The Department of Surgery launched the Surgical Trainee Research Initiative and Evaluation (STRIVE) Program in 2016 to support surgical research residents in pursuing their research goals. The program was developed by Kayla Moore and Dr. Philip Goodney based on findings from a participatory needs assessment conducted in April 2016 and responds to needs identified by prior year research residents and department leaders.
What is the STRIVE program?
The STRIVE program is tailored to meet the individual needs of each research resident, providing:
- Consistent support through regular check-ins
- Project management guidance
- Facilitating linkages to resources and research experts when appropriate
STRIVE also offers a range of opportunities for residents to present, receive feedback, and engage in discussion on research projects with faculty and peers. These opportunities include:
- Weekly research-in-progress meetings held as part of the Chair's Academic and Non-technical Development Opportunities (CAN-DO) conference
- The annual Surgical Trainees Advancing Research Symposium (STARS)
- Funding to present at regional and national professional society meetings
- Opportunities to participate in other multidisciplinary forums with faculty from across Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
To learn more, see our Meetings and Events page.
During their research year or years, surgery residents are encouraged to actively seek out opportunities that align with their interests both within and beyond Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
STRIVE provides residents with guidance, encouragement and links to resources as appropriate. Each year, research residents pursue a range of opportunities to gain the experience they desire, from self-directed research training and quality improvement projects, to external research fellowship programs, such as the Surgical Education Research Fellowship and the VA Quality Scholars Program.
Key elements of the STRIVE program
The STRIVE program aims to track and support the progress of research residents in the Department of Surgery through regular check-ins and provide department leaders with timely and accurate information on the progress and achievements of research fellows.
The key elements of the program combine leadership and oversight from the Department Chair, Vice Chair for Research and Vice Chair for Education with faculty mentorship and operational support.
Faculty mentors, or research PIs team up with research residents based on shared research interests. Faculty mentors serve as PIs for resident research projects, ensure quality of the research design and methods, and work closely with the residents on the abstract and manuscript preparation and presentations.
Residents typically have multiple PIs who mentor them on specific projects throughout the year. This model helps ensure that residents gain exposure to a variety of research methods and work styles and a continuous pipeline of projects.
To help mentors and research fellows make efficient use of their time together, STRIVE uses a mentor-extender model in which research residents have regular check-ins with the STRIVE Research Manager in addition to their faculty mentor and/or Principal Investigators. The Department Chair and Vice Chairs receive monthly updates summarizing the current projects of each research resident and their progress over the past month.
STRIVE leadership team
Sandra Wong, MD, MS
Chair, Department of Surgery
Kari Rosenkranz, MD
Vice Chair for Education, Department of Surgery
Philip Goodney, MD, MS
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery
Kayla Moore, MPH
STRIVE Program Manager
Annual reports
Please refer to our annual reports below.
Contact
Kayla Moore, MPH
STRIVE Program Manager
kayla.o.moore@hitchcock.org
Philip P. Goodney, MD, MS
Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery
philip.p.goodney@hitchcock.org