Dr. Laurence Sands Inducted into Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
The honor highlights the commitment to improving medical education that has long defined his career.
Laurence Sands, M.D., M.B.A., has devoted his career to refining the art and science of teaching surgery.
Until relatively recently, surgical residents would mostly observe attending surgeons and try to replicate their technique. Now, surgical education takes a more scientific approach.
“We use the operating room as a classroom,” said Dr. Sands. “We discuss the disease process, why the patient is there, what we’re going to see when we operate and all the steps involved.”
In recognition of his inspired work as an attending surgeon and educator, Dr. Sands, professor and chair of the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was recently inducted into the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.
“It is the ultimate recognition for surgical educators to be elected to the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators,” said Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., the Miller School’s dean and chief academic officer and president of the ACS. “It’s a testament to Dr. Sands’ outstanding contributions to the field during his career.”
The Science of Surgical Education
In the operating room, Dr. Sands is an educator and a surgeon in equal measures. During surgery, he may point out variances in the patient’s anatomy and how the surgeon should respond to them. After the procedure, he poses questions to evaluate performance. Did they meet their goals? Did the residents fully understand everything that happened?
“Residency is like getting your driver’s license,” said Dr. Sands. “You’ve done all this study, and you know a lot, but you really haven’t experienced all the nuances of driving. That takes years. Surgery is the same way, and we’re trying to impart the most knowledge and experience as effectively as possible.”
The Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
Dr. Sands and his fellow Master Surgeon Educators have moved the field of surgical education forward, refining curricula and standardizing approaches to improve results. He has been active in the Certificate in Applied Surgical Education Leadership (CASEL) program, which seeks to improve education. In addition, Dr. Sands played a major role in developing the Miller School’s NextGenMD curriculum.
“We developed a new medical school curriculum a few years ago,” said Dr. Sands. “Instead of spending a full two years in the classroom, we now move students into the hospital after 14 months. We want them to start applying that knowledge sooner to become more adept at taking care of patients.”
Dr. Sands also helped create the Resident Medical Student Education Scholars Program, in which more advanced trainees help teach their younger colleagues.
Master Surgeon Educator is just the latest teaching honor for Dr. Sands. He has received the Miller School’s Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award and the 2022 Dean’s Annual Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence.
“I’ve built my career at UM on several foundations, including surgical education,” said Dr. Sands. “I realized passing these critical skills on to new generations of surgeons is an important part of my legacy.”
Making His Mark
While the recent induction is a public acknowledgment of Dr. Sands’ ongoing efforts to educate young fellows, residents and medical students, it comes as no surprise to the surgeons he’s training.
Dr. Sands has an approach to everything he does, including teaching, that centers around radical kindness.
—Dr. Alex Hernandez
“Dr. Sands has an approach to everything he does, including teaching, that centers around radical kindness,” said Alexandra Hernandez, M.D. “I think his focus on kindness is really unique in the world of surgery and it’s an important value that is evident both inside and outside of the operating room.”
Other residents note his ability to seamlessly explain important concepts and techniques, as well as inviting his trainees to fully participate in these discussions.
“Because of his wealth of clinical experience, he effortlessly breaks down complex ideas for us,” said Carlos Huerta, M.D. “He also adds invaluable nuances that cannot be found in textbooks.”
Dr. Sands recognizes that residency is a rigorous, trying and even frustrating experience. Throughout this years-long process, he makes sure his trainees know he is there to help.
“Throughout this journey, he has been an invaluable mentor and an unwavering source of support,” said Rebecca Saberi, M.D. “Despite the many demands on his time, Dr. Sands remains approachable and available to share his wisdom with anyone who seeks it. He exemplifies what it means to be a surgeon educator and leader by cultivating a learning environment that encourages both growth and resilience.”
Tags: Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, American College of Surgeons, Dean Henri Ford, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Dr. Laurence Sands, USNWR Gastro