Canadian Fellowship Programs
MIGS Fellowship Program of the Month - January 2020
University of British Columbia
UBC Advanced Training Program in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Overview
The UBC post-graduate program was started in 2010 and welcomed its 10th trainee this year. Our program offers the opportunity to develop outstanding skills in minimally invasive surgery, specialized ultrasound and management of patients with complex benign gynecologic conditions, in an academic setting. Our trainees work alongside our 4 gynecologists and allied health care providers at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, a pioneer in interdisciplinary care for women with these conditions. At our centre, our trainees gain practical tools and experience to manage the most challenging endometriosis problems (deep disease and severe pain unresponsive to standard management) as well as fibroids, adenomyosis, and AUB.
We have recently moved to a 2 year program which allows us to support our trainees in completing a Masters of their choice and foster leadership and academic pursuits. We provide guidance and mentorship to our trainees so that they can contribute to our exciting research program in bench and clinical aspects of fibroids, endometriosis, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain. Our trainees regularly present their work at national and international conferences and have numerous publications.
In first year, our trainees spend 2-3 days/week in the OR, 1-2 day per week in clinic (including ½ day fellow clinic) and have one day per week of protected time for research. In second year, there is more protected time for course work and completion of research, a focus on the most challenging OR cases and independent OR days as well as elective time.
The ultimate goal of the Program is to develop leaders in teaching and research related to chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis and minimally invasive surgery to help improve the care of women with complex gynecologic problems.
Faculty
Dr. Catherine Allaire
Program Director
Clinical Professor, Head Division of Gynaecologic Specialties
Dr. Mohamed Bedaiwy
Professor, Head Division of REI
Dr. Christina Williams
Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Paul Yong
Associate Professor, Research Director
Current Trainees

Dr. Caroline Lee
(FRCSC University of Saskatchewan 2018)
Dr. Alicia Long
(FRCSC University of Alberta 2019)
Past Grads
Dr. Anne Timmermans (2010) – Dept ObGyn, University of Amsterdam
Dr. Paul Yong (2011 – 2012) – Associate Professor, UBC
Dr. Innie Chen (2012 - 2013) – Associate Professor, University of Ottawa
Dr. Sonia Bodmer Roy (2013 – 2014) – Division of MIGS, McGill University, St-Mary’s Hospital, Quebec
Dr. Shannon Reid (2014 – 2015) – Dept Ob/Gyn, Nepean Medical School, Sidney, Australia
Dr. Pira Korsieporn (2015 – 2016) – Dept Ob/Gyn, Lakeshore General, Quebec
Dr. Tuba Aksoy (2016 – 2018) – Dept Ob/Gyn, Richmond Hill Hospital, Ontario
Dr. Claudine Storness-Bliss (2017 – 2018) – UBC Clinical Assistant Professor, Surrey Memorial Hospital, BC