Nourishing the Professional Soul

While most surgical residents fear work-induced burnout, Kelly Wagner is increasing her workload, and recommends other residents do the same.

Wagner is a surgical resident at the University at Buffalo and the president of the Buffalo chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons. She has been participating in community outreach through AWS since becoming involved with the chapter during her second year of residency. Wagner said her involvement in the community with AWS makes her happier and more invested in her work, despite the additional responsibility.

AWS held its most recent community outreach event at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, where volunteers educated students on the medical field and provided hands-on experience with surgical equipment.

Wagner said these events help increase local representation of women surgeons and provide underserved students with exposure to STEM fields.

“I think sometimes all it takes is just a seven year old, or a seventh grader, or a high school girl to see, ‘Oh, you’re a surgeon, oh my god.’” Wagner said. “Sometimes it’s just seeing that person [who looks like you] and believing it is enough.”

Despite being an organization which highlights women in surgery, Wagner said all AWS’ events are inclusive try to uplift women without separating anyone else. Wagner also hopes to expand AWS’ outreach to include a mentoring program in the future, and is currently working on a Christmas in July event to give back to local organizations.

She said the extra work involved with AWS can be tiring, but the community engagement reminds her of the value of the work she provides.

“By nourishing your professional soul by doing these other things that are still professional, but extracurricular, it makes you a better resident…” Wagner said. “You’re doing all these things and you’re so busy and it can be very easy to forget. But then when you go somewhere like the Ronald McDonald House, or you go to high schools and underserved areas and you see the community, you’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is what we’re doing here.’ And it reminds you a little bit more why you’re here in the first place."