A Journey of Innovation: 40 years of Pioneering Medical Education at the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan.

This article presents an overview of Aga Khan University's (AKU) pioneering medical education initiatives over the past 40 years, exploring its impact on healthcare in the region and its commitment to advancing medical education and research in the developing world. Established in 1983 as the first private university in Pakistan, AKU has evolved into a global institution with a focus on improving healthcare standards and addressing healthcare needs in the developing world. The article also discusses the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs at AKU Medical College, Pakistan, highlighting their unique features and pioneering approaches to medical education. The institution's journey highlights its ability to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape while maintaining a focus on quality and excellence, offering a model for other institutions striving to meet healthcare needs in low- and middle-income countries.

Emanuel Olatunde Alaba Olanrewaju Odeku (1927-1974): First African Neurosurgeon Trained in the United States and Establisher of the National and West African Postgraduate Medical Colleges.

BACKGROUND: In this comprehensive historical account, the authors delve into the remarkable trajectory of Dr. Latunde E. Odeku, a pioneering figure in neurosurgery. METHODS: The inspiration for this project was ignited by the discovery of the original scientific and bibliographic materials of Latunde Odeku, a renowned Nigerian neurosurgeon and the first African neurosurgeon in history. Following a thorough review of the literature and information available on Dr. Odeku, we have compiled a comprehensive and detailed analysis of his life, work, and legacy. RESULTS: This paper begins by introducing his childhood and early education in Nigeria, highlights his journey through medical school and residency in the United States, and follows his career and role in establishing the first neurosurgical unit in West Africa. We celebrate the life and legacy of Latunde Odeku, a trailblazing neurosurgeon whose contribution has inspired generations of medical professionals in Africa and around the world. CONCLUSIONS: This article sheds light on the remarkable life and achievements of Dr. Odeku and his trailblazing work for generations of doctors and researchers.

For the People and the Profession.

In 1982 Dean Warren delivered the presidential address "Not for the Profession… For the People" in which he identified substandard surgical residency programs graduating residents who were unable to pass American Board of Surgery exams. Drs. Warren and Shires as members of the independent ACGME began to close the substandard programs in order to improve surgical care for average Americans i.e. "for the people". By 2003 these changes dramatically reduced the failure rate for the ABS exams and trained good surgeons who could operate independently however the residents were on duty for every other or every third night. In 2003 the ACGME mandated duty hour restrictions in order improve resident wellness and improve the training environment for the profession. However, work hour restrictions reduced the time surgical residents spent in the hospital environment primarily when residents had more autonomy and had exposure to emergency cases which degraded readiness for independent practice. Surgical educators in the 2 decades after the work hour restrictions have improved techniques of training so graduates could not only pass the board exams but also be prepared for independent practice. Surgical residency training has improved by both the changes implemented by the independent ACGME in 1981 and by the work hour restrictions mandated in 2003. Five recommendations are made to ensure that Dr Warren's culture of excellence in surgical training continues in an environment that enhances wellbeing of the trainee i.e. "For the People and the Profession".

The African American experience in reproductive medicine: provider, patient, and pipeline perspectives.

The goal of this Views and Reviews is to let colleagues and leaders well versed in the African American experience in reproductive medicine address the problems of racism affecting our trainees and patients and, more significantly, propose solutions. The areas in reproductive medicine that will be explored from the African American perspective include the pipeline of providers, health disparities, and access to infertility treatment.

The evolution of surgical virtual education and telementoring: One surgeon's journey.

The first era of the global proliferation of surgical advancements involved surgical infection rate and technique breakthroughs by Lister, Halsted, and others. This was propagated by letters, academic papers, and international visits. While success was achieved, it was at a suboptimal pace. In the current era of minimally invasive surgical approaches, these methods are inadequate. This paper chronicles the development and application of virtual learning and telementoring as force multipliers to speed procedural adoption and proliferation.

The First Cardiac Anesthesiology Fellow, William A. Lell: A Brief History.

Fifty years ago, on August 1, 1971, William A. Lell became the first cardiac anesthesia fellow at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Anesthesiology, training with the world's first group of anesthesiologists whose clinical practice, teaching, and research efforts were exclusively devoted to cardiac anesthesia. Lell's early interest in cardiovascular medicine and how mentors, particularly at the MGH, influenced his early career development are recounted. The challenges a young pioneer faced in establishing and maintaining an academic cardiac anesthesia program during the initial and rapid growth of an exciting new subspecialty are described. Dr Lell's experience emphasizes the importance of seizing new opportunities and establishing meaningful working relationships with colleagues based on mutual trust as fundamental to successful career development and research in a new medical subspecialty.

A History of Board Certification in Pediatric Pathology on Its 30th Anniversary.

In 1983 under the leadership of Dr. Daria Haust, the Pediatric Pathology Club (PPC; forerunner of the Society for Pediatric Pathology [SPP]), promulgated bylaws that included recognition of the special expertise required in pediatric pathology. This standard followed formal discussion that began as early as 1970, suggesting that special certification should be pursued, and the idea was vetted by the PPC in 1980 following a special report by Dr. Benjamin Landing and a letter to PPC members. Under the leadership of Dr. William Donnelly in 1984, a relationship between the SPP and the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) began in order to receive recognition of pediatric pathology as a special discipline. As a result, a test committee chaired by Dr. Jerald Schenken began preparing question categories and examples for ABPath examination. These efforts culminated in the first pediatric pathology subspecialty examination, held in Atlanta, Georgia on November 20, 1990. With this article we wish to detail the history of ABPath pediatric pathology board certification from its beginnings to the current time.

The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association: Past contributions, current efforts, and future directions.

OBJECTIVE: The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) is a resident-led organization established in 1997 under the guidance of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association to represent the interests and educational needs of cardiothoracic surgery residents. We aim to describe the past contributions, current efforts, and future directions of the TSRA within a conceptual framework of the TSRA mission. METHODS: Primary review of educational resources was performed to report goals and content of past contributions. TSRA Executive Committee input was used to describe current resources and activities, as well as the future goals of the TSRA. Podcast analytics were performed to report national and global usage. RESULTS: Since 2011, the TSRA has published 3 review textbooks, 5 reference guides, 3 test-preparation textbooks, 1 supplementary publication, and 1 multiple-choice question bank and mobile application, all written and developed by cardiothoracic surgery trainees. In total 108 podcasts have been recorded by mentored trainees, with more than 175,000 unique listens. Most recently, the TSRA has begun facilitating trainee submissions to Young Surgeon's Notes, fostered a trainee mentorship program, developed the monthly TSRA Newsletter, and established a wide-reaching presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help disseminate educational resources and opportunities for trainees. CONCLUSIONS: The TSRA continues to be the leading cardiothoracic surgery resident organization in North America, providing educational resources and networking opportunities for all trainees. Future directions include development of an integrated disease-based resource and continued collaboration within and beyond our specialty to enhance the educational opportunities and career development of cardiothoracic trainees.

Educação médica: linha do tempo e panorama da pós-graduação stricto sensu no Brasil / Medical education: timeline and panorama of stricto sensu graduate studies in Brazil

Resumo: Introdução: O presente trabalho apresenta uma sucinta retrospectiva da pós-graduação stricto sensu brasileira e elucida o atual panorama quantitativo das subáreas avaliativas da área de medicina. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo esboçar um panorama crítico da pós-graduação médica. Método: O método, aqui utilizado, contempla uma revisão das normativas que conduziram a formação da pós-graduação stricto sensu brasileira e uma categorização e análise estatística de dados fornecidos pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, complementados por informações da Plataforma Sucupira e do último censo do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, com recorte das áreas avaliativas da medicina e atenção a elas. Resultado: Como resultado, observou-se que, em junho de 2019, o Brasil atingiu 4.590 programas de pós-graduação, sendo 262 distribuídos nas áreas avaliativas da medicina. A partir desse quantitativo, apresentam-se uma tabela, dois quadros, uma figura e sete gráficos que demostram diferentes aspectos do Sistema Nacional de Pós-Graduação. Conclusão: Em conclusão, no que se refere ao Sistema Nacional de Pós-Graduação, descrevem-se, como ponto forte, a expansão e o crescimento da pós-graduação, e indicam-se, como ponto frágil, os traços de assimetrias regionais. Em face das subáreas da medicina, são evidenciadas as características de cada área avaliativa, incluindo relações entre modalidades, níveis e conceitos dos programas de pós-graduação. Por fim, fica a perspectiva de que, além do número de programas de pós-graduação e de seus respectivos conceitos, um panorama qualitativo deve considerar indicadores como produção científica e impacto social, temas a serem abordados em estudos futuros, utilizando-se dados e as ferramentas metodológicas específicas.

Abstract: Introduction: This work offers a succinct retrospective of the Brazilian stricto sensu graduate program and elucidates the current quantitative panorama of the evaluative sub-areas of Medicine. Objective: This study aimed to outline a critical panorama of medical Graduate Program. Method: The method addressed here includes a review of the regulations that led to the formation of the Brazilian stricto sensu graduate programs and a categorization and statistical analysis of data provided by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), complemented by information from the Sucupira Platform and the latest census published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, focusing on the evaluative areas of Medicine. Result: It was observed that in June 2019, Brazil reached 4,590 Graduate Programs, of which 262 programs were distributed in the evaluative areas of Medicine. Based on this quantity, tables, images and graphs are presented that show different aspects of the National Graduate System. Conclusion: With regard to the National Graduate System, the expansion and growth of graduate studies are described as a strong point, whereas the characteristics of regional asymmetries are indicated as a shortcoming. In view of the sub-areas of medicine, the characteristics of each evaluation area are highlighted, including relationships between modalities, levels and Graduate Program, and scores. Finally, the view persists that, in addition to the number of Graduate Program, and their respective scores, a qualitative panorama should consider indicators such as scientific production and social impact, themes to be addressed in future studies, using specific methodological data and tools.

Microscopic and Endoscopic Skull Base Approaches Hands-On Cadaver Course at 30: Historical Vignette.

Laboratory-based cadaveric training is essential for the development and refinement of neurosurgical technical skills in the operating room and has become an integral training component around the world. Postresidency fellowship-the first pillar of skull base surgery training-includes both hands-on clinical care and surgery supervised by an experienced skull base surgeon. Time is spent in a skull base laboratory practicing approaches and developing anatomic mastery. The second pillar includes formal skull-base courses-institutional dissection laboratories provide continuous anatomic and surgical education while complementary annual or semiannual cadaver courses gather recognized experts to share their knowledge and experience in an essential 2- to 3-day setting. In this paper, we present the history of the longest running annual skull-base cadaver microsurgical course, which was started by Dr. Ossama Al-Mefty: Annual Surgical Approaches to the Skull Base Course. At the Microscopic and Endoscopic Hands-on Cadaver Workshop, held in St. Louis, Missouri, we celebrated its 30th anniversary in April 2019. We also present the impact this course has had on neurosurgery and skull base surgery and on the professional and scientific developments of its participants in particular.

The Genesis of Pain Medicine as a Subspecialty in Anesthesiology.

Certification in pain medicine as a subspecialty in Anesthesiology was conceived in 1989 and first discussed by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1990. Shortly thereafter, the ABA submitted an application to the American Board of Medical Specialties for recognition to certify in pain management. That was approved in 1991. The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education approved an application from the Anesthesiology Residency Review Committee to accredit programs in pain management education and training in 1992. The first examination for Pain Management certification was given in 1993. The certificate was modified in 2002 to Pain Medicine rather than Pain Management. Five member boards of ABMS are now approved for certification in pain medicine and all use the ABA Pain Medicine examination.