News - School of Medicine - Surgery

Hendershot elected vice-chair of surgical education committee

Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery Director of Education Kim Hendershot, M.D., was recently elected as vice-chair of the Association for Surgical Education (ASE) Graduate Surgical Education (GSE) committee.

AAPI Heritage Month, Part 1: Chen’s 2019 presidential address holds new truth in 2021

The School of Medicine is celebrating AAPI heritage, lineage, and legacy by telling the stories of several AAPI faculty around campus. To begin, Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair of the Department of Surgery, shares his story of family, adolescence, and medical training in an honest and candid oration.

Cardiac bypass surgeries declined in 2020, but outcomes show the procedures were done safely during the COVID-19 pandemic

CABG is a commonly performed, lifesaving surgery for patients with heart attacks and severe disease of the heart’s blood vessels. Avoiding a surgery like CABG due to fears of COVID-19 has “drastic implications.”

Alumni Spotlight: Marianne Cusick, M.D., FACS

This week, the UAB Department of Surgery is highlighting former general surgery resident, Marianne Cusick, M.D., now assistant professor of surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Cusick graduated the program in 2013.

Preventing vascular disease: four self-care tips for diabetes

Each year, the Amputee Coalition recognizes the month of April as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLAM) to honor its community and educate others about limb loss and limb difference.

Vickers named president of the American Surgical Association

Vickers, who is a world-renowned surgeon, pancreatic cancer researcher and pioneer in health disparities research, will take the reins of the foremost surgical association in the United States for 2021.

Uterus Transplant Program offers new hope

In October 2020, amid a global pandemic, the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute launched the Southeast’s first uterus transplant program — only the fourth of its kind in the United States.

Research team develops app to improve informed consent process for inguinal hernia surgery

A group of UAB researchers developed a web-based decision support tool in their recent publication, “Patient, Nurse, Medical Assistant, and Surgeon Perspectives Inform the Development of a Decision Support Tool for Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Qualitative Analysis” in the American Journal of Surgery.

Vickers named president of the American Surgical Association

Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, dean of the School of Medicine and senior vice president for Medicine, has been named president of the American Surgical Association.

Locke secures third R01 grant in four years

Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, is director of the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute and Division of Transplantation. In all, Locke’s three R01 grants have totaled more than $10.5 million.

Mullins featured in four-part UAB MedCast

General Surgery Resident PGY1 Haddon Mullins, M.D., alongside UAB Medicine Associate Dean of Clinical Education James Willig, M.D., was featured in a UAB MedCast podcast series about medical education.

UAB Surgery team finds racial disparities in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

A team of department faculty and trainees recently published their research “Prognostic Impact of Tumor Size on Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Recurrence May Have Racial Variance” in Pancreas.

UAB performs first endovascular aortic arch repair in Alabama

The Endospan TRIOMPHE study will enroll patients at up to 30 centers in the United States to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the NEXUS™ aortic arch stent graft system.

Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery names section chiefs

Helen Krontiras, M.D., director of the Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, has named Catherine Parker, M.D., chief of the Section of Breast Surgery and Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, FACS, chief of the Section of Endocrine Surgery.

CCF Take Steps on May 1

Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery fundraising efforts are underway for their 2021 Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCF) Take Steps walk team “Operation Deep Remission.”

Observing LLAM month with Jenni van der Kamp

Each year, the Amputee Coalition recognizes the month of April as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLAM) to honor its community and educate others about limb loss and limb difference.

Pediatric surgery faculty and fellows featured on March cover of JSR

The Journal of Surgical Research featured “The Disturbing Findings of Pediatric Firearm Injuries From the National Trauma Data Bank: 2010-2016” on the cover of the March issue.

Locke secures third R01 grant in four years

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases (NIDDK) has awarded Director of the Comprehensive Transplant Institute and Division of Transplantation Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, a five-year R01 grant amounting to approximately $3.2 million.

Team of UAB doctors performs new procedure for rare GI melanoma

Anorectal melanoma is often misdiagnosed and most often as hemorrhoids, adenocarcinoma polyps and rectal cancer.

Pediatric surgery faculty, staff, trainees featured on cover of JSR

The Journal of Surgical Research featured the research of Michelle Mathis MPH, program manager II, Tosin Badewa, former PRISM student, Ruth Obiarinze, M.D., researcher II, Linda Wilkinson, CRNP, Colin Martin, M.D., vice chair of diversity, equity and inclusion, on the cover of the April issue.

Department welcomes Collins

Dalis E. Collins, D.V.M., DACLAM, joined the UAB Department of Surgery as an assistant professor in March 2021.

Killian receives 2021 ATC Young Investigator Award

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) awarded Cozette Killian, M.D. MPH, General Surgery Research Resident and UAB Transplant Epidemiology and Analytics in Medicine (TEAM) lab member, the Young Investigator Award.

UAB Surgery supports PanCAN’s PurpleStride Alabama

On Saturday, Apr. 10, the UAB Department of Surgery and UAB Medicine will host the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s (PanCAN)PurpleStride Alabama, which participants can join from wherever they are.

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, My Gene Counsel partner to boost genetic testing, improve precision cancer care

This digital solution will help doctors offer patients timely genetic testing for hereditary cancer, greater clinical support and counseling, coupled with shorter wait times and more counselors to expand into other clinical areas when needed.

Corey and Cannon appointed to AAS Program Committee

The Association for Academic Surgery appointed Britney Corey, M.D., FACS, General Surgery Residency program director, and Robert Cannon, M.D., Liver Transplant Program surgical director, to the national Program Committee.

General Surgery Residency welcomes new trainees

After a successful Match Day 2021, the General Surgery Residency program will welcome nine new trainees this summer, including a preliminary PGY2 resident.

Breaking the Stigma Around Colorectal Cancer

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 (GI) seeks to change that.

When COVID-19 came calling, UAB researchers were prepared

Responding to a challenge like none other, investigators made crucial discoveries, developed new treatments and went above and beyond to serve the campus community and beyond.

Alumni Spotlight: Sophie Dream, M.D.

This week, the UAB Department of Surgery is highlighting former Endocrine Surgery Fellow, Sophie Dream, M.D., who graduated the program in 2019.

Yang receives SUS inaugural trailblazer award

George Yang, M.D., Ph.D., was nominated by his peers for his sense of integrity, dedication and leadership to the promotion of Asians in the academic surgery setting.

Parmar, Corey and Romine discuss hernia myths

Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Abhisek Parmar, M.D., Director of the General Surgery Residency Program Britney Corey, M.D., and Clinical Instructor Matthew Romine, M.D., were recently featured in a UAB Medicine video outlining the myths surrounding hernias.

Match Week 2021

Match Week is an exciting week that leads up to Match Day, which is a day when residents across the nation find out which residency programs they have "matched" into and where they will be for the next three-seven years of their career.

More than 1,100 employees to be honored with annual service awards

This year, the university recognizes 50 years of service by Jeanne Hutchison, Ph.D., and Ferdinand Urthaler, M.D., and 45 years of service by Robert Kim M.D., and Joseph Lovetto. In addition, 294 employees with 20 or more years and 904 with five, 10 and 15 years will honored for their longevity.

Martin re-elected to the SUS Membership Committee

Department of Surgery Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Colin Martin, M.D., was recently re-elected to the Society of University Surgeons (SUS) Membership Committee and will serve until the 2023 Academic Surgical Congress.

Tao promoted to assistant professor

The Department of Surgery would like to congratulate Zhuo Tao, M.D., on her recent promotion from instructor to assistant professor.

Apply for the 2021-22 Junior Faculty Exchange Program

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and limitations on travel, we would like to plan for the 2021-2022 academic year and proceed with our Junior Faculty Exchange Program selection.

UAB Surgery places first in ODI 2021 Virtual Diversity Fair

The Department of Surgery recently submitted their diversity dish–the multicultural pizza–to the 2021 Office of Diversity and Inclusion Diversity Fair and took home first place in the competition.

Faculty to support LMSA national conference

Department of Surgery Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Colin Martin, M.D., and General Surgery Residency Program Director Britney Corey, M.D., will be a resource for interested students at the Latino Medical Student Association national conference.

Virtual 2021 Match Day ceremony set for March 19

The School of Medicine will celebrate Match Day 2021 virtually on Friday, March 19.

Celebrating Black History Month: Interview with Gooden

In honor of Black History Month, Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, and General Surgery Resident Juliet Okoroh, M.D., sat down with Abdominal Transplant Surgeon Christie Gooden, M.D., MPH, who was the first African American female to graduate from the UAB General Surgery Residency Program in 2009.

General Surgery Residency announces new administrative, education chiefs

From left to right: Drs. Uhlich, Rajaei and BakerUpcoming PGY5 General Surgery Residents Rindi Uhlich, M.D., and Mohammad Rajaei, M.D. have been selected as administrative chiefs, while Samantha Baker, M.D., MSHPed, will serve as education chief for the 2021-2022 academic year.

DEI committee 2020 recap

Last June, the UAB Department of Surgery established a committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), led by Vice Chair Colin Martin, M.D., FACS.

Department announces two new endowed chairs

Professor and Director of the Division of Plastic Surgery Jorge de la Torre, M.D., MSHA, is the new Bruce F. Connell Chair in Plastic Surgery, and Professor and Director of the Division of Transplantation Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, has been named the Arnold G. Diethelm Endowed Chair in Transplantation Surgery.

Carter joins Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery as an instructor

The Department of Surgery welcomes Angela Carter, Ph.D., to the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and the laboratory of Dr. Aurelio Galli, as an instructor.

American Heart Month: tips for heart surgery recovery

February is American Heart Month and is dedicated to raising awareness and increasing knowledge about heart disease, with the goal of preventing and treating heart disease across the US.

Dudeja and Lindeman named AAS committee co-chairs

Associate Professor and Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology Vikas Dudeja, M.B.B.S., and Vice Chair for Wellness Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, FACS, have been named co-chairs of the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Publications Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, respectively.

Locke and Mrug receive AMC 21 2020/21 Multi-PI Awards

Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, and Michal Mrug, M.D., have been awarded the AMC21 2020/21 Multi-PI grants for projects that will develop advancements in scientific discovery and accelerate biomedical research at UAB.

Blakeslee-Carter wins SAVS ePoster competition

Alongside UAB School of Medicine Medical Student Hunter Boudreau, UAB Vascular Surgery Resident Juliet Blakeslee-Carter, M.D., won the 2021 Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS) ePoster competition.

Hoopes to present at UAB COVID Forum

Department of Surgery Professor Charles Hoopes, M.D., will present at the UAB COVID Forum, End-Stage Heart and Lung Disease in the Era of COVID-19. The virtual event will be held on Mar. 5 from 1-5 p.m. CST.

Beck elected secretary-treasurer of SAVS

Professor and Director of the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy and Holt A. McDowell, Jr., M.D., Endowed Chair in Vascular Surgery Adam Beck, M.D., has been appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS).

McFarland to join AOA honor society

Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Graeme McFarland, M.D., was recently elected to the national Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society chapter at UAB.

Reed awarded UAB PREP grant

Division of Transplantation Assistant Professor Rhiannon Deierhoi Reed, DrPH, MPH, has been awarded a $25,000 UAB Palliative Research Enhancement Project (PREP) grant.

Locke and Reed publish commentary on kidney transplantation

Division of Transplantation Assistant Professor Rhiannon, Reed MPH, DrPH and Mark H. Deierhoi Endowed Professor in Surgery and Director of the Division of Transplantation Jayme Locke M.D., MPH, were published in Lippincott Research Beta (LWW Journals).

UAB Surgery boasts highest number of abstracts at 2021 ASC

Academic Surgical Congress LogoThough the 16 Annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC) looked different than previous years, the UAB Department of Surgery still ranked number one in abstract submissions, the fourth year in a row that the department has held that distinction.

Killian receives 2021 Young Innovator Award

General Surgery Research Resident Cozette Killian, M.D. MPH, recently received the 2021 Young Innovator Award from the American Society of Transplantation. Killian received the award for her abstract submission, “Living Donor Kidney Transplantation Racial Disparities Persist Independent of Social Vulnerability.”

Dabal recognized for leading the nation in Norwood Procedure results

UAB Department of Surgery Associate Professor and A.D. Pacifico, M.D., Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery Robert Dabal, M.D., has been recognized for his role in performing a high number of successful Norwood procedures at Children’s of Alabama.

UAB SWIFT team saves life with in-the-field amputation

On January 25, 2021, an EF-3 tornado ripped through the community of Fultondale, Alabama. The 100-year-old oak tree in Arnoldo Vasquez-Hernandez’s yard did not stand up to the 150 mph winds that evening.

Yang receives SUS Inaugural Trailblazer Award

UAB Department of Surgery Professor and Vice Chair for VA Affairs at the Birmingham Veteran’s Affair’s Hospital, George Yang, M.D., Ph.D., was named the inaugural Society of University Surgeons (SUS) Trailblazer Award Recipient.

Martin to join AOA honor society

Department of Surgery Associate Professor Colin Martin, M.D., FACS, was recently elected to the national Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society chapter at UAB.

Locke elected councilor-at-large for Society of University Surgeons

Mark H. Deierhoi Endowed Professor in Surgery and Director of the Division of Transplantation Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, has been elected councilor-at-large of scholarship for the Society of University Surgeons (SUS).

Women in Surgery Spotlight: Ransom

Holder helps establish multidisciplinary tumor board

Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Ashley Holder, M.D., alongside Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor Lisa Kafchinski, M.D., Division of Hematology Oncology Instructor Victor Lin, M.D., Ph.D., and Department of Radiation Oncology Assistant Professor Samuel Marcrom, M.D., have launched a multi-disciplinary tumor board focusing solely on sarcomas.

Black History Month, Part 1: Remembering the roots of our community and taking action

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black/African American individuals, recognize the central role of the Black/African American community, and highlight the importance of racial justice and equity.

Dean’s Excellence Awards 2021: nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Dean’s Excellence Awards.

Get Ready for UAB @ #ASC2021

UAB Jeopardy Team at 2020 ASCAs the UAB Department of Surgery prepares for the 16th Annual Academic Surgical Congress, which is virtual this year – we’ve made available a spreadsheet of our 72 presenters (with times & topic information) who are affiliated with UAB or who have authored presentations affiliated with our UAB Surgery faculty. 2021 UAB Presentations at ASC - Excel document Don’t forget to share your experience at ASC with us on Twitter by mentioning @UABSurgery and using the hashtag #ASC2021. You can also read more about last year’s ASC, where UAB also won the abstract competition with a total of 121 presentations.

UAB honors memory of Arnold Diethelm, pioneering transplant surgeon

Diethelm was chair of the UAB Department of Surgery, and built the UAB transplant program.

Wei selected for membership in the AATS

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Associate Professor Benjamin Wei, M.D., has been selected for membership in the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). Wei also serves as the program director of the UAB Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency.

2021 Pittman Scholars announced

Ten faculty members in the School of Medicine have been named the 2021 class of James A. Pittman Jr., M.D., Scholars.

Vaccination questions answered by UAB medical professionals

With misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines rife, turn to trusted medical professionals at UAB’s Department of Medicine for the straight dope.

Cannon hits career milestone, performs most robotic colorectal resections of any female surgeon in U.S.

Cannon has performed more robotic colorectal resections than any other female surgeon in the country, and the second most amongst all academic surgeons.

Rudraraju leads team to second place in AHA COVID-19 challenge

The challenge focuses on understanding the relationships between health conditions, health disparities and social determinants of health at the county level that may bring a higher burden of illness or mortality due to COVID-19.

These employees went from pandemic to ‘Pomp and Circumstance’

Meet four more hardworking staff who completed their degrees this month.

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.

UAB establishes uterus transplant program

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

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.

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.

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.

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