Session Design Submission Review

Yes

• Citizenship and Global Responsibility
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Loss is an inevitable part of surgical training, yet it is rarely discussed openly. Trainees and faculty are not immune to the very real human experience of personal illness, trauma, or mental health struggles. Programs may also face the profound impact of losing someone suddenly or unexpectedly. These experiences can leave lasting effects on individuals, residency culture, and the broader surgical community.

This panel brings together educators and trainees who have experienced resident loss firsthand, whether through illness, trauma, or mental health challenges, to share their stories. By centering lived experience, the session will illuminate the emotional, professional, and cultural consequences of resident loss, while also highlighting opportunities for programs to respond with compassion, structure, and resilience.

Through storytelling, panelists will explore:

1. The human experience of loss in residency, from multiple perspectives.
2. How individuals and programs navigate grief, uncertainty, and re-entry.
3. Lessons learned about what worked, what was missing, and what could have been done differently.

Audience members will be invited to reflect on their own experiences and identify actionable steps to take back to their institutions. This session is intended for training program leadership, faculty educators, residents, and institutional leaders who want to foster a culture where loss is acknowledged, stigma is reduced, and systems of support are strengthened. Participants will leave with insights into how to approach these difficult moments with empathy and structure, as well as practical tools for supporting both individuals and the residency community during and after loss.

Recognize the profound impact of resident loss on individuals, peers, faculty, and training programs

Interpret lessons from shared stories to develop compassionate responses to loss in their own institutions

Appraise gaps in current systems of support and formulate strategies to reduce stigma and strengthen wellness culture

Apply narrative insights to implement approaches for communication, continuity, and community healing during times of resident loss