MCJ Lab Rats

What is a "Lab Rat"? For those of you who might be wondering what a "lab rat" is and why we have a page, I thought I would take this "sheltered-in" time to explain. In medical education, a good portion of the continuing education platform includes a "hands on experience". To do this, we arrange for and set up workshops using tissue and models (mostly tissue!) and medical devices and instrumentation. This would allow surgeons to learn new procedures and "practice" surgery with experts in their field. Over the years, we have had to be very creative and set up workshops in settings not conducive to a typical surgical environment.
To accomplish this successfully, you need highly devoted, creative, passionate, intelligent, compulsive, practical, tireless, learners and dedicated professionals who work as a team – in many different circumstances. (including fires (Seattle), floods (Shanghai) and disagreements (everywhere else).

Hence, the LAB RATS came to be. It doesn’t take one meeting to become a "Lab Rat" you must be committed to actually "come back" and do it again and again. Many times, you had to "put the past behind you" and give it another try - as there were some VERY trying times in this business.

While we are sheltered-in, it gives us time to think and remember what is important. Of course, God, our family and our friends come to mind first. But luckily, I also have the "lab rats"! The professional, intelligent, competent, compulsive, passionate and creative people that have worked with me over so many years - those I call my friends, those who have made such a difference in medical education, those who continue to be at the front during this crisis. These people were always in the background, making the most out of the craziness of complicated logistics, strong personalities and long hours.

These are the ultimate lab rats, my friends I have grown to love (sometimes it took longer..). These are the professionals I respect, happy to call my team, but mostly people I respect and love to the end.

In reflection, thank you to everyone that has been a “LAB RAT” over the many years, for those who have traveled the globe to make a difference in education and especially to those included here.
• Denzil Miller - Sawbones
• Judy Cooper – RN extraordinaire
• Terry Heil – RN extraordinaire
• Santana Gonzales – The Texas guy
• Rich Leutheuser – Cadaver guru
• Greg Weaver – The other Texas guy
• Thom Porro - Sawbones
• JJ Porro - Sawbones
• Holly Albert - AANA
• Mary Silkett - Sawbones
• Hilary Matthews Merliner - MCJ
• Kathleen Rankin Reyes - MCJ
• Kayleigh Foley - MCJ
• Gigi Agius Tarasow - MCJ
• Katie Anderson - MCJ

Another great meeting at the San Diego Shoulder Institute. Thank you to Hilary and Kathleen-true professionals. And thanks to Rich, Caesar and Rick.