Introduction: Traveler Reports

Traveler Guidelines

The James IV Traveling fellowship is designed to promote communication and collaboration in the surgical community. Travelers are both ambassadors representing their home countries and conduits for the dissemination of knowledge. It is expected that travelers will promote collegiality and collaboration amongst our community of surgeons.

The Fellowship covers a six week period and pays a stipend. The Association recognizes that the stipend does not fully cover all costs of travel and it is expected that the traveler and his or her home institution will also contribute. The Fellowship is ideally suited to young academic surgeons who are at the stage in their career to benefit from international exposure. Travelers have often commented that this experience was one of the highlights of their careers. Typically travelers will be at the assistant to associate professor academic rank, have distinguished themselves in terms of their academic achievements, and be considered emerging leaders in surgery.

The candidate's home institution must guarantee his or her availability to travel for a period of up to six weeks within the award year. The award may be split into two three-week periods. Candidates may choose a travel itinerary that best meets their needs in terms of their own career development. Travelers should visit sites that have a James IV member to serve as a host.

For United States nominations:

Nominations are made by the nominee's department head. Potential travelers should seek the support and advice of their department head as they construct their application. The following information will be required for the nomination to be considered:

• Cover letter from the candidate describing their goals for their travel
• Candidate's Curriculum Vitae
• Candidate's Bio
• Digital picture
• Letter of nomination from the candidate's department head
• Seconding letter from a James IV active member
• Other letters of support from James IV active and senior members are welcome

In the letters, it is useful to include descriptions of how the proposed travel will facilitate the nominee's career goals and how the candidate will foster relationships within the surgical community. Candidates are selected at the association's annual fall meeting during the American College of Surgeon's Clinical Congress.

At the conclusion of each traveler's fellowship, he/she is required to render a report of their travels. The report should be received within six months of the return of the traveler. The report is then circulated to the international membership.

We began posting the reports on this website in 2006. You may access them by place of origin via links in the sidebar on the left. Travelers whose reports have been published here will have a link to their report in the rightmost column. We hope you will find the reports informative and helpful.