Dr. Ryan Lewis - Outstanding Medical Student Preceptor
Dr. Ryan Lewis, DO, FACS, was recently awarded the “Preceptor of the Month” award from University of Utah School of Medicine and the Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE). Dr. Lewis graduated from medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA and subsequently completed his general surgery residency training at Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. He has been a practicing general surgeon at Utah Surgical Associates in St. George, UT, since 2008. In addition to serving as a preceptor for medical students on the core surgery clerkship, he also currently serves as the Surgical Services Department Chair at Dixie Regional Medical Center. We asked Dr. Lewis a few questions about his experience as a preceptor for our third year medical students.
Q. How did you get started as a preceptor for Medical Students?
Dr. Lewis: I always enjoyed teaching when I was a resident, and that just seemed to carry forward into my clinical practice. I was always grateful for faculty and residents that took the time to teach me when I was a medical student, and I hope that I am able to maintain the same attitude throughout my career.
Q. You are obviously motivated to add teaching to your busy schedule. What motivates you as an educator?
Dr. Lewis: Education is something that is passed down from one physician to the next. I am motivated to educate the future surgeons that will take care of me and my family in the future.
Q. What is your favorite thing about working with and teaching medical students?
Dr. Lewis: The students teach me a WHOLE LOT MORE than I feel like I teach them. They come prepared and eager to learn and that motivates me to be better and to want to stay current in my own surgical specialty.
Q. How specifically do you involve and engage your students in patient care during their preceptorship with you?
Dr. Lewis: I do all that I can to make sure they are as engaged as they hope to be. I don't want to ever put students into an uncomfortable position, but learning comes from "stretching ourselves" and trying new things. I love when students want to see clinic patients on their own and also when they want to improve their surgical/suturing skills.
Q. How do you motivate students to be lifelong learners and take control of their own professional development?
Dr. Lewis: I hope that I am able to do that by the example that I set in my daily practice.
Q. Any specific recommendations for medical students who may be interested in surgery in a rural setting?
Dr. Lewis: Surgery is still the BEST field to work in! I love my job, and I am grateful every day for the chance to care for the people in my local community. They are not just my patients, but they are my FRIENDS!
Do you know someone in the Department of Surgery doing great things for education who should be featured in a SPOTLIGHT profile? Please contact: Madison.Briggs@hsc.utah.edu or Brigitte.Smith@hsc.utah.edu