EXPERIENCE, OPPORTUNITY, & EXCELLENCE
EXPERIENCE, OPPORTUNITY & EXCELLENCE
The Experience, Opportunity, and Excellence Committee seeks to positively transform the culture of the Department of Surgery by understanding individual experiences and developing opportunities that create a culture of mutual respect and recognition for promoting excellence in all we do.
EOE GOALS
- Understand the impacts of current surgical culture on individual experiences
- Evaluate the unique institutional contributors that effect individual and team performance and evaluation
- Provide resources for reporting and evaluation
- Develop opportunities for individual and team support
- Promote open mindedness and positive behavior changes
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
RESOURCES
POLICIES & GUIDELINES
- Leave policy guidelines - projected July 20258
- Search committee and recruitment guidelines - projected October 2025
- Compensation guidelines - projected January 2026
- Faculty advocate program and guidelines - projected April 2026
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
| Organization | Contact | Membership Details | Resident/Fellow Benefits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS) | Erin Ward, MD | Complimentary membership | - 3 complimentary annual dues payments for fellows/residents - 3 complimentary meeting registrations for fellows/residents/students |
Residents selected by the EOE Committee |
| Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) | Jess McMullin, MD | - Active: $375/year - Associate (students, residents, fellows): $25/year - Senior: $100/year |
— | New applications require a sponsor (email admin@asiansurgeon.org if needed) |
| Latino Surgical Society (LSS) | Jess McMullin, MD | - Silver Institutional Membership: Includes 10 Resident/Fellow memberships, 3 Faculty memberships, posts and promotions - Individual Resident/Fellow Membership: $30/year |
Included in Silver Membership or $30 individually | EOE Committee to decide distribution of benefits |
| Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) | Erin Ward, MD | Engage Level Membership: $500 | Covers up to 20 residents | — |
| Association of Out Surgeons & Allies (AOSA) | Cori Agarwal, MD | Prism Membership | Includes 20 residents; additional are 25% off $50 | — |
ANONYMOUS REPORTING
APC EXCELLENCE AWARDS
SAVE THE DATE!
October 28, 2025
7-8 a.m. | HELIX
Breakfast Served
POLICIES & GUIDELINES
EOE RESEARCH AWARD
EOE Excellence in Research Awards, annual awards to recognize work by trainees in projects related to the mission of the EOE Office. Award money can be used for research related activities such as travel, publication fees, or statistical support.
Awardees are selected based on their work exploring how life experiences—shaped by factors such as geography, race, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, age, and gender—affect medical education, healthcare delivery, and outcomes.
2025 AWARDEES
- Erin Carter (Urology)
- Devon Langston (Urology)
- Amanda Nguyen (Urology)
- Sydney Somers (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
- Aaron Dadzie (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
- Whitney Moss (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
- Laurel Ormiston (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
- Noah Brown (Surgical Oncology)
- Dalton Hegeholz (Surgical Oncology)
- Jessican Hall (Surgical Oncology)
- Abby Alexander (General Surgery)
- Colleen McDermott (General Surgery)
STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
2026 DATES PENDING
The Staff Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of the dedicated individuals who keep the Department of Surgery running smoothly. This program honors staff members who demonstrate exceptional service, collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. Through these awards, we recognize the vital role our staff play in supporting our mission and advancing excellence across the department.
2025 AWARDEES
- Elizabeth Lignell from Urology, receiving the Outstanding Service Award
- Andrea Marsing from General Surgery, receiving the Team Collaboration Award
- Erin Heath in Administration, receiving the Innovation & Improvement Award
- Levi Leavitt in Vascular Surgery receiving the Patient-Centered Care Award
EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Committee Meetings are the 4th Monday each month
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 18, 2026
Each year, we participate in one Saturday Academy to help over 200 young students (grades 4-12) from across the state learn more about a career in surgical care with fun, hands-on activities like laparoscopic simulations, suturing, anatomy, and more. Learn more about Saturday Academy online and stay tuned for how you can be a part of the fun and action of witnessing the spark and joy of early discovery.
The Let’s Talk About...Series aims to provide an open forum to discuss topics identified by our teams from feedback surveys. Bringing together individuals from across the department to talk, listen, learn, and take steps to begin moving the needle help our team grow, connect, and collaborate.
UPCOMING DATES
- July 28, 2025 – What Brought You Here and What Keeps You Here?
- October 27, 2025 - Challenges in Education
- January 26, 2026 – Why Academic Surgery? (Focused on RVU targets metrics of volume)
- April 27, 2026: TBD
JOIN US
If you are interested in joining the Experience, Opportunity, and Excellence Committee, contact Cindy Matsen Cindy.Matsen@hsc.utah.edu or Ashleigh Brinkerhoff Ashleigh.Brinkerhoff@hsc.utah.edu
Experience, Opportunitiy, and Excellence Committee Charter
Name of Committee: University of Utah Department of Surgery Committee on Experience, Opportunity, and Excellence (EOE)
Membership: The committee will consist of the Department Vice Chair of EOE who will serve as Chair of the committee, faculty representatives with a goal of representation from each division within the Department, up to four trainees, and one staff representative. Members will be invited to serve by their Division Chief, Program Director, or the Committee Chair. The number of members on the committee will be a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 16. The committee can fill vacancies at any time.
Authority: The committee has no administrative authority, but acts in an advisory capacity within the Department. The committee has authority to request information and data around Departmental practices and policies relating to EOE.
Responsibilities:
- To support Departmental strategy and goals in EOE
- To create and implement Departmental EOE initiatives
- To contribute to and foster an inclusive Departmental culture
- Address any EOE issues brought to our attention in timely manner
- Develop Departmental strategic efforts in recruitment and retention
- Organize a EOE based Departmental Grand Rounds each year
Expectations:
- Members will attend at least 50% of scheduled monthly meetings unless excused
- Members will serve on a working group when needed
- Members will contribute to at least one strategic effort per year
- Members will participate in at least 2 EOE activities each year
- Members will receive up to $1500 annually to support attendance at a conference or training of their choosing with preference for attending meetings of organizations that the EOE office financially supports
Meetings:
Committee meetings will be held monthly. Meetings will last 1 hour with the majority being virtual and occasional in person meetings as directed by committee members.
Ashleigh Brinkerhoff will provide administrative assistance for meetings including scheduling and meeting minutes. All agenda items will be sent to her by the day before any scheduled meeting.