Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine medical students interested in surgery shared research, gained valuable presentation experience, and networked with surgical physicians at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, on Tuesday.

The Robert J. Lucas Surgical Society hosted the 5th Annual Regional Research Symposium, drawing participants from OUWB, as well as Wayne State University School of Medicine, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

About 50 people attended the event that featured 11 poster and eight oral presentations — all centered on surgical-related topics. Presentations were judged by a panel of Beaumont Hospital residents and surgeons.

Mark Frikker, M.D., chairman of Surgical Services, Beaumont Health, and chair of OUWB’s Department of Surgery, said the event is important for all involved.

“Research and inquisitiveness are an important part of being a doctor,” Frikker said. “This symposium helps get the medical students interested in surgery started on that path to make this an aspect of their career that will endure and go on forever.”

Ian Penvose, president, Robert J. Lucas Surgical Society (RJLSS), said the annual event is designed to “create an opportunity for medical students from all over to come together and see what everyone is working on.”

‘We absolutely revered him’

The Robert J. Lucas Surgical Society (RJLSS) generally aims to provide its student members with more exposure to the surgical field through guest speakers, advising, mentorship, and events.

Opportunities provided include education about various career paths and subspecialties, shadowing current surgeons, and understanding/practicing the skills needed to be a surgeon.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to work with practicing surgeons and to participate in clinics aimed at suturing, protocol, and residency/educational experience.

The student organization was previously known as the “Surgical Society” until about five years ago. That’s when it was decided to rename the group after the late Robert J. Lucas, M.D., longtime chief of general surgery, director of the surgical residency program, chief of surgical services and medical director of Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He retired in 1999.

Frikker called Lucas his “surgical hero” and talked about how they met in 1978 during Frikker’s transitional year as a resident.

“He wound up having more influence on my life than anyone except my parents,” Frikker said.

Frikker explained that Lucas, among other things, did every kind of surgery, was “overwhelmingly honest,” and knew exactly when surgery was needed and when it wasn’t.

“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that there has never been a surgeon here since his time, and there will never be one who commands the respect that Dr. Lucas commanded,” Frikker said. “We absolutely revered him.”

OUWB medical students win both presentations

Beaumont surgeons reviewed and selected the de-identified abstracts for presentation.

Judges for the presentations on Tuesday were Duane Mezwa, M.D., Stephan Sharf Interim Dean, OUWB; Leon Pedell, M.D., adjunct professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB; Gustavo Patino, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Neuroscience, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB, Stephen Loftus, Ph.D., associate professor of Medical Education, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB; Anthony Stallion, M.D., professor of surgery and pediatrics, OUWB, PRISM mentor for OUWB’s Class of 2022, and chief of pediatric surgery, Beaumont Health; and Begum Akay, M.D., pediatric general surgeon, Beaumont Health, and assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, OUWB.

Awards for poster and oral presentations were handed out at the end of the evening.
Medical students from OUWB won top honors for both.

OUWB M4 Tammy Luan (pictured) finished in first place for her oral presentation, “Gender Differences and Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients: Stage Stratified Propensity Scoring Analysis of NCDB.”

She said presenting the work at the symposium “felt like the culmination of all my hard work over the past four years of medical school.” Luan gave a lot of credit to those who helped her.

“I wouldn’t be here without my mentors and their guidance and advice along the way,” she said. “Whether it be the attendings I worked with, the clinical people from (OUWB), or my friends and family.”

Second place in the oral presentations went to Wayne State University School of Medicine M2 Jacob Gluski for “Experience in Biobanking, The DMC Hydrocephalus Cohort.”

Third place went to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine M3 Collin LaPorte for “Multi-Modal Pain Management in Hip Arthroscopy.”

OUWB M4 Andrew Ragheb won first place for his poster presentation, “Radiofrequency Ablation and Vertebroplasty for Treatment of Metastatic Brest Cancer Spinal Fractures.”

Ragheb said he felt “very comfortable” presenting the project that he’s been working on for two-and-a-half years.

“When you invest so much time in a project you really understand the ins and the outs,” he said. “Rather than being a stressful time, you kind of embrace it as an opportunity to educate whoever is listening to you.”

He said it felt “amazing” to win first place, especially “being surrounded by such amazing medical students in this up and coming generation.”

“To be acknowledged for something that you worked so hard on and invested so much time in is a great feeling,” Ragheb said.

Second place in the poster presentation went to OUWB M1 Mallory Hoevet for “The Prevalence and Consequent of Metallopeptidase CpaA and Chaperone CpaB in Acinetobacter baumannii.”

Third place poster went to OUWB M2 Bryson Caskey for “TET1 Overexpression Mitigates Neuropathic Pain Through Rescuing the Expression of mu Opioid Receptor and Kv1.2 in the Primary Sensor Neurons.”