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URochester Medicine / Department of Surgery / Community Outreach / TIDES

TIDES: Transforming Integration, Development, and Engagement in Surgery

One University

The URochester is a universe full of opportunities. If you are part of the UR system and want to collaborate with our series, or announce an event to our department, please email Dr. Ana Gomez Parga!

TIDES members









Our TIDES series cultivate growth, connection, and improvement in the Department of Surgery. Through tailored professional development, intentional integration of resources, and productive collaboration, we empower our department leaders to create lasting change by improving our workplace culture and expanding access to care.

What is the TIDES Series?Paula Cupertino and community

The TIDES Series is a dynamic and interactive set of workshops designed to strengthen cultural awareness, foster efficient professional practices, and advance positive outcomes in surgery and healthcare. Our workshops are grounded in established, best-practices frameworks, case explorations, and collaborative learning. Our goal is that participants deepen their understanding of patient-care and operational roadblocks, challenges, and opportunities in health accessibility while building practical skills to improve trust with those we serve. 

The TIDES Series Skill Set

By the end of this series, our participants will have the following skills:

  • Ability to recognize, articulate, and analyze challenges, and opportunities in surgical care delivery and health outcomes.
  • Empowerment to apply responsive communication strategies to improve patient trust and health outcomes in clinical care and practice.
  • Motivation to pursue coalitions and leadership positions by integrating best practices into team dynamics, health education, and community engagement.

Questions about the series? Email our TIDES Director, Dr. Ana Gomez Parga.

Our 2025-26 Cohort

  • Heather Shelley
    Vascular Surgery
  • Emily Julian
    Acute Care Surgery
  • Arlette Chavez
    Public Health Sciences
  • Kara Mestnik
    Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery
  • Katherine Rieth
    Otolaryngology Faculty/Admin
  • Quarnisha White
    Colorectal
  • Karen Pineda
    Transplant
  • Jennifer Harman
    Surgery Research
  • Elizabeth Levatino
    Surgery Quality Assurance
  • Amanda Walz
    Cardiac Surgery
  • Liz DeLaus
    Surgery Central Administration
  • Ashita Paulrose
    Surgery Central Administration
  • Angela Lacchetta
    Surgery Central Administration
  • Ann McCormack
    Colorectal Surgery
  • Pam Urban
    Surgery Central Administration