Dr. Caroline Reinke joined SAGES as a resident at the University of Pennsylvania on the recommendation of Dr. Kenric Murayama. She remembers that in addition to his praise of the society as leader in surgical care, he specifically made a point that SAGES was one of the most diverse and inclusive surgical societies.
“Dr. Murayama was right!,” says Dr. Reinke. “I’ve enjoyed every year of membership and the many opportunities I’ve participated in over the last decade including networking, learning, presenting and having FUN. I love meeting surgeons who practice across a variety of settings and I really enjoy the annual meeting.”
Dr. Reinke, who previously served on the Resident Education Committee, is currently Chair of the SAGES Conflict of Interest (COI) committee and member of the Acute Care Surgery (ACS) committee.
In addition to Dr. Murayama’s early influence, she counts many (too many to name them all here!) SAGES members as mentors, colleagues and friends. Dr Reinke says she also “remembers fondly working with SAGES leaders such as Dr. Jo Buyske and Dr. Phil Omotosho. I also got to work with Dr. Jacob Greenberg during my time on the Resident Education Committee and, in fact, my current role at Atrium Health was largely influenced by his introduction to my current chair, Dr. Brent Matthews.”
Dr. Reinke adds that Drs. Peter Denk and Phil Shaddock have been great mentors to her on the COI committee, and she’s enjoyed the many opportunities to collaborate with Dr. Robert Lim on the ACS committee.
Citing her first meeting sing-a-long and COVID-19 grant as two of her most memorable SAGES experiences, Dr. Reinke says she is looking forward to more fond memories of learning, collaborating, connecting and having fun with other SAGES members!