The Vattikuti Foundation (VF), an advocate for robotic surgery, has announced a fellowship program for surgeons with super specialist qualifications beginning in 2023. VF is offering these fellowships in India to expand the pool of accomplished surgeons who will learn through intensive surgical and clinical practice, as wellas research, under the supervisionof eminent robotic surgery specialists. Fellowships are available in Surgical Oncology, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Gynaecologic Surgery, and Urologic Robotic Oncology.

VF plans to award a one-year paid fellowship to 12-15 fellows, trained under the guidance of robotic surgeons in seven Indian cities. These surgeons will serve as Program Directors, mentoring the VF Fellows.

Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation and Director, Robotic Surgery Research, Henry Ford Health System, Michigan, USA says -

“The Vattikuti Foundation Fellowship Program facilitates training and certification of promising surgeons in minimally invasive surgery with a focus on robotic technology. The program offers comprehensive training in a wide range of disciplines to prepare fellows to deliver the best available care and to practice surgery focused on patient outcomes,”

The Foundation offers a monthly stipend and expenses for one international conference to fellowship participants. Eligibility requires completing a nationally approved residency program in their desired specialty, and Indian applicants must have an M.Ch. or equivalent super specialty qualification within the past decade.

This fellowship offers VF Fellows a one-year opportunity to gain unique surgical, clinical, and research experience.

VF Fellows are selected based on clinical volume and available technology, allowing them to fully utilize training and research facilities. Successful completion of the fellowship program results in a certificate awarded by VF, assessing progress in technical, clinical, and research skills.

Participating Healthcare Providers

● Bengaluru: Aster International Institute of Oncology for Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital for Urologic Robotic Surgery and Narayana Health System for Surgical Oncology

● Chennai: Chennai Urology and Robotics Institute for Urologic Oncologic Surgery

● Delhi NCR: BLK Super Speciality Hospital for Surgical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket for Urological Robotic Surgery, Medanta the MediCity for Robotic Urologic Oncology and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre for Urologic Oncologic Surgery

● Hyderabad: Apollo Health City for Minimally Invasive & Robotic Gynaecologic Surgery, Apollo Hospital for Urological Robotic Surgery, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital for Urologic Oncology

● Kochi: Aster Medcity for Robotic Urologic Surgery

●  Mumbai: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for Urologic Oncologic Surgery