While performing a hernia exam, a patient told the female resident that he usually got a “special reward after a woman handled his testicles.” His meaning was clear, and he seemed to consider this a perfectly reasonable thing to say to a doctor. When the resident came out to present the patient, she mentioned what […]
The Academic Surgeon - Official Blog of the AAS
The Academic Surgeon is the official blog of the AAS. We post anywhere from one to three times a week and our contributors will focus on issues relevant to young academic surgeons, residents, fellows, and even medical students.
If you would like to contribute, please submit your post here: https://www.aasurg.org/the-academic-surgeon-blog-submission/
Quasi-Normative Error
Pangs of jealousy mixed with joy filled my gut as I witnessed my students create a Stamm tube gastrostomy and mature a colostomy in our simulation laboratory. I thought back to my younger self, 16 years ago, when I was just discovering my passion for the art of surgery and would have quasi-literally given my […]
On Pediatric Surgery, Politics, Pocket Money and the People in Uganda
On Pediatric Surgery. In November of 2016, I embarked on a clinical elective in Uganda with the dual motive to experience a developing nation’s health-care system and to conduct an economic research project on the first pediatric operating room (OR) in the country. The OR was constructed in Naguru Hospital, a public referral hospital in […]
AAS/AASF Awards – Applications for 2017-2018 Open Today
The Association for Academic Surgery and the AAS Foundation offer several travel grants and research awards each year. The application process for the 2017-2018 grants and awards is now open: OPEN TO RESIDENTS, FELLOWS & FACULTY AAS Fall Courses Travel Grant Six travel grants are awarded to resident, fellow, or faculty-level attendees who are female […]
Entering Research Years in Surgery Residency: Top 5 Pieces of Advice
As I approach the final days of my two-year clinical research commitment, I have been wondering what I would recommend to those approaching their own research time. How can they optimize their experience and prepare for a future in academic surgery? Here are my top 5 recommendations: Mentorship, mentorship, mentorship Perhaps the biggest decision is […]
Medicine’s Ugly Secret: The Epidemic of Physician and Medical Student Suicide
In the past decade, numerous studies have shown that physicians and medical students have higher rates of suicide than the general population.1,2 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that over 400 physicians and medical students commit suicide each year in US.3 The medical profession consistently ranks at or near the top of occupations with […]
What is Clinical Informatics?
What is informatics? When I use that word to describe my research, people have asked “Isn’t that just statistics?” Or, “Oh, that’s all the computers and big data stuff, right?” Clinicians may recognize informatics as anything related to the electronic health record (EHR). My Dad explained to my mother that it meant I was, “Crazy […]
SUS 2nd Annual Leadership Agility Program – Early Registration Deadline May 15
Dear AAS Members, The Society of University Surgeons is very excited to announce the 2nd Annual Leadership Agility Program, which was developed in collaboration with the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. The SUS/Kellogg School of Management Leadership Agility Program will take place on September 17-20, 2017 and I can attest that this program is going […]
Message from the AAS President
The Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) has played a critical role in my early career development as an academic surgeon. I am both honored and thrilled to serve the organization this year as its 50th President. The AAS is an organization that is focused on inspiring and developing young academic surgeons. Its mission is something […]
My Experience in the USA as an International Fellow
I am one of the few female surgeons in Saudi Arabia. It was not an easy choice in a male-dominant culture. To start with, when I completed my MD degree, I chose to be a surgeon, but there was some resistance from my family. My mother especially was concerned because she was under the impression […]