Abhishek Parmar, M.D., an associate professor in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, has been invited to join the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Continuing Education Committee and to serve as the co-director of the SAGES Train the Trainer Program. 

The SAGES Train the Trainer Program is an initiative designed to equip surgical educators worldwide with structured, evidence-based teaching methods to enhance technical training and improve patient outcomes. Since 2014, the program has trained 174 surgeons in the methodology, impacting hundreds of trainees across the country. The program has drawn interest from large external industry partners, with a recent grant request strengthened by Parmar’s contributions to the needs assessment. The SAGES Continuing Education Committee works to ensure the quality and impact of accredited education programs for SAGES members.

As co-director of the program, Parmar will partner with Amber Shada, M.D., program director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, to advance the program’s curriculum, evaluate its impact, and expand efforts to standardize safe and effective surgical education worldwide.

Parmar is passionate about education and serves as the program director for the Advanced GI/Abdominal Wall Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, director of minimally invasive skills development, and assistant residency program director in the Department of Surgery.

“It is an incredible honor to be invited to help lead the SAGES Train the Trainer Program,” Parmar said. “Maintaining evidence-based standards for surgical education is something I’m really passionate about. I look forward to working alongside colleagues to continue advancing surgical education in ways that are standardized and impactful, and that will ultimately improve patient care.”