Ali Althans

We couldn’t possibly be more thrilled to welcome the newest members of our family! @PittSurgery

@amapffel You’re a gem and the feeling is mutual! (About you and this place)

@aalthans So lucky to have you as a role model and friend Ali! From intern year colorectal to pgy2 ACS and even a VA Vascular rotation in between! Will miss you so much next year, Mayo is lucky :)

Finished my very last in-house call of residency and it ended with a Hartmann’s. Feeling proud of the last 6.5 years, and looking forward to finishing residency strong then learning everything I can about the colon and rectum next year 🤓💩

@macky_neal Made by @pitttrauma (amongst others)! Cant believe it’s my last week on service 😪

@aalthans You have every reason to be proud. Total superstar!

PSA: To our medicine/ID colleagues -- ’source control’ of an infection usually doesn’t lead to 100% eradication of all radiographic abnormalities. If you’re going to re-scan, there will probably be some schmutz there (and no, I don’t always need to go back in after it). 🙏

Today, we had the distinct privilege of having @SeanWhelanMD give the Master Surgeon lecture. Each year the chief residents choose faculty that have been particularly impactful upon their surgical training to give a lecture on the topic of their choice. Dr. Whelan reflected on his path from academia to rural general surgery (and back!) and all the lessons he’s learned along the way that have been passed along to us in turn. We’re all better surgeons for having trained with you!

@georgenh_ Thank you!!

@aalthans @MayoClinicSurg Congratulations!! You will continue to do amazing things in Rochester!

Overwhelmingly grateful and excited to be headed to @MayoClinicSurg for Colorectal Surgery fellowship next year!

@Bingmer Thank you!!

@aalthans @MayoClinicSurg Congratulations !!

On the left - one of my first cases as a resident, taking out a gallbladder during a whipple on my first rotation of residency at the VA (shoutout @jegriep) On the right - one of my last cases of my chief VA rotation

This past week, I walked out of the Pittsburgh VA for the last time. I can’t help but feel emotional knowing I’ve finished my time at a place that’s seen me “grow up” over the last 7 years. It’s been a privilege to care for our vets and become a surgeon here

Porcine!!! 🐷

Catch me feeling extra courageous on that bovine IMA 😤

And shout out to my interview buddy who was usually behind the scenes being an absolute ham (but also sometimes an absolute terror)

That’s a wrap on colorectal surgery fellowship interviews! Feeling immensely grateful for the chance to meet so many amazing people in this field, and can’t wait to find out where my home for the next year will be.

Mark your calendars 🗓️ We’re thrilled to host a virtual showcase of our program on September 18th, at 7:30pm EST before the kick off of the upcoming general surgery residency interview season! Scan the QR code in the attached flyer to get a link to join us. You’ll have a chance to meet our current residents, PD, and faculty to learn more about Pittsburgh and our program! @PittSurgery @AmCollSurgeons @AcademicSurgery @WomenSurgeons @SocietyofBAS @LatinoSurgery @AsianAcadSurg #Match2026 #GeneralSurgery

Halfway to a board certified general surgeon - feeling grateful for all I've learned at @UPMC_SurgRes over the last six years (and immensely relieved! 😮‍💨)

But also

.@zsendersmd got a drone and took a picture of my least favorite intersection in Pittsburgh. Looking at it gives me angina and puts into perspective how absurd it is (even more so than already perceived when having to navigate it every day 🫠)