Dr. Kin Assumes Wellness Director Role

December 5, 2023

Dr. Cindy Kin, an associate professor in the Division of General Surgery, will assume the role of Department Wellness Director.

“Many of you know Cindy and her passion for improving the health of her patients and colleagues through our understanding of training and resilience (Whoop) study, her interest in nutrition, and pre-habilitation of our patients using technology to drive engagement,” wrote Department Chair Dr. Mary Hawn in her announcement to the faculty.

Kin says she plans to begin her tenure with a Listening Tour during which she hopes to learn how to make Stanford Surgery an “engine of wellbeing.”

“Beyond burnout prevention, let's aim higher to be a place that empowers surgeons to be more emotionally resilient, more physically healthy, more socially connected, and be our best selves at work and at home - not in spite of working, but because we work at Stanford Surgery,” said Kin.

Kin takes over from Dr. Brooke Gurland, a professor in the Division of General Surgery, who has served in the role for the past four years. Highlights of her term included virtual yoga during the COVID pandemic, the labeled scrubcaps program, and the culture of gratitude initiative.

“We are all indebted to her leadership through the pandemic and post-pandemic work/life environment,” said Hawn.

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Rachel Baker
Director of Communications

Bio

As the Director of Communications for Stanford Surgery, Rachel Baker tells the stories of her department's faculty, staff, and trainees. With the help of an amazing team of content creators, she produces and curates original articles, photos, videos, graphics, and even podcasts.She works personally with each division, center, program, and lab within her purview to define their audience and reach their goals while maintaining a consistent brand voice. She hosts quarterly professional development workshops open to all AEM web authors--please email her if you'd like to join! She also offers both 1:1 and group education to faculty and residents on a variety of topics including media training, using social media to advantage, and presentation refinement. Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a focus on photography from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A transplant from the DC-area, she still misses foliage and argyle but has happily adopted the official NorCal hobbies of visiting wineries, hiking local trails, and eating avocado.

About Stanford Surgery

The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:

• pioneering cutting-edge research, 
• developing the next generation of leaders, and 
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion. 

To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu

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