center. The faculty of this program consists of the physicians of the Associated Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Each physician has been board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Salvati served as the initial Program Director from 1969-1994 and Dr. Theodore Eisenstat served from 1994 until 2005. Both Dr. Salvati and Dr. Eisenstat have served as the President of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. In 2005, Dr. Bertram Chinn was appointed Program Director.
The academic curriculum is comprehensive and remains on the forefront of the latest techniques and concepts on managing disorders such as colon polyps and cancers, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis and anorectal conditions including abscesses, fistulas, fissures and hemorrhoids. The practice specializes in advanced laparscopic and minimally invasive surgery. The faculty and its fellows have published over 100 articles in medical journals and textbooks in addition to presenting at countless regional and national meetings.
Each year over 75 general surgeons throughout the country apply for one of three positions in this program. The surgeons selected must have completed at least 5 years of training beyond medical school and must be board certified or board eligible in general surgery. Surgeons who apply frequently have also performed research in addition to the mandatory 5 years of a general surgery residency or have already been in practice. Upon completing this program, our specialist have established practices throughout the United States. Many teach at other colon and rectal surgery programs and some have established similar programs in other states.
|
