Professor
Director, Trauma Program, Children's of Alabama
Areas of Interest
minimally invasive pediatric surgery, pediatric trauma, neonatal surgery, quality improvement and outcomes research
Biography
Dr. Russell obtained his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University, graduating summa cum laude with a obtaining a BA in European History. He began his medical education at the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating in 2003. He completed his surgical residency in general surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During his residency, Dr. Russell also completed a Master’s in Public Health from Vanderbilt University in 2008. He completed his pediatric surgical training at Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, in 2012. .Dr. Russell then joined the faculty at UAB in 2012 as an assistant professor of surgery. In February 2013, he was appointed the Director of Pediatric Trauma at Children’s of Alabama. Dr. Russell also serves in several other capacities at Children’s of Alabama, including Surgeon Champion for the Pediatric Surgery Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP-P), member of the Quality Improvement Council, and Physician Champion for the Surgical Site Infection Improvement Collaborative. He has a particular interest in pediatric trauma, minimally invasive surgery, and surgical outcomes research.
Dr. Russell’s clinical interests include minimally invasive pediatric surgery, pediatric trauma, and neonatal surgery. Dr. Russell’s research interests focus on mechanisms and translational questions regarding acute traumatic coagulopathy in the pediatric trauma population. He also focuses research on quality improvement/clinical outcomes in pediatric surgery.
Selected Publications
Shroyer MC, Griffin RL, Mortellaro VE, Russell RT. Massive Transfusion in Pediatric Trauma: Analysis of the National Trauma Databank. Journal of Surgical Research 2017; 208: 166-172. PMID: 27993204.
Russell RT, Christiaans SC, Nice T, Banks M, Mortellaro VP, Morgan C, Duhachek- Stapelman A, Lisco SJ, Kerby JD, Wagener BM, Chen MK, Pittet JF. Histone- complexed DNA fragment levels are associated with coagulopathy, endothelial cell damage, and increased mortality after severe pediatric trauma. Shock, 2018. 49(1): 44-52. PMID: 28509684.
Russell RT, McDaniel J, Cao W, Shroyer M, Wagener BM, Zheng XL, Pittet JF. Low Plasma ADAMTS13 Activity is Associated with Coagulopathy, Endothelial Cell Damage and Mortality after Severe Pediatric Trauma. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2018. 118(2) 157-162. PMID: 29618154.
Russell RT, Bauer DF, Goobie SM, Haas T, Nellis ME, Nishijima DK, Vogel AM, Lacroix J. Plasma and platelet transfusion strategies in children following severe trauma, traumatic brain injury and/or intracranial hemorrhage: From the Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative – Control/Avoidance of Bleeding (TAXI-CAB). Pediatric Critical Care Medicine January 2022; Supplement 1: e14-24. PMID: 34989702.
Russell RT, Esparaz JR, Beckwith MA, Abraham PJ, Bembea MM, Borgman MA, Burd RS, Gaines BA, Jafri M, Josephson CD, Leeper C, Leonard JC, Muszynski JA, Nicol KK, Nishijima DK, Stricker PA, Vogel AM, Wong TE, Spinella PC. Pediatric Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock Consensus Conference Recommendations. J Trauma Acute Care Surg Jan 1, 2023; 94(1S Suppl 1):S2-S10. PMID: 36245074.
Russell RT, Bembea MM, Borgman MA, Burd RS, Gaines BA, Jafri M, Josephson CD, Leeper C, Leonard JC, Muszynski JA, Nicol KK, Nishijima DK, Stricker PA, Vogel AM, Wong TE, Spinella PC. Pediatric Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock Consensus Conference Research Priorities. J Trauma Acute Care Surg Jan 1, 2023; 94(1S Suppl 1):S11-S18. PMID: 36203242. 105.
Russell RT, Leeper CM, Spinella PC. Damage Control Resuscitation in Pediatric Trauma: What You Need to Know. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, June 12, 2023. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37314396.
Honors and Awards
Phi Beta Kappa
Alpha Omega Alpha
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, Division of UAB Pediatric Surgery, 2022
Education
Medical School
Medical University of South Carolina
Residency
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
General Surgery
Fellowship
Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University
Pediatric Surgery
Contact
Campus Address
Lowder 300
Phone
Patient Appointments and Questions: 205-638-9688
Academic Office: 205-638-2192