News and Events - School of Medicine - Surgery

Things you can do today to help improve your mental health amid COVID-19 outbreak

Social distancing can be tough. A UAB clinical psychologist has some pointers for good mental health.

Cannon joins global team on the editorial board of Transplantation as an associate editor

UAB Department of Surgery Professor Robert Cannon, M.D., FACS has been appointed to the monthly publication Transplantation, the official journal of the Transplantation Society and the International Liver Transplantation Society.

Hello, goodbye 2020: General Surgery Residency

Although Match Day 2020 did not look exactly like match day in years past due to the COVID-19 outbreak, fourth-year medical students across the country engaged online through social media, sharing where they were matched. While it was impossible to have everyone in the same room at one time, the excitement could still be felt virtually.

Out of the Office Spotlight Series: John Porterfield, M.D.

The UAB Department of Surgery is highlighting faculty, residents and staff who have an intriguing out-of-the-office hobby. The goal of the series is to connect individuals across the department by helping illuminate out-of-the-office moments and achievements.

UAB Department of Surgery residents innovate to solve complex surgical challenges

The UAB Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and the UAB Department of Surgery have joined forces to create the BME-Surgery Clinical Innovation Challenge.

Applications are open for the Junior Faculty Exchange Program 2020-2021 academic year

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and limitations on travel, we would like to plan for the 2020-2021 academic year and proceed with our Junior Faculty Exchange Program selection.

Cannon appointed to AAS publication committee

UAB Department of Surgery Professor Robert Cannon, M.D., FACS has been appointed to the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Publications Committee as a member.Cannon’s appointment will last two years, ending with the 2022 Academic Surgical Conference (ASC).

Gastrointestinal Surgery Efforts Help UAB Take Home National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable Award

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America. The UAB Department of Surgery's Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery seeks to change that.

Seven things you can do today to help improve your mental health amidst COVID-19 outbreak

Overwhelmed. Anxious. Distracted. Lonely. These are a few words that might describe the feelings of those who are transitioning into different working arrangements, or limited work, during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

UAB Department of Surgery COVID-19 Updates

Below are COVID-19 preparation updates specific to the Department of Surgery including: testing locations, remote work information, clinic procedures and more. For a complete listing of UAB updates and policies, visit uab.edu/coronavirus or oneuabmedicine.org/coronavirus.

Lock speaks at CEOT 2020 symposium and presents abstracts

UAB Division of Transplantation Director Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH spoke on equity in organ allocation at the Cutting Edge of Transplantation (CEOT) 2020, a conference organized by the American Society of Transplantation (AST).

Corey and Parmar Propel UAB Hospital to an AHSQC high-volume institution, totaling 84 minimally-invasive complex AWR operations in 2019

UAB Department of Surgery Assistant Professor and Director of Medical Student Surgery Clerkship Britney Corey M.D., FACS and Assistant Professor and Minimally Invasive Surgery Clerkship Director Abhishek Parmar, M.D., FACS performed a combined 84 robotic complex abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) operations in 2019.

UAB receives grand prize from National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable

Colorectal cancer screening among UAB employees enrolled in a medical plan increased from 54 percent in 2014 to 68 percent in 2019.

Department of Surgery faculty and staff to be honored during annual UAB Service Awards

Seven Department of Surgery faculty and staff will be honored at the upcoming annual UAB Service Awards which honors employees who have made a substantial career commitment to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The program was designed to acknowledge and illustrate gratitude to employees at each five-year milestone of service to UAB.

Lindeman speaking on AAMC “Future Forward Focus” plenary panel

Update: The 2020 GRA ORR Joint Spring Meeting: Future Forward Focus has been canceled. Please visit their website for more information.Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, FACS, will open the panel “Future Forward Focus” for the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Resident Affairs (GRA) and Organization of Resident Representatives (ORR) joint spring meeting.

22 UAB Department of Surgery Faculty named best doctors in Alabama

22 UAB Department of Surgery faculty were named best doctors within multiple categories on the Best Doctors in Alabama list.

“Why the Weinstein case matters in healthcare” – interview with UAB leadership

Professor and chair of the UAB Department of Health Services Administration Christy Harris Lemak, Ph.D.,FACHE sat down with the UAB Department of Surgery to talk about her recent article in Modern Healthcare: "Why the Weinstein Case Matters in Healthcare." The interview is followed by remarks from UAB Department of Surgery Chair Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS.

Jaskula-Sztul wins two-year NIH grant

Assistant Professor of the UAB Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery Renata Jaskula-Sztul, Ph.D., has received a two-year, $275,000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) NCI R21 grant, “Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) antibody-drug conjugate for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET) therapy.”

Carter and Kale place in 17th annual UAB Postdoctoral Research Day

Angela Carter, Ph.D., and Cozette Kale, M.D., MPH, both placed in their presentation sessions at the 17th Annual UAB Postdoctoral Research Day. The research day saw a total of 41 postdoctoral participants that presented in six different sessions, judged independently.

UAB’s Kerby named first state trauma consultant

UAB chief trauma surgeon Jeff Kerby will consult with the Alabama Department of Public Health on ways to improve the state’s trauma system.

Chen named editor-in-chief of American Journal of Surgery

Chen is the chair of the UAB Department of Surgery.

Martin named James IV Association of Surgeons traveler

Martin is the second UAB surgeon in the last three years to be selected for this fellowship.

Chen named editor-in-chief of American Journal of Surgery

Herb Chen, M.D., FACS, surgeon-in-chief and chair of the Department of Surgery, has been selected as the new editor-in-chief of American Journal of Surgery.

Faculty projects funded through 2019 Multi-PI Awards

Three School of Medicine faculty projects were recently funded as AMC21 2019 Multi-PI awardees.

Recovering trauma patient with an eye toward naval career vows to “use every breath I have to help others”

Cole Burton came back to the UAB Trauma Center to say thanks as his rehab progresses to a possible naval career.

UAB named a top 50 cardiovascular hospital by IBM Watson Health

UAB is continuing its world-class patient care with the establishment of a new Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery.

Resident macrophages reprogram toward a developmental state after acute kidney injury

The School of Medicine communications staff sat down with Dr. George to gain insights about his research, UAB, and the science community.

Department of Surgery establishes new Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery

UAB is continuing its world-class patient care with the establishment of a new Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery.

Study: Medical and surgical residents’ lack of sleep recovery leads to persistent fatigue

A new study shows the quality of sleep medical and surgical residents receive is poor and causes persistent fatigue throughout residency.

Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery to host esophageal cancer event

The UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery will host an esophageal cancer event on the first-floor lobby of The Kirklin Clinic on Nov. 15.

Heart procedure won’t slow down 97-year-old World War II veteran

Trussville resident and World War II veteran Chuck Tompkins has no intention of slowing down, even after undergoing a TAVR procedure.

A $60 kit could help Stop the Bleed, save a life

Just one bleeding-control kit could make all the difference in the event of a mass shooting, explosion or car accident, trauma surgeons say. Learn to use a kit and buy them for your unit or donate kits to the Division of Acute Care Surgery to provide more training at UAB and in the community.

Transplant outreach arrives at Huntsville Regional Campus

UAB transplant hepatologists will see patients at the Huntsville Regional Campus once a month to make it more convenient to North Alabama residents.

35,000 miles, $100,000 and 5 paths to global change

Five faculty are translating proven methods directly from Birmingham to locations around the world with pilot funding from the Sparkman Center for Global Health.

UAB opens new Multidisciplinary Endocrine Tumor Clinic

Patients with thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal tumors will soon have a one-stop shop for endocrine neoplasia treatment.

Full circle kindness: Transplant patients hope to inspire others

What connected two people before pales in comparison to what connects them now.

UAB expands use of virtual care technology

The ERAS program is a patient-centered approach leading to better patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

Biomarker identified for early beta cell death in Type 1 diabetes

The biomarker can identify beta cell death in children and adults with recent-onset Type 1 diabetes and in antibody-positive at-risk subjects before disease onset.

How do I talk to my child about surgery?

For many parents, talking about surgery can be tough. UAB doctors help share tips for having these conversations.

UAB Hospital using whole blood in transfusions for severe trauma

Lessons learned on the battlefield have brought about a change in blood usage at UAB.

Woman’s Christmas present: Surviving an internal decapitation

The ATV hit a barbwire fence and virtually cut her head off. Her story of survival is amazing.

Battling low health literacy one step at a time

Patients with low health literacy are at high risk of having poor health outcomes and experiences.

Brain protein mutation from person with autism causes autism-like behavioral changes in mice

This is a potential mechanistic underpinning — at least in a subset of patients — for the altered behaviors observed in autism.

UAB experts weigh in on Trump’s kidney disease executive order

This executive order could mean positive change in Alabama, which has the third-highest death rate from kidney diseases in the nation.

An innovative procedure is bringing hope, comfort to acid reflux patients

A new magnetic device eases symptoms of GERD

Three siblings share cancer diagnosis due to rare genetic mutation

MEN2A is a rare, hereditary condition occurring in roughly one in 35,000 people in the United States.

Vickers honored with Dr. James T. Black Award

Vickers was motivated by his uncle, Leroy Vickers, to seek a career in medicine, where he has become a world-renowned surgeon, pancreatic cancer researcher and pioneer in health disparities research.

Hernias can happen to anyone, especially after abdominal surgery

Every year, nearly 700,000 Americans have surgery for groin hernias.

Chu receives $430K research award from NIH

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health recently awarded Daniel Chu, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award for his research project, “Enhancing Health Literacy in Surgery to Eliminate Surgical Disparities for African-Americans with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.”

Learn about hernias, treatments and diagnoses

UAB doctors will host a free communitywide education event to discuss treatment and diagnosis of hernias.

UAB Hospital prepares for when disaster strikes

Maintaining emergency awareness and being prepared is a year-round activity.

Eighteen faculty members named winners of the 2019 Dean's Excellence Awards

Eighteen outstanding faculty members were named recipients of the 2019 Dean’s Excellence Awards, an honor recognizing exceptional contributions made by School of Medicine faculty in service, teaching, research, diversity enhancement and mentorship.

Stop the Bleed training in the month of May

May is Stop the Bleed Month, and UAB ramps up these bleeding-control training classes.

Living donor navigators are crucial part of organ transplant

Founded in 2017, the navigator program works with both recipients and donors to identify needs and guide each through the process to transplantation and post-transplant.

Vickers named president-elect of the American Surgical Association

Selwyn Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine, has been named president-elect of the American Surgical Association (ASA). The ASA was founded in 1880 and is the nation's oldest and most prestigious surgical organization.

$17 million grant will explore immune cells in inaccessible tissues of the human body

Tissue-resident B cells likely have important differences that affect autoimmunity and transplant rejection.

City of Birmingham offers paid leave for living organ donors

The city of Birmingham joins UAB and the state of Alabama by providing paid leave for living organ donors.

Huh named 51st president of national gynecologic oncology society

UAB gynecologic oncologist Huh will serve in a leadership role within a national gynecologic organization.

Celebrate Women's History Month with the women who shape UAB

From traveling to Antarctica to publishing children’s books, from taking biology educational tools to India to planting pollinator gardens on campus, women have been integral to shaping UAB’s reputation its 50-year history. As part of its annual coverage of Women’s History Month, the UAB Reporter has gathered examples of its more recent coverage of women at UAB.

UAB graduate and professional programs again ranked among the nation’s best

U.S. News & World Report ranking features a number of UAB programs ranked in the top 25, including a School of Health Professions’ master’s program at No. 1.

New single port robot changing robotic surgery at UAB

Patients at UAB now have access to state-of-the-art robotic surgery technology.

Human brain protein associated with autism confers abnormal behavior in fruit flies

The human dopamine transporter protein is missing a single amino acid.

School of Medicine celebrates third annual Diversity Fair

The School of Medicine’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion hosted its third annual Diversity Fair Jan. 25, 2019 in the atrium of North Pavilion. Hundreds of guests attended and enjoyed wandering among the booths to sample cuisines while listening to the sound of international music.

Dean's Excellence Award winner profile: Benjamin Wei, M.D.

Benjamin Wei, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Surgery, is one of two junior faculty members to win the Dean's Excellence Award in Service.

Meet the 4 clinicians whose names grace the renovated Hilton’s meeting spaces

After a $20 million renovation and rebranding, the new Hilton at UAB features conference and event facilities named for prominent figures in UAB’s history.

Transplanting pig hearts into sick babies may be a promising temporary treatment option

Pig heart transplants could potentially save the lives of infants with life-threatening heart diseases.

Ultrasound helps predict successful fistula formation for kidney dialysis patients

Creating a fistula in the arm is vital before starting hemodialysis, yet half of fistulas fail to mature so that they are usable for dialysis.

Kidney-resident macrophages — a role for healing during acute kidney injury?

These kidney macrophages reprogram to a developmental state after kidney injury, similar to those in newborn mice.

Locke named director of UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute

The Comprehensive Transplant Institute is a product of the culture of excellence that permeates transplantation at UAB, promoting state-of-the-art care and research across all organ systems.

Obesity surgery leads to emergence of new microbial strains in the human fecal community

A novel informatics technique allows researchers to identify different strains of the same bacterial species.

Blood and marrow transplant patients celebrate the holidays with UAB

UAB blood and marrow transplant patients received extra holiday cheer this season.

“A 4 percent chance is nothing to me”

Former MLB player Frank Baker says his experience at UAB’s Pancreatobiliary Disease Center was a home run.

Kidney Chain “Bridge Donor” author hopes to inspire others through personal story

In 2014, Berwager volunteered to donate one of her kidneys to a friend who was suffering from lupus, and who had kidney failure.

Chu receives grant to expand SeamlessMD

Using SeamlessMD, UAB Medicine provides patients with a digital experience through which they can access information about their surgeries via cellphone, tablet or computer — from surgery preparation to the recovery process.

An enzyme in immune cells plays essential role in host defense against tuberculosis

This finding may point to a therapeutic target to treat tuberculosis, which kills 1.3 million people each year.

Krontiras and Rutledge selected as Women Who Shape the State

Every year, AMG presents 30 Alabama women with the Women Who Shape the State award.

Mild blast forces cause pathology and deficits in the brain, despite lack of macroscopic damage

An animal model for mild traumatic brain injury shows microscopic neuropathology, as well as neurophysiological and biochemical changes.

Lindeman inducted into ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

Lindeman was honored at a ceremony Oct. 3 in Chicago.

A guide to finding your passion

Here is a guide to finding your passion, no matter what field, from UAB transplant surgeon Jayme Locke, M.D.

Six faculty awarded incentive grants to submit a second R01

Six School of Medicine faculty projects were recently funded through an AMC21 initiative giving NIH-funded investigators incentive to submit a second R01.

Bus accident update and a moment of gratitude

Last Friday, a bus carrying 26 UAB residents from the Department of Pediatrics was involved in a severe accident following a retreat at Camp McDowell. The School of Medicine leadership is extremely grateful to everyone who has been involved in the care for its residents and their families during this difficult time.

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