At 212 years-old, Yale Department of Surgery's history of developing world-class surgeons is one of the oldest in the country; yet the department’s commitment to cultivating lifelong learning necessitates constant evolution. Circa 2024, as the department celebrates five years of strategic progress under its first female Chair, Dr. Nita Ahuja, it is evident that the approach, characterized by inclusivity and innovation, has yielded remarkable advancements.
"As surgeons, we recognize the profound importance of developing specialty-specific skills as part of our lifelong education. However, the essence of what truly defines an exceptional academic surgeon extends beyond these specialties. It lies in our collective ability to learn from one another, to embrace diverse perspectives, and to cultivate a culture of collaboration and excellence,” said Dr. Nita Ahuja, Chair of the Department of Surgery.
The essence of what truly defines an exceptional academic surgeon extends beyond these specialties. It lies in our collective ability to learn from one another.
Dr. Nita Ahuja
With a robust year-round student clerkship, five ACGME residencies, and more than 10 fellowships, Dr. Ahuja’s vision to integrate the overall learning and teaching experience for the large department, required a strategic framework that was both aspirational and practical.
The appointment of a Vice Chair to lead the charge was an important milestone.
“We firmly believe that we are stronger together, and by breaking down barriers and embracing integration, we are paving the way for a future generation of surgeons who embody the highest standards of excellence and collaboration," said Dr. Mehra Golshan, who assumed the Interim Vice Chair of Education position in 2022.
A significant aspect of the department's strategy has been the restructuring of roles within its educational framework, transitioning from specialty-based to function-based educator roles, including plans for a department-wide faculty leader for simulation skills development. The recent establishment of the Educational Administrator role, tasked with providing oversight and direction to education coordinators across programs, is a testament to the department’s embrace of the new vision.
In other ways, integration of the education mission has been literal. The relocation of the education administrative offices to a centralized and inviting suite closer to the hospital facilitates communication across programs whose administrative operations had been physically disparate, despite their synergies. Furthermore, the opening of a Fellow Resident Research Hub has promoted collaboration among trainees in their research years, agnostic of the PI or lab.
With a robust year-round student clerkship, five ACGME residencies, and more than 10 fellowships, Dr. Ahuja’s vision to integrate the overall learning and teaching experience for the large department, required a strategic framework that was both aspirational and practical.
The appointment of a Vice Chair to lead the charge was an important milestone.
“We firmly believe that we are stronger together, and by breaking down barriers and embracing integration, we are paving the way for a future generation of surgeons who embody the highest standards of excellence and collaboration," said Dr. Mehra Golshan, who assumed the Interim Vice Chair of Education position in 2022.
A significant aspect of the department's strategy has been the restructuring of roles within its educational framework, transitioning from specialty-based to function-based educator roles, including plans for a department-wide faculty leader for simulation skills development. The recent establishment of the Educational Administrator role, tasked with providing oversight and direction to education coordinators across programs, is a testament to the department’s embrace of the new vision.
In other ways, integration of the education mission has been literal. The relocation of the education administrative offices to a centralized and inviting suite closer to the hospital facilitates communication across programs whose administrative operations had been physically disparate, despite their synergies. Furthermore, the opening of a Fellow Resident Research Hub has promoted collaboration among trainees in their research years, agnostic of the PI or lab.
Notable culture change can be seen in the department’s establishment of an integrated graduation celebration. Now in its third year, the reception provides a platform to honor graduates from all residency and fellowship programs while preserving individual program traditions.
The department has also prioritized the development of its teaching faculty through initiatives such as a dedicated faculty retreat aimed at identifying strengths and challenges in education, with internal grants awarded to faculty/trainee proposals to address shared challenges, such as optimizing teaching evaluations.
The commitment to inclusion is further evident in the successful matches of medical students, residents, and fellows, with a continued focus on diverse demographics. Notably, the department has achieved a 50% female and 33% underrepresented in medicine intern cohort for the 2024/2025 academic year intern class.
In line with its mission to improve education across the continuum, the department has revamped its clerkship program for medical students, incorporating rotation liaisons and an enhanced curriculum. A new Advanced Surgical Anatomy Elective brings together faculty from six clinical departments. Recently appointed leaders, Clerkship Director Dr. Felix Lui and Associate Clerkship Directors, Dr. Anne Mongiu and Dr. Courtney Gibson, continue to identify areas for enhancement. Recognizing that faculty participation is integral to the clerkship experience, current efforts focus on engaging faculty in key areas of the annual AAMC Graduation Questionnaire, including observed physical exam and family history.
The department continues to enhance its educational framework by fostering lifelong learning opportunities. It is our privilege to train future generations of surgeons, ensuring a legacy of excellence for centuries to come. In recognition of excellence in education, the department will honor the class of 2024 on Thursday, May 30.