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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Surgery

Surgical Outcomes & Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC) Research Fellowships

The IU SOQIC Research Fellowship program is a long-standing program that was recently brought to IU with the relocation of SOQIC to the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Surgery. These research fellowships offer a funded, two-year, onsite fellowship in surgical outcomes, health services, quality improvement, implementation science, health policy, and surgical education research for surgical residents. Applications are rolling and reviewed as they are submitted. We are currently seeking applicants for research fellows to start in July 2025 in Indianapolis.

The overall goal of the research fellowships is to help prepare surgical residents for successful careers as surgeon-scientists. This pathway will allow for residents to gain firsthand experience in research methodology across a variety of different research disciplines. Research fellows will spend a minimum of two years with the IU SOQIC research team conducting research, taking advanced degree courses, and working on developing a robust, meaningful research agenda. Several tracks for applicants with specific interests are available, including surgical education, oncology, heath policy, quality improvement, and implementation science. All IU SOQIC research fellows will be able to undertake surgical education research, including working on The SECOND Trial and the future THIRD Trial.*

Residents participating in the IU SOQIC Research Fellowship will also earn a master's degree in clinical science from Indiana University School of Medicine. Applicants are not required to enroll in degree programs if a similar-level degree has already been achieved.

Prior fellows have had very successful research experiences, including numerous presentations (e.g., American Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons), first-author publications (e.g., JAMA, NEJM, Annals of Surgery), and successful grant acquisitions (e.g., NIH, AHRQ. American Cancer Society).

The work done during the fellowship has launched successful research careers and has helped residents secure coveted clinical fellowships, faculty positions, and research funding. The program prepares the research fellow for a career in academic surgery with a focus on national surgical healthcare issues. There is also a formal program to support the fellow’s professional development, especially in establishing a national network of relationships. Strong preference will be given to candidates with prior research experience. One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents.

*The SECOND Trial is made possible by partnerships with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Board of Surgery (ABS), Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the Society of Surgical Chairs (SSC). The study is funded by the ACS and the ACGME.

We are currently accepting applications for the following opportunities:

Interested in applying?

Strong preference for all three research fellowships will be given to candidates with prior research experience and from diverse backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in medicine (URiM). One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. permanent residents or visa holders.

The Indiana University’s Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (IU SOQIC) is excited to offer a funded, two-year onsite fellowship for surgical residents in surgical outcomes, health services, quality improvement, implementation science, health policy, and surgical education research. Residents can have an interest in any area of surgical oncology.

The overall goal of the research fellowship is to help prepare surgical residents for successful careers as surgeon-scientists. This pathway will allow for residents to gain firsthand experience in research methodology across a variety of disciplines. Fellows will spend a minimum of two years with the SOQIC team conducting research and working on developing a robust, meaningful research agenda. Fellows will receive formal mentorship from SOQIC faculty as well as support in establishing a national network of professional relationships.

Research fellows will earn a Master’s degree that best suits their needs through one of the programs offered at Indiana University, most often a master’s in clinical science, with tuition fully funded by the program. Applicants are not required to enroll in degree programs if a similar-level degree has already been achieved.

Prior fellows have had very successful research experiences, including numerous presentations (e.g., American Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons), first-author publications (e.g., JAMA, NEJM, Annals of Surgery), and successful grant acquisitions (e.g., NIH, AHRQ. American Cancer Society).

Prior research experience is not required. We encourage those from diverse backgrounds to apply. One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders. Please send your CV along with a request for an application to bdorazio@iu.edu,or if you have questions about the program.

The Indiana University Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (IU SOQIC) is announcing a dedicated fellowship program, seeking diverse candidates, to support the research conducted in the Surgical Education Numbered Trials Group (e.g., FIRST, SECOND, THIRD Trials). This research fellowship offers a unique, funded, two-year, on-site program specializing in surgical education and policy research. IU SOQIC is seeking candidates for the July 2025 academic year and highly encourages surgical residents and post-doctoral trainees from underrepresented and minoritized communities to apply. The program is located in Indianapolis. Research fellows will spend time with the Surgical Education Numbered Trials team collaborating in national and international studies (SECOND Trial, THIRD Trial, and more) concentrated on enhancing the culture and learning environment of surgical residency programs and surgical departments. Fellows will work extensively, alongside surgical education wellness, and diversity leaders to design and implement future research studies, having a unique opportunity to develop a meaningful research portfolio in surgical education. Research fellows will earn a master’s degree in clinical science from Indiana University School of Medicine. Applicants are not required to enroll in degree programs if a similar-level degree has already been achieved.

The FIRST and SECOND Trial have contributed extensively to the literature in the surgical education space, successfully publishing >50 manuscripts and conducting over >50 presentations nationwide by prior fellows. Moreover, prior fellows have published their surgical education research in NEJM, JAMA, surgical journals, and surgical education journals. The research conducted by the Surgical Education Numbered Trials team is made possible by partnerships with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Board of Surgery (ABS), Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the Society of Surgical Chairs (SSC). The National Numbered Surgical Education Trials Group is funded by the ACGME and ACS. Fellows will be primarily mentored by Drs. Yue-Yung Hu, Karl Bilimoria, and Demetrios Stefanidis, along with several other Indiana University clinical and methodological experts in surgical education and health service/outcomes research.

Strong preference will be given to candidates with prior research experience and coming from diverse backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in medicine (URiM). One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders. Please send your CV to damorteg@iu.edu for pre-screening and to request an application, or if you have any questions about the program.

The Indiana University’s Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (IU SOQIC) is excited to offer a funded, two-year fellowship for surgical residents in surgical outcomes, health services, quality improvement, implementation science, and health policy.

The ACS Cancer Programs Clinical Scholars conduct research, integrate into ACS and Cancer Programs/Commission on Cancer committees, and lead aspects of various initiatives of the ACS Cancer Programs, providing comprehensive, unparalleled exposure to their work in research, quality, policy, and advocacy. Residents can have an interest in any area of oncology.

The overall goal of the research fellowship is to help prepare surgical residents for successful careers as surgeon-scientists. The ACS Cancer Programs Clinical Scholars will work with mentors at the ACS and at IU SOQIC. Fellows will receive formal mentorship from leaders and faculty at ACS and IU SOQIC, as well as support in establishing a national network of professional relationships.

Research fellows will earn a Master’s degree that best suits their needs through one of the programs offered at Indiana University, most often a master’s in clinical science, with tuition fully funded by the program. Applicants are not required to enroll in degree programs if a similar-level degree has already been achieved.

Prior fellows have had very successful research experiences, including numerous presentations (e.g., American Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons), first-author publications (e.g., JAMA, NEJM, Annals of Surgery), and successful grant acquisitions (e.g., NIH, AHRQ. American Cancer Society).

Prior research experience is not required. We encourage those from diverse backgrounds to apply. One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders. Please send your CV along with a request for an application to bdorazio@iu.edu,or if you have questions about the program.

The Indiana University’s Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (IU SOQIC), in partnership with the Department of Surgery and the American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (ASMBS), is excited to offer a two-year research fellowship in bariatric and metabolic surgical outcomes, health services, quality improvement, implementation science, health policy, and surgical education research for IU School of Medicine surgical residents.

IU SOQIC research fellows will work with a team of faculty mentors of their choosing to conduct research in their specialty interests, and will receive training in informatics, technical skills, and relevant clinical disciplines. Research fellows will work closely with the ASMBS Research Collaborative Chair, as well as the ASMBS research committee leadership.

Prior fellows have had very successful research experiences, including numerous presentations (e.g., American Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons), first-author publications (e.g., JAMA, NEJM, Annals of Surgery), and successful grant acquisitions (e.g., NIH, AHRQ. American Cancer Society).

Research fellows will earn a Master’s degree that best suits their needs through one of the programs offered at Indiana University, most often a Master’s in Clinical Research that is tailored for surgical resident research fellows interested in health services, outcomes, quality improvement, and implementation science. The advanced degree tuition will be fully funded by the program. Applicants are not required to enroll in degree programs if a similar-level degree has already been achieved.

Preference will be given to candidates with prior research experience and coming diverse backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in medicine (URiM). One-year fellowships will not be considered. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders. Interested residents should contact bdorazio@iu.edu to request an application, or if you have any questions about the program.