Personal Statement
My name is Zach Gentry, and I hope to serve as your Fellow-In-Training representative on the SGO Board of Directors. I completed my MD/MBA, residency, and global health fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on my path to fellowship at Ohio State University.
As fellowships increase and trainees become a growing part of SGO, it is critical for trainees to have a voice in the steering of our professional society. If elected, I will work to make meetings and educational opportunities more affordable, aligning with other societies who offer free or significantly reduced conference attendance for students and trainees. Additionally, I hope to modernize the SGO digital platform to improve usability. In tandem, I believe these changes will better reflect SGO’s aim to develop state-of-the-art, accessible educational content and meet the needs of learners. Finally, I commit to regularly engaging with fellows across the country to stay aware of the challenges we face and bring these concerns to leadership.
I believe I will be an effective Fellow-In-Training representative thanks to my prior leadership experiences. In college, I served as Co-President of Relay For Life, overseeing a rapid expansion in volunteers and fundraising dollars. During medical school, I was on the executive board of our medical student-run free clinic for the homeless population. Finally, during residency I was elected chief resident and recruitment co-chair. I consistently advocated for my co-residents to ensure we had a balance of training, education, and wellness, and I will continue to do so for all fellows. I believe my experience and skill set will allow me to be a strong voice for my fellow trainees while complimenting the senior members of the SGO Board. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve as your Fellow-In-Training representative.