Medical residents to present research in paradise
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| Dr. Victor McCray |
Drs. Nancy Parks and Victor McCray are invited to present their research projects at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) on Sept. 20 in Maui, Hawaii.
This is the first time since 2000 that Community residents have been invited to present their research projects for the AAST.
The Chicago-based AAST’s mission is to further the study and practice of traumatic surgery in its various departments, such as cardiac care and critical care, all over the world.
Dr. McCray has been a resident with Community for three years, and said he has benefited immensely.
“Working at a place like Community has allowed me to treat a wide range of patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries that aid my learning and development as a surgeon,” Dr. McCray said.
He chose to submit his research project on the effects of acute alcohol intoxication on the resuscitation of trauma patients.
“I became intrigued with this topic over the last year as I was astonished by the number of trauma patients who were also intoxicated,” Dr. McCray said.
He also noted that alcohol is a contributor to a large percentage of trauma injuries in the Valley.
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| Dr. Nancy Parks |
After eight months of research, Dr. McCray hopes to raise awareness on the impact alcohol intoxication has on the treatment of trauma patients.
“I am very excited to share my data with the AAST members in Hawaii and to learn about the newest research currently taking place around the world,” Dr. McCray said.
Dr. Parks, a fourth-year resident, agrees that working at the largest health care provider in the Valley has its benefits.
“I have been living in Fresno all my life—if you asked me if I would still be here when I was older I would not have thought so,” Dr. Parks said. “But through my time at Community I have learned invaluable lessons and have been taught by the most prestigious of doctors.”
Dr. Parks’ research project came from the inspiration of one of her mentors at Community, Dr. Jim Davis. “He helped to focus the research interest,” she said.
Choosing to research the non-operative management of liver injuries, Dr. Parks said her purpose was to analyze the amount of time patients with liver injuries, such as bruises and cuts, should be hospitalized.
After three months of work she concluded that through stable vital signs, correct blood numbers and a stable condition, patients are free to leave after staying hospitalized one night.
“The majority of my research was helped through the nurses in the trauma department,” Dr. Parks said. “Their statistics helped lay the foundation for the research.”
Both residents hope to have their research published in the AAST’s esteemed Journal of Trauma, one of the most frequently cited scientific journals that is designed to exchange knowledge on current research practices, training in surgery and designing studies to investigate new methods of preventing and treating traumatic injuries.
Drs. Parks and McCray also plan to pursue a fellowship in trauma care after the completion of their residencies.
“With the training we get in Fresno, both Nancy and I are prepared for anything,” Dr. McCray said.
This story was reported by Kelsey Baker, she can be reached at kbaker@communitymedical.org.