Medical Student Surgical Consortium (MSSC)
What is the MSSC?
The Medical Student Surgical Consortium is a student-run organization at Albany Medical College that aims to provide a wide range of opportunities for a robust education on what a future career in surgery could be. The organization oversees the numerous surgery sub-specialty interest groups.
Mission Statement
The MSSC serves as an overarching board of the surgical sub-specialty interest groups, working to streamline medical student engagement within the Albany Medical Center Department of Surgery. We aim to create a comprehensive perspective on a career in surgery through early clinical exposure, mentorship, and research opportunities.
Goals
Increase engagement in research through organizing journal clubs and research workshops, and foster communication with the various sub-specialty interest groups to provide research opportunities. This division also focuses on fostering relationships with faculty mentors and assisting members in identifying research opportunities within Albany Medical College or affiliated institutions.
Guide and provide resources to assist MSSC members in navigating the residency application process (i.e., ERAS) and preparing for successful careers in surgical specialties. Responsibilities include organizing workshops, mock interviews, and informational sessions to educate members about residency programs, application requirements, and career pathways.
Coordinate initiatives to engage members in meaningful community service projects that align with the values of the medical profession and surgical specialties. This division aims to promote a culture of altruism and social responsibility within the MSSC.
Seeks to coordinate hands-on workshops and training sessions to develop practical surgical skills and organize large-scale simulation exercises to enhance medical students’ technical proficiency and confidence in surgical techniques.
Our Programs
Our Sub-I panel held in April allows M4s who matched into surgical residencies to share their insight on how to be successful during Sub-Is and the residency application process. Students were able to learn expectations on away rotations, tips for getting a sense of the culture of a program, and how to demonstrate proficiency as a future intern, among other skills!
These workshops offer in-depth instruction on wound closure principles and hands-on practice with a variety of suturing methods and knot-tying techniques. Students work under the guidance of experienced faculty and surgical residents to develop precision, dexterity, and confidence in essential surgical skills. These sessions serve as an excellent foundation for future operative experiences and clinical clerkships.
The How to Scrub and Introduction to the Operating Room Workshops offer students practical training in sterile etiquette, gowning, gloving, and maintaining the sterile field before entering the operating room. Taught by OR educators and residents, the workshop is held on the first day of students’ Surgery and OB/GYN 3rd year clerkships to better prepare them for clinical responsibilities. It equips students with the foundational skills needed to contribute effectively and learn confidently during these clerkships.
Meet Our Team
Executive Leadership Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): MIS, Thoracic Surgery
Research Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Otolaryngologic surgery (ENT)
Residency Application Preparation Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Service and Outreach Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Orthopedic surgery
Social and Communication Division Chair
Class of 2026
Interest(s): Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
Junior Executive Leadership Chair
Surgical area of interest: Cardiothoracic surgery
Skills Division Chair
Surgical area of interest: Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgery
Faculty Leadership
The MSSC is advised by Drs. KMarie King (Executive Leader), Lindy Davis (Research Division), Sandra DiBrito (Residency Application Preparation Division), Rebecca Brocks (Residency Application Preparation Division), and Christine Bialowas (Skills Division)
1. Association of Women Surgeons (AWS): Anna Racanelli, Ava Herzog, Sydney Mittiga, Erica Greiner
2. Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group (CTSIG): Senior Leadership - Casey Northrup, Michelle Burmistrova, Sidharth Addepalli, Junyi Liu. Junior Leadership - Ragy Beshay
3. General Surgery Interest Group (GSIG): Jitvan Inguva, Drew Johnson, Stephen Gauta
4. Neurosurgery Interest Group (NSIG): Ali Naqvi, Aditya Goyal, Avi Gajjar
5. Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OBGYN IG): Sydney Mittiga, Genevieve Sippel, Abigail Kaminsky, Erin Kim
6. Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG):Mitchell Rheeman, Ava Herzog, Sayeed Kahn
7. Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group (OSIG): Aaron Huang, Sohil Dharia, Aiden O’Brien, Joseph Taffe, Skanda Sai, James Lee
8. Otolaryngology Interest Group (ENT IG): Brian Savino, Meghana Lanka, Srikar Ganapathiraju
9. Plastic Surgery Interest Group (PSIG): Ethan Paliwoda, Gina Eggert, Ishan Patel, Erin Kim, Evan Xylas, Claire King
10. Socially Responsible Surgery (SRS): Jessica Siragusa, Lauren Dori, Shayom Debopadhaya, David Puccio
11. Urology Interest Group (UIG): Nicos Prokopiou, Avi Sura, Michael Tram, Rachel Vancavage, Akash Patel, Shreya Patel, Chai Kam, Sutirth Mannikeri
12. Vascular Surgery Interest Group (VSIG): Arthur Kao, Peter McCarthy, Kavya Koth, Nikhil Azhagiri, Jillian Paraiso, Sidharth Addepalli, Marines Heredero
Contact Us
Interested in joining the MSSC? Have interest in participating in one of our programs? Please email us at [email protected] and let us know! You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok at @MSSC_AMC.
Increase engagement between students and the many learning opportunities provided by the several surgical sub-specialty interest groups on campus. This division also aims to increase participation in networking opportunities both in and outside of Albany, including increasing opportunities for students to present at and attend conferences on the regional, state and national level.