General surgery research resident Meixi Ma, M.D., headed to the American College of Surgeons in Chicago, Illinois, last month for a two-year appointment as one of two ACS/John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatrics Surgery Clinical Scholars in Residence. In addition to learning how to implement a quality improvement program on a national scale, Ma will conduct clinical research in surgical education and outcomes, while simultaneously obtaining a master’s degree in health services and outcomes research from Northwestern University’s Institute for Public Health and Medicine.
Dr. Meixi Ma
The ACS Clinical Scholars program operates through several of the College’s quality initiative programs and poises surgical residents for careers in academic surgery through a unique research and health policy experience at the ACS headquarters. The program includes funding for a master’s degree in one of three programs: clinical investigation, health services and outcomes research, or healthcare quality and patient safety.
“The decision to take dedicated time for research was not inconsequential, given that I had already taken two years between undergrad and medical school. I wanted any additional time devoted to training to be demonstrably meaningful,” Ma said. “This fellowship has really positioned me at an order of privilege for which few physicians ever have the opportunity, at the apex of academic surgery. It’s humbling and incredibly exciting.”
Ma’s mentor, Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal Surgery Melanie Morris, M.D., recommended that she apply for the fellowship last year.
“I knew Meixi would be an excellent fit for this program as she is a bright, motivated resident who is focused on making a difference in the world around her,” Morris said. “Her research will help set the standards for the surgical care of older adults nationwide. I am so proud of her and proud the UAB General Surgery Residency Program is represented so well on the national stage.”
Ma said that, looking back on the experience she gained as a UAB general surgery resident, she feels fortunate to have trained in such a supportive environment.
“One of the first things I did involved traveling to UAB for the geriatrics program pilot site visit as a representative of ACS,” Ma said. “It gave me an invaluable opportunity to assess my program while wearing two hats simultaneously. I got the chance to see how collectively devoted my institution is to quality improvement, and it made me feel really proud to call UAB home.”
General Surgery Residency Director John Porterfield, M.D., applauded Ma for her curiosity and tenacity as a research resident.
“Dr. Ma has always shown remarkable potential as a surgeon and researcher, and we are thrilled that she has this opportunity to continue to grow as an ACS Clinical Scholar,” he said. “We love seeing our residents take advantage of these kinds of experiences and encourage them to seek out avenues for them to flourish as surgeon-scientists.”