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.

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.

Registration is coming soon. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

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)

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

Course Director

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)|Stocks or stock options, excluding diversified mutual funds-Steele therapeutics

Aneel Damle, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Paolo Goffredo, MD
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota

Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Exhibit opportunities will be available. Check back soon for the exhibitor prospectus.