Medical Student Surgical Consortium (MSSC)
What is the MSSC?
The Medical Student Surgical Consortium is a student-run organization at Albany Medical College that aims to provide a wide range of opportunities for a robust education on what a future career in surgery could be. The organization oversees the numerous surgery sub-specialty interest groups.
Mission Statement
The MSSC serves as an overarching board of the surgical sub-specialty interest groups, working to streamline medical student engagement within the Albany Medical Center Department of Surgery. We aim to create a comprehensive perspective on a career in surgery through early clinical exposure, mentorship, and research opportunities.
Goals
Increase engagement in research through organizing journal clubs and research workshops, and foster communication with the various sub-specialty interest groups to provide research opportunities. This division also focuses on fostering relationships with faculty mentors and assisting members in identifying research opportunities within Albany Medical College or affiliated institutions.
Guide and provide resources to assist MSSC members in navigating the residency application process (i.e., ERAS) and preparing for successful careers in surgical specialties. Responsibilities include organizing workshops, mock interviews, and informational sessions to educate members about residency programs, application requirements, and career pathways.
Coordinate initiatives to engage members in meaningful community service projects that align with the values of the medical profession and surgical specialties. This division aims to promote a culture of altruism and social responsibility within the MSSC.
Seeks to coordinate hands-on workshops and training sessions to develop practical surgical skills and organize large-scale simulation exercises to enhance medical students’ technical proficiency and confidence in surgical techniques.
Our Programs
Our Sub-I panel held in April allows M4s who matched into surgical residencies to share their insight on how to be successful during Sub-Is and the residency application process. Students were able to learn expectations on away rotations, tips for getting a sense of the culture of a program, and how to demonstrate proficiency as a future intern, among other skills!
More information to come!
Meet Our Team
Executive Leadership Chair
Class of 2025
Interest(s): Orthopedic surgery
Executive Leadership Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): MIS, Thoracic Surgery
Research Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Otolaryngologic surgery (ENT)
Residency Application Preparation Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Service and Outreach Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Orthopedic surgery
Skills Division Chair
Class of 2025
Interest(s): Vascular Surgery
Social and Communication Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Cardiac Surgery and Anesthesia
Faculty Leadership
The MSSC is advised by Drs. KMarie King (Executive Leader), Lindy Davis (Research Division), Sandra DiBrito (Residency Application Preparation Division), Rebecca Brocks (Residency Application Preparation Division), and Christine Bialowas (Skills Division).
1. Association of Women Surgeons (AWS): Michelle Burmistrova, Sabrina Harrath, Sophia Song, Gina Eggert
2. Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group (CTSIG): Senior Leadership: Sophie Frank, Dereck Wang, Casey Northrup. Junior Leadership: Michelle Burmistrova, Sidharth Addepalli, Junyi Liu
3. General Surgery Interest Group (GSIG): Amira Elfergani, Akash Patel, Richard Arendale
4. Neurosurgery Interest Group (NSIG): Avi Gajjar, David Puccio
5. Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OBGYN IG): Summer Khan, Monali Ardhesna, Bri Barns
6. Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG): Samhita Bheemireddy, Maria Paez, Alyssa Snyder, Caesar Ferrari, Vinit Majmudar, Julia Gonzalez Engle
7. Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG): Aaron Huang, Sohil Dharia, Aiden O'Brien
8. Otolaryngology Interest Group (ENT IG): Alyssa Snyder, Alice Cheng, Hannah Soliman
9. Plastic Surgery Interest Group (PSIG): Mason Horne, Marah Jolibois, Ethan Paliwoda
10. Socially Responsible Surgery (SRS): Jessica Siragusa, Lauren Dori, Shayom Debopadhaya, David Puccio
11. Urology Interest Group (UIG): Nicos Prokopiou, Avi Sura, Michael Tram, Rachel Vancavage, Akash Patel, Shreya Patel
12. Vascular Surgery Interest Group (VSIG): Kimberly Vermilya, Arthur Kao, Peter McCarthy, Kavya Koth, Nikhil Azhagiri
Contact Us
Interested in joining the MSSC? Have interest in participating in one of our programs? Please email us at [email protected] and let us know! You can also find us on Instagram at @MSSC_AMC.
Increase engagement between students and the many learning opportunities provided by the many surgical sub-specialty interest groups on campus. This division also aims to increase participation in networking opportunities both in and outside of Albany, including increasing opportunities for students to present at and attend conferences on the regional, state and national level.