ACS Residents as Teachers and Leaders

Residents are expected to master a broad expanse of clinical and basic science knowledge as well as operative skills. Residency programs tailor their educational programs to meet these needs. Residents are also expected to master a number of critical nonclinical skills, including leading teams and teaching. However, very few residency programs are able to offer opportunities for residents to become proficient in these areas. The ACS Division of Education worked to develop a course to address this need.

The goal of this course is to help surgery residents develop some of the essential nonclinical skills that will be critical to their success as senior-level residents and practicing surgeons. The course faculty are nationally renowned clinical and educational professionals who will provide an interactive learning environment. Residents will learn to lead a team more effectively, resolve conflict, be better teachers, give constructive feedback, and apply these skills during and after residency. The number of participants is limited to allow ample interaction with faculty and to facilitate networking with other attendees. This course is targeted for mid- to senior-level residents, but all trainees who are currently in a surgical residency program are welcome to attend.

Registration

Thank you for attending the 2024 Residents as Teachers and Leaders Course. Please revisit our website in the Fall for information regarding the 2025 RATL course.

Course Agenda

Friday, February 23rd, 2024
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm                  Registration
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm                  Course
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm                  Networking Reception

Saturday, February 24th, 2024
7:00 am – 7:30 am Breakfast
7:30 am – 12:30 pm Course

Sunday, February 25th, 2024
7:00 am – 7:30 am Breakfast
7:30 am – 11:30 am Course
11:30 am Adjourn

Course Content

The course will address the following essential skills for residents’ lifelong roles as teachers, leaders, and practicing surgeons:

Effective Teaching

Establishing a positive learning climate
Finding time to teach
Teaching in ambulatory settings and the operating room
Giving feedback on performance

Successful Leading

Developing and leading productive teams
Resolving conflict
Using different leadership styles effectively
Maximizing various working styles

Contact Us

For course-related questions, please contact us at RATL@facs.org.

Course Faculty

Course Chair

Kyla P. Terhune, MD, MBA, FACS

Associate professor of surgery and anesthesiology
Associate dean for graduate medical education
Vice president for educational affairs
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Cary B. Aarons, MD, MSEd, FACS

Vice chair of education, department of surgery
Program director, general surgery residency program
Columbia University, New York, NY

Brian C. George, MD, MAEd, FACS

Assistant professor of surgery and learning health sciences
Associate program director, general surgery residency and surgical critical care fellowship
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Ajita S. Prabhu, MD, FACS

Associate professor of surgery
Program director, general surgery residency program
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Staff Consultants

Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, MAMSE

Director, Division of Education

Patrice Gabler Blair, DrPH, MPH

Associate Director, Division of Education

Danielle Taylor, MHA

Administrator, Resident Education Programs

ratl@facs.org

Michelle R. Armstrong, MAEd, MA, C-TAGME

Senior Manager, Programs to Enhance Resident and Medical Student Education