ESCP offered 3-month Functional Disorder Fellowships and 6-month Robotics Fellowships for 2024-2025. Fellows report here on their experiences.
Click on a fellow's name to read their report. The first reports are from Quentin Denost and Javier Corral Rubio.
| Name | Country | Host Centre or Event | Fellowship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Denost | France | ASCRS Congress 2025, San Diego, USA | Travelling Fellowship |
| Muhammed A Ali | UK | University of Limerick Hospitals Group, Ireland | 6-Month Robotic |
| Christos Chouliaras | Greece | Ospedale San Paolo, Università di Milano, Italy | 6-Month Robotic |
| Lauren Cohen | Australia | Hospital Valle de Hebron, Barcelona, Spain | 6-Month Robotic |
| Cristian Gallardo | Chile | Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen Alexandra Hospital, UK | 6-Month Robotic |
| Muhammad Rafaih Iqbal | UK | Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK | 6-Month Robotic |
| Irene Maya | Spain | Bordeaux Colorectal Institute, France | 6-Month Robotic |
| Nazli Muhibullah | UK | Poole General Hospital, UK | 6-Month Robotic |
| Sentilnathan Subramaniam | Malaysia | Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen Alexandra Hospital, UK | 6-Month Robotic |
| Alexis Terras | UK | Northampton General Hospital, UK | 6-Month Robotic |
| Laura van Praet | Belgium | Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland | 3-Month Functional Disorders |
| Javier Corral Rubio | Spain | Meander Medisch Centrum, Belgium | 3-Month Functional Disorders |
Sponsors
6-month Robotics Fellowships were sponsored by Intuitive
3-month Functional Disorder Fellowships were sponsored by Medtronic
Quentin Denost
From: France
Visited: ASCRS Congress 2025 in San Diego, USA
Time period: May 2025
It was a profound honour to be awarded the ASCRS Traveling Fellowship in partnership with the European Society of Coloproctology. This opportunity enabled me to engage in a cross-continental educational exchange aimed at surgical innovation, and international collaboration in the field of colorectal surgery.
The fellowship was structured around three core objectives: exposure to innovative surgical techniques, strengthening transatlantic professional networks and sharing best practices across healthcare systems.
The fellowship underscored the value of global surgical collaboration. I engaged in reciprocal case discussions with fellows and attendings, comparing practice guidelines and sharing institutional protocols. These conversations opened opportunities for future joint research initiatives.
This fellowship has deeply enriched my surgical perspective. By bridging two leading colorectal societies - the ASCRS and ESCP - the experience not only refined my technical and academic skills but also strengthened the foundation for ongoing international academic exchange and research partnerships.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the ESCP their unwavering support and dedication to global surgical excellence.
Javier Corral Rubio
From: Spain
Visited: Meander Medisch Centrum, Belgium
Time period: February to April 2025
During my three-month fellowship at Meander Medisch Centrum, I had the unique opportunity to train at a national reference centre for pelvic floor disorders and minimally invasive colorectal surgery, especially with the robotic platform. This experience allowed me to deepen my understanding of pelvic floor pathology and learn the principles and practice of robotic ventral mesh rectopexy, a key focus of the centre. I had the chance to observe and assist in numerous procedures, including rectopexies, sacrocolpopexies, and combined surgeries in collaboration with urogynaecology.
Beyond robotic surgery, I engaged in the multidisciplinary management of complex pelvic floor disorders, working closely with gynaecologists, physiotherapists, continence nurses.... This gave me insight into how structured collaboration leads to better patient outcomes and improved surgical planning.
I also assisted in advanced colorectal resections, including laparoscopic and robotic oncological procedures (right and left hemicolectomies, low anterior resections, abdominoperineal resections) and emergency cases. These experiences allowed me to observe the precise, protocol-based, and highly efficient workflow of a high-volume unit.
Academically, I engaged with local residents and fellows in operative training and attended structured educational meetings, including sessions and dedicated pelvic floor disorder meetings. This environment reinforced the importance of ongoing learning and multidisciplinary coordination in proctology and colorectal surgery.
I had the chance to join Professor Esther Consten in the training of international surgeons in the robotic platform at Amsterdam Skills Center. I was also invited to the Colorectal Thrive 2025 in Fribourg, a congress with very interesting lectures and renowned international speakers.
This experience has greatly enriched my perspective as a colorectal surgeon and provided me with valuable tools that I plan to incorporate into my daily practice.
Professor Consten and Dr Verheijen were generous hosts who made my stay both educational and enjoyable. One of the most rewarding aspects of my fellowship in Amersfoort was the warm welcome and full integration into their surgical and academic team. From day one, I was treated as a colleague and encouraged to participate.
I am grateful to Professor Consten for her mentorship and for sharing her expertise in robotic pelvic floor surgery. Her dedication to surgical precision was deeply inspiring. I thank her sincerely for allowing me to be part of her program.
I am also thankful to the ESCP and Medtronic for making this invaluable experience possible.