PAs Surgical Fellowship
 

Mission

To prepare certified Physician Assistants to become proficient in all aspects of acute care surgery via an advanced didactic and clinical training program.

Program attributes

  • A well-rounded surgical and critical care education
  • A proctored clinical and surgical/procedural experience
  • Didactic and clinical curriculum aimed at fostering critical thinking, leadership, confidence and a mindset of lifelong learning
  • Learner-oriented, competency-based curriculum focused on clinical skills, system based knowledge and professional conduct required to provide safe, excellent, compassionate quality care to surgical and critically ill patients

Program promise

Upon completion, participants will be more confident and consistent APPs, equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality care to patients.

Eligibility

  • Completion of PA Master’s program
  • National board certification
  • Connecticut state licensure
  • Designated drug screening
  • Criminal background check

Curriculum

Phase 1: General/Trauma surgery – 6 months

  • Intense clinical/didactic experience
  • Located at Backus Hospital, where there is no competition with medical residents for cases or procedures.
  • Procedural exposure includes complex robotic/open hernia repair, foregut and bariatric surgery, robotic thoracic surgery, vascular and endovascular surgery, endocrine head and neck surgery, trauma and chest wall surgery, neurosurgery, as well as bedside procedures including central line and chest tube insertion.
  • Additional subspecialty exposure to neurosurgery, colorectal, bariatrics, and plastics

Phase 2: Core rotations – 6 months

  • Surgical ICU – 4 weeks
  • Thoracic – 4 weeks
  • Vascular – 4 weeks
  • Level-1 Trauma – 4 weeks 
  • Electives (fellow’s choice) – 2 x 4-week blocks

Phase 3: Transition to completion – 1 month

  • Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion issued by the program, signed by the medical director, program director and participating faculty.

Stipend and benefits

  • Fellows will be paid a competitive stipend over the 13 months of the program and are eligible for full comprehensive benefits, including health, dental and vision by Hartford HealthCare.

Read the job description

Application dates and requirements

Program start dates:

  • April
  • October

Application window

  • July and August for April 2027 cohort

Notification timeline

  • Notification of acceptance will be provided within 4 weeks of the interview

Application requirements

  1. Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
  2. One-page statement of interest in postgraduate training (PDF)
  3. Recent, professional passport-size photograph (JPEG)
  4. Official graduate (PA school) transcripts

Additional requirements

  • Letters of recommendation from one each of the following:
    1. Program director
    2. Faculty
    3. Physician

Apply

Click here to apply to the fellowship online

Questions?

Contact PASurgeryFellowship@hhchealth.org 

Current and Past Fellows

Current Fellows

Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn Burnham

Carolyn is a lifelong Connecticut resident who earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Springfield College. While at Springfield, Carolyn served in Student Government, the Physician Assistant Student Organization, and was inducted into Pi Alpha Honor Society. 

Her medical career is built on a foundation of experience as an Emergency Medical Technician and a Certified Nursing Assistant. Prior to her current fellowship, Carolyn spent the first phase of her career practicing in Internal Medicine. While she valued the diagnostic complexity and longitudinal patient relationships of primary care, she was consistently drawn toward procedural medicine. This passion led her to pursue a surgical fellowship with Hartford Healthcare as a strategic segue, allowing her to bridge her internal medicine expertise with advanced surgical training. 

Outside of the hospital Carolyn enjoys reading, traveling, live music, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. 

Grace Ferruzza

Grace Ferruzza 

Grace was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Physician Assistant Studies through the university’s five-year accelerated Physician Assistant program. During her training, Grace explored a wide range of surgical specialties through her general surgery rotation and additional elective experiences in the operating room, where she developed a strong passion for operative care. Recognizing her desire to further expand her surgical knowledge and skills, she pursued postgraduate training through the Hartford HealthCare Surgical APP Fellowship.

Outside of the hospital, Grace enjoys reading, traveling, and staying active through group fitness and gym classes. 

Caitlin Greco

Caitlin Greco

Caitlin is a lifelong Connecticut resident, born and raised in Higganum, CT. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, where she was a student-athlete and worked as a Physical Therapist Aide as well as a chemistry and physics tutor. Following her undergraduate studies, Caitlin pursued her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University in Worcester, MA.

During her training, she gained extensive hands-on experience through diverse clinical rotations, including orthopedics and several surgical specialties, which sparked her strong interest in surgical care. To further refine her skills and deepen her expertise, Caitlin sought advanced training and accepted a position in the Hartford Healthcare Surgical Fellowship for Physician Assistants. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, a retired surgeon, and become a confident and versatile surgical PA. 

Outside of her professional pursuits, Caitlin values spending time with her family and enjoys playing soccer, trail running, and riding her horse, Biggie.  

Alicia MarshAlicia Marsh

Alicia Marsh was raised in Griswold, Connecticut, and pursued her higher education in Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor degree in Health Sciences, with a minor in Chemistry, from Western New England University. She then completed her Physician Assistant studies at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston. During her clinical training, Alicia completed a range of rotations, including electives in neurology and orthopedics, as well as intensive experiences in surgery and surgical women’s health. These experiences solidified her commitment to pursuing a career as a surgical PA.

In addition to her academic training, Alicia obtained her EMT-B certification and worked with American Ambulance in Norwich, Connecticut until the start of her fellowship, gaining valuable hands-on patient care experience in emergency medical services.

Alicia was thrilled to be selected for the PA surgical fellowship, where she looks forward to refining her technical skills, expanding her clinical knowledge, and discovering the surgical specialty that best aligns with her interests.

Outside of her professional life, Alicia enjoys gardening, knitting, and hiking locally. She values spending time with her family, volunteering with The Mayfly Project, and relaxing at home with her cats.

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Past Fellows

Samantha MirraSamantha Mirra 

Originally from Springfield, Vermont, Samantha earned both her Bachelor of Science degree and Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Springfield College. During her undergraduate years, she gained valuable clinical experience working as a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) in both a nursing home and a hospital setting. While in PA school, Samantha was actively involved in the Springfield College PA Student Organization and served as a student representative for the Massachusetts Association of Physician Associates. During her clinical year, she discovered a strong interest in surgery, particularly during her general surgery and interventional radiology rotations. Motivated to develop a broad foundation in multiple surgical subspecialties, Samantha pursued a postgraduate surgical fellowship. She was drawn to the Hartford Healthcare Surgical Fellowship for PAs for its unique opportunity to rotate throughout the healthcare system. Her goal is to become a well-rounded, confident, and competent surgical provider. Outside of her professional pursuits, Samantha enjoys swimming, working out, and hiking.

After fellowship, Samantha accepted a position with Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT with the surgical subspecialty team

Natalie StonerNatalie Stoner 

Natalie was born and raised in Wynantskill, New York and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences at Springfield College.  She continued her education at Springfield College and completed her master’s in physician assistant studies. During her undergraduate years, Natalie gained clinical experience working in a medical ICU as a patient care technician and was a co-captain of the softball program. During clinical rotations, she was instantly drawn to rotations with surgical components. With the desire to expedite the acquisition of complex perioperative skills, Natalie elected to join the Hartford Healthcare Surgical Fellowship for PAs. While not working, Natalie enjoys visiting the beach, playing softball and pickleball, and painting. 

After fellowship, Natalie accepted a position with Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT with the surgical subspecialty team.

Sammy Yunki KimSammy Yunki Kim 

Sammy is originally from Grenada Hills, California. Sammy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at California State University, Northridge. After completion of his undergraduate degree, Sammy worked as a paramedic and with the search and rescue team in Los Angeles. Sammy wanted to further his career in medicine as a provider. With the desire to explore the east coast in mind, he went on to gain his master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Sacred Heart University in Stamford, CT.  While his education provided him with a strong foundation, he recognized surgery is a highly specialized field where additional structured training would allow him to grow beyond entry-level competency. With the goal to work at the top of his license as a surgical PA, Sammy applied for and completed the Hartford Healthcare Surgical Fellowship for PAs. When not at work, Sammy enjoys traveling, watching the Red Sox, and playing tennis. 

After fellowship, Sammy accepted a position with Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT with the surgical subspecialty team.

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