Fellows perform surgery

Advanced Gastrointestinal and
Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship 

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare

Applicant Information Contact Us 

Mission

The mission of the Advanced Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is to provide comprehensive, high-volume training in complex gastrointestinal, foregut, bariatric, abdominal wall, colorectal, and oncologic surgery through a multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach.

We are committed to:

  • Developing technical excellence in minimally invasive, robotic, and endoscopic surgery 
  • Cultivating sound clinical judgment and comprehensive perioperative patient management 
  • Fostering academic curiosity through research, quality improvement, and surgical education 
  • Preparing fellows for independent practice and leadership roles in healthcare systems 
  • Promoting professionalism, collaboration, and lifelong learning

Through individualized mentorship and progressive autonomy, we prepare fellows to become highly skilled surgeons capable of delivering exceptional patient care and advancing the specialty of gastrointestinal surgery.

Vision

To develop the next generation of leaders in minimally invasive and gastrointestinal surgery through exceptional clinical training, innovation, education, and mentorship.

Our vision is to produce surgeons who not only excel in the operating room but who also possess the leadership, judgment, and systems-based knowledge necessary to advance the field of surgery. Graduates of our program will be equipped to build successful clinical practices, develop specialized surgical programs, contribute to academic medicine, and improve the care of patients with complex gastrointestinal diseases.

Message from the Program Director

Joey Jarrard M.D.

Welcome to the Advanced Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Florida State University.

Our fellowship was created with a simple goal: to prepare outstanding surgeons for the next stage of their careers. While technical excellence remains at the core of surgical training, success in modern practice requires much more. Today's surgical leaders must be skilled clinicians, effective educators, thoughtful collaborators, and capable administrators.

This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to train in a high-volume tertiary referral environment with exposure to a diverse spectrum of complex gastrointestinal disease. Through close mentorship, progressive autonomy, and extensive operative experience, fellows develop the confidence and judgment necessary to independently manage challenging surgical patients.

Because our program trains a single fellow each year, we are able to offer an individualized experience tailored to each fellow's professional goals. Whether your future lies in academic surgery, community practice, program development, or surgical leadership, our faculty are committed to helping you achieve your aspirations.

Beyond the operating room, we place a strong emphasis on education, research, quality improvement, and healthcare leadership. We believe that understanding how surgical programs are built and sustained is just as important as mastering the technical aspects of surgery.

Thank you for your interest in our fellowship. We are proud of the program we are building and look forward to training the next generation of leaders in gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgery.

Joey Jarrard, M.D., FACS, FASMBS
Program Director, Advanced Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Florida State University College of Medicine
Division Chief, Minimally Invasive Surgery
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare


Why Choose Us

High-Volume, Diverse Clinical Experience

Train in a busy tertiary referral center with exposure to a broad range of advanced gastrointestinal pathology, including bariatric surgery, foregut disorders, complex abdominal wall reconstruction, colorectal disease, gastrointestinal malignancies, endocrine surgery, and advanced endoscopy.

Individualized Fellowship Experience

As the program is designed for a single fellow, trainees receive unparalleled access to faculty mentorship, operative experience, and personalized career development.

Advanced Minimally Invasive and Robotic Training

Fellows gain extensive experience in laparoscopic and robotic approaches to complex surgical problems, preparing them for modern surgical practice and future leadership in minimally invasive surgery.

Academic and Educational Opportunities

Fellows actively participate in resident and medical student education, multidisciplinary conferences, journal clubs, tumor boards, and research initiatives, fostering both academic growth and teaching skills.

Learn How to Build a Surgical Program

Beyond clinical training, fellows gain insight into healthcare administration, service-line development, quality initiatives, committee leadership, and physician-hospital relationships—skills essential for future surgical leaders.

Exceptional Quality of Life

Limited call responsibilities, dedicated faculty mentorship, and a collegial environment allow fellows to maximize their educational experience while maintaining personal well-being.

About the Program

This one-year fellowship is structured to deliver advanced training in complex gastrointestinal and abdominal operations, with a strong emphasis on minimally invasive techniques. The program is tailored for a single fellow and adheres to the Fellowship Council guidelines, prioritizing the development of technical proficiency, comprehensive patient management skills, and facilitating the transition to independent surgical practice. 

Training Facility and Clinical Exposure

All training takes place at a single facility, ensuring continuity and depth of experience. The fellow will gain exposure to a broad spectrum of pathologies and procedures, including but not limited to:

  • Management of obesity
  • Advanced foregut surgery and GERD management
  • Complex abdominal wall surgery
  • Colorectal procedures
  • Gastrointestinal malignancies
  • Splenectomy
  • Adrenalectomy
  • Endoscopy

The program also reinforces the indications for and interpretation of diagnostic studies, ensuring a well-rounded clinical skill set.

Goals and Objectives

The fellowship aims to train the fellow to independently manage complex gastrointestinal cases, integrate multidisciplinary care, and contribute meaningfully to academic surgery. Additionally, fellows will develop a thorough understanding of surgical service lines, committee involvement, and relationships with administrators. This knowledge is designed to empower fellows to build and manage surgical programs in their future careers.

Educational and Academic Activities

Active participation in resident and medical student education is expected. The fellow will engage in a variety of academic activities, including morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences, journal clubs, tumor boards, and grand rounds. Involvement in research and quality improvement projects is also anticipated as part of the fellowship experience. 

General surgery call responsibilities will be limited to three to four nights per month, with appropriate attending back-up provided.


Contact Us

Erin Easterling

Program Coordinator
Email: erin.easterling@med.fsu.edu

1401 Centerville Road, Suite 107
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Office: 850.431.5567
Fax: 850.431.5563

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