Essential Surgery Skills Course equips surgeons for global care
For surgeons looking to make a difference in low-resource settings, the Essential Surgery Skills Course offers an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on training in life-saving procedures. Hosted by the Center for Global Surgery and the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, this six-day course, which will be held Aug. 18-22, is designed for physicians, residents and fellows working in humanitarian aid, rural and resource-limited areas around the world.
For many participants, the hands-on nature of the course is its biggest draw. Dr. Steven Elzein, a resident at Houston Methodist Hospital, took the course in 2023 to prepare for working in low-resource environments. “I wanted to gain experience with a wider variety of surgical procedures,” he said. “The lectures were good, but the practical training was amazing. I was hoping for some experience, but the amount of time we had to practice exceeded my expectations.”
During the course, participants engage in teaching seminars and then participate in immersive, simulation-based training in essential surgical techniques across multiple disciplines, including orthopedics, urology, obstetrics, gynecology and anesthesia. Led by experienced global health physicians, the course goes beyond technical skills, encouraging attendees to consider the realities of surgical care in disaster relief, austere environments and conflict zones. Those who complete the course can complete an exam for certification in Tropical Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology from the National School of Tropical Medicine.
A course with a global impact
Since its inception in 2018, the Essential Surgery Skills Course has gained a reputation for delivering high-yield, practical training in a short period.
“Unfortunately, those practicing in low surgeon-density contexts often find themselves facing emergent and life-threatening scenarios for which they have not received formal training,” said Dr. Rachel W. Davis, director of the Center for Global Surgery and assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Trauma, Bariatric and Acute Care Surgery. “For these challenging situations, we want to support the surgeon and their community by providing the skills and resources to stabilize patients in the safest, most high-quality way.”
Initially drawing 15 participants from across the U.S., the program has since expanded its reach. In 2023, a virtual component was introduced, allowing surgeons from Morocco and Myanmar to join the learning experience remotely. The timing was crucial. Morocco had just suffered a devastating earthquake that left thousands injured, while Myanmar was — and still is — facing the ongoing challenges of civil conflict. Despite the time difference, more than 30 trainees logged in during the middle of the night to participate in lectures and simulations, engaging in real-time discussions alongside in-person attendees. This year, the virtual component will continue, with more opportunities for engagement from attendees around the world.
Those interested in participating in the course can sign up, email globalsurgery@bcm.edu or call 713-798-6078 for more information.
About the Baylor College of Medicine Center for Global Surgery
Located in the largest medical center in the world, Baylor College of Medicine has a history of training physicians to provide exceptional medical care across the globe. Home to the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor Global Health and other global health initiatives, the Texas Medical Center provides a natural stage for international health collaboration and advancement.
Baylor’s Center for Global Surgery aims to improve access to safe, timely and quality surgical care through education, collaboration, advocacy and research. The Center functions as a hub for global surgery education, collaborative partnerships, and global health innovation. It offers a variety of global surgery training programs on-site and through virtual and remote platforms for practicing physicians, fellows, and residents. These programs are designed to prepare clinicians to provide excellent surgical care in resource-limited settings, thoughtfully lead disaster relief efforts, and enhance surgical humanitarian aid campaigns through ethical, community-centered approaches.
Baylor Center for Global Surgery education initiatives include:
- The only NRMP-Certified Global Surgery Track within General Surgery Residency
- Global Surgery Advocacy and Policy Fellowship
- Medical Student Global Surgery Research Elective
- Essential Surgery Skills Course
- Global Trauma Collaboration
- Global Cardiothoracic Surgery Casablanca Case Series
- University of Global Health Equity Global Surgery Monitoring & Evaluation Course
By Tiffany Harston
