The Final Surgery of Chinook - C. Kim

October 19, 2022

Yoo Jin Christine Kim, AVC 2023, travelled to Port Hope Simpson as one of the student participants on the Chinook Project. As part of the experience, the students craft various pieces of reflective writing.

Lindsey (left) & Christine (right) are in the middle of closing Bubba Jane’s abdomen after an ovariohysterectomy procedure was performed. 

Bubba Jane, a 7-year-old Husky X with a history of having seven litters in the past, was our last surgery patient of Chinook. In addition to her surgery being the last procedure of the project, it was also a meaningful surgery for Lindsey and me as it was our third time working on a canine spay together. The previous night’s procedure tested our resilience and surgical skills. While I was incredibly proud of us successfully performing the difficult procedure after a long day of surgeries, I was still hoping for another opportunity to improve on our technique before our rotation ended. Our opportunity came the next morning with Bubba Jane. 

Unlike the procedure the day before, when we had low energy levels and were still getting to understand each other’s movements, we were now a “well-oiled machine”, with both of us knowing each other’s moves and supporting each-other. 

Christine and Dr. Plater

Our two mentors, Drs. John Ruffino and Alan Plater were also by our side during the entire procedure, providing us with the needed guidance and encouragement to complete the procedure. The struggles we had the previous night were no longer present, and the entire spay procedure was performed with ease and without any complications. Overall, it was the most enjoyable and rewarding spay I had the privilege of performing so far, as it showed how much we had come as individuals and as surgeons, and I will be remembering this moment for years to come.