Evolving Role of the Combined Medical Practitioner-Researcher

The University of Rochester's Department of Surgery, with its rich history and a focus on excellence, marks 96 years of operation. As a beacon of innovation, the department has made significant strides in the realm of surgical research, education, and patient care.

In 2017, the department made a significant change in the gender composition of surgeons with the graduation of its first all-female class of residents. This milestone, while marking a step forward, also underscores the challenges female surgeons may still encounter based on their gender.

The department's commitment to wellness is evident in its resident wellness program, which addresses burnout and promotes self-care. A healthy healer, after all, is a successful healer.

Under the leadership of Department Chair David C. Linehan, the department has experienced remarkable growth and achievements. Linehan, who joined the University five years ago, has quadrupled the annual number of liver transplants, making the department's Abdominal Transplant and Liver Surgery Division a national leader in this field. The division offers the only liver transplant center in upstate New York and performs more than 100 kidney transplants and 50 complex hepatobiliary surgeries each year.

The department's emphasis on research is evident in its significant funding increase. Research funding has ballooned to $9 million, a 50 percent increase over its 2015 level. The department's research has been instrumental in developing the HPV vaccine and investigating chemotherapy-induced nausea.

The department's history is replete with its own pioneers who pushed past the boundaries of the known surgical world and then shared that knowledge. This legacy of excellence is reflected in the training of renowned surgeons like Charles Rob and Sy Schwartz.

The department's unique training program combines wet lab, dry lab, simulation, and video review for trainees. This comprehensive approach ensures that residents receive a significant surgical experience, including training in the latest trends in robotic surgery.

The department's focus on community engagement is critical in delivering care that is "geographically, financially, and culturally accessible." The department has increased diversity, with faculty representing 15 different countries, and has expanded its efforts to engage with the community to help stem the violence that brings trauma patients into the hospital.

The department's research is not limited to the walls of the University. Current trials cover innovative research on melanoma, nerve regeneration, minimally invasive cardiac and liver surgery, and percutaneous approaches in treating vascular disease. Linehan aims to increase the number of patients enrolled in these trials.

The department believes that innovative research should be impactful by translating it into clinical trials and shepherding it through the administrative process so that the patient benefits. This philosophy is reflected in the department's communication training program, which emphasizes communication as a way to build collegiality and forge a closer surgeon-patient relationship.

The department's future looks promising, with Linehan aiming to reinvigorate the department's status as a research "powerhouse" and boost its research funding to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. With five da Vinci robots, key tools in the department's efforts to expand the use of minimally invasive procedures, the department is well-equipped to meet these goals.

The department's video emphasizes that research, training, and practice exist for only one reason: the patients they serve. This patient-centric approach is evident in every aspect of the department's work, from its wellness program to its commitment to community engagement.

In the spirit of its pioneers, the department looks for specific qualities such as passion, collegiality, and a willingness to challenge the status quo when selecting the next crop of surgeons. This commitment to excellence ensures that the department will continue to push the boundaries of surgical knowledge and deliver the best possible care to its patients.