UAB - School of Medicine - Surgery

Jansen awarded U34 grant for TROOP trial

By Ashton CookThis month, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Research for the Division of Acute Care Surgery Jan Jansen, MBBS, Ph.D., received a U34 Planning Grant from the National Institutes of Health to support his work on a new clinical trial.

Two more faculty join Department of Surgery

Dr. Prasanth PatchaDr. Lee RobersonBy Ashton CookThe UAB Department of Surgery welcomes two new faculty members this summer: Prasanth Patcha, M.D., MEng., and Lee Roberson, M.D.Following his fellowship in microsurgery at the University of Gent in Belgium, Patcha has returned to the UAB Division of Plastic Surgery as an assistant professor after he graduated from its Plastic Surgery Residency Program in 2018.Roberson is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery and practices in Montgomery, Alabama, at the new UAB Multispecialty Clinic at Baptist Medical Center South.

UAB Surgery Faculty Retreat brings new mission, vision to department

Department of Surgery faculty and staff developed a new mission and vision for the department at this year’s UAB Surgery Faculty Retreat on Aug. 17.

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.

Department welcomes 5 new faculty

The UAB Department of Surgery will soon gain five new faculty members.

Department welcomes 5 new faculty

The UAB Department of Surgery will soon gain five new faculty members.

Hello, goodbye 2019: Breast Oncology Fellowship

More than 1,200 interns, residents and fellows train in every medical specialty at UAB in Birmingham, at our regional campuses in Montgomery, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, and in our program in Selma.In an ongoing series, UAB Surgery will feature incoming and outgoing trainees for all the department’s programs. In this week’s installment, learn about the Society of Surgical Oncology Breast Oncology Fellowship at UAB.

King to co-chair AOCMF course

The Division of Plastic Surgery’s Timothy W. King, M.D., Ph.D., will co-chair the AOCMF course, “Management of Facial Trauma,” in Atlanta, Georgia, Sept. 7-8.Dr. Timothy King

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.

PRISM, SURE students present summer research

Alabama School of Fine Arts and UAB PRISM student Oluwatosin Badewa presents her research, "A Novel Application of Artificial Intelligence to Assess Diversity in Surgical Performance," at the PRISM and SURE presentation reception in Wallace Tumor Institute on July 24. (Photo by Rebecca Turner)Last month, five high school students from the Department of Surgery's Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds and 10 undergraduate students from the department's Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience presented the research projects they completed this summer under the mentorship of UAB Surgery faculty.

Mazzoni receives Brewer-Heslin Endowed Award for Professionalism in Medicine

Sara Mazzoni, M.D., MPH, an associate professor in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the winner of this year’s Brewer-Heslin Endowed Award for Professionalism in Medicine.

Marayati wins best resident research presentation at regional ACS meeting

By Ashton CookGeneral surgery resident Raoud Marayati, M.D., a researcher in the lab of the Division of Pediatric Surgery’s Elizabeth Beierle, M.D., received the award for best resident research presentation at last month’s annual meeting of the Alabama and Mississippi Chapters of the American College of Surgeons.

Hello, goodbye 2019: Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency and Fellowship

More than 1,200 interns, residents and fellows train in every medical specialty at UAB in Birmingham, at our regional campuses in Montgomery, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, and in our program in Selma.In an ongoing series, the Department of Surgery will feature incoming and outgoing trainees for all UAB Surgery programs. This week, learn about those joining and leaving the Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency Program and the Vascular Surgery Fellowship.

McFarland receives mentorship traveling fellowship

On Monday, the American College of Surgeons named UAB Assistant Professor of Surgery Graeme McFarland, M.D., its 2019 Gerald B. Healy, M.D., FACS, Mentorship Traveling Fellow.

Keppley joins Department of Surgery as communications director

The UAB Department of Surgery welcomes its new communications director this month, Marissa Keppley, MBA. Prior to this position, Keppley worked in the UAB Health System Department of Marketing and Communications as the physician marketing manager.

Lindeman to participate in new UAB Healthcare Educators Academy

By Ashton CookAs the UAB Healthcare Educators Academy prepares to launch in September, Assistant Professor of Surgery Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, gets ready to join the Academy's first class of mentees.

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.

Hattaway awarded summer research fellowship

UAB medical student and Ren Lab member Reagan Hattaway is preparing to wrap up the last of her research training next week as this summer’s UAB School of Medicine Physician Scientist Development Fellow.

Kirklin begins term as president of AHA Southeast’s board of directors

Dr. James KirklinEarlier this month, James Kirklin, M.D., professor of cardiothoracic surgery and director of the UAB James and John Kirklin Institute for Research in Surgical Outcomes, started his term as the new acting president of the board of directors of the American Heart Association’s Greater Southeast Affiliate.

Department of Surgery names Lindeman wellness champion

By Ashton CookAssistant Professor of Surgical Oncology Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, was recently chosen to serve as the new wellness champion for the Department of Surgery.

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.

Russell selected for UAB/UF Faculty Exchange

By Ashton CookRobert Russell, M.D., was recently chosen to represent UAB at the University of Florida next year, as part of the inaugural UAB/UF Associate Professor Faculty Exchange Program.

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.

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.

Hendershot appointed chair of state ACS Committee on Trauma

The Division of Acute Care Surgery’s Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., FACS, was recently appointed the chair of the American College of Surgeons Alabama Committee on Trauma.

Tanner named director of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

Lauren Tanner, M.D., has been named the new director of the UAB Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. A 2016 graduate of the fellowship, Tanner steps into this position as an assistant professor in the Division of Acute Care Surgery, associate program director of the UAB General Surgery Residency and co-director of the UAB Women in Surgery Program.

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.

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.

Hernias: why they hurt and what can be done

Most people refrain from calling attention to an unusual bulge in their lower abdomen. But it could be a potentially dangerous condition that needs to be discussed with your doctor right away.

UAB creates integrated program to manage diseases of the pancreas, bile ducts

A new UAB center will serve as a state-wide resource for patients with diseases of the pancreas and bile ducts.

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.

Clearing a xenotransplantation hurdle: detecting infectious agents in pigs

Sensitive, specific assays are needed to ensure the safety of inter-species transplants for patients needing new organs like kidneys and hearts.

Hello, goodbye 2018: Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

More than 1,200 interns, residents and fellows train in every medical specialty at UAB in Birmingham, at our regional campuses in Montgomery, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, and in our program in Selma. In an ongoing series, the Department of Surgery will feature incoming and outgoing trainees for all UAB Surgery programs. This week, learn about the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship.

Three new faculty join department in August

Dr. John McKinney Dr. Eric Schinnerer Dr. Michael HernonThree incoming faculty will join the UAB Department of Surgery this month, taking positions in the divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Acute Care Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery.

Nation’s longest single-site kidney chain reaches 100

High-tech medicine and human kindness combine in UAB’s ongoing kidney chain, a series of transplant surgeries that have given 101 people a new lease on life.

Bariatric surgery is effective under the right circumstances

When you struggle with weight issues, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by your weight loss options and dismayed by setbacks.

Former resident, fellow receives award while on faculty at UNC

Dr. Lauren RaffAssistant Professor in the Division of General and Acute Care Surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, as well as 2016 graduate of the UAB General Surgery Residency Program and 2017 graduate of the UAB Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Lauren Raff, M.D., was recently awarded the UNC Department of Surgery’s Rookie of the Year Award. This annual award is presented by the Department’s general surgery chief residents and recognizes Raff for her impact on resident education.

State puts forth resolution to recognize National Stop the Bleed Day

The Alabama House of Representatives recently signed a resolution to observe National Stop the Bleed Day on March 31 and Alabama Trauma Awareness Day on March 21. The resolution encourages all Alabama citizens, particularly education administrators and faculty, to participate in the Stop the Bleed initiative and learn more about the importance of bleeding control measures.UAB's trauma team has heavily promoted the national Stop the Bleed initiative and has also provided #StoptheBleed training to local schools.

Novel procedure shortens stay for melanoma patients

Melanoma is highly capable of spreading and can be deadly rapidly if not treated.

Local eighth-grader gets hands-on experience on her two passions — robotics and surgery

A 13-year-old girl gets to have a special training experience with UAB surgeons during robotics surgery celebration.

UAB leads the nation in robotic surgeries after more than 10,000

Surgeons across UAB Medicine are working together to enhance robotic surgery, cementing UAB as a national leader in the field.

Locke wins ACTS Distinguished Investigator Award

The Association for Clinical and Translational Science awarded its Distinguished Investigator Award for Translation into Public Benefit and Policy to kidney transplant surgeon, researcher.

Bilateral lung transplant provides Montgomery teen chance to graduate, better future

After living with pulmonary fibrosis for 15 years, Quintarius Daniels received a life-changing lung transplant that has helped him live the life he has always wanted.

Good news for weekend warriors — UAB Orthopaedics opens sports medicine clinic

UAB Orthopaedics’ new sports medicine clinic features five physicians specially trained in managing sports-related injuries.

UAB celebrates 50th anniversary of first transplant in Alabama

Since 1968, UAB Medicine has performed more than 14,000 life-saving organ transplants.

Air Force surgeon to become trauma medical director

The Division of Acute Care Surgery welcomes a new trauma medical director this summer with the addition Daniel B. Cox, M.D. Cox is currently an active-duty Air Force surgeon assigned as the medical director for en route care in the Office of the Command Surgeon, Air Mobility Command. He also serves as a clinically active trauma and emergency general surgeon in the Department of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery at the University of Cincinnati.

Students, resident teachers, faculty instructors attend 3rd annual Surgery Boot Camp

The Department of Surgery recently hosted the third annual Surgery Boot Camp at UAB. Surgery Boot Camp is a two-week course designed to help fourth-year medical students prepare for their surgical internship year. This year’s event, held March 26 – April 6, saw 15 student participants, all of whom had matched into surgery-related specialties such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery or obstetrics and gynecology.

Kidney transplant recipients save time, money thanks to telehealth

Kidney transplant recipients used to have to come to UAB for their post-transplant appointments. But thanks to telehealth, they no longer have to travel long distances to see their doctors.

Department of Surgery hosts Society of Black Academic Surgeons 28th Annual Meeting

The UAB Department of Surgery hosted the Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS) 28th Annual Meeting last week. More than 200 surgeons from all over the country traveled to Birmingham to attend the meeting.

Alabama Organ Center celebrates National Donate Life Month, National Blue & Green Day

More than 30 percent of Alabamians are registered to be organ donors, but more are needed.

UAB to celebrate 50th anniversary of first transplant in Alabama

Since 1968, UAB surgeons have performed more than 14,000 transplants.

Spindle cell sarcoma: rare but not to be ignored

A Dothan man is back on the hiking trail following a rare soft tissue tumor treated by UAB’s “Sarcoma King.”

Two faculty members receive RIME faculty development funding

Cordelia Stearns, M.D., and Brenessa Lindeman, MD, MEHP, were selected to receive the 2018 Research and Innovations in Medical Education (RIME) Faculty Development Award. Both Stearns and Lindeman received $7,500, which will go toward the 2019 Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions.

Medical students prepare for Surgery Boot Camp

From March 26 – April 6, UAB medical students will attend the Department of Surgery’s annual Surgery Boot Camp in order to prepare for their upcoming internships. Surgery Boot Camp gives students interested in pursuing surgery or a related procedure-based specialty the opportunity to attend interactive lectures, work in hands-on skills stations and take part in real-to-life patient simulations.

Blood stored longer may be less safe for patients with massive blood loss and shock

In a collaborative study using a mouse model, University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers from the departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Biostatistics, Emergency Medicine, Pathology, and Surgery have found mechanistic links between older stored red blood cell transfusions and subsequent bacterial pneumonia.

New faculty joining Department of Surgery

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery welcomes three new faculty this month: Christopher G. A. McGregor, M.B., F.R.C.S., M.D. (Hon.); Guerard W. Byrne, Ph.D., and Rongbing Xie, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.

Kerby to serve on ACS trauma committees

Dr. Jeffrey KerbyDivision of Acute Care Surgery Director Jeffrey Kerby, M.D., Ph.D., was recently selected to serve on the Executive Committee of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Kerby will also serve as chair of the Membership Committee of the ACS Committee on Trauma.

UAB announced as SIREN participant

The UAB Department of Surgery has recently been announced as a participant in the SIREN network. SIREN, short for Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network, seeks to enable the conduct of high-quality, multi-site clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients who experience neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, hematologic and trauma emergency events.

Corey, Hendershot elected to AAS Education Committee

Dr. Britney CoreyThe Division of Acute Care Surgery’s Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., and the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery’s Britney Corey, M.D., were recently elected to the Association for Academic Surgery’s Education Committee.Dr. Kimberly Hendershot

Hendershot, Krontiras chosen for UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy

Helen Krontiras, M.D.Dr. Helen Krontiras, director of the Division of Surgical Oncology, and Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., from the Division of Acute Care Surgery were recently accepted into the 2017-18 UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy training program.

New faculty recruits join UAB Surgery

This month, the Department of Surgery welcomes several new faculty recruits to the UAB family.

CIREN, Carroll awarded NHTSA funding

Dr. Shannon CarrollThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has again selected UAB as a medical center for the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network (CIREN) Program. The current award is $2.3 million over a period of five years, and the Division of Acute Care Surgery’s Shannon Carroll, M.D., serves as the principal investigator. The mission of the CIREN is to improve the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of motor vehicle crash injuries to reduce deaths, disabilities, and human and economic costs. UAB has served as a medical center for CIREN since 2010.

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