The Research Fellowship Program was named in honor of Michael J. Zinner, MD, in thanks for his outstanding mentorship of the Surgical Outcomes Club. 

In 2005, Dr. Zinner generously sponsored our first organized meeting, which led to development of bylaws and creation of a leadership committee. 

In our second year, Dr. Zinner again sponsored what has come to be our annual meeting, which permitted the group to launch successfully as an independent club. The Michael Zinner Health Services Research Fellowship provides an avenue for young investigators to acquire the skills and knowledge to develop, execute and publish research studies in the field of surgical outcomes and health services research under the guidance of high quality mentors and advisors, external to their home institutions. This one-year fellowship will match awardees with an established SOC member who will provide mentoring and guidance in the completion of an outcomes research project.