The ACS and its International Relations Committee resumed offers for the International Scholarship for Surgical Education (ISSURGED) in 2022 after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This scholarship provides faculty members from countries other than the US and Canada with the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational opportunities for faculty development and enhancement with the goal of acquiring new knowledge and skills in surgical education and training.
In addition to receiving an invitation to Clinical Congress, ACS staff facilitate the matching of scholars to their preferred ACS- AEI, making introductions and helping coordinate site visits after Clinical Congress. Scholarship recipients received a stipend of $10,000 to offset travel expenses associated with attending Clinical Congress and visiting an AEI.
The 2022 International Scholarship for Surgical Education awardees are:
- Marcello Donati, MD, PhD, FACS, from University of Catania Italy
- Grace Kansayisa, MBChB, MMed, FCS(ECSA), from Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda
- Gallina Kazobinka, MBBS, FCS(ECSA), from Hospital Militaire de Kamege and Kira Hospital, Burundi
While at Clinical Congress, the scholars participated in plenary sessions and courses that address surgical education and training. These activities included the Surgical Education: Principals and Practice (SEPAP) postgraduate course, which focuses on the principles of adult learning, curriculum development, and teaching technical skills.
During the post-Clinical Congress AEI site visit, the scholars observed cases, participated in courses, toured training facilities, and learned about the simulation and learning environment.
The following AEIs participated in hosting this year’s scholars:
- Carl J. Shapiro Simulation and Skills Center in Boston, MA
- Howard University Health Sciences Simulation & Clinical Skills Center in Washington, DC
- NYU Department of Surgery Surgical Skills Lab in New York, NY
- Stanford Department of Surgery Education Institute in Stanford, CA
The ACS extends its appreciation to those AEIs who hosted an international scholar this year.
Upon their return home, the scholars provide a written reflection of their learning experiences and an implementation plan for sharing their knowledge and insights with their home institutions.
Learn more on the ISSURGED web page. For more information on the ISSURGED program, contact ACS Division of Education Senior Manager Kim Davis at kdavis@facs.org or Division of Member Services, International Affairs & Scholarships Administrator, Tony Ortiz at tortiz@facs.org.
