Sharpening Skills through Friendly Competition | Highlights from the 2025-2026 Surgical Olympics
Feb 28, 2026
The 含羞草研究所 Downstate Department of Surgery announces a new educational initiative, conceived and led by Program Director Dr. Natasha Becker, the Surgical Olympics. The Surgical Olympics is a residency-wide program designed to promote resident academic, technical, and administrative excellence. Each resident is assigned to a multi-level team, led by a chief resident. Every week, points are awarded in accordance with Grand Rounds attendance, quizzes, presentations, jeopardy wins, and other scholarly activity.
Team leadership includes:
- The Bowel Rangers&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attendings: Dr. Yang Yang and Dr. Francisca Velcek | Chief Resident: Dr. Cristina Solis-Pomales
- Forceps of Nature&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attending: Dr. Alexander Schwartzman | Chief Resident: Dr. Timothy Le
- Get Stitch or Die Trying&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attending: Dr. Lisa Dresner | Chief Resident: Dr. Vincent Dodson
- Massive Delusion Protocol&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attending: Dr. Stanislav Bushik | Chief Resident: Dr. Michael Chen
- Knot Today&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attending: Dr. Sumanth Suresh | Chief Resident: Dr. Sagar Rohondia
- The AnastaMob&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attending: Dr. Andrew Kamrouz | Chief Resident: Dr. Ahmed Eldeib
- 99 Problems But a Stich Ain鈥檛 One&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attendings: Dr. Justin Chin-Bong Choi and Dr. Julia Zakhaleva | Chief Resident: Dr. Tom谩s Davi煤-Molinari
- The Clot Thickens&苍产蝉辫;鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Attendings: Dr. Kelsey Ensor and Dr. Fatemeh Malekpour Ghorbani | Chief Resident: Dr. Jodi-Ann Edwards
On the current leaderboard, 99 Problems But a Stich Ain鈥檛 One remains in first place, followed closely by AnastaMob, with The Clot Thickens in third. With many weeks still ahead, the competition remains tight鈥攁nd the anticipated debate on saline vs balanced crystalloids between 99 Problems But a Stich Ain鈥檛 One and The Clot Thickens may be a pivotal moment that reshapes the standings.
Consistent participation continues to drive success across all teams, and we look forward to seeing how the rankings evolve in the coming weeks. 鈥淭he Surgical Olympics exemplify our department鈥檚 commitment to excellence, teamwork, and lifelong learning. I鈥檓 proud to see our residents and faculty competing with such energy and camaraderie,鈥� said Dr. Becker.