About the Goodman Surgical Education Center

The Education Institute of the Department of Surgery at Stanford School of Medicine was accredited by the American College of Surgeons on June 6, 2007. The accreditation was the culmination of an almost decade-long process beginning with the recruitment of Dr. Thomas Krummel as the Emile Holman Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery in 1998.  Through strategic planning and perseverance, Dr. Krummel took a uni-dimensional department and by both recruitment and innovation turned it into a hot bed for clinical excellence, cutting edge research, and highly regarded educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. 

At its core, the Education Institute is a vital part of an ongoing investment by the School of Medicine in both personnel and technology to support immersive and simulation-based learning. Stanford Hospital’s commitment was evident by the provision of almost 1,500 square feet of space for the Goodman Surgical Education Center (GSEC)in 2006, which is the hub and flagship facility of the Education Institute. The Department of Surgery led the fundraising efforts ($4M) for the design, construction, and completion of the Center and committed funds to the yearly operation of the Education Institute. The Department’s commitment includes the purchase of a substantial amount of simulation technology, the creation of a Director position to administer activities in the Education Institute, and the provision of protected time for faculty to administer the Education Institute.  With the opening of the Center in 2006, all the essentials of the Education Institute were in place. Dr. Krummel applied for and received accreditation as an American College of Surgeons Education Institute after a site visit in March 2007.

The Education Institute of the Department of Surgery at Stanford School of Medicine, of which the Goodman Surgical Education Center is the centerpiece, is an integral part of the Stanford School of Medicine.  The Department of Surgery faculty, who support and run the Education Institute, also hold leadership positions at Stanford Hospital & Clinics. Dr. Thomas Krummel initially served as the Institute’s director at its inception.  In 2009, he was joined by Dr. Ralph Greco, who was the Stanford General Surgery Program Director at the time. In November 2011, Dr. James Lau (who had served as the Curriculum Director since November 2009) became the Institute director and was instrumental in re-establishing the General Surgery Residency skills curriculum. Dr. James Korndoffer Jr. joined the GSEC in January 2017 as the Department's first Vice Chair of Education. During his tenure, Dr. Korndorffer transformed the Surgical Education Fellowship to incorporate more research in addition to teaching experience and led funding for a Center glow-up in 2024.

2025

Outstanding Faculty Oral Presentation, International Association of Medical Science Educators
Connie Gan, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2024

Best Resident Presentation from Oregon, Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Dr. Connie Gan
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2023

Recognition of Excellence Awards, Association of Surgical Education
Drs. Rachel Jensen, Ananya Anand, and LaDonna Kearse
Goodman Surgical Education Fellows

2022

Li Ka Shing Scholar Award, Stanford Surgery
Anany Anand, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2021

Best in Show, American College of Surgeons Surgical Simulation Summit.
La Donna Kearse, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2017

Resident Outstanding Teacher Award, Association for Surgical Education
Edward Shipper, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2016

Resident Outstanding Teacher Award, Association for Surgical Education
Laura Mazer, MS MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2015

Postgraduate Award, Alpha Omega Alpha
Laura Mazer, MS MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

Phillip J. Wolfson Outstanding Teacher Award, Association for Surgical Education
James N. Lau, MD
Goodman Center Director

Resident Outstanding Teacher Award, Association for Surgical Education
Cara Liebert, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

2014

Runner Up Best Exhibit at IMSH Arcade and Showcase at the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, for “SICKO: A Surgical Clinical Decision-Making Game for Surgeons”
Dana Lin, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

Resident Exemplary Teacher Award Finalist, Association for Surgical Education
Cara Liebert, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

Postgraduate Award, Alpha Omega Alpha
Cara Liebert, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

Award for Excellence in the Promotion of the Learning Environment and Student Wellness, Stanford University School of Medicine
James N. Lau, MD
Goodman Center Director

Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award, Stanford University School of Medicine
Cara Liebert, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Teaching Award for Clerkship Instruction, Stanford University School of Medicine
James N. Lau, MD
Goodman Center Director

2012

John Austin Collins, MD Memorial Teaching Award, Stanford University Department of Surgery
James N. Lau, MD
Goodman Center Director

Surgical Forum Excellence in Research Award at the ACS Clinical Congress, for “Assessment of Emotional Intelligence Among Candidates Interviewing for General Surgery Residency”
Dana Lin, MD
Goodman Surgical Education Fellow