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Intercontinental Training Program (ITP)

This TROGSS Intercontinental Training Program (ITP) is designed to promote the acquisition and refinement of surgical skills while fostering our program directors’ and candidates’ collaboration to ensure a comprehensive approach to the future of Robotic Surgery. By empowering emerging surgeons with the latest techniques and insights, we aim to enhance patient care and drive the evolution of surgical practices worldwide. While our focus is on robotic surgery, the TROGSS ITP has been expanded to include Advanced Laparoscopy and Advanced Endoscopy to enable our dedicated and talented faculty and program directors to participate and offer alternative state-of-the-art non-robotic training to aspiring fellows, observers, and visiting professors, even if they do not have access to robotic surgery platforms yet.

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For Aspiring Candidates

ITP Guide
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For Program Directors 

Available Programs

Nacogdoches Medical Center, Nacogdoches, TX, United States of America

○ Program Director:

Prof. Rodolfo J. Oviedo, MD, FACS, FRCS, FICS, FASMBS,
DABS-FPDMBS

● Medical Director of Bariatric Surgical Services and Robotics
Program, Nacogdoches Medical Center
● Clinical Professor, University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family
College of Medicine
● Clinical Professor, Sam Houston State University College of
Osteopathic Medicine
● CEO, TROGSS – The Robotic Global Surgical Society
● Deputy Editor, Journal of Robotic Surgery
● Associate Editor, Obesity Surgery

○ Robotic Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Fellowship, Robotic General
Surgery Training:
■ Non hands-on observation experience for patients in the hospital and
ambulatory surgery center (subject to change in the future), but with
laboratory simulation training in robotics, advanced laparoscopy and
endoscopy (hybrid model.)
■ Fellowship, Observership and Visiting Professor experience available.

○ Length:

  •  4 weeks
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For Aspiring Candidates

November 20th National Medical Center, ISSSTE. Mexico City, Mexico

○ Program Director:

Prof. Omar F. Gaytan, MD

● Bariatric & Robotic Surgeon at November 20th National Medical
Center, ISSSTE, Mexico
● Professor of The Upper Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery
Fellowship at The National Autonomous University of Mexico.
● Primary and Revisional Bariatric Surgery
● Primary and Revisional Antireflux Surgery.
● Professor of Surgery, Westhill University.
● Editor, Journal of Robotic Surgery.
○ Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Training:
■ Robotic, Laparoscopic, and Endoscopic (Hands-On).
■ Fellowship, Observership, and Visiting Professor.

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)
  • Intermediate training (3 months / 6 months)
  • Full training (1 year)
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Orléans (CHU), Orléans University Hospital, France

○ Program Director:

Dr. Adel ABOU-MRAD, FACS, FICS

● Consultant Bariatric & Robotic Surgeon at The Centre Hospitalier
Universitaire d’Orléans (CHU), Orleans University Hospital,
France.
● Program director of the Bariatric Robotic Program at The CHU
d’Orléans, Orleans University Hospital, France.
● Former President of the robotic council at The University Hospital
of Orleans, France.
● Founder & President of TROGSS: The Robotic Global Surgical
Society.
● SOFFCOMM Robotic board coordinator & SOFFCOMM
Administration Council member.
● President of the Orleans SOFFCOMM Congress 2027
● Fellow of the International College of Surgeons – F.I.C.S.
● Fellow of the American College of Surgeons – F.A.C.S.

○ Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Training:
■ Robotic/Laparoscopic/Endoscopic (Hands-off)
■ Observership/Visiting Professor

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)
  • Intermediate training (3 months / 6 months)
  •  Full training (1 year)
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

○ Program Director:

■ Dr. Beniamino Pascotto MD, FEBS-MIS


● Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric/Metabolic Surgeon at The
Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg.
● Head of the Department General and Minimally Invasive
Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery Department at The Centre
Hospitalier de Luxembourg.
● Chair of Education Committee of The Robotic Global Surgical
Society (TROGSS)
● Board member of the Belgian Section of Obesity and Metabolic
Surgery (BeSOMS)
● Member of the Scientific Council of the Sociedade Portuguesa de
Cirurgia Robotica (SPCR)
● Member of Young IFSO-EC Taskforce
○ Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Training:
■ Robotic/Laparoscopic/Endoscopic (Hands-off)
■ Observership/Visiting Professor

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

Chibune General Hospital, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan.

○ Program Director:

■ Prof. Seiichi Kitahama, MD

● Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Center for Obesity,
Diabetes and Endocrinology
● Councilor, Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Japan Society
for the Study of Obesity and Japanese Society for Treatment of
Obesity
● Member of Clinical Guidelines Committee, JASSO
● Instructor, Laparoscopic suturing seminar, JSES
● Member of Program Committee for Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery, JSES
● Expert Laparoscopic Surgeon, Outreach Program, ELSA
● Preceptor, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Kyoto University
Hospital
● Kobe University Hospital and Nara Medical University Hospital
● Member of Fellowship Committee, TROGSS
○ Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Fellowship:
■ Robotic/Laparoscopic/Endoscopic (Hands-On)
■ Fellowship/Observership/Visiting Professor

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 12 weeks).
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

Maria Inmaculada Hospital, Florencia-Caquetá, Colombia

○ Program Director:

■ Prof. Adolfo Perez Bonet, MD

● Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon at Maria Inmaculada Hospital,
Florencia, Colombia.
● Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon at Gloria Patricia Pinzon Clinic –
Cedim, Florencia, Colombia.
● Program Coordinator of the Postgraduate Certification in
Laparoscopic Surgery Program, jointly offered by the Colombian
Medical College and the University of Amazon, Colombia
● Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, The National Autonomous
University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
● Member of TROGSS Education Committee.

○ General, Metabolic & Bariatric Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Training:
■ Advanced Laparoscopic and Endoscopic (Hands-On).
■ Fellowship, Observership, and Visiting Professor.

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 12 weeks).
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

University Bielefeld-Campus Lippe, Detmold, Germany

○ Program Director:

■ Dr. Miljana Vladimirov, MD, MHBA.


● Robotic surgeon, Expert in Foregut, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery.
Expert in Advance Laparoscopic Surgery
● Robotic Surgery, Visceral, Foregut, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery
at University Bielefeld-Campus Lippe
● Head of Department Bariatric and Metabolic surgery at University
Bielefeld-Campus Lippe
● Proud Member of TROGSS – Executive Council
● Co-Chair of Education Committee of TROGSS
● Member of Young IFSO-EC Taskforce
● President international cooperation Serbian association of
endoscopic surgery (UEHS)
○ Metabolic and Bariatric Robotic Surgery Training:
■ Robotic/Advanced Laparoscopic
■ Observership/Visiting Professor

○ Length:

  • Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)
Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

InterHospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador

○ Program Director:


■ Dr. Omar Rivera, MD.


● Head of the Department of Metabolic, Bariatric, and
Esophagogastric Robotic Surgery at Inter Hospital, Guayaquil,
Ecuador.
● Advanced Laparoscopic, Metabolic, Bariatric, and
Esophagogastric Surgeon at Gastro Vitta Hospital, Manta,
Ecuador.
● General Surgeon Specialist at Universidad de especialidades
Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
● Fellowship of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, National
Autonomous University of Mexico.
● Fellowship of Bariatric & Metabolic Robotic Surgery at November
20th National Hospital, ISSSTE, Mexico.
● Bariatric, and Esophagogastric Robotic Surgery, CEU Cardenal
Herrera University, Spain.
● Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at IRCAD América Latina –
Unidade Barretos, Brazil.

○ General, Metabolic & Bariatric Robotic & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Training:
■ Robotic & Advanced Laparoscopic Simulation & Hands-on (Simlab)
■ Fellowship, Observership, and Visiting Professor.

○ Length:

Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)Intermediate training (3 months / 6 months)Full training (1 year)

Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

○ Program Director:

■ Prof. Kefeng Ding, M.D.

● Professor of Oncology, Chief Surgeon, Ph.D. Supervisor  
● Chief Scientist of National Key Research and Development Program
● Vice-Chairperson of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association
● Deputy Director of the Colorectal Cancer Committee, Chinese Medical Doctor Association
● Vice President of the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine
● Director of Oncology Degree Program at Zhejiang University, have performed laparoscopic colorectal surgery since 2004 and robotic colorectal surgery since 2018.

○ Length:

Short training (4 weeks / 8 weeks)Intermediate training (3 months / 6 months)Full training (1 year)

Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

World Laparoscopy Hospital, DLF Phase II, Cybercity, Gurugram, India.

Program Director

Dr. Bhavneet Singh Bhalla, MS, FMBS, FICRS, FALS, FAIS, FMAS, DMAS, FIAGES

  • Consultant Laparoscopic, Bariatric, Robotic Surgeon & GI Endoscopist

  • Director, World Laparoscopy Hospital

  • Associate Editor, World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery

  • Chief Coordinator, TUGSS Endoscopy

  • Member, Education Committee, The Robotic Global Surgical Society

  • Adviser, Fellowship in Advanced GI Endoscopy, IAGES

  • Director, The Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society (TUGSS)

  • Director, Fellowship in MAS, Robotic Surgery & GI Endoscopy, WLH

Robotic & Advanced Endoscopic Surgery Training

  • Fellowship (Specialist Program)

  • Observership

  • Visiting Professorship

  • Robotic & Advanced Endoscopic Hands-on Training

  • Simulation-based Training

Training Duration

  • Intermediate Training

    • 3 Months

    • 6 Months

Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

UMAE Hospital of Specialties National Medical Center of the West, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Program Director

Prof. Dr. Luis Osvaldo Suarez Carrion, MD, FACS

  • Bariatric Surgeon at Hospital of Specialties, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente

  • General Director, Bariatric Group Mexico (Guadalajara)

  • Member, Asociación Mexicana de Cirugía Endoscópica, Mexico

  • Member, Asociación Mexicana de Cirugía General, Mexico

  • Active Member, American College of Surgeons

  • Professor & Thesis Advisor, National Program of Quality Postgraduate Programs – CONACYT (PNPC), General Surgery Program, Guadalajara University, Mexico

  • Professor, Clinical and Surgical Sciences Program (Surgery), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM), General Surgery Program, Guadalajara University, Mexico

Surgical Cases Offered by This Program

  • Laparoscopic Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

    Sleeve Gastrectomy, RYGB, OAGB, Transit Bipartition

  • Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery

    Redo procedures, Heller Myotomy

  • Laparoscopic Esophagectomy & Reconstruction

    Ivor Lewis, McKeown, Colonic Interposition

  • Laparoscopic Inguinal & Abdominal Wall Surgery

    TAPP, TEP, IPOM+, eTEP, TAR

  • Laparoscopic & Open HPB Surgery

    Biliodigestive Bypass, Pancreatectomy, Puestow Procedure, Cystojejunostomy, Whipple Procedure

Advanced Laparoscopic Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

  • Advanced Laparoscopic Hands-On Training

  • Observership

  • Visiting Professorship

Training Duration

  • Short Training Program

    • 4 Weeks

    • 12 Weeks

Apply Now

For Aspiring Candidates

Advancing Robotic Surgery and Education, for Our Patients, by Our Surgeons

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Contact Info
  • 167 Rue, Paul Doumer 45140, Saint Jean de la ruelle, Orléans, France.
  • trogssofficial@gmail.com

Copyright 2025 © TROGSS

Co-Director's Message

As the newly appointed Co-Director of the Robotic Time Zone (RTZ), I am thrilled to welcome you to our vibrant and innovative community. Here at RTZ, we are more than just a network of robotic surgery enthusiasts; we are a global family united by a shared passion for advancing the surgical field and enhancing patient care through research, education, and community.

Our community is the heartbeat of medical progress. It’s where ideas are born, knowledge is shared, and breakthroughs are nurtured. At TROGSS, we offer a wealth of resources designed to fuel your curiosity and elevate your expertise. From exclusive webinars and hands-on workshops to our dynamic forums and collaborative research initiatives, RTZ offers endless opportunities to learn, connect, and innovate alongside the brightest minds in robotic surgery.

Building a strong community is at the core of what we do. Medical knowledge thrives in spaces like RTZ, where diverse perspectives come together to challenge, inspire, and grow. Whether you’re exploring our extensive library of case studies or engaging in real-time discussions with peers across the globe, you’ll find that RTZ is a place where your contributions matter and your passion finds a home.

The passion for surgery—especially robotic surgery—knows no borders. It transcends time zones, uniting us in the ever-evolving Robotic Time Zone, where innovation and excellence drive us forward. Welcome to explore and join us in this vibrant space: The Robotic Time Zone.

Warm regards,
Susana Acosta, MD
Co-Director, Robotic Time Zone
TROGSS

Co-Director's Message

As Co-Director of Robotic Time Zone, it’s my privilege to introduce you to our global platform—a space created to bring the TROGSS family together, celebrate our achievements, and share our collective knowledge. Robotic Time Zone is everything; it’s a reflection of who we are—a vibrant community of surgeons, trainees, and students driven by a shared passion for advancing robotic surgery and education.

In every edition, we’ll take you through some of the most remarkable moments from TROGSS events, showcase innovative research, share valuable tips and tricks, and dive into compelling case discussions from operating rooms, with incredible editorials on recent research on Robotics across the globe. You’ll also find stories that inspire, resources to learn from, and voices that resonate with our mission of empowering excellence.

At its core, RTZ is about connection, lifelong learning, everything you need to excel in the field of Robotics. It’s about celebrating the talent, dedication, and creativity within our society and keeping us all inspired as we work together to shape the future of surgery.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. I can’t wait for you to explore what we’ve created together.

Your Friend, 

Dr. Aman Goyal

Co-Director of Robotic Time Zone

Chair, Medical Student Committee

Director's Message

Dear TROGSS Members, Friends, and Supporters, it is with great pride and immense gratitude that I welcome you to Robotic Time Zone, a cornerstone of the TROGSS mission and a dedicated space where ideas, innovation, and connections converge. This platform is not just a means of communication—it is a sanctuary for robotic surgeons, trainees, and medical students worldwide. It is a room designed to foster knowledge exchange, fuel collaboration, and nurture the bonds of true friendship that transcend borders and disciplines.

As we launch this initiative, I envision Robotic Time Zone as much more than a section of TROGSS; it is a living, breathing ecosystem of growth and inspiration, where every conversation sparks an idea, every collaboration builds a bridge, and every achievement becomes a shared victory. It is a space where knowledge knows no boundaries, and the diversity of our global perspectives enriches the solutions we create for the future of robotic surgery.

Here, we are not limited by time zones or geographical borders. Instead, we are connected by a shared purpose and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of what is possible in surgical care. Whether it is through exchanging groundbreaking techniques, sharing lessons from challenges, or mentoring the next generation of surgeons, Robotic Time Zone is a place where we redefine the meaning of progress and excellence.

This platform is a reflection of our values: empathy, unity, and a commitment to continuous learning. It is not just about achieving professional milestones but about building a global family—a network of surgeons and scholars who inspire, support, and uplift each other. Here, we celebrate not only our individual achievements but also the collective strength of our community.

I am deeply grateful for the privilege of serving as the Director of this remarkable platform. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Aman Goyal, Co-Director of Robotic Time Zone, and to every member of the TROGSS Executive Council, whose dedication and selflessness make initiatives like this possible. I also express my gratitude to our visionary President, Prof. Adel Abou-Mrad, and our inspiring CEO, Dr. Rodolfo J. Oviedo, for their leadership and unwavering support of our collective mission.

Robotic Time Zone is a canvas for innovation, a space where surgeons educate surgeons, new ideas take shape, and the future of robotic surgery is written. It is a testament to the power of connection—to the belief that, together, we can achieve far more than any of us could alone.

This is a space where every member of TROGSS finds a voice and a purpose. It is a room where dreams turn into action, where curiosity fuels discovery, and where the extraordinary becomes attainable. Whether you join us to share your expertise, seek mentorship, or simply connect with like-minded professionals, know that this is your space, your global family, and your platform to grow, inspire, and lead.

Together, we are building something extraordinary. This is Robotic Time Zone: a room for innovation, for unity, and for dreaming big.

And as a final note, I want to remind you that Robotic Time Zone will always be active and updated, no matter where you are or what time it is. Because in this space, it is always the Robotic Time Zone.

Let us continue to meet, innovate, and inspire across continents and time zones. Let us use this space to elevate each other, to celebrate the art and science of surgery, and to transform the future of robotic care together.

With deep appreciation and excitement for what lies ahead,

Luigi Marano, MD, PhD, MSc

Director, Robotic Time Zone

The Robotic Global Surgical Society (TROGSS)

With Gratitude, Your CEO and Friend

360… Degrees? A symbol of our exponential growth as a global society devoted to the noble mission of Advancing Robotic Surgery and Education, for Our Patients, by Our Surgeons? An image of an altruistic goal that is achieved by #empoweringinexcellence? An analogy to the very nature that gave rise to our #intercontinental community of surgeons, trainees and medical students? A graphic representation of the return to our roots in our desire to transcend boundaries, languages, and barriers that block the growth of human beings in exchange for solidarity, compassion, selflessness, and service? 

No. 360 represents the number of members and friends within the TROGSS family on the day this message was written, December 4th, 2024. It is a little over a year since TROGSS – The Robotic Global Surgical Society came to be under the leadership of a visionary President and founder who gave us a chance to dream, to transcend, to fulfill our potential by putting our talents to the service of our fellow surgeons and mentees. Today I am grateful, more than ever, for it is just the beginning, not the end of a trajectory full of challenges but with more abundant blessings and reasons to celebrate our successes, again, for Our Patients, by Our Surgeons.

1946… The year that the Baby Boom began? The point in time when the first electronic digital computer appeared in the market? The historic moment when the dreadful World War II officially came to an end? 

No. 1946 refers to how many respectable followers and subscribers have been actively checking our official LinkedIn page for updates, posts, announcements, manuscripts produced by our members, and conference news where we have taught and participated, while patiently awaiting the launch of our website today.

We have truly become a society whose essence remains pure and dignified as long as our members continue to serve one another and promote each other’s careers, education, and growth as human beings. This is the treasure of TROGSS, #thisiswhoweare: a family that stands united and promotes the democratization of #surgicaleducationforall in a system where surgeons finally educate surgeons, with industry as a respected and welcomed partner, but not as the driver of our training and growth as surgical professionals.

Gratitude is a powerful word that represents one of the most underestimated yet impactful and transcendent forces of nature. On a deeply personal note, I am infinitely grateful to God for His presence, guidance, wisdom and blessings upon my life, my family, and TROGSS. Gratitude is essential in our current era, more than ever, as we face many obstacles ranging from natural disasters, to human calamities caused by wars and division, to an uncertain future that is marked by the rise of artificial intelligence and its countless implications and possibilities. In the midst of so much fear, we stand united, we stand firm, we support each other and aim to promote the wellbeing of our patients and ourselves by staying true to our nature, a nature of humanity and compassion.

On the special occasion of the launch of our website as a professional surgical society thanks to the heroic efforts from our leaders, I wish to give special thanks to our President Prof. Adel Abou-Mrad, who entrusted me just over a year ago with the humbling yet enormous responsibility and honor to serve each of you, my dear friends and esteemed members, as your CEO. I also want to thank Prof. Luigi Marano and Dr. Aman Goyal, Director and Co-Director of #robotictimezone, respectively, which is the official means of communication and information for TROGSS, our face, our tongue, our eyes, our soul. 

I especially want to thank each of the 21 inspiring members of our #trogssexecutivecouncil who work alongside me and who have given so much of their talents and sacrifice to serve our society with love, without financial compensation for their valuable time and efforts, out of generosity and commitment to our cause. And of course, I want to especially thank Prof. Luis Osvaldo Suarez Carreon, Chair of the Membership & Engagement Committee, for his selfless support of our society by enabling us to see our website become a reality despite the challenges that arise from our nature as a non-for-profit organization that does not charge its members for the multiple benefits that it offers for free.

I could spend so many sentences and paragraphs writing as I thank each of you, my beloved friends and members, but all the space in the world wide web would not suffice to express how grateful I am to serve you and to learn from you every day as we continue to grow together. We have already accomplished so much, but #thebestisyettocome. Let us believe together that our future is bright and our present is within our grasp as our young and talented generation takes us farther than we ever imagined to reach. #thisishappening. #letsbepresent as the #trogssdiplomaticcorps.

Let us keep meeting in all continents, in so many different countries, as we attend and serve as faculty at educational events and conferences, big and small, to let everyone know as the #trogssambassadorsclub that we are here to stay. Let us promote, serve, educate, support, and show the world that we are TROGSS, that we are #oneglobalfamily that stands united and with a meaningful purpose. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, I cannot say it enough, from the bottom of my heart and from the core of my spirit. Thank you, God! Thank you, TROGSS!

With Gratitude, 

Your CEO and Friend

Rodolfo J. Oviedo, MD, FACS, FRCS, FICS, FASMBS, DABS-FPDMBS