RIS Mini Medical School Graduates Perform Surgery

 

On Saturday February 6th, Dean for a Day, Dr. Kathryn Dusenbery, convened the 2010 class for the First Annual “Rein in Sarcoma” Mini-Medical School at the University of Minnesota. The all star faculty was composed of Dean Dusenbery, Dr. Daniel Mulrooney, Dr. Juan Manivel, Dr. Edward Cheng, Dr. Brenda Weigel and Dr. Christian Ogilvie assisted by RIS Medical Scholarship Student Brad Stish.

 

The curriculum was rigorous and informative. First was an overview course “What is Sarcoma? Incidence/Types”.  “Pathology of Sarcoma” emphasized the importance of good pathological data  for treatment decisions and outcomes as well as finding future cures. Good basic science is the first step to developing new drugs that will more effectively target sarcoma with fewer side effects on normal cells. “Principles of Sarcoma Surgery” highlighted all of the knowledge needed for a skilled surgeon to plan and execute successful surgery. Of course no medical school is complete without some interesting and challenging “Case Presentations”  

 

After a tutorial on surgery and the proper suturing of Chicken legs by Dr. Cheng the twenty graduating students of the first class of 2010 then had to show their knowledge of surgery by each performing a incision and then suturing up a drumstick. 

 

Students interviewed after the conclusion of the school day all agreed that they had learned a lot. However, not many were looking forward to using their new found surgical and suturing skills. As we all work together to find a cure for sarcoma the willingness of such a gifted team of doctors to donate a Saturday morning to advance the knowledge of those touched by sarcoma is a wonderful gift to our sarcoma community and advances awareness of the disease.

 

PowerPoint Slides of each of the faculty presentations will be on this website soon.