84th Principles of Colon & Rectal Surgery Course: Transition to Practice

This course is being planned and hosted by The University of Minnesota Department of Surgery, Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery with collaboration by Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates Ltd. (CRSAL) and the Minnesota Colon and Rectal Foundation (MCRF). Contact Alexandra Broek, [email protected] for more information. 

Description

The 84th Principles of Colon and Rectal Surgery Course at the University of Minnesota is designed to support surgeons at every stage as they transition from training into confident, high-impact practice. This year's theme, Transition to Practice, blends practical wisdom with cutting-edge research from the University of Minnesota Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

The course is organized into focused, high-yield sessions. Day one begins with Years 0--2 in Practice, addressing real-world challenges such as building a practice, managing complications, professional adversity, leadership, and work-life integration. The next session, Hitting Your Stride (Years 2--5), explores how surgeons refine their skills, grow their reputation, develop niche expertise, and position themselves for long-term success. Day two highlights Hot Topics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, featuring updates on innovation, outcomes research, technology, and evolving standards of care, followed by interactive panel discussions with national experts and faculty.

The course also features two distinguished named lectures the Goldberg Lecture by Dr. Mika Varma (UCSF) and the Frykman Lecture by Dr. Josh Smith (MD Anderson). This program offers practical guidance, inspiration, and connection for surgeons committed to excellence in colorectal surgery.

Scholarship Opportunities Available!

Review and submit your scholarship application here.

1. Describe key strategies for transitioning from training into independent colorectal surgical practice, including practice development, leadership, and quality improvement principles.
2. Identify and perform structured approaches to managing complications, professional adversity, and difficult patient and team interactions in early practice.
3. Interpret current national guidelines and emerging research to determine appropriate evidence-based management strategies in colon and rectal surgery.
4. Measure and apply quality metrics and multidisciplinary care pathways to improve performance and patient outcomes within a colorectal surgery service line.

Register Early and Save! Rates available until May 25, 2026.

• Physicians: $150.00

• RN/NP/APRN, PA, APP, Tech: $40

• Medical Industry Professionals $40

• Fellow/Resident/Trainee: Fee Waived

Standard Registration Rates effective May 26, 2026

• Physicians: $200.00

• RN/NP/APRN, PA, APP, Tech: $90

• Medical Industry Professionals $90

• Fellow/Resident/Trainee: Fee Waived

Registration Policies

• On-site registration will be allowed as space permits. All on-site registrants must use their own device to submit their registration and payment by credit card via CE Portal (cash/check not accepted).

• Registration through CE Portal is required even if attendance is free-of-charge.

• Special needs, such as dietary restrictions, lactation room, etc., should be requested in advance. These requests cannot always be honored on site.

• In the event you need to cancel your registration, the registration fee, less a $50 administrative fee, will be refunded if you notify us by 4:30 p.m. Central Time two weeks prior to the start of the conference. No refunds will be made after this date.

McNamara Alumni Center
University of Minnesota
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Directions & Parking

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Minnesota Continuing Professional Development adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education and has policies in place to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities; individuals who fail to complete the disclosure in advance of the course are not eligible to be involved in this course. Specific disclosure information will be shared with learners prior to the start of the course. All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Aneel Damle, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Co-Director, Faculty

Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc.-Boston Scientific Corporation (Relationship has ended)

Wolfgang Gaertner, MD
Division Chief, Colon & Rectal Surgery
University of Minnesota

Course Director, Faculty

Consulting Fee-Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (Relationship has ended)|Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc.-Coloplast|Paid consultant-Intuitive Surgical|Consulting Fee-Applied Medical (Relationship has ended)

Elliot G Arsoniadis, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Honoraria-THD America

Pamela Burgess, MD, FACS
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Benjamin Crawshaw, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Cyrus Jahansouz, MD
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Christine Jensen, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Pridvi Kandagatla, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minneosta
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Eric Lander, MD
Physician Site Research Leader
Minnesota Oncology

Faculty

Alice Lee, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Ann C Lowry, MD
Adjunct Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Membership on Advisory Committees or Review Panels, Board Membership, etc.-Alimentiv

Genevieve Melton-Meaux, MD, PhD
Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Emily Midura, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Angela Nelson, JD
Associate Counsel, Senior Director of Clinical Risk Management
University of Minnesota Physicians

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Marc C. Osborne, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Anne Sirany, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

J. Joshua Smith, MD, PhD, FACS
Chair
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Michael Spencer, MD
Adjunct Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Faculty

Mark Sun, MD
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates, Ltd.

Faculty

Consulting Fee-Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Any division) (Relationship has ended)

Amy J Thorsen, MD
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Catherine Tran, MD
University of Minnesota

Faculty

Mika G Varma, MD
Professor and Chief
University of California, San Francisco

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Paolo Goffredo, MD
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota

Faculty, Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Exhibit opportunities are available!