General Surgery Residents Workshop and Abstract Forum - WAITLIST

Sunday, May 10, 2026

7:30 AM - 10:15 AM ET

Co-Moderator(s)

Tess Aulet, MD (she/her/hers)

Colorectal Surgeon
UMass Memorial Medical Center
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no relevant financial relationships.
Jonathan Abelson, MD MS (he/him/his)

Staff Surgeon
Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
Tufts Medical Center
Arlington, MA, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no financial relationships to disclose
Justin Greco, MB BCh (he/him/his)

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Loma Linda University Health
Thomas Jefferson University
Loma, CA, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no relevant financial relationships.

CME 2.75 hours

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Attendees will prepare themselves for general surgery residency training to be competitive applicants for the colon & rectal surgery residency match. They will learn about the match process for the Colon & Rectal Surgery Residency, how to choose the right training program, and how to best transition into colorectal training.

8:30 AM - 9:20 AM: Selected abstract presentations from general surgery residents.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Articulate the colon & rectal surgery residency match application process. .
Identify how to choose the right training program for their needs and how to best transition from general surgery residency to specialized colon & rectal surgery training. .
Describe how to prepare to transition to colon and rectal surgery training.
Recognize how to prepare during general surgery residency for a successful career in colorectal surgery.

Presentations:

7:30 AM - 7:35 AM ET

Introduction
7:35 AM - 7:45 AM ET

Playing the "Long Game" - Preparing During General Surgery Residency to Make Yourself a Competitive Applicant for Colon & Rectal Surgery Residency
Faculty: Poppy Addison, MD – Staten Island University Hospital/Zucker School of Medicine
7:45 AM - 7:55 AM ET

Understanding the Application Process for the Colon & Rectal Surgery Residency Match
Faculty: Brian R. Kann, MD (he/him/his) – Ochsner Medical Center
7:55 AM - 8:05 AM ET

Choosing the Right Training Program for You
Faculty: Nicole Wieghard, MD, FACS, FASCRS (she/her/hers) – Virginia Commonwealth University
8:05 AM - 8:15 AM ET

Transitioning to Colon & Rectal Surgery Training: Set yourself up for Success!
Faculty: Justin M. Greco, MB BCh (he/him/his) – Loma Linda University Health
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM ET

Panel Discussion
8:30 AM - 8:35 AM ET

Introduction of Abstracts
Abstract Co-Moderator: Tess H. Aulet, MD (she/her/hers) – UMass Memorial Medical Center
Abstract Co-Moderator: Justin M. Greco, MB BCh (he/him/his) – Loma Linda University Health
8:35 AM - 8:40 AM ET

Resection with Incomplete Surgical Margins versus Palliative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Abstract Podium Presenter: Chantal Creighton, MD (she/her/hers) – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Author: Sara Sakowitz, MD – Massachusetts General Hospital
Author: Peyman Benharash, MD – David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Author: Lee C. Katherine, MD, MS – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Senior Author: Lee Hanjoo, MD, FASCRS – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
8:41 AM - 8:43 AM ET

Discussant and Questions for GS01 - Resection with Incomplete Surgical Margins versus Palliative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Discussant: Iram S. Alam, MD (she/her/hers) – NYU Langone Health
8:44 AM - 8:49 AM ET

Outcomes and Complications after Hemorrhoid Procedures in Contemporary Practice: A National Commercial Claims Analysis
Abstract Podium Presenter: Griffen I. Allen, MD MBe – University of Washington
Author: Mariam N. Hantouli, MD (she/her/hers) – Department of Surgery University of Washington
Author: Betelhem Yohannes, MD – University of Washington
Author: Sarah J. Atkinson, MD (she/her/hers) – University of Washington
Author: Ragavan Siddharthan, MD – University of Washington
Author: Mukta Krane, MD (she/her/hers) – University of Washington
Senior Author: Charles Liu, MD, MS – University of Washington School of Medicine
8:50 AM - 8:52 AM ET

Discussant and Questions for GS02 - Outcomes and Complications after Hemorrhoid Procedures in Contemporary Practice: A National Commercial Claims Analysis
Discussant: Nicholas C. Neel, MD – UCSD Department of Surgery
8:53 AM - 8:58 AM ET

Lost in Staging: A Retrospective Cohort Study of MRI and Pathologic Staging Concordance in Rectal Cancer
Abstract Podium Presenter: Oaksoe Aung (he/him/his) – UC Davis SOM
Author: Sean Flynn, MD – UC Davis Health
8:59 AM - 9:01 AM ET

Discussant and Questions for GS03 - Lost in Staging: A Retrospective Cohort Study of MRI and Pathologic Staging Concordance in Rectal Cancer
Discussant: Benjamin Allar, MD MPH – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
9:02 AM - 9:07 AM ET

Construction and Evaluation of a Predictive Model for Remission in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Abstract Podium Presenter: Xudong Yang – First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University
Author: Hao Wang, n/a – First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University
9:08 AM - 9:10 AM ET

Discussant and Questions for GS04 - Construction and Evaluation of a Predictive Model for Remission in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Discussant: Racquel S. Gaetani, MD (she/her/hers) – LAHEY HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER
9:11 AM - 9:16 AM ET

Preoperative Biopsy in the Management of Presacral Tumors: the Mayo Experience
Abstract Podium Presenter: Richa Bisht, MD (she/her/hers) – Mayo Clinic
Author: Sireesha Koneru, FRACS – University of Sydney and Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Author: Leonardo A. Bustamante-Lopez, MD, Ph.D – Adventhealth
Author: Nimesh Naik, MD – Mayo Clinic
Author: Eric Joseph Dozois, Professor of Surgery – Mayo Clinic
Author: William R. Perry, MBChB MPH FRACS FACS FASCRS (he/him/his) – Mayo Clinic
Senior Author: Amit Merchea, MD (he/him/his) – Mayo Clinic Florida
9:17 AM - 9:19 AM ET

Discussant and Questions for GS05 - Preoperative Biopsy in the Management of Presacral Tumors: the Mayo Experience
Discussant: Eren Esen, MD – NYU Langone Health
9:20 AM - 9:25 AM ET

Move to Roundtables
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: How to Get Involved in ASCRS
Faculty: Emily Steinhagen, MD, FACS, FASCRS – University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Transitioning to Fellowship Concerns and Pitfalls
Faculty: Kristen Westfall, MD, MPH (she/her/hers) – University Hospitals/Cleveland Medical Center
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Picking a Fellowship Program
Faculty: Martin Uwah, MD (he/him/his) – University of Chicago Medicine
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Looking to the Future Considerations after Fellowship, Job Search, Timelines, etc.
Faculty: Poppy Addison, MD – Staten Island University Hospital/Zucker School of Medicine
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Getting the Most Out of Colon & Rectal Surgery Residency
Faculty: Austin D. Person, MD
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Finding Mentors/Sponsors and Being a Good Mentee
Faculty: Suzanne Gillern, MD – Tripler Army Medical Center
9:25 AM - 10:05 AM ET

Roundtable Discussion: Research Opportunities & Considerations During Clinical Years and Dedicated Research Years
Faculty: Katie Carsky, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – Cleveland Clinic Florida
10:05 AM - 10:15 AM ET

Wrap-up