Indianapolis Medical Society

Dr. Bridget M. Sanders' extraordinary medical career began in 1985 when she earned her first of many training and medical degrees. Her undergraduate studies began with a Technical Certificate, Vocational/Practical Nursing, Indiana Vocational and Technical College; then an Associate Degree, Nursing, Marian College, 1986 - 1989, and finally a Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Purdue University at Indianapolis in 1993. But this was only the beginning, she earned graduate degrees: Master of Science, Physiology, Indiana University 1993 - 1994, and her Doctor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1998. Her post-graduate work included General Surgery Internship, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, July 1998 - June 1999; General Surgery Residency, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, July 1999 - July 2003; General Surgery Chief Resident, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, July 2003 - June 30, 2004; and Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, June 30, 2004 - June 30, 2005.

Dr. Sanders, Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery and American College of Surgeons and Board certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and American Board of Surgery, as well as, earlier in her career Registered Nursing; Certified Specialist in Poison Information; Advanced Cardiac Life Support; Basic Life Support; and, Advanced Trauma Life Support Instructor. In addition, she is active in many professional groups including the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons; American Medical Association; Crohns and Colitis Foundation; Association of Women Surgeons; Ohio Valley Colon and Rectal Society; and the Dayton Clinical Oncology.

Active and involved, Dr. Sanders is noted in the medical community for her dedication to academics, patients and medicine. Her appointments and accomplishments are many; including: Program Director, Indiana University School of Medicine Colon and Rectal Residency Program; Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine; Assistant Course Director, Indiana University School of Medicine, Colon and Rectal Surgery elective- 4th year medical students; Course Director, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, PGY-3 Endoscopy rotation; Course Director, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Chief resident endoscopy rotation; and Adjunct Surgery Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Medicine, St. Francis Hospital. She is a past Board Member of the Mooresville St. Francis Medical Executive Committee; Delegate, Indiana State Medical Association; Board Member, St. Francis Research Foundation; and Board Member, St. Francis Colon and Rectal Care Center. Dr. Sanders serves on the staff of St. Francis Health & Hospital Centers; The Franciscan Surgery Center; The Mooresville Ambulatory Surgery Center; The Mooresville Endoscopy Center; Clarian West Medical Center; Community Hospital South; and is on the courtesy staff at Indiana University Hospital; Veterans Administration Hospital of Indianapolis; and Methodist Hospital.

Successfully published, Dr. Sanders is an avid speaker, researcher and lecturer. Her enthusiasm for the medical professional, education and the treatment of her patients is extraordinary and has garnered many awards throughout her career as well as the respect of her colleagues.

The IMS is very pleased that the remarkable Dr. Bridget Sanders takes an active role in the IMS.

She took a few minutes to answer some questions for IMS:

Tell us about your practice. Colorectal surgery, private practice, Kendrick Regional Center for Colon and Rectal Care, six person group with one fellow.

Are you originally from Indianapolis? Yes, I was born in the old St. V's at Illinois & Fall Creek.

How did you decide upon Indianapolis as where you wanted to set up practice? Best place to practice medicine in the country and my family is here.

Tell us about your family. All in Indianapolis, Avon: Mother nurse at Clarian, Dad musician. Son, 3-year old in preschool at St. Susanna in Plainfield.

What are your leisure interests? Tennis, reading, walking my dogs, and hiking.

How did you decide to go into medicine? Why your specialty? Always been medically interested...EMT...Nurse (LPN & RN)...medical school...surgical residency. As a fourth year surgery resident, I did a rotation with Olaf Johansen and that's when I decided on colon rectal surgery.

Who have been your mentors? James Madura, Dolores Cikrit, Eric Wiebke, Robert Goulet, IUSM; Olaf Johansen, Fred Lane, Kendrick Regional Center and Steve Wexner, Cleveland Clinic Florida.

What gives you the most pride in your life? My son. The colorectal "fellow."

Why is advocacy through the IMS for medicine important to you? Instills confidence and support in our medical community.

What/who or how did you get started in joining the IMS and taking a leadership position? Heidi Dunniway encouraged me to participate as an alternate delegate in 2005.

Why is IMS important to physicians? Keep us on cutting edge of medicine, politics and medical economics.

What are the challenges you see in helping physicians become involved in the IMS? Time, money, interest.

As a member of the Board of Directors, what goals do you have for IMS? Develop the women's section for mentoring and education of new physicians.

Tell us something about yourself that most people might find surprising. I used to be a firefighter - not a very good one! That's why I'm a doctor now!