An Auctioned Observership First Report

This AAGL observership program is a wonderful and unique opportunity for practicing surgeons to expand their knowledge and experience. The AAGL Foundation Board would like to thank our members, donors, auction participants and sponsors who gave so generously to the Silent Auction.   We are extremely grateful to the surgeons that opened their operating rooms and practices to offer an observership for the learning experience of a lifetime.  Through your generosity, the AAGL Foundation has raised funds to continue their efforts, while also benefitting the physicians who bought and donated the observerships. We are proud to present the first report from a completed observership with Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar, purchased by Dr. Richard Farnam and completed this past April.

“The AAGL observership with Dr. Puntambekar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  For years I have been amazed by Dr. Puntambekar’s innovative videos and live telesurgeries. I could have only imagined what it would be like to operate alongside such an accomplished surgeon. AAGL’s observership made this dream come true. The entire experience was amazing. India is a warm, wonderful, vibrant country.  Pune is a sprawling city with historical architecture, modern and cultural shopping, and metropolitan cuisine. The operating room experience exceeded all expectations. The staff at Galaxy Hospital were kind and welcoming, and always ready to offer a cup of warm tea. The staff surgeons, fellows, and residents were all eager to help, and Dr. Puntambekar proved to be as peerless and versatile a surgeon as I had imagined. We completed 8 major surgeries during my first 13-hour surgery day! The subsequent surgical days were equally educational and inspiring. This is a truly ingratiating program replete with a welcome ceremony and dinner with Dr. Puntambekar’s family. This combination of unparalleled surgical experience and personal hospitality provided an unforgettable journey. This is an opportunity that any surgeon would be fortunate to experience.”