Expert Focus | Dr. Erica Stockwell

We spoke with Dr. Erica Stockwell, an advanced gynecologic surgeon with AdventHealth Celebration. Dr. Stockwell uses her background in biomedical engineering and her MBA, coupled with her deep expertise in gynecologic surgery, to deliver patient care and to develop innovations in service of safer and more effective surgeries. We discussed the importance and impact of continuous improvement of surgical skills, and how her passion for learning and mentoring applies as a C-SATS reviewer.

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY WE SPEAK WITH A SURGEON WHO ALSO HOLDS AN MBA. COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WHY YOU CHOSE TO PURSUE THESE TWO EDUCATIONAL TRACKS, AND HOW THEY’VE INTERSECTED IN YOUR CAREER?

I chose to pursue an MBA while I did my fellowship in minimally invasive GYN surgery to be able to include both my passions and my background. Prior to medical school, I started out in biomedical engineering and was passionate about working with the team in developing surgical technologies. I’m also passionate about medicine, especially surgery, and didn’t want to lose that aspect of my past. For me to be the best surgeon that I can be, and the best engineer-surgeon that I can be, it made sense to be able to learn the language of business and speak the language of business. And that’s why I decided to pursue my MBA as well as my medical degree.

WHAT DRIVES AND INSPIRES YOU TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT SO PROLIFICALLY?

What inspires me is watching the evolution of a learner go from the excited-learner stage to the mastery stage, and then going on to teach others. I think of writers who write great things, and if they don’t share it, what’s the point of writing. Same thing with artists who make great paintings – if you don’t share it, what’s the point in creating these works of art. I feel like it’s the same in medicine. What’s the point in accomplishing these wonderful things and becoming a master and an expert in what you do if you don't share it with others, helping the next generation do something even greater than what you could even imagine? I find it truly inspiring. I enjoy working with learners every day and, as much as possible, reaching out and sharing my experience and learning from others. I think that’s what we have to do in medicine.

COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE A COUPLE OF THE MOST NOTEWORTHY INNOVATIONS THAT YOU'VE PATENTED?

One of the patents that I’m most proud to be a part of is a process patent for synthesizing microsphere technology. As a biomedical engineer, I synthesized microspheres to use as a drug delivery system, altering the microspheres to control the temporal releases. Over the years, as a medical student and now as a practicing doctor, it was cool to see how that specific technology evolved and adapted to things used in medicine. Currently, I love to work on medical devices. I am very passionate about surgical devices, especially those that improve women’s health. I am continuously thinking, “Okay, how can I improve this or how can I solve this problem and make surgery more efficient and safer for patients?”

WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING IN PROCTORING RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS, AS WELL AS EXPERIENCED SURGEONS, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ON MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL TECHNIQUES?

What gives me satisfaction in proctoring across the country is being able to see surgeons adapt what they have learned, improve their practice, and then go on and share it with others. After teaching several surgical courses nationally, it is rewarding to see people I’ve taught coming through as expert surgeons teaching others.

WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST VALUABLE ASPECT(S) OF THE C-SATS PRODUCT?

I think for doctors, we have this great time of training, skill development, and knowledge accumulation throughout medical school and residency. During the first several years of practice, surgeons are learning to adapt to their own practice, and learning from others in the real world. Then there is this plateau where there isn’t much offered for surgeons that have been in practice for five or more years other than an annual conference or keeping up the maintenance of certification for their boards. And so, what I love about the C-SATS product is it enables surgeons to continuously hone their technical proficiency, measure their skills, learn from experts and learn from surgeons within their specialty. To me, I think it’s so important, and enables us to continuously increase the standard of our skills, and really be the best surgeons and doctors that we can be for our patients.

WHAT PART OF THE C-SATS PRODUCT DO YOU USE THE MOST AND WHY?

The C-SATS product has so many great aspects. My favorite part is the reviewer feedback that I get; where an expert reviewer takes the time to watch my video and provide feedback on specific aspects of the case. That’s where I find I get the most benefit and it helps me think of new ideas and things that I may have never thought of before. I love quantitative metrics and the ability to track my progress over time. I also really love that there are videos that you can watch from other surgeons to observe different techniques, with the commentary below, and you're able to ask questions and peers will chime in, all within this one product.

WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST VALUABLE ASPECT OF BEING A C-SATS REVIEWER?

As a C-SATS reviewer, the most rewarding aspect is being able to help others learn through reflective practice. I am also constantly learning from other surgeons that I’m evaluating. And so, it’s this process where we’re all learning from each other. I excel at certain things in surgery, but I know I’m not the best at everything, and I know I can learn from other aspects of surgery. I think the C-SATS community provides a platform where you’re able to show a video, keep it anonymous, and to get feedback, as well as ask questions of the experts. One of the most rewarding things for me as an expert is if I have a surgeon who writes back saying, “Thank you. I never thought of it that way,” or “I tried that technique and here is what happened.” I love the interaction between surgeon and expert reviewer that the C-SATS product allows.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SURGEONS WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THEIR CAREER, TO MAXIMIZE THE VALUE THEY CAN GET FROM THE C-SATS PRODUCT?

My biggest piece of advice for surgeons, wherever they’re at in their career, to maximize the benefits from the C-SATS product, is to submit every single case. Every single case, there’s always something to learn – even if you felt like it was super straightforward. It’s also important to track your cases, surgery time, quantitative metrics or your GEARS score, and watch your growth.

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

I’m so happy that something like the C-SATS product is available for surgeons. I think it’s easy. I can use it from my phone. I use it between cases. I upload my case as soon as the case is done. They have made it seamless and easy to use and I’m just so happy that something like this exists.

This article reflects the opinions of Dr. Erica Stockwell.
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