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Emory University School of Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery

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Department of Surgery

Surgery APP Fellowship

The Advanced Practice Provider Surgery Fellowship is designed for highly motivated APPs who are ready to move beyond basic competency, develop surgical expertise, and benefit from a formal transition-to-practice model. This structured, immersive program accelerates the transition into high-acuity surgical practice by combining mentored clinical training, graduated responsibility, and formal didactic education.

Program Overview

Mission

The mission of the Emory Surgical Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship is to cultivate exceptional Advanced Practice Providers through immersive education, extensive procedural training, and evidence-based management of complex surgical patients. Our program is dedicated to advancing clinical excellence, fostering critical thinking, and promoting compassionate, team-based care. Through comprehensive exposure to a wide range of surgical procedures and perioperative experiences, fellows develop the knowledge, technical skill, and confidence necessary to deliver the highest standard of surgical care across diverse patient populations.

Fellowship Details

The Emory Department of Surgery APP Fellowship is a comprehensive one-year paid fellowship aimed at developing highly skilled Physician Assistants (PAs) and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) in complex surgical care, perioperative management, procedural proficiency, and evidence-based decision-making.



Training Structure

Clinical Rotations

Fellows gain extensive experience with rotations in general surgery, emergency general surgery, colorectal surgery, surgical oncology, breast surgery, and vascular surgery. Training will encompass inpatient management, outpatient clinics, and intraoperative care, with a focus on progressive autonomy and integration into surgical teams.

Didactic Education

The fellowship offers a robust educational curriculum featuring monthly lectures from experts, hands-on procedural skills training, high-fidelity simulation training, multidisciplinary conferences, journal clubs, surgical grand rounds, APP grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and intrafellowship education with other specialty APP fellows.

How to Apply

There are two application cycles per year. Applications for the Spring Cohort run from August 1-October 1, and Application for the Fall Cohort runs from Jan 1- March 1.

Applications, once available, can be found at the Emory Healthcare APP Careers Page.

Application requirements

  • Licensed ACNP/AGACNP or PA or current ACNP/AGACNP or PA students enrolled in an accredited program. Family NPs are not eligible to apply. 
  • CV
  • Statement of Intent: one-page, 12-point font, double-spaced statement describing career goals and reasons for pursuing a surgical fellowship (Include future career plans and how they might be enhanced by additional training in the fellowship.)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (including one from Program Director or Current Supervisor if not a new graduate)
  • Official transcripts are required upon completion of the graduate program and prior to starting the fellowship. If you are a current student, we require a copy of your transcript that reflects your most recent student status.

Meet the Team

Amanda Dunn, PA-C

Program Director

Amanda Dunn

Ellen Caparosa, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Ellen Caparosa

Martha Ryan, NP

Chief APP Surgical Services

Martha Ryan

John Sweeney, MD

Chief of Surgery

John Sweeney

FAQ

  1. How many fellows are selected into the program each year? 

    1. There are two cohorts per year, with one that starts in the Spring and one that starts in the Fall. There is one fellow per cohort.  

  2. How much is the fellowship salary? 

    1. Currently, the fellowship offers an annual salary of $110,000. As an employee of Emory Healthcare (EHC), the APP fellow is not subject to tuition or program fees. APP fellows enjoy the full spectrum of employment benefits, akin to staff APPs, encompassing, but not limited to, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and health insurance.  

    2. In the event of voluntary departure or dismissal from the program, there is no financial penalty for not completing the program. However, APP fellows should anticipate standard living and transportation expenses throughout the program year. 

  3. Does Emory offer a relocation stipend or housing for APP fellows? 

    1. No. Emory does not offer relation assistance or housing.  

  4. Does the fellowship have a mentorship program? 

    1. Yes, we pair each APP fellow with an APP mentor. 

  5. Does the fellowship offer benefits? 

    1. APP fellows are considered full time employees of Emory Healthcare, therefore they will be eligible for full employee benefits including health care, 401K, PTO, extended illness time, CME reimbursements, etc. 

  6. Does the fellowship offer student loan assistance? 

    1. APP fellows are considered full time employees of Emory Healthcare, therefore they are eligible for the public service loan forgiveness program and also eligible for the Emory Healthcare Student Loan Repayment Program, in which Emory will contribute $100/month to qualifying student loan debt.  

  7. How are the fellows evaluated? 

    1. APP Fellows are evaluated via a 360 comprehensive approach that includes, direct observation, end of rotation assessment of medical/clinical knowledge, clinical simulation observation, and end of rotation formal evaluation by bedside preceptor. All practitioners involved in the training process of the fellows will be asked to complete an evaluation form.