Fellowship in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

1. Completed an ACGME-accredited General Surgery residency
2. Strong interest in hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction surgery
3. Submission of fellowship application materials (see Admission Process)
4. U.S. citizenship or residency status required (visa sponsorship currently not available)
5. Letters of recommendation supporting surgical skill and professional commitment

The Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Fellowship at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee is an advanced, one-year surgical fellowship designed for surgeons who have completed general surgery residency and want to subspecialize in hernia repair and complex abdominal wall reconstruction. The program exposes fellows to a high volume and a broad spectrum of hernia cases including inguinal hernias, ventral and incisional hernias, parastomal hernias, recurrent and atypical hernias, and complex loss of domain cases. Fellows gain experience with both open and minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic procedures such as eTEP and robotic TAR approaches, as well as managing challenging cases involving fistulas and mesh infection. Training takes place in one of the region’s largest surgical centers, equipped with advanced operative facilities and a robust surgical ICU. Fellows work closely with a dedicated faculty team, actively participating in clinical care, multidisciplinary conferences, journal clubs, research activity, and case reviews. The goal is to develop technical excellence, comprehensive decision-making skills, and leadership in abdominal wall surgery, enabling graduates to excel in academic or high-volume clinical practice.