For Dr. Gina Adrales, SAGES is “home,” and she details the many reasons.
“SAGES is unique among surgical societies with so many engaged members and no rigid or formal hierarchy. Every annual meeting is like a reunion. It’s so refreshing to see residents, fellows, and practicing surgeons of all ages come together, and I love seeing my peers, close friends and general surgeons from across the globe.”
Dr. Adrales adds that SAGES has always been easy to love, with its learning and mentorship opportunities, camaraderie and shared interests in innovation and education, diversity and global surgery.
Included in her extensive list of mentors are: her former surgery chair SAGES founding member and past president Dr. Rick Greene; Dr. Todd Heniford, who sparked her interest in minimally invasive approaches to GI surgery, Dr. John Mellinger, a friend, guide and professional sounding board; Dr. Jeff Marks, who got her involved in the development of FES; Dr. Gerry Fried, who taught her about surgical education and assessment; and, fellowship director Dr. Adrian Park who encouraged her involvement in SAGES committees.
Dr. Adrales’ committee activity is extensive, and includes FES, Membership, Hernia, SMART, and Healthy Sooner. She was also on the old Resident Education Committee and led and taught in multiple hands-on laparoscopic and endoscopic courses. She currently leads the OpiVoid task force as part of the Quality, Outcomes, and Safety Committee, serves on the Governance task force, and is actively involved as a member of the Reimaging the Practice of Surgery Task Force.
While it’s hard to pin down one memorable experience, Dr. Adrales says, “If you talk with some senior members, I bet many will remember a very memorable video presentation of a common duct exploration during which a long parasitic worm was pulled out of the duct. There were ‘oohs and ahhs’ from the audience and then a standing ovation! That vivid video is still etched in my mind.”
As leader of the Women in Surgery at Hopkins (WISH) group, she is passionate about supporting women in surgery. Dr. Adrales says that she’ll continue to make memories at SAGES while giving back to SAGES and supporting trainees and other women surgeons.
While she enjoys playing piano, amateur painting, and crafts when she has time, you’ll more likely find this dedicated soccer mom cheering in the stands!