Improve Life PLLC Psychiatry & Improve Medical Culture Present:

Suture Clinic 2025-2026

At Improve Medical Culture, our Suture Clinic gives students and early-career healthcare professionals the chance to practice hands-on skills in a safe, supportive environment. Guided by experienced physicians, participants learn proper sterile technique, wound closure methods, and knot-tying using high-quality suture kits. This workshop is designed for pre-med students, medical students, nursing students, and allied health trainees who want to build confidence before clinical rotations. By combining expert instruction with practical training, our Suture Clinic helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world patient care.

Student practices suturing during a session by Improve Life PLLC psychiatry

Criteria for 2025-2026 Suture Clinic Ticket Purchase:

Email ImproveMedicalCulture@gmail.com the following to receive your ticket:

(1) A copy of your completion certificate for the summer 2025 internship (this would mean you passed and attended a community event)

(2) A photo of you at the Sept 20 Suicide Prevention walk https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/Loudoun OR a screenshot showing you DID NOT RSPV for this event. Your RSVP will be found on google classroom under "Event Sept 20 One Loudoun" which was due Aug 1.

(3) Screenshot proof that you did the assignment "Internship website referrals" on google classroom.

(4) Search your email for emails from ImproveLifePLLC@gmail.com and make sure you replied to all of them. It is not professional to ignore emails from your supervisors!

Ticket to Improve Life PLLC Psychiatry hosted Suture Clinic Event

Admission Tickets

At Improve Medical Culture, our Suture Clinic is one of the most popular and expensive training opportunities we offer. Instead of charging money for entry, we are charging professionalism points. We require students to earn professionalism points by showing up on time, dressing appropriately, reading assigned materials, and demonstrating respect for their peers and instructors. This approach reflects a key reality of medical training: professionalism is just as important as technical skill. By tying access to professionalism, our Suture Clinic prepares future physicians, nurses, and healthcare leaders not only to master wound closure and knot-tying, but also to uphold the standards of conduct that define excellent medical practice.

Dr. Stephanie Waggel, MD, MS, PMH-C

Dr. Stephanie Waggel, psychiatrist and medical educator, enjoys teaching at the Improve Medical Culture Suture Clinic in Northern Virginia. Students learn core skills including simple interrupted sutures, suture removal, and continuous closure techniques, while also being evaluated on professionalism. By requiring professionalism points instead of payment, the clinic emphasizes that the foundation of excellent medical care is not just technical ability, but also preparation, reliability, and respect. The events usually take place in either Fairfax or Loudoun county Virginia.