If there’s a consistent theme among SAGES members, it’s that SAGES is FUN—a sentiment also shared by Dr. Kellie McFarlin.
“What makes SAGES special compared to other associations is that it’s always advancing, showing the latest in surgical innovations and always keeping learning fun,” says Dr. McFarlin, adding that her favorite aspect of being a SAGES member is access to top training and video courses for her residents.
Always interested in minimally invasive surgery, the Detroit-based Dr. McFarlin joined SAGES in her second year of residency at Wayne State University. She’s been active on both the Advocacy and Communications Committees since 2011, and currently serves as chair of the Communications Committee.
Dr. McFarlin was initially introduced to SAGES committees by Dr. Vic Velanovich and mentored over the years by a number of SAGES members, including Drs. Butch Rosser, Patricia Turner, Ross Goldberg, Patricia Sylla and Sharona Ross.
Again echoing an often repeated theme, Dr. McFarlin loves the annual meeting Sing-Off, though this Star Wars fan also fondly remembers the Star Wars breakout room during the 2020 virtual meeting.
Most SAGES members likely know that Dr. McFarlin is mom to twin girls Brooklyn and Kathryn (and a dog not surprisingly named Leia!). What they likely don’t know is that she conducted ultrasound and minimally invasive surgery experiments on NASA’s retired KC-35 (otherwise known as the Vomit Comet) as a NIH Research Fellow and that she was women’s foil team captain in college.
What fellow members can be assured of is that Dr. McFarlin plans to be a long-term SAGES member. “Nothing can replace the energy that SAGES brings to the field of surgery. It not only represents the best in innovative surgery, but also surgical camaraderie.”