Featured Speakers 2024

Patricia Joy Numann, MD completed surgical training at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse New York in 1970 when few women became surgeons. She joined the faculty at her alma mater where she remained her entire academic career, retiring in 2007 as the Lloyd S. Rogers Professor of Surgery. Her alma mater honored her with the Distinguished Alumna award in 2000, the SUNY Distinguished Service Professor award in 2006, and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2012. Although a general surgeon, Dr. Numann built a specialized practice in breast and endocrine surgery. In 1986, she established the region’s first Comprehensive Breast Care Center now named in her honor. Her dedication to women with breast cancer resulted in Carol M Baldwin establishing the Breast Cancer Research Foundation which since 2001 has donated more than 3 million dollars for Breast Cancer research. Her endocrine surgical expertise led to her election as Vice President of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons in 1992.

Dr. Numann pursued an interest in surgical education when that was not considered an academic activity. As a founding member of the Association for Surgical Education she became President in 1985. She participated in numerous educational programs of the American College of Surgeons including SESAP. She created and directs the ACS Fundamentals of the Surgery Curriculum project. In 1994 she was named a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor.

She has been a staunch supporter of gender equity. In 1981 her call for a meeting with other women surgeons resulted in the founding of the Association of Women Surgeons. Now nearly 40 years old, the organization has chapters and members throughout the world. The realization that gender equity is essential to assuring the world an adequate surgical workforce particularly in low and middle income countries has led to further support of women globally in particular, Women in Surgery Africa.

Her activism on behalf of women began early and was recognized by her community naming her Post Standard Woman of the Year in 1978, being named Local Legend by the Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians project of the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibition, receiving the Elizabeth Blackwell Award from the American Medical Women’s Association and being elected President of the American College of Surgeons. Her outstanding contributions to gender equity, surgical education and breast and endocrine surgery resulted in her receiving the International Society of Surgeon’s Prize in 2011 and the American College of Surgeons Lifetime Achievement award in 2019.

Dr. Numann has served as mentor and sponsor of enumerable people throughout her surgical career. She has been the first woman in numerous positions most notably as a member of the American Medical Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs, Chair of the American Board of Surgery and President of the Association for Surgical Education.

In recognition of Patricia Numann’s commitment to the education and training of surgeons worldwide, her dedication to the care of women with breast disease and her exemplary support for gender equity she has been made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburg, the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, The Association of Surgeons of India, the International Society of Surgeons, and The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.
 

Dr. Orlando has a national reputation for research and clinical excellence and has delivered more than 100 medical presentations internationally and across the United States. He has written and contributed to more than 50 medical publications, abstracts and book chapters. Dr. Orlando received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. He completed multiple internships and finished his residency at Hartford Hospital. He also completed a fellowship at the University of Miami – Jackson Memorial Hospital. He is a member of numerous professional societies and was named a fellow to the American College of Surgeons. He resides in Glastonbury.

Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Roscher and the Endowed Lecture

Keynote Lecture

International Medicine Initiatives - A New Opportunity for Your Institution?

Presented by:
Harry Sax, MD, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Surgery; and Associate Dean for International Programs, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Harry Sax focuses on improving patient safety and quality, human factors in medicine and enhancing international exchange of medical knowledge.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School, he completed residency and fellowship at the University of Cincinnati.

He served on the medical faculties of the University of Rochester and Brown, prior to being recruited to Cedars Sinai.

Dr. Sax completed a Masters in Health Care Management at Harvard in 2011.  His thesis focused on his work as the Chief Medical Officer at Hospital Sacre Coeur in Milot, Haiti during the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. In addition, his experience as a general aviation pilot led to the development of Crew Resource Management programs designed for medicine, increasing safety and team effectiveness.

Sax in a Mission Pilot for the California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and is an FAA Designated Aviation Medical Examiner.