Surgical Hub: Hawassa, Ethiopia
April 16, 2025
In January, the research team visited Hawassa to support the inaugural surgical resident research day at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). The event featured nine capstone presentations followed by an engaging two-day research course for second- and third-year residents, led by ACS and local faculty.
The research group had a very productive trip to Hawassa this January. The trip began with the inaugural HUCSH surgical resident research day. The event was well-attended by surgery department staff, Hawassa University School of Public Health faculty, and university leadership.
Surgery department head, Belay Melase, MD, provided an introduction that highlighted departmental growth in the area of research. Nine fourth-year surgical residents presented their capstone projects. Each project was judged by a panel of surgical department, public health department, and ACS faculty. Drs. Tadesse Getachew, Eyerusalem Fissehatsion, and Benjamin Guarken Chiman were awarded first, second, and third place, respectively. Winners were awarded cash prizes and honored at the end of the research day celebration.
|
Resident |
Project Title |
|---|---|
|
Dr. Tadesse Getachew |
Assessment of complications of transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 2021–2024 |
|
Dr. Rorissa Shibiru |
Prevalence and characteristics of esophageal cancer in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia from 2022–2024 |
|
Dr. Kibrom Legesse Abrha |
Outcome of neural tube defect and management and associated factors in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital |
|
Dr. Eyerusalem Fissehatsion |
Spectrum of urologic emergencies, management, and initial outcomes at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital |
|
Dr. Omar Yousuf |
Clinicopathological features of gastric cancer and treatment outcomes at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Department of Surgery, Hawassa University, Sidama Zone, Ethiopia |
|
Dr. Gediyon Getachew |
Patterns and short-term treatment and outcomes of penetrating brain injury at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa. A five year retrospective study, 2019–2024 |
|
Dr. Abdulahi Mohamed |
Pattern, causes, and management operations of male urethral stricture in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa Ethiopia 2024 |
|
Dr. Benjamin Guarken Chiman |
Prevalence, risk factors, and outcome of perforated peptic ulcer disease among patients admitted to Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A three year retrospective study, 2021–2024 |
|
Dr. Biruk Woisha |
Post thyroidectomy complication pattern and rate in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital |
The following two days were dedicated to an introductory research course for second- and third-year residents. Elyse LeeVan, MD, MPH and Kristin Long, MD, MPH, FACS provided in-person lectures on topics ranging from research ethics to basic study designs.
Research workgroup faculty, including Adnan Alseidi, MD, MEd, FACS, Theresa Chin, MD, FACS, and Nabeel Zafar, MBBS, MPH, FACS provided additional video lecture content. Residents also participated in small group discussions to workshop their research topics and data collection tools. The residents rated the course highly in the post-course survey and provided feedback that will be incorporated into future iterations of the research agenda. The residents provided positive feedback for the timing of the course immediately after fourth-year presentations, and we hope to replicate this going forward.
