30th Annual Dr. Dillard M. Sholes, Jr. and Mrs. Mattie E. Sholes Distinguished Lectureship

Friday, May 1, 2026, 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM, Martin Center for the Arts, Johnson City, TN

Dr. Omar Duenas Garcia, MD, DHA, MPH, MS is an Associate Professor and Double board-certified physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the WVU School of Medicine. Dr. Duenas Garcia also holds a designation of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. He also specializes in treating pelvic floor disorders in women, including uterine and vaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence. His work involves minimally invasive procedures and improving care for neuro-urology issues. Dr. Duenas Garcia is dedicated to advancing clinical, translational, and public health research. His research also covers surgical outcomes in pelvic surgery and perinatal outcomes in marginalized populations. Dr. Duenas Garcia will be presenting Shall we be doing more vaginal Surgery? What is holding you back? He will be presenting on the difference in guideline standards and current practice, the lack of training in early career surgeons, and technical challenges in vaginal surgery. Expected Results: This activity is designed to improve participants’ competence (decision-making and technical confidence) and performance (integration of vaginal surgery into clinical practice), ultimately enhancing patient outcomes by aligning surgical practice with evidence-based standards.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

1. Compare patient outcomes, complication profiles, and cost-effectiveness between vaginal and other minimally invasive surgical routes.
2. Identify barriers that limit adoption of vaginal surgery in training and practice, including cultural, institutional, and technical factors.
3. Apply evidence-based patient selection criteria to determine when vaginal surgery is the preferred surgical approach.
4. Discuss strategies to increase exposure, confidence, and mentorship in vaginal surgery during residency and clinical practice.
5. Develop an individualized plan to address one barrier in their practice or institution that limits the use of vaginal surgery.

1. Compare patient outcomes, complication profiles, and cost-effectiveness between vaginal and other minimally invasive surgical routes.
2. Identify barriers that limit adoption of vaginal surgery in training and practice, including cultural, institutional, and technical factors.
3. Apply evidence-based patient selection criteria to determine when vaginal surgery is the preferred surgical approach.
4. Discuss strategies to increase exposure, confidence, and mentorship in vaginal surgery during residency and clinical practice.
5. Develop an individualized plan to address one barrier in their practice or institution that limits the use of vaginal surgery.

CME Credit: Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 hour AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received in writing no less than 20 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be made on cancellations received after that date. Please send cancellation requests to East Tennessee State [email protected].

East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Department of Continuing Education for Health Professionals reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Department of Continuing Education for Health Professionals is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

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The East Tennessee State Quillen College of Medicine Department of Continuing Education for Health Professionals adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

East Tennessee State University Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.