A Newsletter for the Departments of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery

at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

February 2026

Scerbo Named Memorial Hermann Cypress Physician of the Year

Please join us in congratulating Michelle Scerbo, MD, MS, FACS, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, who has been named Memorial Hermann Cypress Physician of the Year for 2025.

Scerbo was honored during a December 11 celebration recognizing exceptional individuals whose dedication makes a meaningful impact on patients, colleagues, and the broader community. This annual event highlights outstanding nominees and recipients across multiple categories, including physician, employee, and volunteer of the year.

This well-deserved recognition reflects Dr. Scerbo’s commitment to excellence in patient care, leadership, and service. We are proud to celebrate her achievement and the positive influence she continues to have at Memorial Hermann Cypress and within our academic surgical community.

Alex Chang, MD, Joins Abdominal Organ Transplantation Division

Please join us in welcoming Alex L. Chang, MD, FACS, who has joined the Division of Abdominal Organ Transplantation in the Department of Surgery as associate professor of surgery and surgical director of kidney and pancreas transplantation.

Dr. Chang brings extensive experience in multi-organ transplantation, robotics, surgical education, and outcomes research. In his new role, he will collaborate with division and institute leadership to expand kidney and living donor transplant programs, launch the pancreas transplant program this spring, and advance innovative surgical technologies across transplantation.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Chang to the department and look forward to the expertise and leadership he brings as we continue strengthening transplant services at UTHealth Houston. 

Plastic Surgery Faculty & Trainees Contribute to National Microsurgery Meeting

Plastic Surgery faculty and trainees represented the Department of Surgery at the 2026 American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) Annual Meeting, contributing in multiple leadership and scholarly roles.

Annie Wang, MD, MSc, FRCSC, assistant professor of surgery, and Klara Sputova, MD, assistant professor of surgery, moderated several scientific panels. Drs. Wang, Sputova, and Mohin Bhadkamkar, MD, assistant professor of surgery, also served as expert faculty for the Microsurgical Skills Course.

Scholarly work from the program was well represented by Imran Rizvi, MD, plastic surgery resident, and medical students Bennett Cleff, Kate Liao, and Anthony Basta, who collectively presented four papers highlighting the division’s clinical and research excellence.

UTHealth Houston Trauma Faculty and Trainees Shine at EAST 2026

The Division of Acute Care Surgery was well represented at the 2026 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) Annual Meeting, with faculty and trainees presenting impactful research across a wide range of trauma topics.

James Klugh, MD, MS, general surgery, resident, presented “Dronabinol on the Pain Experience (DOPE): A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial.” He did an outstanding job and was recognized as one of the winners of the resident competition. This single-center randomized trial was funded in part by a Trauma Research Scholarship awarded to Krislynn Mueck, MD, MPH, MS, assistant professor of surgery, and was supported by the Center for Translational Injury Research (CeTIR).

Devi Bavishi, MD, general surgery resident, shared findings from “Prevalence of Early Antibody Formation Following Transfusion of Rh(D)+ Whole Blood: An Assessment of 1,652 Bleeding Trauma Patients.” Michael Van Gent, DO, staff physician, presented “Executing Balanced Resuscitation in Bleeding Combat Casualties: Good Versus Good Enough?”

Renee Walker Green, MD, general surgery resident, presented during the “Engage the Experts” session, in which a panel comments on management options, pitfalls, and innovations related to complex cases. Her presentation was titled “The Vascular Trifecta: A Hybrid Approach to a Unique Problem in Vascular Trauma.”

Michael Wandling, MD, MS, assistant professor of surgery, delivered an invited talk on behalf of Sasha Adams, MD, professor of surgery, who was serving as a juror in a local trial. The presentation was part of the Geriatric Trauma Education session and was titled “Geriatric Trauma Protocols: What Goes Into a High-Impact Order Set?”

Michael Wandling, MD, MS, and Thaddeus Puzio, MD, MS, attended the EAST Leadership Development Workshop held prior to the annual meeting. Both received scholarships to participate in this competitive, multi-year program.

These presentations reflect the breadth of clinical expertise and innovation within the UTHealth Houston trauma community. The receipt of multiple research and leadership development scholarships further underscores the strength of its faculty and trainees. Congratulations to all who attended, as well as to their mentors and co-authors.

Highlights from the Geriatric Trauma Symposium 2026

The Geriatric Trauma Symposium 2026 was held January 30 at TMC3 Helix Park, bringing together a multi-disciplinary audience of clinicians to address ongoing challenges in the care of older injured adults. Topics included prevention and treatment of fragility fractures, recognition and management of occult hypoperfusion, navigating complex goals-of-care discussions, and designing age-friendly living environments.

Speakers represented a broad range of specialties, including geriatrics, endocrinology, trauma and orthopedic surgery, pulmonary and critical care medicine, nursing, and ethics. Featured speakers included John Harvin, MD, MS, FACS, professor of surgery and trauma medical director at Memorial Hermann-Katy; Michael Wandling, MD, MS, FACS, assistant professor of surgery, chief of trauma, and trauma medical director at Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center; Andreea Xavier, MD, associate professor; Gina Khraish, MD, associate professor; and Ezenwa Onyema, MD, FMS, FACP, FHM, assistant professor. Xavier, Khraish, and Onyema are geriatric hospitalists and members of the geriatric trauma team at Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center.

The symposium also highlighted trainee scholarship through a poster competition. Ashna Karpe, a third-year medical student at McGovern Medical School, received first place for her poster, “Acceptability of a Video-Based Tool for Code Status Discussions in Older Adults and their Surrogates After Trauma.” Her senior mentor was Thaddeus Puzio, MD, director of critical care and assistant professor of surgery. Gabriel Dominguez, also a third-year medical student, tied for third place for his poster, “Gender and Aspirin Effects on Transfusion in Geriatric Trauma.” Mentored by Gina Khraish, MD, associate professor in the Division of Hospitalist Medicine in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Gabriela Barrios and Noah Fulcomer also presented posters representing research conducted through the Red Duke Trauma Institute’s geriatric trauma service.

Xavier and Puzio served on the symposium's planning committee. 

Recognizing a Milestone for Harris Health

UTHealth Houston faculty and staff joined Harris Health leaders earlier this month for a topping-off ceremony at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, marking the placement of the final beam in the construction of the new hospital building. The event also coincided with the kickoff of Harris Health’s 60th anniversary year, celebrating six decades of service to patients and communities across Harris County.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

Department of Surgery Staff Join in Celebrating American Heart Month

Department of Surgery and CeTIR staff joined colleagues across UTHealth Houston in celebrating American Heart Month, participating in campus activities that promoted heart health, awareness, and community engagement, including the UT System Heart Walk and Go Red Day.

SAVE THE DATE

Publications of Note

Burns B, Nolan B, Ferguson I, Peddle M, Partyka C, Healy G, Shackelford S, Cotton B. Prehospital transfusion strategies in haemorrhagic shock. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2026 Jan 22. doi: 10.1186/s13049-026-01547-y. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41572307.

Martinez Ugarte S, Fajemisin MO, Guy-Frank CJ, Rieger WD, Green RW, Harvin JA, Kao LS. Are Fewer Damage Control Laparotomies Associated with a Decrease in the Rate and Severity of Surgical Site Infections? Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2026 Feb 1:10962964261419732. doi: 10.1177/10962964261419732. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41622668.

Remick KE, Foster AA, Jensen AR, Williams RF, Stone E, Joseph M, Conners GP, Brown K, Gausche-Hill M, American College of Emergency Physicians (Pediatric Emergency Dept), Emergency Nurses Association (Pediatric Comm), American College of Surgeons (Comm on Trauama - Kao L), American Academy of Pediatrics (Comm on Pediatric Emergency Medicine).Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2026 Feb 1;157(2):e2025075318. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-075318. PMID: 41556937.

Remick KE, Foster AA, Jensen AR, Williams RF, Stone E, Joseph M, Conners GP, Brown K, Gausche-Hill M, American College of Emergency Physicians (Pediatric Emergency Dept), Emergency Nurses Association (Pediatric Comm), American College of Surgeons (Comm on Trauama - Kao L), American Academy of Pediatrics (Comm on Pediatric Emergency Medicine). Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department: Technical Report. Pediatrics. Jan 20 2026;doi:10.1542/peds.2025-075319. PMID: 41556898. 

Prossin AR, Holihan J, Cox CS Jr, Klein-Marcuschamer I, Aceves D, Minkowitz H, Dantzer R. IV IL-1 receptor antagonist reduces pain sensitivity and enhances brain endorphin release during a standardized, experimental, acute pain challenge: A BESH clinical trial. Brain Behav Immun. 2026 Jan;131:106165. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106165. Epub 2025 Nov 4. PMID: 41197684.

Gowda SH, Hagan J, Almaazmi A, Niemyjski E, Di Nardo M, Jancelewicz T, Harting MT, Fernandes CJ, Nguyen DV, Guner YS. Impact of Neonatal Ventilation Mode on Outcomes in Patients With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated With Extracorporeal Life Support: A Propensity Score Analysis. ASAIO J. 2026 Feb 1;72(2):159-164. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002476. Epub 2025 Jun 18. PMID: 40530712.

Bordelon RC, Holden KI, Miller CC 3rd, Ebanks AH, Lally KP, Harting MT, Speer AL; Representing the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group. Growth failure and early recurrence in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: An international cohort study. J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jan 16;61(4):162931. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.162931. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41548838.

Gerulewicz-Vannini D, Hernandez-Andrade E, Lai D, Papanna R, Espinoza J, Backley S, Lemoine FV, Harting MT, Ebanks AH, Johnson A. Mediastinal shift angle (MSA) and its association with neonatal mortality in fetuses with isolated left congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2026 Jan 26:1-19. doi: 10.1159/000550641. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41587126.

Brierley SF, Vaughn CR, Heller K, Kang P, Fisher T, Goretsky MJ, Velazco CS, Kawaguchi AL, Lally KP, Fialkowski EA, Lee J. Multicenter Pediatric Surgery Quality Collaborative (PSQC) NSQIP pilot study: Pediatric colorectal surgery bundle utilization. J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jan;61(1):162518. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162518. Epub 2025 Aug 10. PMID: 40796060.

IN THE NEWS

GRAND ROUNDS

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Editorial Team: Dr. Lillian Kao, Dr. Casey Duncan, Dr. Peter Walker, Dr. Elias Chamely, and Maryam Broussard.

For content submissions, email Sophia.M.Solis@uth.tmc.edu.