UBC Fellowship in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

This unique and innovative one year Fellowship is offered to Canadian gynecologists who wish to develop an expertise in the assessment and treatment of patients with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain and develop outstanding laparoscopic skills. The emphasis is on integrated care with a multidisciplinary evaluation and approach in addition to advanced surgical management of complex pelvic disease. The Fellowship is housed at the BC Women's Centre for Reproductive Health in Vancouver, British Columbia where Drs. Allaire and Williams see approximately 2000 new and follow-up patients per year with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. They have recently received substantial Provincial funding to support the set-up of a formal multidisciplinary clinic to help women with these problems.

The Fellow will spend 2 days per week in the operating room, performing advanced minimally invasive surgeries, including laparoscopic total and subtotal hysterectomy, myomectomy, excision of deeply infiltrating endometriosis including bowel/bladder disease, ovarian remnants and lysis of extensive adhesions. The clinic time (2 days/week) will be spent with members of the clinic team, the 2 gynaecologists as well as physiotherapist, rehab physician, pain management physician and counselor. There will also be opportunity to spend time with allied physicians, namely gastroenterologists and urologist and in-hospital complex pain team. The Fellow will also participate in the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program at VGH.

The Fellowship has protected time (1day/week) for research and teaching. The Fellow will be involved in teaching residents, both in the operating room, and at our state of the art simulation center (CESEI). The Fellow will have time and support to complete an original research project in the field of endometriosis, pelvic pain, advanced laparoscopy or surgical education.

The ultimate goal of the fellowship is to develop leaders in teaching and research related to chronic pelvic pain/endometriosis and advanced laparoscopic surgery to improve the care given to Canadian women with this complex problem.

Applicants must be eligible for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and be a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

For more information, please contact the fellowship director:
Dr. Catherine Allaire