This short article and series of pictures is a memoir of my first fellowship in the United States, which commenced exactly 10 years ago.
In September 2011, I visited the United States of America for the first time. For a young oncosurgeon from India, it was a unique opportunity to be able to work in a reputed hospital in the USA. Many thanks to the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology which awarded me the Detroit Fellowship in Surgical Oncology and Minimally Invasive Surgery. I am also grateful to St. John’s Medical College Hospital (where I was an Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology at the time) which allowed me the time off on sabbatical.
Despite other fellowships and subsequent visits to other centers in the USA, the memories of 2011 hold a special place in my heart. As a first-time visitor, I marveled at the abundance of medical resources and technology. I brought home a lot of useful knowledge – not just surgical learning, but also organizational skills, approach to the patient, utilization of data, emphasis on research, and the systematic nature of work. I am indebted to Dr Donald Weaver, who was my mentor during the program.
Here are a few pictures of moments captured from my fellowship days.
Sprawling buildings, large campus
Teaching programs were very formal affairs
Getting ready for morning rounds at 4 am!
Very limited options for Indian vegetarian food!
Learnt early to have a good stock of food!
Doing the laundry!
Fundraiser program on campus
Weekend trip to New York with my wife Haripriya
Sobina says:
Very nice article now dr Suraj is one of the best Onco surgeon he is very simple in nature and very concerned toward patients in the present business world it’s very difficult to get dedicated doctor like dr Suraj
God bless him and his family