From Student Pathway Participant to Annual Scientific Meeting Presenter: Richa Bisht's ASCRS Journey
In 2022, Richa Bisht attended the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting as a participant in the Student Pathway Program, an initiative designed to introduce high school, college, and medical students to the field of colorectal surgery. Just four years later, she returned to the Annual Scientific Meeting as a general surgery resident at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, presenting award-winning research alongside her colleagues.
Reflecting on why she applied to the Student Pathway Program, Bisht said:
I was in my third year of medical school and was still trying to figure out what specialty I was most interested in. When I saw the application, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more about surgery and if it was right for me, since I hadn’t had much exposure to the field before that.
The program provided exposure not only to the specialty itself, but also to the people within it.
I learned about the variety of paths that can be taken to become a colorectal surgeon; each mentor’s journey was unique, and that felt encouraging to hear as a medical student trying to find my own path. I also learned how supportive the field is. My mentor and everyone else I had the opportunity to interact with were so welcoming and happy to share advice.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the experience was the mentorship she received from Dr. Fabrizio.
Dr. Fabrizio was my mentor through the program, and I appreciated her insight so much. She also helped arrange panel sessions where we got to hear multiple perspectives, which was very impactful. The in-person sessions during ASCRS were also wonderful, particularly the events where we got to meet program directors and learn what they look for in applicants. Seeing all the cool technology that colorectal surgeons can use was pretty great, too!
At the time, Bisht had only recently begun her general surgery rotation. The experience at the Annual Scientific Meeting helped shape her future.
When the program started during the ASCRS conference, I had only been on my general surgery rotation for about a week. Going to the conference, meeting program directors, and getting to see a glimpse of what it means to be a colorectal surgeon greatly increased my interest in surgery. That experience helped solidify my desire to pursue general surgery.
Since participating in the Student Pathway Program, Bisht has continued to build on that foundation.
Since then, I have started general surgery residency at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. I am also halfway through two years of dedicated surgical outcomes research, where I have been lucky enough to also be part of some great colorectal projects.
Today, she is entering her fourth year of residency and continues to look toward the future.
I am starting my fourth year of residency at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, and will be entering my second of two dedicated research years. Although I still have three more years of clinical training left, I am very strongly considering pursuing colorectal surgery fellowship after completing residency.
Returning to the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in 2026 as an ePoster presenter marked a full-circle moment.
It felt great to return to ASCRS this year and share the work that my colleagues and I have been a part of. I felt especially grateful to share our team’s work on presacral tumor biopsies, which won the General Surgery Forum Best Paper Award.
Looking back, Bisht credits the Student Pathway Program with helping shape her professional development and opening doors to lasting mentorship.
The Student Pathway Program helped me realize my interest in general surgery and provided a platform where I could learn directly from residency program leadership the things that mattered most to them when reviewing applicants. Long-term, I was able to connect with a wonderful mentor, Dr. Fabrizio, who went the extra mile to share her perspective and advice.
For students considering applying to the Student Pathway Program, her advice is simple:
I would encourage everyone with an interest in healthcare to consider applying to the program, because the worst that can happen is that you learn something new about an interesting field! Best case scenario is that you eventually apply and match into general surgery!
