We are proud to introduce Anna Luan, the newly selected Donald R. Laub Fellow. Named for our ReSurge founder, the fellowship allows for a fourth-year resident at Stanford’s division of plastic and reconstructive Surgery to work with ReSurge for a year in order to hone reconstructive surgical and research skills.
Following is a Q&A with Anna.
Tell me a little about yourself and your background.
I grew up in the South Bay before leaving for college at UC San Diego, where I studied bioengineering and health economics. I continued there to complete a Master’s degree in bioengineering and explored jobs in bioinformatics and industry before deciding to pursue medicine. I returned for medical school at Stanford and discovered a passion for plastic and reconstructive surgery, and have been fortunate to continue at Stanford for residency.
What made you want to go into reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery resonates so strongly with me because it has a unique focus on improving function and quality of life. No other surgical field places quite as much significance on a patient’s individual perspective and needs. At the same time, it demands rigorous understanding of complex and diverse anatomy to achieve complex problem solving. This special blend of patient-centered care, creativity, and methodical principle-based decision-making drew me into the field and continues to inspire me.
How did you hear about the Fellowship?
I had wanted to become involved since learning of ReSurge trips when I started residency. When the Laub Fellowship was established two years ago, I was immediately interested. Speaking with past Fellows about their experiences further solidified my interest in the fellowship.
What drew you to it?
The Laub Fellowship offers the unique opportunity to work closely within ReSurge, which has been a pioneer in not only surgical trips but in driving the shift toward improving local surgical capacity. It is incredibly gratifying to be able to have this experience as a resident to learn about reconstructive surgery abroad and to contribute to improving sustainable surgical capacity in a meaningful way.
What are you most interested in experiencing on your first ReSurge surgical trip?
I am really excited to witness the exponential impact ReSurge’s visiting educator trips can have and to develop longitudinal partnerships with the surgeons and staff abroad. I am also looking forward to seeing reconstructive surgery problem solving in different health care systems with various patient needs and resources. I think we have a lot to learn from each other.
The fellowship involves more than just the surgical trips, but rather working within other areas of ReSurge. Why do you think this is important?
Although the surgical trips are the most visible portion of ReSurge’s work, it is critical to continue to develop its training program, evaluate the clinical outcomes and impact, and to identify further areas in which to expand or optimize.
