The participation at the recent American College of Surgeons meeting in Washington, D.C., was unprecedented. We were represented by five of our senior medical students pursuing careers in surgery and 14 residents who presented and participated in a wide variety of sessions throughout the week. We were honored to have 18 faculty members who led panels, moderated sessions, taught in the postgraduate course and participated in numerous meetings and leadership functions within the college.
The annual reception, which was cohosted by our colleagues from the University of South Alabama, was crowded with alumni and friends of the Department of Surgery.
Evan Garner and Eric Schinnerer represented UAB well by winning Surgical Jeopardy before an audience of nearly 1,000. Patrick Bosarge, Parker Hu, Eric Schinnerer, Laura Stafman and Tyler Wahl presented their research posters. Samantha Baker presented a thoracic surgery video, and Evan Garner, Matt Giglia, Drew Gunnells, Caroline Jones, Melanie Morris, Margaux Mustian, Laura Stafman and Tyler Wahl presented oral podium presentations on topics including basic science studies of novel treatments, health care disparities among a host of conditions, modern trauma principles, use of the frailty index to best stratify patients, assessment of fast-track postoperative care and modern preoperative care in colorectal surgery.
We were also able to celebrate these accomplishments with two well-attended dinners on Saturday and Tuesday night, which allowed for an exciting time of sharing and unwinding together in our nation’s capital.
Dr. John R. Porterfield, M.D.
Associate Professor; Director, General Surgery Residency Program
Attending ACS Clinical Congress was one of the most valuable experiences I have experienced during medical school. The medical student program during the clinical congress is tailored to medical students pursuing a career in surgery. I most enjoyed the interactive sessions in which we were able to network with surgeons from various specialties, surgical residents and surgery program directors. Many of the sessions addressed difficult issues in surgery such as one's lifestyle as a surgeon, stereotypes among specialties and challenges for women in surgery. Additionally, students were offered to opportunity to talk to a panel of residents about the interview trail and how to find a “good fit” for a surgery residency program. I know that I benefited from attending the medical student program, as well as other sessions offered to ACS members. I feel that any student who has the opportunity to attend the ACS Clinical Congress will also gain a tremendous amount of professional knowledge, skills and lifelong connections.
Alaina Payne, MS IV
The American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress was an incredible experience on several fronts. As a medical student, you have the opportunity to participate in a tailored program that, among other things, details advice for the interview trail and the match – I learned everything from how to style my tie to how to pen a thank you note. You are also able to attend any of the hundreds of other sessions available, which allowed me to explore my personal interests in health policy and global surgery. Moreover, you have the invaluable opportunity to network with your future colleagues and meet residents and faculty from programs all over the country. Finally, you have the chance to get to know the excellent residents and faculty from UAB outside of the hospital’s confines. Given all these compelling reasons, I highly recommend attending the ACS conference.
Omar Ramadan, MS IV
ACS Clinical Congress 2016 was an excellent experience as a medical student. I really enjoyed attending a large national meeting and having the opportunity to network with other students, residents and attendings from various institutions. I enjoyed the research sessions pertinent to my specific interests. The medical student program was particularly helpful as well. We had the opportunity to attend round-table discussions with attending physicians in various specialties. The interview preparation sessions were also extremely helpful and the program director reception was a unique and incredible opportunity to meet program directors from general surgery residency programs all over the country. Additionally, I enjoyed the panels and speakers featured in the medical student program. I would highly recommend to other fourth-year students that they attend the ACS Clinical Congress as it provided a unique opportunity to learn more about my chosen field of surgery. I believe it will help me be a stronger applicant on the interview trail and a better surgical resident.
Lauren Theiss, MS IV
I really enjoyed the ACS medical student program. We got great advice from the mock interview session from Columbia's former PD and Georgetown's clerkship director. They went around the table, grilled us with questions and gave constructive feedback. Dr. Cameron's lecture on Dr. Halsted was memorable and informative. The AAS research course and panel session I went to at ACS on becoming a surgeon scientist were both helpful in giving me a better understanding of the challenges and considerations I'll need to keep in mind for becoming an academic surgeon. The PD reception was great for meeting face to face with PDs I've received invites from and others I'm hoping to hear from. All in all, it was really encouraging to attend the meeting, meet surgeons/residents from other places and hear how people think of UAB. I definitely had multiple people tell me how great Dr. Chen is and how great Dr. Porterfield is leading robotic training here. The meeting is certainly useful for fourth years applying for surgery and who have identified specific interests in surgery.
Michelle Chang, MS IV