Academic Surgery Interest Group

December 1, 2011

Dear Fellow Surgeons,

Collectively, we share the goal of ensuring that the best medical students pursue careers in surgery. To that end, we have recently developed a program designed to encourage and mentor a select group of students who we think have significant surgical potential. We've had great success so far, and hope to secure the funding required to make it a permanent program. I am writing to ask your financial support for the Academic Surgery Interest Group (ASIG) at the University of Michigan.

The best and the brightest no longer necessarily choose a career in surgery. For example, at the University of Michigan, more than 35% of graduates elect a "lifestyle subspecialty" while fewer top students select surgery or medicine residencies. Our program is working to reverse this trend.

The ASIG began in 2008 with the idea that when ambitious students are empowered to conduct research, they will exceed all expectations. Through close mentorship and teamwork, each student is given the opportunity to significantly contribute to all components of a research project, from research design to publication. Students interact with patients and surgeons on a daily basis, gaining insight into their own talents and passions and envisioning themselves as future leaders in surgery and biomedical research.

For example, one medical student noted that the program "excited me about a career as an academic surgeon and put me in a position to choose from among the best residency programs in the country." Over two years in the program, this individual published seven manuscripts and gave dozens of presentations at regional and national surgery meetings.

Since the establishment of the ASIG in 2008, many students have found a unique opportunity to become excited about surgery early in their careers, and are currently residents in many of the most competitive surgical programs in the United States. Overall, among the Class of 2012 at the University of Michigan Medical School, approximately 10% of the graduates have chosen general surgery as a career, with many additional students in the surgical sub-specialties. Our results so far are encouraging, but to continue our efforts, we need your help.

As research funding tightens, there are fewer resources for student research. Our objective is to provide surgery student research awards of $1,000 per student that offer financial support and direct interaction with Coller Surgical Society members. These awards can make a difference in the student experience and subsequent career choice. The awardee will provide the sponsor or designee with career development and research updates as well as present at the Coller Surgical Society Annual Meeting when held in Ann Arbor.

Please consider sponsoring a student in the ASIG Program. Gifts can be made in your name or in honor of your own surgery mentor. We welcome contributions at all levels, and 100 percent of the funds will be allocated toward research. Your gift can be made online at http://surgery.med.umich.edu/giving/ or by check made payable to the University of Michigan and mailed to the address listed below.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Englesbe, M.D.
Surgical Clerkship Director
Associate Professor of Surgery

Mail checks to:

Department of Surgery
University of Michigan
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
2110 Taubman Center, SPC 5346
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5346

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