In the second episode of the “Innovations in Surgery” series, Behind the Knife’s surgical education fellow, Dr. Dan Scheese, sits down with Dr. Michael Amendola and Dr. Diana Otoya to discuss 3D Printing and its role in medicine and surgery. They speak on the history of this technology and the current utility in preoperative planning and intraoperative application. 

Looking for information on getting involved in 3D Printing?

Link to the VHA Office of Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.innovation.va.gov/oam/views/about/whoweare.html

Link to information regarding the 3D printing fellowship: https://www.innovation.va.gov/oam/views/training/training.html

Additionally, you can contact Dr. Michael Amendola or Dr. Diana Otoya for more information regarding the 3D printing surgical fellowship.

Dr. Michael Amendola: michael.amendola@va.gov
Dr. Diana Otoya: Diana.Otoya@vcuhealth.org

Dr. Amendola also has a website for mentorship and other information: https://michaelamendola.com/

Download free 3D designs that are ready to print at https://www.thingiverse.com/

Lastly, anyone that has access to a VA can take the TMS module Dr. Amendola created. TMS: 3D Printing in the VA Health Care System: Building the Hospital of the Future. Item: 45343
Goes through history, types of printers, and basic medical information you need for 3D printing. Good intro lecture/ free education to any trainee within the VA. 
https://www.tms.va.gov/SecureAuth35/

Dr. Amendola has received his medical degree, completed his general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both general and vascular surgery. In 2021 he was inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. He maintains privileges at Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, Virginia and is a Professor of Surgery at VCU-SOM.  Additionally, he is the program director of the Office of Advance Manufacturing’s Central Virginia VA Health Care System based 3D Printing Surgical Fellowship. 

Dr. Diana Otoya is a third-year general surgery resident at VCU. She spent her first research year as a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Chief Resident in Quality and Safety at the Central Virginia Health Care System while also becoming the inaugural fellow for the VHA 3D Printing Surgical Fellowship. She is now currently in her second year in the 3D Printing fellowship program. 
 
Ad referenced in episode: A team at the Brooke Army Medical Center is working to better define proficiency-based metrics for competency in commonly performed general surgery procedures. If you are a PGY4/5 general surgery resident or practicing surgeon who performs robotic assisted cholecystectomies or inguinal hernia repairs, reach out to the PI, Robert Laverty, MD, at rblaverty@gmail.com, for more information on how you could be compensated up to $400 for recording and submitting those videos.

Please visit https://behindtheknife.org/ to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos, and more.

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