Sharpening Skills through Friendly Competition | Highlights from the 2025-2026 Surgical Olympics
Feb 28, 2026
The SUNY Downstate Department of Surgery announces a new educational initiative, conceived and led by Program Director Dr. Natasha Becker, the Surgical Olympics. The Surgical Olympics is a residency-wide program designed to promote resident academic, technical, and administrative excellence. Each resident is assigned to a multi-level team, led by a chief resident. Every week, points are awarded in accordance with Grand Rounds attendance, quizzes, presentations, jeopardy wins, and other scholarly activity.
Team leadership includes:
- The Bowel Rangers — Attendings: Dr. Yang Yang and Dr. Francisca Velcek | Chief Resident: Dr. Cristina Solis-Pomales
- Forceps of Nature — Attending: Dr. Alexander Schwartzman | Chief Resident: Dr. Timothy Le
- Get Stitch or Die Trying — Attending: Dr. Lisa Dresner | Chief Resident: Dr. Vincent Dodson
- Massive Delusion Protocol — Attending: Dr. Stanislav Bushik | Chief Resident: Dr. Michael Chen
- Knot Today — Attending: Dr. Sumanth Suresh | Chief Resident: Dr. Sagar Rohondia
- The AnastaMob — Attending: Dr. Andrew Kamrouz | Chief Resident: Dr. Ahmed Eldeib
- 99 Problems But a Stich Ain’t One — Attendings: Dr. Justin Chin-Bong Choi and Dr. Julia Zakhaleva | Chief Resident: Dr. Tomás Daviú-Molinari
- The Clot Thickens — Attendings: Dr. Kelsey Ensor and Dr. Fatemeh Malekpour Ghorbani | Chief Resident: Dr. Jodi-Ann Edwards
On the current leaderboard, 99 Problems But a Stich Ain’t One remains in first place, followed closely by AnastaMob, with The Clot Thickens in third. With many weeks still ahead, the competition remains tight—and the anticipated debate on saline vs balanced crystalloids between 99 Problems But a Stich Ain’t One and The Clot Thickens may be a pivotal moment that reshapes the standings.
Consistent participation continues to drive success across all teams, and we look forward to seeing how the rankings evolve in the coming weeks. “The Surgical Olympics exemplify our department’s commitment to excellence, teamwork, and lifelong learning. I’m proud to see our residents and faculty competing with such energy and camaraderie,” said Dr. Becker.