Member Events

SSS/Department of Surgery Mixer

This year the SSS held its inaugural mixer with the Department of Surgery. The mixer is an event that allows for medical students of all years to talk in a more intimate setting with surgeons within the UTHSC Department of Surgery. The topic for the first gathering was geared towards residency applications and evaluation of applicants, as well as many other do’s and don’ts when applying. We are hoping to host many more of these mixers and cover a variety of important subjects!

Suture Lab

SSS offers an amazing opportunity for medical students to learn suturing techniques. This hour-long skills session is instructed by our very own UTHSC-affiliated suture techs! Materials are provided by SSS and the Department of Surgery. Skills in instrument handling, motion technique, and knot tying will be covered – as well as more information about becoming a suture tech.

Sterile Technique and OR Etiquette

Members of SSS have a personal session regarding proper scrubbing in protocols, how to maintain proper sterility within a sterile field, as well as many other spoken (and unspoken!) rules of the OR. These sessions are directed by UTHSC general surgeons and experienced scrub nurses; and are held within local hospital OR suites. SSS and its advising faculty want its members to shine when it comes to rotating on surgical clerkships for the first time. Having these skills and understanding of OR protocols will help students not only feel more comfortable when rotations begin, but will help impress your superiors!

Skills Lab

SSS hosts special meetings that exist to broaden the clinical and surgical skills of its members. This physician-led event covers chest tube insertion, central line placements, intubation techniques, and more! This is an experience unique to SSS members, who will walk away with higher exposure to skills usually reserved for residency.

Distinguished Speakers

Each month SSS hosts a speaker to discuss all things surgery. Past speakers have discussed: How to choose a specialty, a day in the life of a surgeon, how to choose appropriate research, and more! These meetings are reserved for SSS members only. Meetings are extremely laid back and allow students and surgeons to discuss many topics on a more personal and open level.