The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the following recognition of three of our faculty members and a PGY3 resident.
The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences recently launched the Moments of Excellence in Education: Recognition and Inspiration (MEE:RI) Program that gives students a way to recognize exemplary moments of teaching they encounter.
The program received the following submission about our faculty member and General Surgery Residency Program Director, Dr. James Lukan:
“Dr. Lukan, despite being in the middle of the COVID crisis took the time to reach out to students and organize volunteers to help children from Buffalo who needed food. He came to say hello and thank us despite being up all night at ECMC and having to return to the hospital right after. He had nothing to do with the public schools and nutrition services and still found the time to facilitate a volunteer effort to help them. That is an incredible testament to his dedication to his community and caring for others.”
The program received the following submission about our faculty member and Medical Student Clerkship Director, Dr. Molly Moore:
“Dr. Moore has been doing an extraordinary job trying to keep us informed during the COVID Crisis. I am greatly appreciative of her staying in constant contact with us and being honest. She organized a great zoom meeting with Dr. Cooper and together they have been so dedicated to maintaining an atmosphere of learning despite what’s happening.“
The program received the following submission about our faculty member and General Surgery Residency Program Associate Director, Dr. Clairice Cooper:
“During this very difficult time, she was still able to bring us into the OR and engage us. She is always so enthusiastic about teaching students and providing feedback. The one chance I had to be in the OR with her was one of my best learning experiences. She also ran a zoom meeting with Dr. Moore and brought us into the OR to watch an interesting case. Her dedication to teaching is appreciated.”
The program received the following submission about our PGY3 resident, Dr. Michael Wach:
“As a medical student during the COVID crisis, it is hard not to feel upset about not being able to do much to help the medical community. This individual reached out to medical students and reemphasized our importance to the team. He reiterated that although we are not able to perform clinical duties, we can still help by staying committed to education. He provided educational resources and mentoring. He continues to check in with us to make sure that we stay motivated and engaged.”
Thank you all for supporting education, being a positive influence and a role model that will be passed forward as our students become residents and faculty members in the world of medicine.
Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, FACS
Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery
University at Buffalo
