Colorectal Clinical Fellowship
Dr. John Marks and a Fellow Complete a Case
Colorectal Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques, Surgical Innovation, and Advanced Rectal Cancer Management Training Program
In addition to having one of the world’s most successful complex rectal cancer management programs, Dr. John Marks has one of the broadest repertoires and highest volumes of minimally invasive colorectal cancer operations. He was a co-investigator in the COST-G trial that established the adequacy of laparoscopic proctectomy for cancer and paved the way for future minimally invasive techniques. His high volume of rectal cancer cases and being a destination for treatment of complex clinical scenarios and ultralow cancers provides a unique operative experience and confidence operating in the irradiated pelvic field. He has been at the forefront of innovative minimally invasive approaches and organ-sparing treatment of rectal cancer and a leader in transanal performance of total mesorectal excision. In 2022, he has the largest experience using the single port robot for colorectal cases as the first US trial site for these procedures. In addition to learning how to apply minimally invasive surgical techniques in colorectal surgery and multidisciplinary colorectal cancer treatment planning and care, fellows also learn how to translate old operations to new procedures safely and how to engage the resources needed to achieve technical innovation after fellowship. In addition, Dr. Marks’s organizational involvement including being both the regional health system director of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) at Main Line Health System and a member of the American College of Surgeons NAPRC Executive Committee as well as co-chair of the SAGES Oncology Task Force will provide insight into how to effect change at the national and international level. Fellows engage in ongoing research and will have opportunities to present at local and national meetings and publish their results.
CURRENT CLINICAL FELLOW
Analena Alcabes, MD
BA Amherst College, Amherst, MA
MD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
General Surgery Residency Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
About choosing the Marks Colorectal Clinical Fellowship~
I love robotic surgery, and I have a specific interest in oncology as it relates to colorectal surgery. This fellowship seemed like a perfect opportunity to achieve competency in complex robotic surgery.
My sources of inspiration, the wellsprings I draw on to power through challenges~
My mother is a primary care physician who has always given 110% to her work and to her patients, I strive to become a physician as dedicated as she is.
PAST CLINICAL FELLOWS
2022-2023 Clinical Fellow
Deborah Keller, MD, FASCRS, FACS (Assoc)
Attending Surgeon, Marks Colorectal Surgical Associates
Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
BA Biological Sciences and Fine Art, Carnegie Mellon University
MS Healthcare Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University
MD Rutgers University, Newark
General Surgery Residency Temple University Health System, 2014
Colorectal Surgery Residency and Advanced Colorectal Surgery Training University Hospital of Cleveland, Saint Vincent Health System, Erie, PA, and Baylor University 2017
Faculty Experience~
IRCAD Visiting Professor Jan 2021 to present
UC Davis Health Clinical Assistant Professor Jan 2021 to Jul 2022
Columbia University Medical Center Assistant Professor Feb 2018 to Dec 2020
Houston Methodist Hospital and the University of Texas Medical Center at Houston Associate Surgeon and Director of Research and Education Aug 2014 to Aug 2016
About choosing the Marks Colorectal Clinical Fellowship ~
After focusing on surgical research for a year and a half, this advanced training opportunity provided a great way to both immerse in clinical practice again and learn the Marks approach to MIS technical innovation and complex rectal cancer management.
2021-2022 Clinical Fellow
Jane Yang, MD
Colorectal Surgery Residency,
2022-2023
Cleveland Clinic Florida
BA Biological Sciences and East Asian Studies, Cornell, 2012
MD Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2016
General Surgery Residency North Shore-Long Island Jewish (Northwell), 2021
About choosing the Marks Colorectal Clinical Fellowship ~
I applied for this fellowship right out of residency with the goal of ultimately becoming a colorectal surgeon. I wanted to gain as much laparoscopic and robotic experience as possible as well as learn from an early adopter of surgical technology. My other clinical interest is rectal cancer and I wanted to learn the latest advances in treatment strategy and sphincter preservation.
My sources of inspiration, the wellsprings I draw on to power through challenges~
I was born in Nantong, China, but home is New York City. My parents immigrated to the U.S. with few resources, but an abundance of optimism. With that, my father shifted careers from thoracic surgery in China to podiatry in New York, and was able to provide more than enough after many years of hard work.
What’s next? An ACGME Colorectal Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida
Dr. Yang’s graduation marked the 20th year of the Marks Colorectal Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques, Surgical Innovation, and Advanced Rectal Cancer Management Training Program.
2010-2011 Clinical Fellow
Joseph Frenkel, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Colorectal Surgeon and Chief of Surgical Services
Bon Secours Mercy Medical Group, Suffolk, Virginia
MD George Washington University, 2002
General Surgery Residency Boston University Medical Center, 2007
Colorectal Surgery Residency St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, 2008
Current Practice Setting ~
Subspecialty colorectal surgery practice and surgical leadership position in urban community healthcare system
Did the Marks Fellowship match your expectations?
Yes, it did and more. MIS training, practice management.
What did this fellowship add to your general surgery training?
Meticulous surgical training, much more clinic [office] experience and outpatient management and much more cancer care decision-making.
How did this fellowship enhance the colorectal surgery residency you had completed before undertaking this additional training?
Surgical skills were far better than what I brought to it, but the surprising growth was practice management and outpatient decision-making skills.
Sources of joy outside of surgical work?
The gift of having my son in my life.
2006-2007 Clinical Fellow
Daniel H. Hunt, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Site Chief Colon and Rectal Surgery, New York-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital
MD Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1999
General Surgery Residency SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 2006
Surgical Oncology Fellow Weill Cornell Medical College
Colorectal Surgery Residency New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and Columbia, 2008
Current Practice Setting ~
Subspecialty colorectal surgery practice and surgical leadership role in an urban academic center
What was your primary goal when you started the Marks Fellowship, and did it match your expectations?
Minimally invasive colorectal experience. Yes, unparalleled minimally invasive colorectal experience and management of rectal cancer.
What did this fellowship add to your general surgery residency? And colorectal surgery residency?
I had no colorectal MIS experience prior to the fellowship.
And colorectal surgery residency?
The two were complementary
What was the one big thing you learned during your fellowship that has been helpful later on?
The importance of accepting new technology.
NAPRC Executive Committee MeetingAmerican College of Surgeons Offices, Chicago, IL
Dr. John Marks with Dr. Jane Yang (Clinical Fellow 2021-2022) and Dr. Elizabeth Meyers (Clinical Fellow 2015-2016) on the Red Carpet at SAGES 2022.