Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship

Director’s message

The Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School is a one-year fellowship through the Fellowship Council. The fellowship has been offered at UMass since 1997. Eligible candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency and be eligible for the American Board of Surgery qualifying and certifying exams. The fellowship provides experience and expertise in bariatric surgery, advanced foregut, abdominal wall reconstruction, solid organ, and hernia surgery. The fellow will gain experience in robotic surgery as well as laparoscopy and endoscopy in addition to scholarly activity. 

Nicole Cherng, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Advanced GI MIS Fellowship

2027 Interview dates 

• 2027 Interview Dates to be determined.

Faculty

• Demetrius Litwin MD, MBA, Department Chairman
• John Kelly MD, Division Chief, Associate Program Director
• Nicole Cherng, MD, Program Director
• James Carroll, MD
• Hongyui Cui, MD, PhD
• Gil Freitas, MD
• Richard Perugini, MD

Coordinator

• Soraya Takoulas

Current Fellow

Robert Benjamin, MD is thrilled to be at UMass Chan Medical School for the Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship for 2026-2027. Robert attended Assumption College, and received his BA in Biology. He then completed research in Pediatric Epilepsy at Boston Children's Hospital before attending medical school at The University at Buffalo School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency at UMass Chan Medical School. During residency, he was published in the American College of Surgeons Case Reviews and had a passion for surgical education. He served as the education chief resident during his final year of residency, and won multiple awards for surgical education as a resident.  Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and spending time with his wife and family. 

Contact us for more information

• Office: 508-334-0545 
• Fax: 774-334-0544
• Email: Soraya Takoulas
• Email: Nicole Cherng, MD 
• Fellowship Council (see website: https://www.fellowshipcouncil.org/)