 Innovations team members just returned from a fantastic experience at the annual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in sunny San Diego where they networked and caught up on all the latest and greatest in the world of endocrine, hepatobiliary, colorectal and foregut surgery. Some highlights include:
 Beloved Innovations Team member Dr Roy Breen has retired from clinical practice after >30 years (7 years with FSIE)
Roy Eugene Breen, III, MD was born in Bethesda Navy Hospital in Maryland to Captain Roy Eugene Breen, II and Winifred Breen, the only son with five sisters. Since his father was a navy man, he moved every two years and attended three high schools. He was a lifeguard in high school and college. He was a dedicated surgical trainee known for going the extra mile literally. Rumor has it that he once walked 6 miles from Nonna Emilia’s Restaurant in Aloha to St. Vincent hospital, spent the night at the hospital only to walk 5 miles through the hills of Portland to Good Samaritan Hospital the next day. Those were the days! After completing his surgical residency at OHSU in 1985, Roy stayed in Portland Oregon as he transitioned from general surgeon to colorectal specialist while in private practice. He joined The Oregon Clinic in 2008 and retires as one of the city's best known and loved colorectal surgeons. Dr. Breen would always keep his patients “entertained” by talking to them about movies, books, actors, places he visited, countries, cities, restaurants, family, etc., etc., while performing their hemorrhoid treatments and exams. Many of Dr. Breen’s patients enjoyed the picture of the ponies hanging on the wall and always got to hear the famous story of the Chincoteague Pony Run, the story of his wife’s grandfather taking that picture and its history. One of the most endearing qualities about Roy is his sense of humor. While colorectal surgeons are generally known for being pretty funny, Roy’s ability to make patients laugh despite the often awkwardness of their predicament is appreciated and will definitely be missed. For example, Roy would commonly suggest that the patient get comfortable and “just lay on your left side so you can fall asleep” as if that were really possible. Once in position, Roy would carefully inspect their hemorrhoids and if the patient had been there before, he would excitedly exclaim “Oh, now I remember you!”. Occasionally, the use of cautery was necessary which would produce a distinct burning smell. Once a patient commented that it smelled like something was burning and Dr. Breen replied, “burnt rump roast”. Ba da da. Despite being called “Dr. Bean”, “Dr. Brem” and “Dr. Green”, Roy’s patients loved him dearly. One even asked to “send the FBI” to find him one day when he was out. His partners too will miss his energy, many techniques, knowledge and wisdom on the daily! But they will always be reminded of him whenever they ask for “Roy’s special bug juice” or use the famous “Breen-O-Scope” (a special unlighted anoscope) that lives on. Congratulations on a fabulous career, Roy! We wish you a long and relaxing retirement with Nancy, the kids and the grandkids! You deserve it! Even though it is August, we can’t help but say “Happy New Rear!”   The phrase "best yet!" was heard several times last night by party goers at the 6th Annual FSIE Summer Celebration Fundraiser held at Ecotrust Rooftop in downtown Portland. The guests enjoyed delicious food from local, organic and sustainable catering by Artemis as well as wine from our Innovation Team owned vineyards Z'IVO and WAHLE Vineyards and Cellars. The party is a wonderful way to celebrate the collaboration of FSIE with industry and private supporters and friends. The silent auction and raffle were the hit of the night thanks to generous personal donations from the Swanstrom, Dunst, DeMeester, Wolf, and O'Brien families as well as an exceptional gift of 2 opportunities to participate in educational courses at the famous IRCAD (Strasbourg University, France) donated by IRCAD President Jacques Marescaux. It was an extra special night as we celebrated the graduation of the students who participated in our Summer Undergraduate Surgical Internship Program, said good bye to departing fellows and welcomed in the new. We thank all our guests and donors for helping FSIE continue its mission of promoting quality in research and education in the field of minimally invasive surgery.  The highly competitive FSIE Summer Surgical Internship program has grown substantially over the past several years attracting pre-medical students from across the country. Our aim is to provide aspiring young doctors exposure to a wide range of experiences in GI surgical practice including foregut, colorectal and hepatobiliary surgery and clinical research. We are thrilled to have 7 fantastic new interns (from left to right in photo): Huy Doan from Portland State University in Portland, Max Fisher from Washington University in St Louis, Rosen Illchev from Longwood University in Virginia, Matt Glasgow from Bates College in Maine, Simran Handa from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Malcolm Asher from Cleaveland High School in Portland, and Matalynn Shealy from Berea College in Kentucky). The interns are already highly productive actively participating in research projects and learning surgical skills in the hands-on lab. The curriculum includes ample clinic shadowing and operating room observation as well as weekly lectures about surgical anatomy and physiology from the Innovations Team Surgeons. Next week begins their esophageal diagnostic and physiologic testing session where they will learn about high resolution manometry, pH testing, endoscopic optical biopsy and more! President elect and FSIE member Dr. Valerie Halpin and the committee created a great program for the annual Portland Surgical Scientific Session at Good Samaritan Hospital. FSIE had a great time attending and contributing! Here are the FSIE highlights:
PORTLAND SURGICAL SOCIETY: A Portland Institution Since 1948 The Portland Surgical Society is the only professional organization of its type in the Portland area. The society is an important educational forum for surgeons as well as a showcase for the achievements of many of our trainees. Perhaps most importantly, it provides a wonderful opportunity to renew the camaraderie and unique sense of fellowship that unites us within our community of surgeons. The FSIE crew gathered at Breakside Brewery in NW Portland on May 23 to celebrate Dr Ahmed Sharata who is leaving Oregon to start his US surgical internship at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix Arizona. Dr Sharata grew up on an olive farm in Libya with a large but close knit family. After completing medical school and surgical training in Tripoli he came to the US in 2010 with the intention of gaining additional surgical education and experience to bring back to his homeland through a grant sponsored by the Libyan embassy. However, this plan was quickly derailed as the Libyan war commenced at home. With his funding cut off and his medical school closed so he could not access his credentials, Dr Sharata joined FSIE as a post-graduate research intern in 2011. He quickly became an integral member of the Innovations Team working tirelessly on numerous projects and running the lab. Dr Sharata has become one of the world's leading experts in per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) surgery for achalasia and non-achalasia. He has published more than 2 dozen peer reviewed publications and produced countless surgical videos during his time here. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment has been his multiple local and national podium presentations in English! Dr Sharata is a kind and loyal friend and co-worker always willing to go the extra mile to help out. His generosity and dedication will be missed tremendously at FSIE! We wish him the best as he starts this new chapter in his journey! Thank you for everything Dr Ahmed! You deserve it!
 6th Annual SUMMER CELEBRATION Fundraiser planning is underway. Please mark your calendars to join us for another memorable night of great food, drinks and company! As always, the celebration will include plenty of Oregon Wine from our Innovations Team! Friday July 21, 2017 ECOTRUST ROOFTOP Portland Oregon Tickets and more details available soon For information on how to donate items for the always popular silent auction, email us at surgicalfoundation@gmail.com. Prior favorites include original artwork, local gift baskets, professional mini-internships and registration for various seminars and educational courses. Fresh ideas welcome. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!
 FSIE president and founder Lee Swanstrom started training surgical fellows over 20 years ago. Every year at SAGES we get together for the annual reunion to celebrate our friendship and mentorship. Over time the group has grown but remains quite a tight knit family! Tonight we enjoyed an exceptional turnout as more than 2 dozen of our members have traveled to Houston to support SAGES and present their work to an international audience. The fellows have been an integral part of FSIE since its inception in 2010 including our board members. Together we share a life long dedication to improving the quality of surgery and a continual commitment to push the boundaries of surgical innovation.
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December 2018
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