Mind of a Surgeon Competition and Editorial Board Opportunities
Over the past several weeks, the “Mind of a Surgeon: March Madness” tournament once again energized the @surgeryu_aagl Instagram community, showcasing the innovation, precision, and global collaboration that define minimally invasive gynecologic surgery today.
This year’s competition featured 12 CBG fellowships from across the country and abroad, including Indiana University, Cedars-Sinai, Northwell Health, Prisma Health, University of Louisville, Montefiore, Penn State, Newton-Wellesley, TecSalud, Mayo Clinic Florida, Advocate Lutheran, and Duke. Each program brought forward not only technical expertise but also creativity in how surgical concepts were taught and communicated.
In a new twist for 2026, each team submitted two videos. The competition began with 90-second entries in the early rounds, challenging programs to deliver concise, high-impact educational content. Teams advancing through rounds one and two then showcased their more comprehensive 3-minute videos, allowing for deeper exploration of technique and surgical strategy. The format added a dynamic layer to the competition, rewarding both efficiency and depth.
Voting also evolved this year. While Instagram audience polls continued to play a central role, the SurgeryU Board was incorporated into the decision-making process. On several occasions, board input proved decisive, tipping the balance in closely contested matchups and adding an expert layer of evaluation to the competition.
Engagement reached new heights, with several videos surpassing 5,000 views—further evidence of the growing global interest in high-quality, accessible surgical education.
The final matchup brought together two standout programs: Indiana University and Mayo Clinic Florida, setting up a highly anticipated championship round. Mayo Clinic Florida’s video, “She Shoots… and Resects – Wedge Resection of Anterior Diffuse Adenomyosis,” faced off against Indiana University’s “Utilization of Methylene Blue to Visualize Margins in Subcutaneous Endometriosis.”
In a closely contested finish, Mayo Clinic Florida emerged as this year’s champion, earning top honors for their clarity, innovation, and technical execution.
🏅 Both first and second place teams will receive AAGL merchandise in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participating fellowships for their time, creativity, and dedication to advancing surgical education. The diversity and quality of submissions continue to reflect the strength of the CBG community.
A special thank you goes to the SurgeryU social media team—Lauren Van Reesema, Jessica Kim, Traci Ito, and Carrie Shadowen—for their exceptional coordination and engaging coverage throughout the tournament.
Most importantly, we thank the AAGL community for your continued enthusiasm and participation. Your engagement is what transforms this event into a true celebration of surgical excellence.
🎥 To view all of this year’s submissions, visit:
- https://musical-rugelach-291365.netlify.app/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
2027 SurgeryU Editorial Board Openings
As SurgeryU Editor-in Chief I invite you to get involved with SurgeryU! Applications for the SurgeryU Editor-in-Chief position (3-year term) and the 2027 SurgeryU Editorial Board (1-year term) are now open! These applications close May 22, 2026.
Please see each application for more information.
