The diverse surgeons' initiative: longitudinal assessment of a successful national program

The Diverse Surgeons Initiative (DSI) is a program that was created to provide underrepresented minority surgical residents with the clinical knowledge and minimally invasive surgical skills necessary to excel in surgical residency and successfully transition into surgical practice. The early success of the graduates of the program has been published; however, a more longitudinal assessment of the program was suggested and warranted. This study provides a 5-year follow-up of the 76 physicians that participated in the DSI from 2002 to 2009 to determine if the trend toward fellowship placement and academic appointments persisted. Additionally, this extended evaluation yields an opportunity to assess these young surgeons' professional progress and contributions to the field.

The most current professional development and employment information was obtained for the 76 physicians that completed the DSI from 2002 to 2009. The percentage of DSI graduates completing surgical residency, obtaining subspecialty fellowships, attaining board certification, receiving fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, contributing to the peer-reviewed literature, acquiring academic faculty positions, and ascending to professional leadership roles were calculated and compared with the original assessment.

Of the 76 DSI graduates, 99% completed general surgery residency. Of those eligible, 87% completed subspecialty fellowships; 87% were board certified; 50% received fellowship in the American College of Surgeons; 76% had contributed to the peer-reviewed literature; 41% had obtained faculty positions; and 18% held local, regional, or national professional leadership positions.

This longitudinal analysis has revealed sustained success of the DSI in preparing underrepresented minority residents to excel in their training and transition into practice, obtain postsurgical fellowships, acquire faculty appointments, and contribute to the advancement of the field of surgery.