A hometown commitment

It was a love of science that led Dr. Andrew Petrakos, MD'78, FRCSC'83, down the road to medical school at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. It is however, the opportunity to teach and mentor students as they achieve their goals that bring the greatest number of rewards to this gifted surgeon. He also serves as the Postgraduate Coordinator and Academic Director of Surgery at Schulich Medicine- Windsor Program.

For thirty years, Dr. Petrakos has been practicing general surgery in his hometown of Windsor. Surgery was a natural fit him, as it brought together the technical and hands-on aspects of medicine with the need for rapid and accurate decision making to enhance patient outcomes. He now shares his expertise with a whole new generation of physicians.

The role of postgraduate coordinator is true to its name, coordinating communication, accreditation and faculty development needs - all in support of the program. On a regular basis, Dr. Petrakos liaises with the post graduate academic directors, support staff, rotation directors and the post graduate committee. His greatest challenges are ensuring there is ongoing communication between department chiefs, course directors in London and academic directors in Windsor, and ensuring there is adequate resident compliment for medical and surgical departments in Windsor.

When he is not attending to the postgraduate program, his attention is directed to the expanding and comprehensive surgery program. Fifty-two preceptors and twenty residents across the subspecialties form the core of the teaching program. Meanwhile there are an additional 38 full-time clerks who participate in a 12 week surgery block each year. The department also participates in first and second year observerships, an introduction to clerkship in second year, and fourth year surgery electives which take place in two week blocks.

As rapidly as the Windsor Program is growing and changing so too is the approach to medical education. Dr. Petrakos sees enormous change occurring one year to the next, whether it's web-based and e-learning being incorporated into the curriculum, the use of direct communication between clerks/residents and preceptors, or an emphasis on appropriate work hours for student and residents.

In the end however, he continues to be dedicated to enhancing programs that produce residents who may want to return to work in the Windsor area. It's one reward that will benefit everyone in the community.