SCC and ACS Fellowship – Resources
Scientific inquiry is an important component of the fellowship. The curriculum and journal club emphasize research design and methodology. Fellows are expected to participate in division research. Participation in the research committee for the North Carolina Committee on Trauma is available and encouraged. The Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (TACS) typically has multiple projects ongoing, including prospective trials and options for basic science research.
Fellows are encouraged, with mentorship of the faculty, to design novel projects and join ongoing projects. The TACS Division includes a full-time research coordinator and the Department of Surgery provides statistical support. Intramural funding is available for clinical and basic science projects. Travel support is provided for podium presentations at national meetings.
Personnel
As noted above, all faculty participate in research and may serve as research mentors. Through the Department of Surgery, the division has statistical support provided by Dr. William Irish. Dr. Irish is the Vice Chair for Research for the Department of Surgery and has special interest in health care outcomes research, biostatistical modeling, and large-scale database analysis.
In addition to providing oversight for the regular division research meetings, Dr. Irish provides individual guidance for faculty, fellows and residents pertaining to trial methodology, database access, and biostatistical support. In addition, the TACS division is fortunate to have a full-time research coordinator who provides invaluable assistance with all aspects of research, including trial budgets, IRB submissions, and data acquisition and analysis. As the general surgery residents complete a dedicated research year, there
Data
The TACS division has five full time data analysts who populate and oversee the National Trauma Registry for the American College of Surgeons. The NTRACS database has over 20 years of data and includes thousands of patients. The Department of Surgery recently acquired access to the North Carolina State Emergency Department Database as well as the State Inpatient Data Sample. In Addition, members of the TACS division serve on the NC Committee on Trauma research committee, providing access to statewide trauma registry analyses.
Facilities
Laboratory access is available both in the Brody School of Medicine and the Life Sciences Building. Access to laboratory tests such as ELISA and western blot are available through collaboration with the basic science faculty in the Brody School of Medicine. The Life Sciences facility includes space and equipment for large animal studies.
Funding
Funding is available through multiple sources, including multiple intramural grants from the Department of Surgery and the Brody School of Medicine. For TACS faculty, fellows and residents, funding is available through an intramural research account overseen by the Division Chief. Travel for presentations at scientific meetings is funded through the Department of Surgery and a Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Foundation.