Dr. Lisa McLemore, who “found her tribe” in SAGES more than 20 years ago, currently serves as Chair of the Colorectal Surgery Committee.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. McLemore says, “Our committee members are highly productive in the areas of minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery, enhanced recovery protocol advancements, intra-corporeal anastomosis education and advancement, resident and fellowship training and education modules, annual meeting content and program planning.
My co-chairs Drs. Marylise Boutros and Mark Whiteford and task force group leaders are all well-known for their surgical expertise, innovation research, and dedication to surgical education. It’s an amazing group to work with and a tremendous honor to lead.”
She points out that innovators often have a difficult time with finding support and encouragement with new ideas that may question surgical dogma or patterns of surgical tradition. “In SAGES, innovation and evolution is the norm, not a side project. SAGES has always been forward thinking, leading in areas of diversity, inclusion, patient outcomes, and innovation with endoscopic and MIS surgical techniques.”
Dr. McLemore adds that SAGES members have been an inspiration since the beginning of her surgical training and early career, providing a “safe space” and sense of belonging for her clinical research interests, research abstracts for meetings, collaborative projects, and publications in Surgical Endoscopy.
When it comes to her own personal tribe, Dr. McLemore singles out Drs. Tonia Young Fadok, Steven Wexner, Dana Sands, Eris Weiss, Santiago Horgan and Mark Talamini as her early surgical mentors. She also says that current SAGES president Dr. Pat Sylla has been an inspiration since they first met, the powerhouse of powerhouses,” as well as an advocate for patients, women in surgery, advancing MIS in colorectal surgery, DEI and international collaboration.
Dr. McLemore has also served on the Continuing Educations, Flexible Endoscopy and Robotics committees, advocating committee work as productive and an inspiration to take on new projects and ideas within her own practice—and also as a means of recognition and support.
“My most memorable experience was when I first joined the Continuing Education Committee. We were working on building the video library for the SAGES University (now SAGES Masters Programs). I was shocked to be recognized and promoted for simply doing what I was asked to do. SAGES is a remarkable surgical society that doesn’t require a certain amount of time on a committee, or a certain pedigree or appearance for promotion. Instead, promotion within SAGES is based on individual effort, reliability and commitment.”
As a result, she says to count her in for another 20 years at least to help her stay young at heart by working with and helping the next generation of surgical innovators succeed.
Outside of SAGES and the OR—and learning to play the bass guitar—Dr. McLemore says her biggest outside interest is her family. “I’m hopelessly devoted to my husband and 14-year-old son. Interestingly, the SAGES Lap Co Train the Trainers course has helped me be a more patient surgical educator, AND a more patient wife and mother!”