Digest Magazine – A Fresh Look, A Continued Legacy

“My interest in surgery grew from a fascination with working with my hands and from mentors who showed me what this path could be. I’m drawn to the beauty of human anatomy and to solving complex problems—whether in the OR, ICU or clinic—through both technical skill and clear thinking. Surgery demands discipline and teamwork, but its breadth and strong tradition of mentorship make it uniquely rewarding. To me, becoming a surgeon means committing to service grounded in compassion, steadiness and integrity. It’s stepping into difficult moments to offer patients real solutions and meaningful health care.”

Ryan Bonner (DO ’26)

“What first drew me to surgery was the rare ability to recognize a problem and correct it almost immediately with my own hands. Even amid the rigor of training, the diversity of patients and the constant variability of operative cases keep my curiosity sharp and my passion alive. To me, becoming a surgeon is both an honor and a responsibility—an opportunity to care for patients in their most critical and vulnerable moments with an approach that is both decisive and deeply human.”

Kathryn Hoffman, DO ’21, (RES ’27)

“When I think about what draws trainees to surgery, it’s often three things: a personal or family connection, a strong internal drive and the reward of seeing the impact of your work. Surgical training is demanding—long, intense and requiring sustained resilience. The only way to keep that fire alive is to genuinely enjoy the ‘bread and butter’ of your specialty because that’s what you’ll spend most of your career doing. … Surgeons carry countless patient stories with them. Some are heartbreaking; others are uplifting. Those experiences shape how we see life and remind us why we chose this path and why this calling matters.”

Community practice surgical oncology fellow, City of Hope, Duarte, California

Christina Monaco Poloni, DO ’19, RES ’24

“I knew I wanted to be a surgeon at the age of eight. I was inspired by my grandmother, an OR nurse who worked nights to care for my cousins and me. She would tell us stories of the surgeons she admired. Because I grew up without strong male role models in Panama, her stories gave me a goal to aspire to. Becoming a surgeon is my way of honoring my family’s sacrifices and serving the community that shaped me. It’s a privilege to step in at a patient’s most critical moment and make a meaningful difference.”

Abdul Walters, MS/Biomed ’16, DO ’20, (RES ’26)

“Trauma and critical care surgery often reveal a surgeon’s true skill in the hardest moments—when decisions must be made quickly and with incomplete information. This means staying steady under pressure, exercising sound judgment and working with a team to do what is best for the patient. For the next generation, I hope they never lose sight of the person behind the injury, value teamwork and remain humble enough to keep learning as trauma care ever evolves.”

General, Trauma and Acute Care Surgeon, Penn Highlands Healthcare

Timothy A. Leone, DO ’02

“At the heart of breast surgery lies a dedication to the values that have shaped our field for generations. It begins with a commitment to lifelong learning and teaching, continually refining one’s knowledge as science, techniques and technologies evolve. It requires precise surgical skill but also something less tangible and equally essential: the ability to truly connect with patients from all walks of life. In breast surgery, excellence means listening deeply, understanding the personal significance behind each decision and delivering care that is both technically exceptional and profoundly human.”

Breast Surgical Oncologist, Main Line HealthCare Breast Surgical Specialists, and Associate Professor of Surgery, PCOM

Lina Marie Sizer, DO ’11, FACS

“Reconstructive surgery is more than technical skill; it reflects the ability to integrate science, technology, judgment and teamwork while managing unexpected challenges effectively. In surgical oncology, it requires a commitment to continual learning and the thoughtful application of advancing cancer care to each patient. For the next generation of surgical professionals, I hope they uphold values that protect patients and the integrity of the profession, while remaining open to new skills and innovations that improve patient outcomes.”

Advanced Practice Clinician, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Fox Chase Cancer Center

Lisa Wetherhold, MS/PA-C ’02

“Excellence in surgery is grounded in sound judgment, operative expertise and preparation. Equally important is taking the time to listen—to understand a patient’s goals and to determine whether surgery is the right solution. As surgery becomes increasingly specialized, the best outcomes often come from collaboration across disciplines. Some of my most rewarding cases are those shared with colleagues from other specialties. I hope the next generation of surgeons carries forward a commitment to teamwork, accountability and clear communication—always keeping the patient at the center of every decision.”

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurosurgery and Director of the Spine Program, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and Clinical Professor of Surgery/ Neurosurgery, PCOM

Steven S. Yocom, DO ’93, RES ’99, FACOS