The Association for Surgical Education

Impacting Surgical Education Globally

 

 

Candlelight Session

 

DEVELOPMENT AND OUTCOMES OF A SURGICAL EQUITY FELLOWSHIP OVER 18 MONTH
Angel Rosario Jr, MD, MPH, Car Aarons, MD, MSEd; Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian

Background: Despite growing awareness of socio-structural contributors to surgical outcomes, few protected roles exist during surgical training to address them. Columbia Surgery launched the Surgical Equity Fellowship (SEF), a research year designed to consolidate, generate, and institutionalize surgical equity through education, research, community engagement, and institutional reform. We evaluated the programmatic outcomes of the SEF. Methods: The SEF was created to oversee Columbia’s Socially Responsible Surgery Chapter and to develop and lead initiatives across its four pillars. Additional responsibilities included co-leading pre-existing departmental initiatives including the Race & Health curriculum and the Health Career Collaborative, part of the American College of Surgeons’ Health Outreach Program for Equity. Primary outcomes included membership growth, number of academic/community partnerships formed, research funding acquisition, and scholarly output over an 18-month period. Results: Since June 2024, the SEF recruited 120 members, including 13 board members; established 15 community/academic-based partnerships; secured $16,000 in grant funding, with $100,000 pending; led over 30 events; and produced over 20 abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations. Conclusion: The SEF offers a low-cost, replicable model for embedding equity leadership within surgical training. Through protected time, mentorship, and cross-pillar collaboration, the SEF operationalizes social responsibility and advances justice in surgical care.

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT IN THE NUBA - BUILDING SURGICAL CAPACITY IN RURAL SUDAN
Edwin PARKER Savage, MD, MTS1, C. PHIFER Nicholson, MD, MTS2, Henry E. Rice, MD3, Thomas Catena, MD4; 1University of North Carolina, 2University of California, Los Angeles, 3Duke University Medical Center, Duke Global Health Institute, 4Mother of Mercy Hospital, St. Bakhita Healthcare Training Institute

Title: Institutional Accompaniment in the Nuba - Building Surgical Capacity in Rural Sudan Body: Regions affected by chronic conflict present a unique set of challenges for delivering surgical care and developing surgical capacity. Ongoing violence, economic instability, and inadequate infrastructure—including personnel, physical resources, and organizational systems—often make it extraordinarily difficult to establish robust surgical care. This presentation will highlight the work of Mother of Mercy Hospital (MMH) and the St. Bakhita Healthcare Training Institute in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, which, by embracing an institutional ethic of accompaniment and drawing on both religious and secular traditions, provide surgical care for more than two million people in a region of chronic conflict while simultaneously training local providers for long-term capacity building. Drawing on cost-effectiveness analyses, qualitative research methodology, institutional impact reports, and first-hand field experience, this talk will present MMH and St. Bakhita as models for institutional accompaniment and community-rooted surgical capacity building. It will argue that through pragmatic solidarity, innovative partnerships, and a commitment to institution-building amid great adversity, surgical care and education can serve as vehicles for peacemaking in places affected by chronic conflict.

 

 

MICROAGGRESSION RESPONSE TRAINING IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT: A PILOT STUDY OF SURGERY RESIDENTS
Amber MARIA Sheth, MD, MPH1, Natalia Iding, BS1, Sushant Srinivasan, MD, MSc, MHPE1, Shannon DiMarco, MSHS, CHSOS1, Elise Lawson, MD, MSHS, FACS1, Sarah Jung, PhD2; 1University of Wisconsin, 2University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery

Background: Microaggressions are discrimination common in the clinical environment and disproportionately impact trainees of marginalized identities. Following successful development and rollout of a microaggression response simulation program by our institution’s Department of Pediatrics, an adapted program for the Department of Surgery was developed and piloted among surgery residents. Methods: A focus group with surgery residents was conducted to elicit suggestions for simulation content. Following this, simulation scenarios developed by Pediatrics were tailored to produce five surgery-specific scenarios. Surgery faculty and resident volunteers were trained in simulation facilitation and debriefing. Scenarios were delivered with the assistance of standardized participants to increase realism. Participant experience was evaluated immediately following their participation. Results: Eight learners participated. Participants commented on the psychological safety of the simulations, felt that the scenarios and the feelings they evoked were realistic, and reported increased confidence in identifying, intervening, and debriefing after microaggressions occur. Conclusions: Participants endorsed the acceptability and applicability of skills practiced in the simulations. Empowering trainees to identify and respond to microaggressions represents one avenue for supporting inclusion and providing agency to marginalized learners. Future directions: We are working to bring microaggression response training to more residents in multiple surgical specialties and study its long-term effects.

 

 

BUILDING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE: A LONGITUDINAL PATHWAY PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM GROUPS UNDERREPRESENTED IN HEALTHCARE
Eric ALEXANDER Grin, BS1, Mary Ann Hopkins, MD, MPhil2, Beth Hochman, MD2, Liana Gefter, MD, MPH3, Jonathan Burke, MD, MPH2; 1NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 2NYU Langone Health, 3Stanford University School of Medicine

Background: The Health Career Collaborative (HCC), founded in 2008, is a national mentorship-based pathway to health career program promoting health literacy and career exposure among high school students from groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM). Our institution’s chapter developed a longitudinal, student-led curriculum emphasizing diverse professional exposure, sustained mentorship, and building academic confidence for participants. Methods: A three-year, tiered curriculum was implemented at a public health professions high school. Each annual cohort of ~25 students (grades 10–12) participates in interactive sessions led by medical student volunteers, featuring more than ten healthcare disciplines. Each student is paired with a health professional student mentor for longitudinal guidance. A “Student Leader” initiative trains upper-grade participants to facilitate sessions for younger cohorts. Sustainability was achieved through integration into institutional structures, stable funding, and community partnerships. Results: In year two, 52 students and 27 mentors participated across 26 sessions. Over 120 high school students applied for 26 new 10th-grade positions; 24 continued into 11th grade (92% retention). Fourteen collaborative events featured 31 professionals from varied fields. Feedback showed increased confidence, belonging, and motivation to pursue healthcare careers. Conclusions: This model has expanded over three years, promoting equity and representation while inspiring youth URiM toward healthcare careers.

 

 

PATIENT SATISFACTION AND MONETARY IMPACT OF THE NGO ZOE IN THE REMOTE AMAZON
Isabella Goncalves, BS, Lauren Brodsky, BA, Weipeng Xie, BA; NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Background: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have the ability to increase accessibility and bridge financial gaps in healthcare. One area of need is the global surgical crisis, with about two-thirds of the world population without access to safe, cost-effective surgery. In Belterra, a town in the remote Brazilian Amazon, this need was identified, and the NGO Zoe began operating a surgical center in order to address the lack of access. Our study aims to determine the patient satisfaction, quality of patient education, and monetary impact of these expeditions. Methods: On Zoe’s 26th expedition, a survey was constructed with key points regarding patient satisfaction, patient comprehension, and monetary impact. In the surgical center, nurses were recruited to deliver and collect surveys. Once collected, data was input and analyzed via excel. Results: The survey (N = 268) revealed a notable monetary impact on the population of the 26th expedition. Scores averaged 4.5, 4.3, and 4.4 (on a scale of 1-5) for satisfaction with services, satisfaction with communication, and confidence in following the outlined treatment plan, respectively. Conclusions: The ability of Zoe to help alleviate healthcare disparities in Belterra emphasizes the potential role NGOs can play in addressing the global surgical crisis.

 

 

CREATION OF SUSTAINABLE HIGH QUALITY LAPAROSCOPIC SIMULATION LABORATORIES IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA AND KAMPALA, UGANDA
Thanh-Tin PHAN Nguyen, MD1, Larry Akoko, MD, MMed2, Ronald Mbiine, MD, MMed3, Julian Varas, MD4, Nathan Brand, MD1; 1University of New Mexico, 2Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 3Makerere University, 4Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Background: Laparoscopic surgery offers substantial benefits for patients but remains underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa due, in part, to limited training opportunities. In Tanzania and Uganda, many hospitals possess laparoscopic equipment but lack surgeons proficient in minimally invasive techniques. To address this gap, we established high-quality, sustainable laparoscopic simulation laboratories in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Kampala, Uganda as part of an initiative funded by the Association for Surgical Education. Results: Each laboratory integrates advanced simulators, a validated curriculum, and a web/mobile platform that enables the provision of asynchronous, personalized feedback from trained instructors. The program has been successfully incorporated into general surgery residency training at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and Makerere University. To date, more than 10,000 hours of simulation-based training have been completed, and over 100 residents have graduated with foundational laparoscopic skills. Future Directions: Our next steps include expanding to advanced laparoscopic training by adapting established bowel anastomosis courses to the East African context and developing a tissue-based safe cholecystectomy curriculum. These initiatives aim to provide relevant, practical skills to general surgeons in East Africa and sustainably increase regional access to minimally invasive surgery.