Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship

About the Residency

Our ACGME-accredited program offers a modern, cutting-edge fellowship experience led by five board-certified colon and rectal surgeons with deep expertise in advanced colorectal education and minimally invasive surgery.

Fellows train within a highly collaborative multidisciplinary department, gaining experience in treating the full spectrum of complex colorectal disease, including colorectal cancer, complex diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgical procedures. Additionally, fellows gain extensive experience managing a wide breadth of anorectal pathology, as well as performing diagnostic and interventional colonoscopy.

Our fellowship delivers a uniquely integrated experience, preparing fellows across all three major career pathways within colorectal surgery: academic medicine, hospital-based tertiary care, and private practice. This integrated experience ensures graduates are well-prepared for any career direction and fully equipped to excel across the full spectrum of innovative, adaptive and real-world colorectal surgical practice.

Message from the Program Director

Eric Haas, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Thank you for your interest in the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital.

We are proud to offer a fellowship that combines the resources of a nationally recognized academic medical center with a highly personalized training experience. Our team brings over two decades of fellowship leadership, surgical education, innovation and mentorship.

A defining strength of our fellowship is the close engagement and accessibility of our faculty. Our team shares a deep commitment to training the next generation of colorectal surgeons. We have guided fellows and residents through every stage of development, from early training to independent practice.

I look forward to reviewing your application and sharing all that Houston Methodist has to offer.

Sincerely,
Eric M. Haas, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Program Director

Houston Methodist is nationally recognized as a leader in advanced colorectal and gastrointestinal surgery and is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for GI and GI Surgery. Our hospital remains one of the highest-volume robotic colorectal surgery centers in the world, with over 600 inpatient colorectal procedures performed annually. Our program offers extensive operative exposure across the full spectrum of advanced colorectal disease, including:

Sphincter-preserving robotic rectal cancer surgery
Robotic Ileal pouch (J-pouch) procedures for ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis
Complex Crohn's disease management
The NICE procedure for diverticulitis and benign colorectal pathology
Pelvic floor disorders and sacral nerve modulation
Comprehensive management of complex anorectal pathology

Procedure Type	Annual Volume
Anorectal procedures (hemorrhoids, simple and complex fistula surgery, I&D; abscess, pilonidal disease, transanal excision and TAMIS)	1,246
Robotic and laparoscopic segmental colorectal resections	450
Robotic low anterior resection	150
Diagnostic colonoscopy	320
Interventional colonoscopy	430
Pelvic floor evaluations	140
Rectal Prolapse	35
J-pouch procedures	24

Houston Methodist's colorectal surgery fellowship program emphasizes the importance of research and scholarly activity. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical and basic science research projects, with opportunities to present findings at national and international conferences.

Our faculty are actively involved in research initiatives focusing on minimally invasive surgical techniques, outcomes research, and quality improvement projects. Fellows work closely with faculty mentors to develop research skills and contribute to the advancement of colorectal surgery.

Research activities include participation in multi-institutional studies, quality assurance projects, and the development of new surgical techniques and technologies in colorectal surgery.
- ACGME-accredited fellowship backed by over 20 years of fellowship leadership experience
- Consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for GI and GI Surgery
- Close faculty mentorship from nationally and internationally recognized colorectal surgeons
- Unique integrated training across academic medicine, hospital-employed, and private practice environments — providing direct experience in each of the three major career pathways
- High-volume exposure to complex colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, pelvic floor disorders, and anorectal pathology
- Comprehensive hands-on training in advanced roboticrobotics, natural orifice (NICE procedure), single-port, TAMIS, transanal TME, and pelvic surgery
- Extensive experience in diagnostic and interventional colonoscopy, pelvic floor reconstruction and sacral nerve modulation
- Located in the Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world, offering unparalleled exposure to a dynamic academic and health care community, with exceptional opportunities for future career development
- Based in Houston, Texas — a large, diverse, and family-friendly city offering outstanding cultural, professional, and personal opportunities
- Preparation for board certification and success in academic, hospital-based, or private practice careers
Fellows train directly alongside faculty who remain actively engaged in surgical innovation, research and national leadership.

Our faculty team has authored multiple book chapters, peer-reviewed publications and national and international presentations. In 2018, our team developed and performed the first Natural Orifice IntraCorporeal Anastomosis with Extraction (NICE) procedure — a major advancement that continues to receive international recognition. Our team also serves on numerous committees and leadership roles within organizations such as the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).

Eligibility & Application

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Match and utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for applications.

Eligibility Requirements

Completion of an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program prior to the start of fellowship training.
Board eligibility or certification in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS).
Eligibility for a Texas medical license.

Additional Resources

For detailed information on program requirements and FAQs, applicants are encouraged to visit the ACGME's Colon and Rectal Surgery Program Requirements and FAQs page:

ACGME Colon and Rectal Surgery Program Requirements and FAQs

Application Materials

(submitted via ERAS)

Completed ERAS application form.
Personal statement.
Curriculum vitae (CV).
Three letters of recommendation (one from the residency program director).
USMLE scores (Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3).
ABSITE scores and General Surgery case logs.
Medical school transcript and diploma.
ECFMG certification (for international graduates, if applicable).

Application Process

Applications for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program are coordinated through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Applications must be completed by October 15 to be considered for the upcoming academic year. Applicants should have successfully completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited General Surgery Residency Program and be board -eligible in general surgery.

The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital is ACGME accredited.

Apply Here (get from Kristina McDonald)

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