Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program

Grace Mallampalli; Amelia E Gavulic; Insiyah Campwala; Yousef Ibrahim; Sydney Castellanos; Anthony Stallion; Sabina Siddiqui; Marjorie J Arca; Marquise Singleterry; Benedict C Nwomeh; Natalie Moreno; Loren Berman; KuoJen Tsao; Cynthia Downard; Erika A Newman; Samir K Gadepalli

doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383

Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program

Grace Mallampalli
, Amelia E Gavulic
, Insiyah Campwala
, Yousef Ibrahim
, Sydney Castellanos
, Anthony Stallion
, Sabina Siddiqui
, Marjorie J Arca
, Marquise Singleterry
, Benedict C Nwomeh
, Natalie Moreno
, Loren Berman
, KuoJen Tsao
, Cynthia Downard
, Erika A Newman
, Samir K Gadepalli

UT Southwestern Medical Center
College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati
Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh
Department of Surgery of the University of Michigan
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
William Beaumont School of Medicine
Arkansas Children’s Northwest Hospital
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
University of Louisville

Producción científica › revisión exhaustiva

1 Cita (Scopus)

Resumen

PURPOSE: The Alliance of Pediatric Surgeons Growing and Advancing Representation (APGAR) was created to systematically expand mentorship and sponsorship for learners historically underrepresented in pediatric surgery. We implemented a structured, multi-tiered mentorship model that includes participants from high school through attending pediatric surgeons. We report the conceptual framework, development, and implementation of APGAR's pilot programming, participants' perspectives, and short-term impact.

METHODS: Longitudinal mentorship groups ("pods") were established with representatives across training levels from high school students to pediatric surgery attendings. Pods met independently at least every 3 months, supplemented by APGAR-wide virtual programming on key topics,. To evaluate program impact, a survey was administered before pod formation (Apr/May 2022) and at the one-year follow-up (Apr/May 2023). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participant demographics. Two-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare survey variables.

RESULTS: Within 17 pods, 104 trainees and 26 faculty pediatric surgeons participated, representing 54 institutions. Ninety-five participants completed the pre-survey and 31 completed post-surveys (22 completed both). Survey participants (70% students) were primarily women (80%), 39% White, 26% Asian, 18% Black, 10% multiracial, and 6% Hispanic. After one year, APGAR significantly impacted respondents' appreciation of the intellectual challenge offered by a career in pediatric surgery (78% vs. 94%, p = 0.031). Most reported an interest in pursuing pediatric surgery (56%) and value the mentorship provided (77%).

CONCLUSION: APGAR programming successfully engaged learners in pediatric surgery through structured virtual programming, fostering early interest and exploration. Participants frequently cited the value of mentorship in shaping their perspectives.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Idioma original	English
Número de artículo	162383
Páginas (desde-hasta)	162383
Publicación	Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Volumen	60
N.º	8
Fecha en línea anticipada	22 may 2025
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383
Estado	Published - ago 2025

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Mallampalli, G., Gavulic, A. E., Campwala, I., Ibrahim, Y., Castellanos, S., Stallion, A., Siddiqui, S., Arca, M. J., Singleterry, M., Nwomeh, B. C., Moreno, N., Berman, L., Tsao, K., Downard, C., Newman, E. A., & Gadepalli, S. K. (2025). Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 60(8), 162383. Artículo 162383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383

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title = "Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program",

abstract = "PURPOSE: The Alliance of Pediatric Surgeons Growing and Advancing Representation (APGAR) was created to systematically expand mentorship and sponsorship for learners historically underrepresented in pediatric surgery. We implemented a structured, multi-tiered mentorship model that includes participants from high school through attending pediatric surgeons. We report the conceptual framework, development, and implementation of APGAR's pilot programming, participants' perspectives, and short-term impact.METHODS: Longitudinal mentorship groups ({"}pods{"}) were established with representatives across training levels from high school students to pediatric surgery attendings. Pods met independently at least every 3 months, supplemented by APGAR-wide virtual programming on key topics,. To evaluate program impact, a survey was administered before pod formation (Apr/May 2022) and at the one-year follow-up (Apr/May 2023). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participant demographics. Two-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare survey variables.RESULTS: Within 17 pods, 104 trainees and 26 faculty pediatric surgeons participated, representing 54 institutions. Ninety-five participants completed the pre-survey and 31 completed post-surveys (22 completed both). Survey participants (70\% students) were primarily women (80\%), 39\% White, 26\% Asian, 18\% Black, 10\% multiracial, and 6\% Hispanic. After one year, APGAR significantly impacted respondents' appreciation of the intellectual challenge offered by a career in pediatric surgery (78\% vs. 94\%, p = 0.031). Most reported an interest in pursuing pediatric surgery (56\%) and value the mentorship provided (77\%).CONCLUSION: APGAR programming successfully engaged learners in pediatric surgery through structured virtual programming, fostering early interest and exploration. Participants frequently cited the value of mentorship in shaping their perspectives.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.",

keywords = "Diversity, Mentorship, Pediatric surgery, Surgical education, Underrepresented in surgery",

author = "Grace Mallampalli and Gavulic, \{Amelia E\} and Insiyah Campwala and Yousef Ibrahim and Sydney Castellanos and Anthony Stallion and Sabina Siddiqui and Arca, \{Marjorie J\} and Marquise Singleterry and Nwomeh, \{Benedict C\} and Natalie Moreno and Loren Berman and KuoJen Tsao and Cynthia Downard and Newman, \{Erika A\} and Gadepalli, \{Samir K\}",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383",

language = "English",

volume = "60",

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journal = "Journal of Pediatric Surgery",

issn = "0022-3468",

publisher = "W.B. Saunders",

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Mallampalli, G, Gavulic, AE, Campwala, I, Ibrahim, Y, Castellanos, S, Stallion, A, Siddiqui, S, Arca, MJ, Singleterry, M, Nwomeh, BC, Moreno, N, Berman, L, Tsao, K, Downard, C, Newman, EA & Gadepalli, SK 2025, 'Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program', Journal of Pediatric Surgery, vol. 60, n.º 8, 162383, pp. 162383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383

TY - JOUR

T1 - Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery

T2 - A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program

AU - Mallampalli, Grace

AU - Gavulic, Amelia E

AU - Campwala, Insiyah

AU - Ibrahim, Yousef

AU - Castellanos, Sydney

AU - Stallion, Anthony

AU - Siddiqui, Sabina

AU - Arca, Marjorie J

AU - Singleterry, Marquise

AU - Nwomeh, Benedict C

AU - Moreno, Natalie

AU - Berman, Loren

AU - Tsao, KuoJen

AU - Downard, Cynthia

AU - Newman, Erika A

AU - Gadepalli, Samir K

PY - 2025/8

Y1 - 2025/8

N2 - PURPOSE: The Alliance of Pediatric Surgeons Growing and Advancing Representation (APGAR) was created to systematically expand mentorship and sponsorship for learners historically underrepresented in pediatric surgery. We implemented a structured, multi-tiered mentorship model that includes participants from high school through attending pediatric surgeons. We report the conceptual framework, development, and implementation of APGAR's pilot programming, participants' perspectives, and short-term impact.METHODS: Longitudinal mentorship groups ("pods") were established with representatives across training levels from high school students to pediatric surgery attendings. Pods met independently at least every 3 months, supplemented by APGAR-wide virtual programming on key topics,. To evaluate program impact, a survey was administered before pod formation (Apr/May 2022) and at the one-year follow-up (Apr/May 2023). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participant demographics. Two-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare survey variables.RESULTS: Within 17 pods, 104 trainees and 26 faculty pediatric surgeons participated, representing 54 institutions. Ninety-five participants completed the pre-survey and 31 completed post-surveys (22 completed both). Survey participants (70% students) were primarily women (80%), 39% White, 26% Asian, 18% Black, 10% multiracial, and 6% Hispanic. After one year, APGAR significantly impacted respondents' appreciation of the intellectual challenge offered by a career in pediatric surgery (78% vs. 94%, p = 0.031). Most reported an interest in pursuing pediatric surgery (56%) and value the mentorship provided (77%).CONCLUSION: APGAR programming successfully engaged learners in pediatric surgery through structured virtual programming, fostering early interest and exploration. Participants frequently cited the value of mentorship in shaping their perspectives.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

AB - PURPOSE: The Alliance of Pediatric Surgeons Growing and Advancing Representation (APGAR) was created to systematically expand mentorship and sponsorship for learners historically underrepresented in pediatric surgery. We implemented a structured, multi-tiered mentorship model that includes participants from high school through attending pediatric surgeons. We report the conceptual framework, development, and implementation of APGAR's pilot programming, participants' perspectives, and short-term impact.METHODS: Longitudinal mentorship groups ("pods") were established with representatives across training levels from high school students to pediatric surgery attendings. Pods met independently at least every 3 months, supplemented by APGAR-wide virtual programming on key topics,. To evaluate program impact, a survey was administered before pod formation (Apr/May 2022) and at the one-year follow-up (Apr/May 2023). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize participant demographics. Two-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare survey variables.RESULTS: Within 17 pods, 104 trainees and 26 faculty pediatric surgeons participated, representing 54 institutions. Ninety-five participants completed the pre-survey and 31 completed post-surveys (22 completed both). Survey participants (70% students) were primarily women (80%), 39% White, 26% Asian, 18% Black, 10% multiracial, and 6% Hispanic. After one year, APGAR significantly impacted respondents' appreciation of the intellectual challenge offered by a career in pediatric surgery (78% vs. 94%, p = 0.031). Most reported an interest in pursuing pediatric surgery (56%) and value the mentorship provided (77%).CONCLUSION: APGAR programming successfully engaged learners in pediatric surgery through structured virtual programming, fostering early interest and exploration. Participants frequently cited the value of mentorship in shaping their perspectives.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

KW - Diversity

KW - Mentorship

KW - Pediatric surgery

KW - Surgical education

KW - Underrepresented in surgery

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105006882809

U2 - 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383

DO - 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162383

M3 - Article

C2 - 40412709

SN - 0022-3468

VL - 60

SP - 162383

JO - Journal of Pediatric Surgery

JF - Journal of Pediatric Surgery

IS - 8

M1 - 162383

ER -

Advancing Inclusive Excellence in Pediatric Surgery: A National Longitudinal Mentorship Program

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