News - School of Medicine - Surgery

Department comprises 39 percent of phase one AAS committees

Six faculty members and three residents were recently elected to various Association of Academic Surgery (AAS) committees. Phase one committees include: Academic Advancement, Finance, Clinical and Health Services Research, Education, and Basic and Translational Science.

Department Thanksgiving word cloud

Over the last few weeks, we asked faculty, staff and trainees to take a moment of wellness and submit a word of gratitude to be featured in our department Thanksgiving word cloud. Although Thanksgiving will look different for many of us this year, including School of Medicine's Dean Vickers, this word cloud is powerful tool to remind us of all that we are grateful this year. Take a look!

Abraham places first in ACS regional abstract competition

General Surgery Research Resident Peter Abraham, M.D., placed first the statewide competition and Region IV (southeast region) American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) resident abstract competition in the clinical category.

Carroll inducted as Fellow into the ACS

Assistant Professor in the Division of Acute Care Surgery Shannon Carroll, M.D., FACS, has been named a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Chen, Lindeman, Fazendin, and Ramonell author book on thyroid and parathyroid disorders

Chair of the Department of Surgery Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, as well as Associate Professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Pallavi Iyer, M.D., are co-editors of a book dedicated to the care of children with thyroid and parathyroid disorders.

Martin to join Surgical Biology Club II

Division of Pediatric Surgery Assistant Professor Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, has been selected for membership into the Surgical Biology Club II (SBCII).

Porrett joins Division of Transplantation

The Department of Surgery welcomes Paige Porrett, M.D., Ph.D., to the Division of Transplantation as an associate professor of surgery. She will also serve as director of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Transplantation as well as Clinical & Translational Research at the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute.

OPXE awards 15 faculty, staff communication award

The UAB Office of Patient Experience and Engagement (OPXE) and UAB Medicine executive leadership have awarded 10 faculty and five staff members the Communication Award.

Kerby joins the editorial board of the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Division of Acute Care Surgery Professor Jeffrey Kerby, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the editorial board of the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

Rose inducted as Fellow into the ACS

Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology J. Bart Rose, MD, MAS, FACS, has been named a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Rose also serves as Director of the UAB Pancreatobiliary Disease Center.

Robotic training remains pillar in resident and fellow education

The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped surgical training within the Department of Surgery. Although adaptations are in place to ensure a COVID-safe training environment, our next generation of surgeon scientists are still learning, growing and innovating.

A Wellness Note from Dr. Herbert Chen

Below, Department of Surgery Chair Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, shares his UAB Well-Being Index Results and encourages faculty, staff and trainees to practice wellness during the upcoming holiday season.

Marayati wins American Academy of Pediatrics award

Department of Surgery research resident and member of the Beierle Lab Raoud Marayati, M.D., was awarded the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2020 Rosenkrantz Award for Basic Science Research.

Porrett featured in UAB MedCast on Uterine Transplant

Associate Professor of Surgery, Director, VCA Transplantation, UAB CTI and Director of Clinical & Translational Research, UAB CTI Paige Porrett M.D., discusses uterine transplantation. She shares her experience with the procedure, who might be an ideal candidate, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for this innovative new procedure.

Four to join Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship for 2021-2022

The UAB Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship will welcome four new fellows next year: Sabrina Goddard, M.D., Kavina Juneja, M.D., Patrick Liebel, M.D., and Robin Tillery, M.D. Goddard will join the program after completing her general surgery residency at UT San Antonio, and Juneja is currently at UAB finishing her general surgery residency.

Hospital closures in rural America means longer drive times for patients needing care

The loss of rural hospitals has been felt most keenly in Southern regions of the United States, from Florida to Texas.

Residency program celebrates Halloween with Treat n’ Meet

The General Surgery Residency Program invites all faculty and staff members to participate in a “Treat n’ Meet” event on Nov. 2 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. in Boshell Diabetes Building (BDB).

UAB establishes uterus transplant program

UAB’s uterus transplant program is the first program in the Southeast and fourth in the United States.

Department DEI Committee members establish subcommittees

Associate Vice Chairs of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, and Sara Pereira, M.D., FACS, established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in June 2020 and appointed committee members. Now, those committee members each support an actionable subcommittee.

Martin speaks at University of Cincinnati DEI Grand Rounds

Division of Pediatric Associate Professor Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, spoke this week at the University of Cincinnati Surgery Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Grand Rounds.

Carroll and Jansen published in Traffic Injury Prevention journal

Division of Acute Care Surgery Associate Professor Jan Jansen, MBBS, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Shannon Carroll, M.D., were published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal.

Donors continue to generously support vascular surgery education

*Photo taken pre-COVID.Four donors have recently given to the UAB Vascular Surgery Education Support Fund, furthering the educational and experiential opportunities for surgeon-trainees.

Sutzko wins VA RDA award

Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Assistant Professor Danielle Sutzko, M.D., M.S., has been awarded a two-year Network 7 Research Development Award from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs , beginning Oct. 1, 2020.

Martin named associate editor of JSR

Division of Pediatric Surgery Associate Professor Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, was named an associate editor of The Journal of Surgical Research (JSR).

Broman and Hendershot named new leaders of WIS

Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Kristy Broman, M.D., M.P.H, and Associate Professor Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., were named co-directors of the department’s UAB Women in Surgery program, beginning Aug. 2020.

Parmar awarded AHS and AHSQC Foundation Research Grant

Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Abhisek Parmar, M.D., FACS, was awarded the 2020 Americas Hernia Society and America's Hernia Society Quality Collaborative (AHSQC) Foundation Research Grant.

Ma presents on ACS Anti-Racism Task Force panel

Department of Surgery research resident Meixi Ma M.D., M.S., is an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Scholar-in-Residence and member of the ACS Board of Regents Anti-Racism Task Force. She will be reporting on the group’s discussions and progress as a panelist at the 2020 ACS Clinical Congress Conference.

Department welcomes Broman and Hollis

The Department of Surgery welcomes new Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology Kristy Broman, M.D., M.P.H, and Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Robert Hollis, M.D., M.S.P.H.

UAB Surgery Twitter handle reaches 3000 followers

The UAB Department of Surgery has been building its Twitter followers since 2014 and has hit a large milestone in the realm of social media: 3000 followers.

Seven surgery mentees sweep 2020 Medical Student Research Day

Congratulations to UAB medical students Teressa Duong, Elizabeth Lopez and Kayla Frey for placing first, second and third, respectively, in the Surgery and Anesthesiology virtual poster session at the Dale J. Benos Medical Student Research Day on Sep. 15.

Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship names 2021 fellows

The UAB Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship recently matched two incoming fellows for positions, beginning in the summer of 2021.

Jansen published in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open

Division of Acute Care Surgery Associate Professor Jan Jansen, MBBS, Ph.D., recently published an article, “Impact of deprivation and comorbidity on outcomes in emergency general surgery: an epidemiological study” in the journal Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.

AJS STARS Committee led by Shao, Fazendin and Kennedy

American Journal of Surgery (AJS) leadership has appointed General Surgery Research Resident Connie Shao, M.D., as chair of the Student and Resident Scholars (STARS) Committee. General Surgery Research Residents Meixi Ma, M.D., and Lauren Theiss, M.D., will also be members of the committee.

Beck, King and Locke promoted to professor

UAB Department of Surgery faculty Adam Beck, M.D., Timothy King, M.D., Ph.D., and Jayme Locke, M.D., have been promoted to professors, effective October 1, 2020.

Problem to product: Shielding providers from COVID-19 particles

Most PPE goes on the provider, not the patient. A solution to this problem from UAB faculty earned them a commercialization grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

UAB team wins AHA prize for project mapping links between health disparities and COVID-19

An interdisciplinary team of faculty and graduate students are using machine learning to identify geographic areas in which social determinants contribute to the COVID-19 burden as a way to improve the public health response.

Hello, goodbye 2020: Colorectal Surgery Fellowship

Although Match Day 2020 did not look exactly like match day in years past due to the COVID-19 outbreak, fourth-year medical students and residents 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: Jan Jansen, MBBS, Ph.D.

This surgeon-scientist spends his weekends jumping out of planes.

Reed wins Deep South RCMAR grant

UAB Division of Transplantation Assistant Professor Rhiannon Deierhoi Reed, MPH, DrPH, has won a one-year Deep South Resource Center for Minority Aging (RCMA) Pilot Grant Award. The award is supported by award number P30AG031054 from the National Institute on Aging.

Shao wins Association of Women Surgeons DEI award

UAB General Surgery Research Resident Connie Shao, M.D., was one of 16 trainees across the nation selected for the inaugural Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI) Conference Award.

Hendershot inducted into ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Division of Acute Care Surgery, has been named an associate member in the new American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™.

UAB Medicine provides safe cardiovascular care during COVID-19

There is a narrow window of opportunity for successfully treating major cardiovascular events, and patients risk serious consequences if they wait for symptoms to get worse before seeking medical attention.

Department leaders champion diversity, equity and inclusion across the nation

The UAB Department of Surgery has several ongoing diversity, equity and inclusions (DEI) strategies in the areas of culture, accountability, hiring and training.

Chu reminds us the importance of colorectal screenings

Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Associate Director of Health Services Research Daniel Chu, M.D., was featured in UAB News and CBS 42 as an expert voice on colon cancer, following the death of actor Chadwick Boseman.

Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery matches with 2021-22 fellow

The Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery is pleased to introduce the 2021-22 Endocrine Surgery Fellow, Andrea Gillis, M.D.

Richter wins five-year NIGMS R35 grant

Acute Care Surgery Assistant Professor Jillian Richter, Ph.D., has won a five-year $1.8 million National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) grant.

Cancer health and education providers stress importance of colorectal cancer awareness following death of “Black Panther” actor

Black people in the United States have the highest rates of colorectal cancer of any racial or ethnic group, according to the American Cancer Society.

Okor and Snyder receive 2020 Brewer-Heslin Award

Erin Snyder, M.D. and Mamerhi Okor, M.D. are this year’s winners of the highly regarded Brewer-Heslin Award.

Kennedy and Unger win UAB i6 innovation grant

Director and Professor of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Gregory Kennedy, M.D., Ph.D. (left), and Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Assistant Professor Ken Unger, DPM, FACFAS, DABFS (right), have been awarded grants from the Regional Innovation Strategies i6 Challenge administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Marayati takes 2nd place in UAB Graduate School symposium

General surgery research resident Raoud Marayati, M.D., won the second place award for her oral presentation at the virtual UAB Graduate Biomedical Sciences/Joint Health Sciences 2020 Annual Research Symposium.

Rose wins supplemental NIH grant

Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor and Director of the UAB Pancreatobiliary Disease Center Bart Rose, M.D., MAS, has been awarded an administrative supplement to his National Institutes of Health K08 grant.

Orandi joins AST and AASLD committees

Transplantation Assistant Professor Babak Orandi, M.D., Ph.D., Ms.C., has been invited to join both the American Society of Transplantation (AST) Clinic Scientific Review Committee as well as the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Surgery and Liver Transplantation Committee.

Vickers and Pisu receive $3 million National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities grant

Drs. Vickers and Pisu will use a $3 million, five-year National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities grant to study barriers that may exist for GI cancer patients to access quality cancer surgery in Alabama and Mississippi.

Low health literacy may be a risk factor for postoperative infection

Low or limited health literacy is common among adults in the United States and may affect health outcomes in many ways, according to the government’s Healthy People 2020.

Gunnells wins Obesity Health Disparities Research Center grant

Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Drew Gunnells, M.D., was awarded an Obesity Health Disparities Research Center (OHDRC) Investigators award for his project “Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on surgical outcomes in patients with obesity.”

Jaskula-Sztul wins two-year NCI R21 grant

Assistant Professor in the Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery Renata Jaskula-Sztul, Ph.D., has received a two-year, $381,830 National Institutes of Health (NIH) NCI R21 grant. This is her second R21 grant award for 2020.

Hello, goodbye 2020: Plastic 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.

Jaskula-Sztul awarded O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center research grant

Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Renata Jaskula-Sztul, Ph.D., has won a two-year, $160,000 O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB grant- which is designed to enable competitive R01 applications- for her project "Inhibition of Medullary Thyroid Cancer Invasiveness by Targeting Voltage-gated Sodium Channels."

Hello, goodbye 2020: Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

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.That means that it is time for us to say goodbye to our trainees who have matched into fellowship programs or private practice. But, it is also time to say hello to our incoming residents from medical schools across the nation.In an ongoing series, the[…]

“I’m a best-case scenario” — heart, double-lung transplant gives UAB student new perspective

Cooper Pierce was 13 years old when doctors diagnosed him with pulmonary hypertension. He had a heart and double-lung transplant at UAB Hospital. Now, he is a student at UAB and hopes his story can inspire others.

Department of Surgery welcomes three new faculty

The UAB Department of Surgery has three new faculty joining in August: Foster Gaillard, M.D. (left), Matthew Romine, M.D. (middle), and Lacey Swenson, M.D. (right).

Phosphoprotein biomarkers to guide cancer therapy are identified

A study identifying biomarkers for certain neuroendocrine cancers demonstrates a novel approach for identifying and detecting tumor drivers, giving this diagnostic-therapeutic coupled system a broad translational potential.

UAB again ranked as best hospital in Alabama by U.S. News

UAB Hospital tops the list of best hospitals in Alabama again, according to US News & World Report.

Trauma/Burn ICU wins Hand in Paw award

UAB's Trauma Burn intensive care unit is honored for their use of therapy dogs.

Transplanting organs from hepatitis C-positive donors decreases wait time for recipients

Doctors at UAB are now able to safely transplant organs from hepatitis C-positive donors into uninfected recipients and then treat the patients with antiviral therapy.

Study: Women more likely than men to die waiting for a liver transplant

New evidence for sex disparity in liver transplants suggests a change may be needed in how livers are allocated.

COVID-19 is not the only health threat in town

Trauma centers are not as busy as usual, but injuries from falls and acts of violence are rising.

Sixteen faculty members named winners of 2020 Dean’s Excellence Awards

Sixteen outstanding faculty members have been named recipients of the 2020 Dean’s Excellence Awards in the areas of teaching, research, service, mentorship, and diversity.

Lindeman named 2020 Dean's Excellence Award Winner in Service

Brenessa Lindeman, M.D. MEHP, FACS, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, is a junior faculty recipient of the 2020 Dean's Excellence Award for Service.

Dudeja named director of UAB Division of Surgical Oncology

Dudeja is a leader in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases and chronic pancreatitis.

Uhlich and Hwang team up with Bham Face Masks to deliver 500 home face masks

Sick with COVID-19 herself, a UAB resident physician sews masks to help others.

Faculty editors share ways their journals are responding to COVID-19

Scientific journals tackle the tough questions with rigor. Learn the questions consuming these thought leaders in sociology, pathology, civil engineering and 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.

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.

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.

Study shows new surgical protective gear does not reduce surgical site infections

New guidelines for operating room attire to prevent surgical site infections may be ineffective.

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.

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