Pillar 3: EndoSURG
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
About Pillar 3
Pillar 3 is focused on EndoSurg, an expanded national CME accredited mentorship program on endometriosis care for surgeons. The EndoSurg course offers comprehensive training, including a day of expert-led lectures covering the entire patient care cycle, a lab session with hands-on practice using laparoscopic box trainers and tissue models, and paired mentorship from a MIGS-trained expert.
Goal: To enhance surgical management of endometriosis, creating greater access to surgical precision and effectiveness, leading to reduced symptoms, lower risk of complications, and improved overall quality of life for people with superficial endometriosis.
About EndoSURG
EndoSURG Mentorship Program - June 16, 2026; Ottawa, ON
Course Application Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JYXV7L3
We’re excited to welcome applicants for the upcoming Ottawa course on June 16, 2026, held the day prior to the ACSC 2026 conference. We are seeking Canadian gynecologic surgeons (non-fellowship trained) interested in developing and enhancing clinical and surgical skills to offer the best contemporary endometriosis care. This unique opportunity will begin with an in-person course at the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre and will continue with a mentorship afterwards.
EndoSURG Mentorship Program - September 30, 2026; Québec City, QC
Course Application Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JJ87QJL
We’re excited to welcome applicants for the upcoming Québec City course on September 30, 2026. We are seeking Canadian gynecologic surgeons (non-fellowship trained) interested in developing and enhancing clinical and surgical skills to offer the best contemporary endometriosis care. This unique opportunity will begin with an in-person course at the CanSAGE 2026 conference in Québec City and will continue with a mentorship afterwards.
Why EndoSURG?
The EndoSURG Mentorship program is a unique educational initiative designed to support general gynecologic surgeons who wish to develop and enhance their skills in contemporary endometriosis care. Going beyond a traditional one-day course, this program offers a comprehensive learning cycle that combines high-yield lectures and hands-on simulation training with long-term surgical coaching.
What the EndoSURG program includes
Participants will spend a full day attending focused lectures on diagnosis, medical management, and surgical techniques, followed by a hands-on lab practicing excision of superficial endometriosis on models. Following the course, each attendee is paired with a MIGS fellowship-trained surgical coach for a six-month mentorship period, which includes reviewing the participant’s own surgical case footage to refine techniques and boost confidence in the operating room.
Cost
There is no fee to participate in EndoSURG.
Criteria
To join the 2026 cohort of 12 mentees in Ottawa or Québec City, applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Professional Role: Must be a practicing Canadian gynecologist.
- Experience Level: Ideal for non‑fellowship‑trained surgeons, within 10 years of graduating from your residency program, who are eager to expand their surgical comfort zone. Not for MIS fellowship-trained surgeons.
- Surgical Privileges: You currently hold hospital privileges for the excision of superficial endometriosis.
- Commitment to Education: Must attend the full pre‑conference course on June 16, 2026, including dynamic lectures and hands‑on simulation practice.
- Ongoing Participation: Must commit to a 6‑month mentorship period following the conference, including:
- Personalized pairing with a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellowship‑trained mentor (matched by CanSAGE).
- Submission of surgical video footage for mentor review, with up to two one‑hour feedback sessions over six months.
Selection Process
Space is limited to approximately 12 mentees. If there are more eligible applicants than spots available, selection will be conducted at random.
Learning Objectives
Following the completion of this activity the participant shall be able to:
- Obtain a detailed endometriosis-specific history and correlate to appropriate targeted imaging in a pain patient;
- Provide individualized medical management options in endometriosis care;
- Identify those patients who should or should not undergo surgical intervention and timing of intervention or alternative strategies to deal with pain;
- Perform appropriate patient positioning, selection of instrumentation, safe peritoneal entry and initial pelvic survey and photo-documentation with correlation of the OR note for excision in mild endometriosis;
- Execute and approach for excision of mild endometriosis through hands on learning.
Audience
General Gynecologists
Activities and Deliverables
Comprehensive Course Content
The course encompasses a day of focused lectures by experts, covering the entire patient care cycle from triaging referrals to post-operative management.
Hands-on Practice
The session includes a laboratory component with practical, hands-on application using laparoscopic box trainers and tissue models.
Mentorship
Potentially includes paired mentorship from a MIGS-trained expert.