Educational Training

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Course and Cadaver Lab

January 10 - 12, 2025

Course Overview

The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Course is a cadaver-based, hands-on educational course for Gynecologic Surgeons who desire to advance their skills and knowledge in laparoscopic surgery. Participants will earn and practice surgical techniques for efficient and safe total laparoscopic hysterectomy and advanced pelvic dissection. A laparoscopic suturing lab will be available throughout the entire course for participants to practice the skills of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. The course will also cover laparoscopic surgical dissection, effective use of laparoscopic instrumentation, electrosurgery and prevention and repairing of incidental bladder and bowel injuries.

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Location

Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS)
124 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602

Course Fees

Physicians
$2,450
Early Registration Fee

(Until December 1, 2024)
Physicians
$2,700
Late Registration Fee

(After December 1, 2024)
Physicians
$300
Optional: Pre-course Hysteroscopy Lab

(Please note: You must be registered for the main course to register for the Hysteroscopy Lab)
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Payment will not be accepted on site.

Course Details

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Gynecologic Surgeons and subspecialists, OB/GYN residents and fellows.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participants should be able to:

  • Accurately identify key components of pelvic anatomy essential to performing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
  • Identify appropriate surgical techniques and instrumentation to efficiently perform laparoscopic suturing and knot tying during minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
  • Describe appropriate medical and surgical management options for patients presenting with complex, benign gynecologic conditions.
  • Apply knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary for the management of complications from minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, including the best practices in laparoscopic bladder and bowel injury repair.
  • Demonstrate techniques utilized in pelvic sidewall dissection required in advanced endometriosis surgery.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills with team members to improve overall patient care quality and safety during minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.

Optional Half-day Hysteroscopy Course

This ½ day hysteroscopy course consists of high-yield, fast paced didactic lectures, followed by hands-on dry lab on office hysteroscopy, polypectomy, myomectomy, resectoscopy, tissue removal systems and fluid management. This course is designed for gynecologic surgeons who desire to advance their skills and knowledge in hysteroscopic surgery and add office hysteroscopy to their practice. Participants will learn the essentials of office hysteroscopy, visual biopsy, hysteroscopic polypectomy and myomectomy. The course will also focus on building diagnostic skills to add this valuable tool to your practice. In addition, the course will update you on new trends such as hysteroscopic management of retained products of conception (RPOC), avoiding blind procedures, as well as prevention and management of hysteroscopic complications. This 4-hour lab contains 1.75 CME credits for the didactic lectures. The remainder of the lab has no CME credit.

Upon completion of Hysteroscopy dry lab course, the participants should be able to:

  • Describe the steps needed to build a successful office hysteroscopy practice
  • Select appropriate instrumentation for use in operative hysteroscopy.
  • Demonstrate the skills and techniques necessary to perform operative hysteroscopy for AUB, polyps, fibroids & RPOCs.
  • Apply the skills needed to minimize and manage hysteroscopic complications.

Agenda

Friday • January 10, 2025

Hysteroscopy Agenda (Optional Half-Day Course)

11:45 am

Registration

12:00 pm

Office Hysteroscopy, Polypectomy & Visual Biopsy

12:25 pm

Hysteroscopic for RPOC

12:50 pm

Break / Hysterovision 20/20 (No CE)

1:10 pm

Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

1:35 pm

Hysteroscopy Complications

2:15 pm

Dry Lab (No CME Credit)

5:00 pm

Dry Lab Ends

Saturday • January 11, 2025

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Agenda (Main Course) - Day 1

7:15 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast/Exhibits

7:45 am

Welcome and Announcements

Laparoscopic Surgery Fundamentals
8:00 am

Anatomy for the Laparoscopic Surgeon

8:45 am

Energy Sources for the Gynecologic Surgeon

Advanced Laparoscopic Procedures
9:15 am

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy-Simplified

10:00 am

Break in the exhibition hall

10:30 am

Laparoscopic Tissue Extraction

11:15 am

Laparoscopic Dissection of the Retroperitoneum and Resection of Endometriosis

12:00 pm

(Lunch & Learn) Laparoscopic Surgical Complications

1:00 pm

Break in the exhibition hall

Laparoscopic Suturing and Knot Tying
1:15 pm

Laparoscopic Suturing (Intro)

1:45 pm

Laparoscopic Boot Camp (Intensive Laparoscopic suturing Training) or Laparoscopic Suturing Lab (Intracorporeal and Extracorporeal Knot Tying) and Automated Suturing

5:00 pm

Pelvic Trainers Practice – Open Session

Sunday • January 12, 2025

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Agenda (Main Course) - Day 2

7:30 am

Registration/Continental Breakfast/Exhibits

8:00 am

Minimally Invasive Surgery Cadaver Lab – Session 1

  • Dissection of side-wall vessels and nerves
  • Laparoscopic Ureterolysis
  • Dissection of Retroperitoneal Spaces

Minimally Invasive Surgery Cadaver Lab – Session 2

  • Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
  • Laparoscopic Cuff Closure
12:00 pm

12:00 pm (Lunch & Learn):
Surgical Catastrophe. Chicken Soup for the Second Victim.

12:45 pm

Break with exhibitors / Move to cadaver Lab

  • Laparoscopic Uterosacral Ligament Suspension
  • Laparoscopic Repair of Cystotomy and Serosal Bowel Injuries
1:15 pm

Minimally Invasive Surgery Cadaver Lab – Session 3

  • Laparoscopic Uterosacral Ligament Suspension
  • Laparoscopic Repair of Cystotomy and Serosal Bowel Injuries

Dry Lab will be available during this time for independent practice

4:00 pm

Course Adjourns

ACCME Accreditation logoACCME Accreditation

USF Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

USF Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Activity Directors & Faculty

Emad Mikhail, MBChB, MD, FACOG, FACS

Activity Director

Nash Moawad, MD, MS, FACOG, FACS

Activity Director

Jose Carugno, MD, FACOG

Samar Nahas, MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACOG

Resad Paya Pasic, MD, PhD

Megan Wasson, DO, FACOG

Emad Mikhail, MBChB, MD, FACOG, FACS
Activity Director
  • Associate Professor and Director, Division of Gynecologic Specialties Department of Gynecologic Specialties, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida

Dr. Mikhail completed his fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in 2016. His Clinical and research interest is deep infiltrating endometriosis. He practices complex benign gynecology at USF center for fibroid and endometriosis. Since 2020, he serves as an Associate Professor and Chief of MIGS in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida. He has been the course director for the MIGS course for over 7 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He lectured and presented his surgical videos in national and international meetings.

Nash Moawad, MD, MS, FACOG, FACS
Activity Director
  • Division Chief‐Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine
  • Program Director, Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) at UF Health

Dr. Moawad is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). He has extensive training in the state-of-the-art management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, fibroids, ovarian pathology and Fertility-Promoting Surgery. He utilizes laparoscopic, robotic and hysteroscopic techniques almost exclusively. Dr. Moawad is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and is an active member of several national & international organizations such as the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the Global Congress of Hysteroscopy (GCH).

Jose Carugno, MD, FACOG
  • MIS/Robotic Division Director, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

Dr. Jose A. Carugno is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Miami, Florida and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Jackson Health System-Miami and University of Miami Hospital and Clinics-UHealth Tower. He received his medical degree from University of Carabobo Faculty of Health Sciences and has been in practice for more than 26 years. Dr. Carugno has extensive experience in Gynecologic Conditions, Obstetric Care, and Gynecologic Surgery.

Samar Nahas, MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACOG
  • Division Director, Gynecology Oncology, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

Samar Nahas, MD specializes in gynecologic oncology and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). At UCR Health, Dr. Nahas works skillfully in a state-of-the-art, safe, and comfortable environment – providing excellent, innovative gynecologic oncology and MIS services for all Inland Southern California women. Dr. Nahas is fellowship-trained in gynecologic oncology and advanced laparoscopic robotic surgery.

Resad Paya Pasic, MD, PhD

Dr. Pasic is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director of the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health at the University of Louisville.
He was selected by his peers and awarded a “Best Doctors in America Award” and The Best Surgeons in Louisville award for multiple years.

Dr. Pasic is currently serving as President of the Board of Trustees of the International Society of Gynecologic Laparoscopists ISGE. In 2009 he served as the President of American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists AAGL. For more information about Dr. Pasic’s professional accomplishments, please visit his personal web site hosted at www.gynlaparoscopy.com

Megan Wasson, DO, FACOG
  • Consultant | Associate Professor Mayo Clinic

Megan N. Wasson, D.O., FACOG is an AAGL fellowship-trained Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon with an additional American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology focused-practice designation in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery (MIGS). She attended medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA, completed residency at Christiana Care Health System in Newark, DE, and completed MIGS fellowship training at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. She is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

It was the most amazing surgical training experience that I’ve ever been to or been a part of. The physicians here are amazing. They have a wonderful way of teaching and explaining all the technical surgical procedures that they did. It was just beyond what I could have imagined.

Sheena Harmon, MD, FACOG MIGS Participant

I’ve been really impressed with the course here. The facilities are outstanding. The instructors are amazing as well, very knowledgable. The equipment is top-notch.

William Viner, MD, FACOG MIGS Participant

The information has been priceless. It’s really surpassed all my expectations.

Keston John, MD MIGS Participant

One of the things I really liked about this course was I felt that there was never any judgement or anything to make you feel like you didn’t know what you were doing. It was very comfortable and a really safe learning environment.

Craig Sauer, MD, FACOG MIGS Participant

Whether it’s practicing on the training boxes or actual surgery on the cadavers, there’s something for everyone to be learning, whether a novice or someone who’s been out a long time.

Sarah Somer, MD, FACOG MIGS Participant

Having the expertise of the MIGS instructors there with you, low ratio of instructor to participants, to show us how to do techniques and tricks, it’s been invaluable.

Tiffani Dillard, MD MIGS Participant

Whether you’re a resident, a fellow or attending, it’s a wonderful course to hone your skills and improve your capacities.

Berkley Davis, MD MIGS Participant

The lecturers were incredibly helpful and interesting. There was a lot of video demonstrations of techniques people were discussing, and then the actual practical portion was also really helpful. I like that there were people kind of walking around and you could go at your own pace, and you could do things on your own.

Malavika Kesavan, MS, MD MIGS Participant

Excellent faculty, who were helpful in practical teaching tips, and provided bedside instruction during cadaver dissection.

Past Participant

The variety of presenters and their different styles made for an engaging and interesting learning experience.

Past Participant

It was an amazing hands-on experience with faculty that are in the top of their field teaching us.

Past Participant

Additional Information

Accommodations

You may book accommodations at our USF CAMLS partner hotels or check or availability at other downtown Tampa hotels.

Questions

If you have continuing education questions, please contact USF Health at cpdsupport@usf.edu.

Exhibitors

Interested in exhibiting at our course? Download the Exhibitor Prospectus (PDF).

Cancellation Policy

Due to faculty, tissue and resources being procured based on course attendance, USF Health Professions Conferencing Corporation must adhere to the following cancellation policy:

  • All requests for cancellation, transfer or refunds much be received in writing to Camlsoperations@usf.edu.
  • For cancellation requests received at least 31 calendar days prior to the start of the activity, a refund will be provided minus a $75 administrative fee.
  • Requests for a transfer to another course date at least 31 calendar days prior to the start of the activity will be honored with no additional fees. The new course date must be within 6 months of the original course date.
  • No refunds or requests for transfer will be provided if cancellation is received within (and including) 30 calendar days of the start date of the course.
  • No-shows are not eligible for a refund or transfer.

USF Health Professions Conferencing Corporation reserves the right to cancel this activity due to unforeseen circumstances, in which you will be contacted via phone and/or email to reschedule or issue a refund. USF Health Professions Conferencing Corporation is not responsible for travel expenses incurred by the participants in the rare event that this activity is canceled or postponed.

If you have any questions, please contact fwhitaker@usf.edu or 813 224-7819.

Disclosure

Relevant Financial Relationship Disclosure: Prior to the activity, USF Health will disclose and mitigate all relevant financial relationships that relate to the content of the activity.

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