Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

The Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital combines a rich clinical training environment with high-level didactic teaching and research mentorship to elevate trainee knowledge and skill, prepare its fellows for independent practice, and ensure that its graduates can provide the highest level of clinical care to gynecologic patients.

Comprehensive Training and Clinical Experience

This two-year program focuses on complex, benign gynecologic surgery, while also being flexible enough to accommodate individual fellow interests. As a fellow, you will gain exposure to:

  • Academic and community practice settings – Operate at Good Samaritan University Hospital and other hospitals that are part of the Catholic Health healthcare system, for the most well-rounded training possible.
  • Minimally invasive gynecologic procedures – Use robotic, laparoscopic, hysteroscopic and vaginal approaches in surgery.
  • Multiple gynecologic subspecialists – In addition to traditional minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS), gain skills in Gynecologic Oncology, General Surgery, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), and Urogynecology.

Accreditation

The Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital is fully accredited through the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopic (AAGL) and developed under the direction of Keith Thomas Downing, MD.

Program Leadership

Keith Downing

Keith Downing, MD 
Program Director
Fellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Peter Sticco

Peter L. Sticco, MD, FACOG
Associate Program Director
Fellowship: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Residency & Internship: Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine

FMIGS Leadership

Jennifer McEachron, DO 
Gynecologic Oncology Core Faculty
Fellowship: Downstate Medical Gynecologic Oncology, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, NY
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies

Firas Bridges, MD
General Surgery
Core Faculty
Fellowship: New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center
Residency: New York Medical College, South Shore Medical Center
Medical School: Ross University

Mark Pillitteri, DO
Obstetrics and Gynecology 
Core Faculty
Residency: The Brooklyn Hospital Center
Medical School: Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine

Anthony Nguyen, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology 
Core Faculty
Fellowship: Good Samaritan University Hospital
Residency: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at South Shore University Hospital
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Charline Peterson

Charline Peterson
Fellowship Program Coordinator

Contact the Department of Medical Education for additional information on the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Good Samaritan University Hospital.

Charline Peterson, Program Coordinator
Good Samaritan University Hospital
Department of Medical Education
1000 Montauk Highway
West Islip, NY 11795
631-376-4163 - phone
631-376-3420 – fax
Charline.Peterson@chsli.org

Click here for information on Prospective Applicants, Fellowship Selection Policy and Procedures, and NRMP Match Participation

Leadership, Faculty, Fellows & Graduates

Keith Downing, MD, MS, FACOG, FPMRS 
Program Director
 		 Fellowship: Montefiore-Einstein, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital Ob/Gyn combined residency program
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Undergraduate: Syracuse University
Peter Sticco, MD, FACOG
Associate Program Director		 Fellowship: University of Tennessee, MIGS
Residency & Internship: Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Undergraduate Education: State University of New York at Stony Brook
 
Jennifer McEachron, DO
Gynecologic Oncology Core Faculty 		 Fellowship: Downstate Medical Center, Gynecologic Oncology 
Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
 
Firas Bridges, MD Fellowship: New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center
Residency: New York Medical College, South Shore Medical Center
Medical School: Ross University
 
Yi-Chun Lee, MD
Assistant Chair, Gynecologic Oncology 		 Fellowship: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Residency: Temple University Hospital
Medical School: Temple University
 

PGY 6:

Hannah L. Marshall, MD

  • Residency & Internship: SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY
  • Medical School: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
  • Undergraduate: Washington University, St. Louis, MO

PGY 5:

Lyanne Colon-Santos, MD

  • Faculty Position(s): Clinical Instructor in Obstetrics and Gynecology Howard University Hospital
  • Residency: Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, Puerto Rico
  • Medical School: San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Puerto Rico


Since 2017 our program has been preparing fellows to become knowledgeable, highly-skilled leaders in MIGS. Our fellows have smoothly transitioned to various practice environments ranging from academic hospitals and teaching community hospitals to private practice. Importantly, no matter the chosen practice type, our graduated have been well prepared for independent practice.

2024:

Anthony Nguyen, MD

  • Residency: OB/GYN: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health at South Shore Hospital
  • Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
  • Hometown: Irvine, CA
     

2023:

Veronica Galaviz, MD

  • Residency: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
  • Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate: University of New Mexico-Pre Med
  • Hometown: El Paso, TX

2022:

Courtney R. Fox, MD

Residency: Orlando Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital, Orlando, Florida – OB/GYN
Medical School: University of Queensland, Ochsner Clinical School, Brisbane, Australia
Undergraduate: Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Westborough, Massachusetts

2021:

Salvatore Paolillo, MD

After Fellowship: The Kaldas Center-Appleton, Wisconsin
Residency: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Running, cooking and biking

2020:

Isabel Eisner, MD

After Fellowship: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Residency: Stony Brook University Hospital
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Reading, drawing/painting, 3D imaging, unusual sports (aerial acrobatics, rock climbing, Japanese fencing, Cross Fit)

Program Features & Frequently Asked Questions

Good Samaritan Hospital offers our residents a competitive salary and benefits package. Some residency programs offer additional perks to help you as you learn.

Salaries

July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025

  • PGY 1 $66,700
  • PGY 2 $69,850
  • PGY 3 $72,350
  • PGY 4 $75,500
  • PGY 5 $89,500*
  • PGY 6 $91,500*

*Includes $1,000 for required rotational travel expenses

Benefits 

  • Housing stipend; $3,500
  • CME annual: $1000
  • CME in final year of training $2,500 (total)
  • Meals: annual meal stipend $3,000. No free meals provided.
  • Cell phone stipend: $500
  • Education stipend: $2000

Rotations

Formal rotations will provide surgical and clinical care experiences that occur under the direct supervision of core faculty. During each rotation there is dedicated time for clinical research where you will meet with your faculty mentors on a regular basis. All research proposals must be submitted to the GSUH Academic Development Committee and then its Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to initiating data collection. The following are rotations in which you will participate:

PGY 5 (Year 1)

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Rotation:

6 months – Drs. Sticco and Pillitteri

 

Urogynecology/Gyn Onc OR Rotation:

6 months – Drs. Keith Downing, Yi-Chun Lee and Jennifer McEachron

 

Sub-rotation REI:

3 months (2nd & 3rd Wednesdays) – Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax

 

Urogynecology Office Rotation:

6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing

 

PGY 6 (Year 2)

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Rotation:

6 months – Drs. Sticco and Pillitteri

 

Urogynecology/Gyn Onc OR Rotation:

6 months – Drs. Keith Downing, Yi-Chun Lee and Jennifer McEachron

 

Sub-rotation REI:

3 months (2nd & 3rd Wednesdays) – Drs. James Stelling and Bradley Trivax

 

Urogynecology Office Rotation

6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing

 

Urogynecology Office Rotation:

6 months (Tuesday Clinic at Mercy) Dr. Keith Downing

  • AAGLFMIGS Webinar Series
  • AAGL FMIGS Required Readings (quarterly)
  • Department Grand Rounds
  • OB/GYN Residency Topic Review or Didactic Series
  • Chairman’s Statistical Review
  • ADC – Academic Development Committee
  • Journal Club
  • Core Competency Modules - AMA
  • ACLS/BLS Certifications
  • Thesis completed and submitted for publication before graduation from the program
  • 2 Required courses in clinical research • 6 hours per year of research lectures
  • At least one (1) IRB-approved research project relative to MIGS
  • Complete a scholarly work by the end of one’s first year of training. This may include a surgical video, case report, review article, textbook chapter or hypothesis based research project
  • Participation in Quality Improvement (QI) and Patient Safety Projects

Q: How can I apply to the fellowship program?

A: The Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Program accepts applications through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). For more information please send an email to fmigs@aagl.org.

Q: What Matches do you participate in?

A: Our fellowship program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

Q: What is the minimum score requirements for the COMLEX or USLME exams?

A: Our program does not have a minimum score requirement for either the COMLEX or USMLE exams. We review all applications holistically and look for well-rounded applicants.

Q: How many fellows do you accept per year?

A: Each year we accept one (1) new fellow into our program, for a total of two (2) fellows in the program.

Q: When should I expect a response regarding my application?

A: Applications are typically reviewed beginning in June once programs received applications from the AAGL. Typically, between June-August applicants will be notified if selected for an interview.

Q: How many letters of recommendations do you require?

A: Three letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted when applying. It is preferred that one of these letters be submitted by your current or former program director and/or chairman of your department.

Q: What is your Accreditation status?

A: This fellowship is fully accredited through the AAGL.

Q: How is the educational component of your program structured?

A: Fellows have dedicated academic time on Fridays to support activities such as: Journal Club, faculty and subspecialist lectures and discussions, Tumor Board, Academic Development Committee, Chairman’s Statistical Review, Grand Rounds, PI Committee meetings, and scholarly activities. Fellows are required to participate in research and quality improvement (QI) projects as well as complete two assigned epidemiology research courses.

Q: Will I have the opportunity to work with medical students / residents?

A: Our fellows work with residents in our ACGME accredited Obstetrics and Gynecology Program as well as other visiting residents and medical students.

Q: What is the patient mix?

A:  Our patients come from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.  Additionally, we treat and manage a broad range of gynecologic pathology.

Q: What are the research opportunities?

A: Research is a mandatory component to fellowship training. Additionally, all fellows are required to participate in scholarly activity. Please see the research section for more information on specific research requirements.

Q: Are there opportunities to teach?

A: Our fellows present didactic lectures to residents in our ACGME Obstetrics and Gynecology Program. Along with dedicated lectures, fellows also participate mentoring and resident simulation labs.

Q: Do you lose out by being at a community based academic hospital as opposed to a University hospital?
A: You receive the best of both worlds here at Good Sam. There is ample opportunity to interact with other fellows, residents, and teaching faculty, as well as with private attending physicians. Fellows are well respected by nurses and staff for their clinical skills and judgment throughout the hospital.

Q: Why should I choose this program?
A: There are many strong points in this program: the diverse patient mix, robust clinical experience, structured didactics, supportive attending physicians and of course the beautiful beaches of Long Island come to mind first.

Q: What makes Good Sam special?

A: Ask our fellows and they will tell you that the camaraderie between the fellows and the attending is truly what makes Good Sam special. They develop a unique bond not only with the other fellows but also residents in other programs as well. They support one another and really become like family.

Q: What is it like to live on Long Island?

A: Living on Long Island is great! Long Island is a 118 mile long stretch of diverse cultures, unique arts and entertainment, and just a quick drive or train ride away from New York City. Long Islanders enjoy four changing seasons with year round activities for all.

Q: Will I complete all of my training at Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center?
A: While our fellows primarily train at Good Samaritan University Hospital Medical Center, they occasionally see patients at the other five hospitals within the Catholic Health consortium.