“SAGES is a welcoming organization making an impact in the field of surgery through innovation,” says Dr. Shaneeta Johnson. “I’m really indebted to the society for its benefit to my practice.”
Adding that SAGES’ camaraderie “cannot be beaten,” Dr. Johnson counts a long list of SAGES members as friends and colleagues who’ve mentored, sponsored and trained her, including Drs. Phil Schauer, Aurora Pryor, Pat Sylla, Matt Kroh and Dan Jones.
She credits former SAGES president Dan Jones, who she met at another surgical conference for her ongoing involvement in SAGES. “He insisted that I commit to being fully involved in SAGES before I left the conference!”
That encouragement has led to a number of committee assignments: Metabolic and Bariatric Committee, Education Council, and co-chair of the Diversity, Leadership and Professional Development Committee, a group committed to diversity, equity and inclusion becoming an integral part of SAGES. Dr. Johnson, inaugural winner of SAGES Social Justice and Health E quity Award, is also the new chair of SAGES-EAES Sustainability in Surgical Practices Task Force.
Dr. Johnson attended her first SAGES meeting as a fellow and joined shortly after completing her fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. Her passion is being in the OR and she “loves the complexity of laparoscopy and helping people better their quality of life.”
That passion includes innovating and educating surgeons around the world and giving back where she can. Recently featured on SAGES Stories podcast (https://www.sages.org/sages-stories-podcast/), Dr. Johnson talks about returning to her native Bahamas after the 2019 hurricane and her MIS work in Zambia (seen in photos). A self-described travel junkie, she has visited more than 30 countries and six continents, and hopes to soon make it seven!