Transitioning from Training to Practice—What Don't I Know?

Graduating from trainee to attending after residency or fellowship is a pivotal moment in one’s career. This transition is filled with growth, challenges, and opportunities. Join us for a moderated discussion on making the transition from trainee to attendee. Hosted by the ACS Women in Surgery Committee.

Moderator

Jyoti D. Chouhan, DO, PharmD, MBA, FACS

Associate Professor, Department of Urology
OHSU Medical Director, Clinical Documentation & Integrity, Oregon Health & Science University

Dr. Chouhan is an Associate Professor of Urology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Prior to her career as a physician, she was a hospital pharmacist. Dr. Chouhan completed a fellowship in male urologic reconstruction at Wake Forest Medical Center after urologic residency training at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She specializes in the management of cisgender male lower urinary tract reconstruction and gender-affirming surgeries. In addition, she is also the OHSU Medical Director of Clinical Documentation & Integrity which focuses on inpatient documentation and coding. Her clinical research focuses on prescription drug use in urology and gender-affirming surgery outcomes. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Urological Association, the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.

Panelists

Tiffany Sinclair, MD, FACS

Private Practice – Breast and Endocrine, San Diego, CA

Tiffany J. Sinclair, MD, FACS is a breast and endocrine surgeon in private practice in San Diego, CA. She has previously worked as a locum tenens acute care and trauma surgeon and as a general surgeon for Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Sinclair received her MD from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency at Stanford University and a fellowship in endocrine surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. She has been a member of the ACS Women in Surgery Committee since 2017 and currently serves as Chair of the Personal Empowerment Subcommittee.

Cheyenne “Cassie” Sonntag, MD, MS

Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Director, Emergency General Surgery Service, Stanford School of Medicine, Major, US Army Reserves

Dr Sonntag is an acute care surgeon and clinical assistant professor at Stanford, where she has recently accepted the role of associate director for the emergency general surgery service. She is board certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care and completed her surgical residency at Penn State Health, and her Surgical Critical Care and AAST Acute Care Surgery Fellowships at UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital.

Irlna Tantchou, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Colon & Rectal Surgeon at Highlands Oncology Group, Northwest Arkansas

Dr. Tantchou is a colon-rectal surgeon in Northwest Arkansas. Her main focus and area of expertise is minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. She holds a Master Surgeon in Robotic Surgery certification. Dr. Tantchou received her MD from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson medical school and completed residency at NYMC-Westchester Medical Center. She then went on to complete fellowships in colorectal and minimally invasive surgery at the University of Texas at Houston and St Vincent Hospital-Allegheny Network. Dr. Tantchou is board certified in general surgery and colon and rectal surgery. Erie, PA

Dr. Tantchou is committed to changing the statistics of women of color in the field of surgery and increasing awareness of the benefit of preventative medicine (like getting colonoscopies) in the minority communities of northwest Arkansas. Other areas of her professional interests include colorectal cancer care and management, and the importance of pelvic floor management in women’s health.