Skylar Atwood

• ~40+ hours
• Shadowing surgeons, residents, and medical students across urology, obstetrics/gynecology, and additional specialties in the operating room, clinic, and research settings.
• Observed a range of procedures, including an open cystectomy for radiation cystitis with creation of an Indiana pouch, cesarean sections, vaginal deliveries, and robotic urologic surgery.
• Engaged with multidisciplinary surgical teams, including a colorectal surgeon and CRNA, to understand perioperative roles and patient care coordination.
• Followed patients longitudinally from pre-operative consultation through post-operative recovery, gaining insight into surgical outcomes and continuity of care.
• Exposure to the technical precision, teamwork, and patient impact of these experiences solidified my desire to pursue a career in surgery.

• ~260 hours
• Participated in UCLA Health's CARE Extenders program, assisting healthcare professionals weekly at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital.
• Supported various departments, including postpartum, NICU, labor and delivery, surgery center, and pediatrics. Developed personal strengths in patient care, bedside manner, and teamwork among healthcare workers.

• ~80 hours
• Two-week global health experience alongside UCI Health urologists providing surgical care and physician training in resource-limited hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.
• Observed complex urologic procedures and daily clinical care while supporting teams working to expand local surgical capacity.
• Engaged with physicians from multiple countries, gaining insight into global healthcare systems, cultural considerations in patient care, and barriers to access in low-resource settings.
• This experience strengthened my cultural humility, adaptability, and commitment to pursuing a medical career focused on collaborative, globally conscious patient care.

• ~56 hours
• Conduct research investigating protein behavior in bacterial systems, with a focus on protein folding, aggregation, and phase separation.
• Utilize gel electrophoresis and blotting methods to analyze protein stability, binding interactions, and localization within cellular environments.
• Contribute to experimental design, data collection, and analysis while maintaining detailed laboratory records.
• This work has strengthened my understanding of the relationship between protein structure and function and its relevance to disease, reinforcing my interest in translational and surgical medicine.

• ~150 hours
• Led organic chemistry lab sessions for 16 students, focusing on safety techniques and assessment of lab work. Oversaw grading of exams for organic chemistry lectures, adhering to strict timelines.

• ~114 Hours
• Vice President External Affairs for Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority at Loyola Marymount University.
• Assisted in developing communication strategies for alumni connections. Supported merchandise design initiatives to enhance brand visibility. Collaborated with teams to facilitate effective communication across various positions.

• ~50 Hours
• Academic Development Director at Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority at Loyola Marymount University.
• Tracked GPA of chapter members to maintain academic standards. Provided academic support through study spaces and scholarship opportunities. Developed plans for academic success within the chapter.

• ~30 Hours
• Provide personalized tutoring to enhance learning outcomes for first to fourth grade students.
• Assessed individual reading levels to identify areas for improvement.

• ~50 hours
• Supervised children's activities to ensure safety and engagement.
• Prepared nutritious meals and snacks accommodating dietary restrictions.
• Communicated effectively with parents regarding children's progress and needs.
• Maintained a clean, safe environment through routine housekeeping tasks.

Atwood, S., Sadeghi, N., et al.
Perineal Urethral Diverticulectomy and Gracilis Muscle Flap in a Female with Bowel Neovagina and Neurogenic Bladder.
Video Journal of Surgery (VJSM), published April 28, 2025.
Presented at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) 2025 Winter Meeting, Palm Springs, CA.

• Filmed and edited a complex reconstructive urologic surgery, contributing to an educational surgical video disseminated nationally
• Collaborated with attending surgeons and residents to accurately document operative technique and clinical context

Atwood, S., Sadeghi, N., et al.
Bladder Endometriosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature—Increasing Clinical Suspicion, Addressing Diagnostic Challenges, and Treatment Strategies.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports (JSCR), [Month Year].

• Contributed to preparation and development of a peer-reviewed case report highlighting diagnostic and treatment considerations in urologic endometriosis