HoG Mentoring Future Leaders

By: Sidd Dalal

I am Sidd Dalal, a camp volunteer and the former Vice-Chairman of the inaugural Junior Board of Directors at Hemophilia of Georgia.  Volunteering at HoG has been a blessing and an amazing experience for me.  I have met so many wonderful people, made lifelong friends, and had the privilege of working with the most enthusiastic group of kids. I have so many wonderful memories from volunteering at Camp Wannaklot, Family Camps and Teen Retreat that I will cherish forever.  Currently, I am a second year medical student at Mercer University School of Medicine, planning to go into surgery either in pediatrics or general.  Being part of the Junior Board of Directors was such a great opportunity; I have to thank Trish Dominic, Deniece Chevannes, and Kim Williams for allowing me to be part of this great group of individuals. 

Being part of the inaugural Junior Board, the seven of us had high expectations and had no clue what we were doing at times.  However, we worked together, learned a lot and successfully exceeded expectations and impressed the HoG Board of Directors with our commitment to partner with HoG.  Being part of the Junior Board of Directors was a great opportunity to meet people who were also interested in helping the organization and networking.

During the yearly volunteer appreciation dinner, I met Andrew Wurtzel, who is a Board Member, and just by carrying on a conversation, he found out that I was in medical school and wanting to do surgery.   Mr. Wurtzel told me surgery is competitive, and I needed research experience, so he sent my resume out to his various colleagues. He introduced me to Dr. Luke Brewster, M.D., Ph.D, a Vascular Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine.  Mr. Wurtzel has been an integral part of my success in medical school thus far.  These opportunities would not have occurred if I was not on the Junior Board of Directors.   Mr. Wurtzel, being a great mentor, has helped me find ways to better my resume for surgical residency.

My summer research fellowship was an incredible one.  Dr. Luke Brewster was a great physician to work for.  He made sure to include me in all his weekly meetings and introduced me to his colleagues.  Under his guidance, I have learned clinical knowledge that I incorporate into my studies.  My research dealt with arterial stiffening and the effects of hemodynamic disturbances, along with finding therapeutic factors.  Working with him and his colleague Dr. Lucas Timmins, Ph.D., our research has been presented at the NIH, and various other places.  I will be presenting my research at the Academic Surgical Congress held in Jacksonville, Florida in February.

I am very thankful to Hemophilia of Georgia for allowing me these opportunities that I know would never have happened if I had not met these incredible people from an incredibly worthy organization.