Dr. Eilers grew up in rural Central Wisconsin on a small farm. She was actively involved in 4-H, which provided the foundation of service towards her community and work ethic needed to raise/show market animals and horses. In 2002 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Norbert College, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology. Between college and medical school she completed EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate Technician Certifications, and worked as a volunteer EMT on a rural county ambulance service from 2006-2007. In 2011 she completed her D.O. degree at Des Moines University, and subsequently began her cardiothoracic surgical residency training at UTHSCSA that same year. She continues to be committed to education, and has recently been elected to the TSRA (Thoracic Surgery Residency Association) Executive Committee with special interest in education at the residency level. Dr. Eilers is married, and enjoys spending her free time with her family, including her yellow Labrador, Thatcher.
Education
DO, Des Moines University, 2011
Masters of Science in Anatomy, Des Moines University, 2009
BS, Biology, Saint Norbert College, 2006
Research experience
2013 – present: A Retrospective Review of Lung Transplantation; Evaluating The Effects of Aprotonin
The objective is to retrospectively evaluate UTSCSA lung transplant patients and compare data points for those who did not receive Aprotonin post 2007 and those who received Aprotonin before 2007. The points of interest for comparison include: demographic data, primary graft dysfunction (reperfusion injury), renal failure or deficiency (creatine levels), stroke, operation time, outcome, hematocrit, heart failure and use of blood products.
2009 – 2011: Importance of Implementing a Laparoscopic Surgical Skills Curriculum into Surgical Residency Programs
Education research project as Pathways of Distinction Clinician-Educator Scholar. The project hypothesis was that the implementation of a web-based, modular, interactive, laparoscopic surgical skills curriculum (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery – FLS), using porcine simulation models (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), into osteopathic surgical residencies will result in an increase of resident skill level, increase proficiency during procedure completion, and improve resident confidence. This project is ongoing, as a current medical student from Des Moines University continues data collection.
2010 – 2011: Basic Surgical Skills Curriculum: Using Authentic Assessment Approaches in Medical Education.
Eilers A, Reed K, Tryon M, and Ewing G.
Manuscript submitted to The American Journal of Surgery; however, was not chosen for publication.
Publications
Dali D, Maire J, Halverson A, Arribas J, Eilers A, Finnerty E. Implementing a laparoscopic surgical skills curriculum into a surgical residency program. Medical Science Educator The Journal of the International Association of Medical Science Educators 2012, 22 (4S): 309., 2012
Presentations
City-Wide Thoracic Grand Rounds Conference
Clotting, Bleeding, and TEG, April 2013
Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery Grand Rounds
Management of Adrenal Neoplasms, August 2012
Medical Student Web-Based Curriculum
EchocardiographyModules
Development of web-based PowerPoint presentations with corresponding audio and quizzes for echocardiography; with end goal being a compilation of several modules to complete a “library” available to medical students for review of the role of echocardiography in various disease processes.
https://surglearning.uthscsa.edu/courses/ct-echo/player.html, March 2012-Present
City-Wide ThoracicGrand Rounds Conference
Echocardiography: A Review, March 2012
Medical Student Web-Based Curriculum
Evaluation of Pulmonary Conditions
Developed web-based PowerPoint presentations with corresponding audio and quizzes for the evaluation/workup of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pulmonary infiltrate
https://surglearning.uthscsa.edu/courses/ct-pulminfiltrate/player.html
https://surglearning.uthscsa.edu/courses/ct-pulmnodule/player.html, December 2011-May 2012
Surveillance of Lung Cancer Recurrence after Initial Resection
Presented this research at a Tumor Board meeting (St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, WI), 2005-2006
Honors & Awards
Howard A. Graney Award for Outstanding Achievement in Surgery
Recognizes a graduating Des Moines University (DMU) medical student entering the field of surgery who has demonstrated exceptional performance in clinical practice, academics, leadership and professionalism in surgery by meeting established criteria during the second, third and fourth years., 2011
Clinical Excellence Scholarship (DMU), 2011
Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) Scholarship recipient
Scholarship to attend annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting, 2011
Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society Member (DMU), 2010
Dean’s Award for Research in Education (DMU), 2010
Advanced Surgery Teaching Assistant (DMU), 2009
College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association Scholarship (DMU), 2009
Pathways of Distinction Scholar – Clinician Educator Pathway (DMU)
Unique pathway to identify and train qualified medical students for careers as medical school clinical and research faculty, 2009-2011
Performance Excellence Scholarship (DMU), 2008-2010
Summa Cum Laude Graduate, Saint Norbert College (SNC), 2006
Distinguished Scholastic Achievement (SNC), 2006
Biology Academic Award (SNC), 2006
Trustee’s Distinguished Scholarship, 2002-2006
Professional organizations
Thoracic Surgery Residency Association- Executive Committee
Southern Thoracic Surgical Association
American College of Surgeons
Women in Thoracic Surgery