SPOTLIGHT GALLERY

Microwave Ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive procedure used to destroy solid tumors in patients who cannot undergo traditional surgery due to age, comorbidities, or tumor location. Rather than cutting out the tumor, MWA used high-frequency electromagnetic energy to heat and kill cancer cells from within. It is most commonly applied to tumors of the liver, lung, and kidney and operates at frequencies of either 915 MHz or 2.45 GHz. As researchers have noted, MWA has emerged

Robotics lymphatic supermicrosrugery is a cutting-edge surgical approach that used a robotic platform to perform extremely delicate operations omn lymphatic vessels, which can be as small as .3 mm in diameter. The Symani Surgical System, developed by Medical Microinstruments (MMI), is the primary device used for this purpose. It was purpose-built for microsurgery and supermicrosurgery, featuring the world's smallest wristed robotic instruments, tremor filtration, and motion s

Rotationplasty is a specialized reconstructive surgery used primarily to treat bone cancers such as osteosarcoma that occur near the knee, most often in children. Instead of removing the entire limb, this procedure preserves part of the leg and supports long term mobility and function. The procedure involves removing the diseased portion of the leg, which typically includes part of the femur, the knee joint, and part of the tibia. Surgeons carefully preserve important structu

Brainstem gliomas refer to tumors, typically astrocytomas, located in the brainstem. They may develop in different brainstem regions: midbrain and medulla gliomas are usually low grade (grade I), while pons gliomas are usually grade IV due to their faster growth and progression. The brainstem generally controls many critical functions including breathing, swallowing, and heart rate. Thus, the treatment for these tumors require careful consideration. The three typical treatmen

Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation (CSD) can reduce the burden of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in impatience with structural heart disease and recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that make the lower chambers of your heart twitch instead of pumping and can stop your heart from supplying blood to the rest of your body. There are three main types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Preventricular contractions

Postoperative delirium is a sudden disturbance in one’s mental functioning that can occur after surgery. This condition is often characterized by confusion, disorientation, and fluctuating levels of consciousness. Although postoperative delirium is seen across all age groups, it is often underdiagnosed in adolescents. Research suggests that various factors, such as pain, sleep disruption, exposure to anesthesia, and preexisting psychological conditions, can all contribute to

Cognitive biases are defined as systematic deviations from rational thinking. In high-stress surgical conditions,  even highly trained surgeons are prone to falling to cognitive biases and making irrational choices. This can impact crucial decisions made when diagnosing patients and even while conducting surgery. Research indicates that certain biases such as anchoring, overconfidence, and confirmation bias can all play a direct role in surgical outcomes. Although these menta

In the United States, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. More than 35,000 people died as a result, according to the CDC’s 2019 AR Threats report. Treating infections caused by six common antibiotic-resistant germs in hospitals costs the U.S. over $4.6 billion each year, according to the CDC. It is evident that treating infections has become increasingly difficult, expensive, and risky, especially in surgical settings. Antimicrobial resis

The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in your body. It is located at the back of your leg, right above your ankle. You have two Achilles tendons, one in each leg. The Achilles has many functions, including helping you walk, run, jump, and climb stairs. Without your achilles tendon, you wouldn’t be able to push off your foot to walk, run, or jump, making it extremely difficult to move normally. When the achilles is overused or used too much or too hard, it c

Dr. Nina starr braunwald was an amazing american cardiac surgeon born on march 2nd, 1928, in brooklyn, new york. Growing up she showed a natural talent for working with her hands: drawing, painting, and building things. These skills would later serve her well in the operating room. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees from NYU and went on to train under some of the most respected cardigan surgeons of her era. "she became the first female cardiac surgeon and t

Dr. Valentina Greco is a leading stem cell biologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine, where she holds appointments in the departments of genetics, cell biology, and dermatology. Born in palermo italy, she earned her PhD in germany and completed her postdoctoral training at the Rockefeller University before joining Yale in 2009. Since then, she has become one of the most recognized scientists in her field, being inducted into the american academy of arts and sciences

Throughout human history, women have always been underrepresented in many professional fields, especially in surgery. However, over the past few decades, women have consistently been able to break barriers and reshape the medical field. As the number of women in the medical field is increasing, it is evident that the medical field will continue to diversify and promote more opportunities for future generations of women. In the United States, the growth of female surgeons is r

Founded in 1981, the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) is  one of the largest international organizations dedicated to supporting, enhancing the interaction, and facilitating the exchange of information between women surgeons at various stages in their careers, including students and trainees, with more than 4,000 members in more than 50 countries. Who’s the founder behind it all, you may ask? The answer is the one and only trailblazer in combatting sexism in surgery: Dr. P

Even as a child, Dr. Alexa Irene Canady was a hard worker. Born to dentist Dr. Clinton Canady, Jr., and educator Elizabeth Hortense Canady in Lansing, Michigan in the year 1950, Canady was taught the important principles of dedication and determination at a young age. This assisted her to navigate struggles as the only black student at her local school (besides her brother), defying expectations by achieving the title of National Achievement Scholar in 1967.  Though surrounde

Gender bias and discrimination continue to shape the experiences of many women pursuing careers in surgery, despite the field’s emphasis on skill, precision, and evidence-based practice. While the number of women entering medical school has increased significantly over the past few decades, surgery remains one of the most male-dominated specialties. This imbalance is not simply due to personal preference, but is strongly influenced by structural and cultural barriers that aff

Every time a patient undergoes a complex surgical procedure, they depend on a highly trained surgeon with years of education and experience. However, for much of history, women were discouraged or even prevented from entering surgical careers. Surgery was traditionally viewed as a male-dominated profession, and women faced significant barriers in training, hiring, and leadership roles. One of the most influential figures who helped break these barriers was Dr. Olga Jonasson,

Dr Alexa Irene Canady is the first female African American neurosurgeon in the United States. She was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1950 to dentist Dr. Clinton Canady Jr. and educator Elizabeth Hortense Canady. She received her Bachelor’s in Zoology in 1971 from the University of Michigan, and remained there to attain her MD. She found her calling in the field of neurosurgery. Despite lack of advisor encouragement, she refused to give up. In 1976, she became the first female A

Sostek , 2025 Heart surgery is no longer in a man’s world. Women are now revolutionizing the medical field more than ever.  From 2004 to 2022, the number of women in the active physician workforce increased 97%, while the number of men increased 13%. While women have faced multiple barriers throughout their careers, including sexism, unequal pay, and a lack of mentorship, they are leading the way for innovations in heart surgery. As stated by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, “We

Muslim women are among the most overlooked category of physicians in history. Be it textbook or technique, they are often left out when they have served as pillars holding up the clinical lifeline. Among these inspirational figures is Rufaydah Al-Aslamia. Born in approximately 620 AD, Rufaydah was among the first people in Medina (Modern-day Saudi Arabia) to accept Islam. She was born into the Bani Aslam tribe of the Khazraj tribal confederation in Medina.  Rufaydah was among

Fluorescent dye imaging is an important advancement in safety improvement during gallbladder surgery, especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One of the most serious complications of this procedure is bile duct injury, which can cause serious morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and long-term complications like strictures or liver dysfunction. Traditional identification of biliary anatomy relies on visual inspection and the “critical view of safety” technique. However, infl