career development
On Becoming A Woman Surgeon Scientist
By Ashley M. Holder Although a surgical career is becoming a path more traveled by women, few of them are pursuing the track of surgeon scientist. In an era when fewer surgeons, regardless of gender, are winning NIH grants, remaining competitive in research while balancing clinical, teaching, and administrative responsibilities leaves many surgeons feeling that there is simply not enough time for research. Despite the challenges, I believe that we, as women surgeons, must remain engaged in research and encourage each other to chase the breakthroughs needed to advance our profession. As a rookie surgeon scientist, I wanted to share my lessons learned thus far with those considering a similar path. To evaluate the hypothesis that any woman can be a successful surgeon scientist with enough support, determination, and persistence, I propose the following aims: Specific Aim #1: To determine that you can’t do this alone. Most successful researchers recognize...
Have you asked for it?
By Ko Un ‘Clara’ Park When I was a trainee, my co-trainee was getting her manuscript finalized for submission, "It says the submission fee is $60." Sure, sixty dollars isn’t a lot of money but to a trainee on a budget who wasn’t guaranteed reimbursement, it was a lot. I asked, "well have you asked your mentor to help pay for it?" To which the response was, "No.. I just feel weird asking for something like that." The research mentor has funds to pay for activities related to research including cost of publication. She knew this but because the mentor didn't initially offer to pay, she felt uncomfortable asking. While in training, I had a great opportunity to hear one of the authors of the book "Women Don’t Ask" speak at a symposium. The financial repercussions of not negotiating were staggering. What was more eye opening to me were the...
Succession is the key for change
By Susana Vargas-Pinto I recently had a casual conversation about fellowship with one of our Chief residents who matched into cardiothoracic surgery, which lit up my curiosity and expectation. “It is a great experience that will bring growth and maturity, you should look forward to it”. These words came from an international medical graduate with a family, who didn’t match the previous year. How could this be such a great experience? During my fellowship interview trail I met many successful women surgeons who shared some of their career experiences with me. Although still a minority, these well accomplished women overcame the obstacles in their journey and are now empowering younger surgeons in their career paths. While reflecting on this I was curious to know more about the first female physician in the USA and her own journey. Was it different from ours? Since Elizabeth Blackwell made history as the first...
What is the surgeon’s role in preventing gun violence?
During my pediatric surgery rotation, I distinctly remember taking care of a teenage girl who presented with a thoracic cord transsection and paraplegia after a drive-by shooting; she had previously lost both her parents to gun violence as well. It was disheartening to watch someone so young lose so much. In honor of National Safety Month, I have decided to devote this blog to a topic surgeons are unfortunately well familiar with: gun violence. On average, 96 Americans, including 7 children/teens, are killed with guns each day, and the numbers increase each year in the United States (US). Compared to other high-income countries, the US has 25.2 times more firearm related deaths. As surgeons, we are ready to respond with medical and surgical resources once gun violence victims enter our ED doors. However, we are limited with medicine/surgery alone to combat the detrimental effects of gun violence, as exemplified by...
An Intern’s Advice on Thriving through Fourth Year
As I was entering my last year of medical school, I did not feel like I had a good source of information for navigating the demands fourth year, so I decided to write this post in hopes of providing my advice on how to be successful as a female medical student entering surgery. I have attempted to touch on all aspects of fourth year from away rotations to ERAS to interviews. I have also attempted to stress the importance of staying true to yourself as you conquer the exciting, yet challenging, year ahead of you. Define your role. Be straightforward in asking what is expected of you. Rotations as a fourth year student can be frustrating because you’re dying to show that you can take on more responsibility, but you’re limited by what you can do as a medical student. Try to see the positive in getting to focus on...
Dear Pat Responds to Surgeon-Mother-to-Be
Dear Pat, I’m a second-year surgery resident and somewhat older than my co-residents. I am considering getting pregnant during residency, but I am unsure if my co-residents will be supportive. I don’t want them to be mad at me. What should I do? Sincerely, Surgeon-Mother-to-Be For this month’s “Dear Pat”, AWS Council Member Dr. Simone Betchen shares her strategies in response to “Surgeon-Mother-to-Be”. Dear Surgeon-Mother-to-Be, How exciting! No one can tell you when is the best time to start a family, but since you asked, here’s what I think. The best time to start a family is when the timing is right for YOU and your family. While it is kind of you to think of your co-residents, your co-residents will step up and survive without you during maternity leave because no one is indispensable. And it goes both ways, If any one of them had an issue in future,...
Is taking time to do research right for me?
Is a professional development year right for me? Should I do research? What is the benefit? These were some of the questions raised during the last “hang-out” session hosted by the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS ACS) on May 7th. “Hang-outs” are informal conference calls designed to help medical students navigate various aspects of surgery such as work-life integration, academic development years, residency interviewing tips and more. Our last discussion with the medical students got me thinking about the reasons I am spending (two or maybe three) years in the middle of general surgery residency dedicated to research: 1) a desire for an in-depth understanding of basic science research, and 2) to increase my probability of matching into the fellowship of my choice. I’ve always had a passion for basic science research. As a chemistry major in college, I made Cisplatin, a cancer drug,...
Difficult Conversations
I’m a trauma and critical care surgeon. I deliver bad news. It’s not one of the perks of the job, but it’s one of the very important parts of my job. I have seen it all. The full spectrum of emotions: shock, sadness, terror, fear, rage. You name it, I’ve seen it. I say this because I thought I understood it….the emotions, the feelings my patients’ family members have when I deliver bad news. I’ve been less than gracious in my mind when I see families “falling out” at the shock and horror of losing a loved one. Everything changed September 2, 2011. I will never forget the phone call from my brother-in-law. As I raced to the hospital across town from mine, I cried. Something was seriously wrong with my sister. My car literally ran out of gas before I could park in the emergency lot (yes, I’m one...
A Surgeon’s Scope of Practice
For the 18th year, March has been dedicated to Colorectal Cancer Awareness. Since the mid-2000’s, we have seen a rapid decline in the incidence of colorectal cancer, mainly due to the early detection and removal of polyps during colonoscopy, and an increase in screening. However, the disease will still affect 1 in 22 males, and 1 in 24 females during their lifetime. At a time when colorectal screening is of utmost importance, there remains competition for which providers perform the endoscopy: the surgeon or gastroenterologist? As a General Surgeon, endoscopy is an integral part of my practice. Endoscopy is a field that was developed by surgeons. I believe we possess an advantage over other endoscopists since we routinely visualize the colon anatomy during surgery. During abdominal surgery, we are allowed the opportunity to see variations in anatomy, like colon length, redundancy of the sigmoid or transverse colon, the angles of...
9th International Women in Surgery Symposium – Realizing the Quadruple Threat
I had the privilege of attending the 9th Annual Women in Surgery Symposium on February 16-18, led by Dr. Sharona Ross and Dr. Patricia Turner. The Women in Surgery Career Symposium started 9 years ago in Dr. Ross’s living room as a way to provide professional and academic development for women surgeons and to inspire those pursuing a career in surgery. The theme of this year’s conference was the Quadruple Threat: Clinical Excellence, Confidence, Character and Charisma. Clinical Excellence was present in every aspect of the conference, from the session on Friday evening where upcoming changes in healthcare, billing and coding were discussed, to the Sunday morning session moderated by Dr. Sandra Wong on quality outcomes. The session focused on patient satisfaction, the importance of online reviews, and the value of ERAS and NSQIP to improve patient outcomes. Dr. Paula Ferrada led a session for students and residents on how...
