According to Dr. Ivy Haskins, the best part of being a SAGES member is that everyone’s experience and input is valued, including surgeons at various levels of training and education.
“Anyone who is interested in endoscopy or GI surgery is not only welcomed and encouraged to join the society, but SAGES leadership really does an excellent job of ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table,” says Dr. Haskins.
A third generation University of Michigan Wolverine undergrad, Dr. Haskins graduated from the George Washington Medical School in Washington, D.C., where she also did her residency. She initially joined SAGES as an intern.
Now an active SAGES member, Dr. Haskins has continued to be involved in several SAGES committees: Resident and Fellow; Research and Career Development; Guidelines; and, previously Hernia. She is also currently a resident and fellow representative to the SAGES board 2020-22.
“SAGES is my academic family and the annual meeting is my academic highlight,” says Dr. Haskins. This year in Vegas, she gave two invited talks, presented her research on postoperative opioid use in foregut surgery, and moderated the Resident and Fellow session. She says the highlight of the meeting was receiving a virtual SAGES coin from past president Dan Jones for helping increase FUSE testing availability for fellows through the online portal.
Dr. Haskins, who also loves the positive networking aspect of the annual meeting, adds that long-term she hopes to continue to foster lifelong professional and personal relationships with other SAGES members and hopes to hold a leadership position.