Ross E  Willis, Ph.D.

Dr. Willis's research interests include surgical education, team performance, and training, individual differences in the acquisition of surgical skills and adaptive instructional techniques.

Techniques: Surgical simulation

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 1999 - PhD - Experimental Psychology - Cognition - Texas Tech University
  • 1995 - MA - Experimental Psychology - Human Factors - Texas Tech University
  • 1992 - BA - Psychology - University of Texas at San Antonio

  Appointments

  • 10/2013 - Associate Professor/Research and Director of Surgical Education, Director of the Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Surgery, San Antonio
  • 8/2012 - Assistant Professor/Research and Graduate Faculty - University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 7/2015 - Present, Individual Instruction, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 9/2013 - Present, Research Methods and Statistics for Social Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 7/2009 - Present, Surgical Skills Development Rotation, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Surgery

• Research & Grants

  Research profile

  Grants

  Federal

  Funding Agency Veteran`s Affairs Title Veteran`s Affairs Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Status Active Period 7/2009 - Present Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail This grant provides salary support for two general surgery residents on an ongoing basis through the Veteran`s Affairs. The grant was awarded based on a competitive application to develop an educationally innovative program. Specifically, we created a dedicated skills development rotation in which first-year surgery residents complete a defined curriculum in the surgery simulation center while concurrently fulfilling partial clinical responsibilities at the VA Hospital.

  Private

  Funding Agency Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Title The Dr. Russell L. Woodard General Surgery Residency Scholars Program Status Active Period 7/2010 - Present Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail This program funds general surgery clinical rotations at area hospitals for second, third and fourth year residents.

• Publications

  Journal Article

  Willis RE, Dent DL, Love JD, Kempenich JW, Uecker J, Brown KM, Thomas JS, Gomez PP, Adams AJ, Admire JR, Sprunt JM, Kahrig KM, Wiggins-Dohlvik K. Predicting and enhancing American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination performance: Does writing questions really help? Am J Surg 2016 Feb;211(2):361-368. Adams AJ, Wasson EA, Admire JR, Gomez PP, Babayeuski RA, Sako EY, Willis RE. A comparison of teaching modalities and fidelity of simulation levels in teaching resuscitation scenarios Journal of Surg Ed 2015 Sep;72(5):778-785. Gomez PP, Willis P, Van Sickle KR. Development of a virtual reality robotic surgical curriculum using the da Vinci Si surgical system Surg Endosc 2015 Aug;29(8):2171-2179. Kempenich JW, Willis RE, Rakosi R, Wiersch J, Schenarts PJ. How do perceptions of autonomy differ in general surgery training between faculty, senior residents, hospital administrators, hospital administrators, and the general public? A multi-institutional study Journal of Surgical Education 2015 Jan;72(6):193-201. Admire JR, Pounds LL, Adams AJ, Gomez PP, Willis RE. Development and construct validity of a low fidelity training platform for driving large and small suture needles Journal of Surgical Education 2015 Jan;72:387-393. Sirinek KR, Willis P, Stewart RM. Geographic maldistribution of general surgery PGYI residents: Another US surgical desert American Journal of Surgery 2014 Dec;208(6):1023-1028. Gomez PP, Willis RE, Jaramillo LA. Evaluation of dedicated, surgery-oriented visiting international medical student program Journal of Surgical Education 2014 May;71(3):325-328.

  Not Specified

  Gardner AK, Willis RE, Dunkin BJ, Van Sickle KR, Brown KM, Truitt MS, Uecker JM, Gentry L, Scott DJ. What do residents need to be competent laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeons? Surg Endosc 2015 Oct;.