Moretz Surgical Society Conference

Schedule

	March 13, 2026
1:00 PM	Welcome & Opening Remarks	President and Chair introduce conference objectives.
1:15 - 2:40 PM	Medical Student Research Competition	Top 11 abstracts, 5 minutes each + 1 minute Q&A. Scored by judging panel: Dr Brittany Ange, Dr. Lynne Coule, and Dr. Jennifer Tucker.
1:15 PM	A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Simulation-Based Massive Transfusion Protocol Curriculum	Jordan Wilcox, M3 – Albany Campus
1:22 PM	Comparative Survival Analysis of Factors Contributing to Mortality in Early Age Onset Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma	Caleb Bazal, M3 – Rome Campus
1:30 PM	Utilization of Trauma Video Review for Performance Improvement in Trauma: A Scoping Review	Maanasa Javangula, M3 – Augusta Campus
1:38 PM	Factors Associated with Delayed Initiation of Breast Cancer Treatment at a Breast Cancer Center in Rural Georgia	Catarina Cutter, M3 – Dalton Campus
1:46 PM	Neoadjuvant Therapy Versus Surgery First: Comparing Outcomes in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Through the NCDB Database	Keerti Soundappan, M3 – Savannah Campus
1:54 PM	Complex Endovascular Aortic Repairs at a Low Volume Center: A Review of Outcomes	Phillip Dobson, M3 – Augusta Campus
2:02 PM	Facility Type and Racial Disparities in the Deimplementation of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Following Z0011	Rebecca Mai, M2 – Albany Campus
2:10 PM	Evaluating a Standardized Protocol for Gastrostomy Tube Placement in ALS Patients	Samantha Smith, M3 – Savannah Campus
2:18 PM	Does Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC Improve Quality of Life?	Christopher Vakkur, M3 – Augusta Campus
2:26 PM	Thirty-Four Year Trends in Gender and URiM Representation Among U.S. General Surgery Faculty	Leah Middleton, M3 – Augusta Campus
2:32 PM	Long-Term Quality of Life and Esophageal Function Outcomes After Esophagectomy	Thomas Drake, M3 – Augusta Campus
2:40 - 2:55 PM	Break	Spend time with industry sponsors
2:55 - 3:40 PM	Resident Research Oral Competition	Top 5 abstracts, 6 min + 2 min Q&A. Scored by judging panel: Dr. Roshan D’Cruz, Dr. Susan Gearhart, and Dr. Alexander Fagenson.
2:55 PM	Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation Reduces Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Minimally Invasion Thoracic Surgery Procedures	Richard Aldan, Research Resident
3:04 PM	Real-World Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Lung Cancer Prediction of Indeterminate Pulmonary Nodules	Mikenzie Sturdevant, PGY-4
3:13 PM	Reimagining Pediatric Trauma Education: A Faculty-Driven Simulation Curriculum for Multidisciplinary Readiness	Cole Harp, PGY-2
3:22 PM	Pheochromocytoma Rule of 10s: A Multidisciplinary Adrenal Center Experience	Richard Aldan, Research Resident
3:31 PM	Bringing the Trauma Bay to the Backroads: Implementing a Portable Simulation Curriculum for Rural Hospitals — The Pilot Year	Gabrielle Moore, Research Resident
3:40 - 4:10 PM	Surgical Jeopardy	Dr. Eliza Fox
4:10 - 5:00 PM	Special Lecture: “Surgical Education in the Era of AI & Robotics”	Dr. Renee Hilton-Rowe: Focus on training future surgeons.
5:00 PM	Evening Alumni Networking Reception	Casual, encourages alumni- resident–faculty–student interaction.
	March 14, 2026
8:00 - 8:05 AM	Coffee & Welcome Back
8:05 - 8:20 AM	History Lecture	Dr. Robert Nesbit
8:20 - 9:20 AM	Keynote: “A Life of Surgery - No Regrets”	Dr. Shanu Kothari: Invited senior surgeon shares emerging trends & challenges.
9:30 - 10:30 AM	Masterclass: Advance Surgical Techniques – Tips and Tricks for Difficult Cases	Moderated by expert panel: Dr. Renee Hilton Rowe, Dr. Pepper Brown, and Dr. Dan Miller. Our faculty presents cases on Foregut - Dr. Aaron Bolduc, Vascular – Dr. Omar ElShazly, and Cancer – Dr. Danny Yakoub. Each video is 7 min with 7 min discussion, ending with key take-home points. Audience Q&A encouraged.
10:30 - 10:45 AM	Break	Spend time with industry sponsors
10:45 - 11:15 AM	“Beyond Closure: Modern Strategies in Complex Wound Reconstruction”	Dr. Abigail Chaffin: Sam Richwine Lecture
11:15 - 12:15 PM	Lunch with Mentorship Tables	Section Chiefs assigned to a table. Residents & medical students rotate through small group tables with faculty.
12:15 - 1:00 PM	Department Update	Dr. Jordan
1:00 - 1:45 PM	Panel Discussion: Building Surgical Capacity in Community Settings	Moderated by expert panel: Dr. John Odom - Savannah, Dr. Paul Brock - Rome, Dr. Troy Kimsey - Albany, and Dr. Price Corr - Albany. Residents, faculty, and community surgeons discuss collaboration & innovation.
1:45 - 2:00 PM	Break	Spend time with industry sponsors
2:00 - 2:30 PM	Business Meeting & Closing Remarks	President Renee Hilton-Rowe
2:30 PM	Adjourn
6:00 PM	Cocktail Hour at Augusta Country Club
7:00 PM	Formal Dinner at Augusta Country Club

Location

Conference Location:

J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons

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Hotel / Travel

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