About Us
History of CCRS
The Chicago Colorectal Symposium was started by Konstantin Umanskiy, MD and Marc A. Singer, MD in 2013 to provide a city-wide educational program for general and colorectal surgery residents enrolled in surgical training in the Chicago area. The initial program was held on January 25, 2013 and was sponsored by Northshore Evanston Hospital. Colorectal surgeons from across the city were invited to participate. By all accounts the event was a resounding success.
In June of 2014, Bruce A. Orkin, MD was asked to join Drs. Umanskiy and Singer as an organizer of the 2nd Symposium. The program was expanded, and the faculty was broadened to include both academic and private practice surgeons. A cocktail reception to facilitate interaction between faculty and participants was also added. Again, the response was outstanding, and more than 100 participants attended.
Soon after, Drs. Umanskiy, Singer, and Orkin were approached by Anders Mellgren, MD and Herand Abcarian, MD with the suggestion that the Symposium be expanded to a Continuing Medical Education activity for practicing general and colorectal surgeons and related professional, in addition to its resident education mission. This appeared to be a logical progression of the Symposium. A motivating factor was the increasing need for Maintenance of Certification CME credits that require assessment of the learning activity, a process that was not readily available at the time. Thus, the current format of the Chicago Colorectal Symposium was born.
Since then, the program has expanded to include the annual honorary Herand Abcarian lectureship, the ASCRS Presidential Lecture, a vigorous and entertaining Stump the Professor panel, a residents and fellows research poster competition, and an open reception with the faculty. We are able to provide this stellar educational experience through the support of many of our industry partners.
We are proud to have developed this internationally recognized symposium with the participation of so many of our colleagues, fellows, residents and students.
Company Information
The Chicago Colorectal Symposium was duly incorporated in the State of Illinois on June 7, 2014, as a Limited Liability Partnership. The business of the Company shall be to engage in medical educational programming and any related lawful businesses and activities for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act.
Principal Partners
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD
Professor, Surgery
Interim Chief, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Program Director, Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Program
The University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, IL
Marc A. Singer, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery
Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, IL
Bruce A. Orkin, MD
Professor, University of Central Florida, Florida State University & Loma Linda University
Professor Emeritus, Rush University
Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Digestive Health, Colon & Rectal Surgery
Carle Health
Urbana, IL
Anders Mellgren, MD, PhD
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Related Links
- ABS Continuous Certification
- American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
- American Board of Medical Specialties
- American Board of Surgery
- APDCRS – Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery – Programs List
- ASCRS – American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
- ASCRS Clinical Guidelines
- ASCRS Core Subjects
- ASCRS – How to Apply for a Colorectal Residency
- ASCRS U – Educational Portal