A NEWSLETTER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY
at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
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Year-End Reflections
& Updates from the Chairman
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As we approach the end of another calendar year, I want to express my deep gratitude for your outstanding work in teaching, research, and patient care. Over the past few years, our practice has grown exponentially, and I recognize the challenges many of you face with limited clinic space, office space, and staff support. I am committed to addressing these issues alongside our division chiefs in the coming year.
With the recent acquisition of the Bellaire Station office, we are moving forward with plans to build out additional clinic space, outpatient imaging, and surgery suites on the remaining floors. Additionally, we’ve purchased a 30% interest in the Carbondale ASC, and more information about opportunities there will be shared soon.
Dr. John Harvin and Dr. Lillian Kao are successfully recruiting new trauma surgeons for our Level II center in Katy, preparing us for its opening. Dr. Kao has also been active in recruiting surgeons and ACPs for the TMC, with several set to join us in the coming months.
At Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, we are working closely with Dr. Tien Ko to prepare for its planned expansion, which will require additional faculty and residents.
I want to commend Dr. Sasha Adams for her excellent leadership as Program Director for the General Surgery Residency. She has also stepped in as Interim Program Director for Urology as we search for a permanent leader, with several new faculty joining the Urology division soon.
Dr. Matthew Grieves has strengthened the Plastic Surgery division, successfully hiring new faculty and earning accolades for resident training and presentations. Dr. Farzaneh Banki at Southeast Memorial has been instrumental in mentoring students and residents, resulting in numerous presentations and publications at national meetings.
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We are actively working to rebuild our Transplant program, with plans to recruit a new division chief. I want to thank Dr. Lillian Kao and Dr. Charles Cox for managing this division in the interim. Dr. Cox also continues to lead The Center for Translational Injury Research program, which remains a cornerstone of our clinical research efforts, supported by significant funding from the DOD and state programs.
Dr. Erik Wilson has expanded the General Surgery program, adding several breast cancer surgeons with the support of Dr. Emily Robinson, who leads this team. Dr. Curtis Wray continues to develop the Surgical Oncology service with Drs. Ryan Hall, Casey Duncan, and Nicole Villafañe-Ferriol. Dr. Wray also leads our student admissions program, while Dr. Hall has been appointed Assistant Dean for Student Admissions and Affairs, and Dr. Duncan now serves as Surgery Clerkship Director.
Given the breadth of activity across sites such as Sugar Land and Southeast Memorial, I will ask each division chief to provide updates in future newsletters. I also want to thank Dr. Kao and her team for their hard work in producing this newsletter.
There’s so much more to share, but I was asked to give only a brief overview—and I’ve already gone well beyond that. Thank you all for making this such an exceptional department. Wishing you a safe, joyful holiday season and all the best in the year ahead.
Rich Andrassy, MD
Chairman
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2024 Geriatric Trauma Symposium: Advancing
Age-Friendly Care with a Multidisciplinary Approach |
On Friday, Nov. 15, McGovern Medical School and Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center hosted the inaugural 2024 Geriatric Trauma Symposium at the Denton A. Cooley, MD, and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center. The event brought together healthcare professionals to explore a multidisciplinary approach to improving outcomes for geriatric trauma patients.
The symposium emphasized the importance of applying the IHI 4Ms framework—mentation, mobility, medications, and what matters most—to optimize care for older adults. Attendees also examined the impact of high-risk medications and drug burdens on this vulnerable population.
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Presentations highlighted key challenges and solutions, including geriatric trauma outcomes, delirium prevention, dysphagia management, pain strategies, dementia care, and malnutrition. Panel discussions focused on pre- and post-operative optimization, while a hands-on skill session demonstrated how to integrate the 4Ms framework into age-friendly patient care.
Michelle McNutt, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, introduced this groundbreaking event. Faculty members Thaddeus Puzio, MD, MS, FACS, Assistant Professor, and Sasha Adams, MD, FACS, Professor, both from the Division of Acute Care Surgery, delivered impactful talks on dysphagia and malnutrition in geriatric trauma patients, describing them as critical components of a "Geriatric Lethal Triad." Both Drs. Puzio and Adams also served on the symposium’s planning committee.
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The event underscored how underlying comorbidities can amplify the morbidity and mortality of even low-mechanism injuries in older adults, emphasizing the need for collaborative care centered on what matters most to geriatric patients.
Dr. Thaddeus Puzio reflected on a personal connection to keynote speaker Christine Toevs, MD, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. He shared, “My personal connection to the speaker, Dr. Toevs, goes back to when I was in high school and worked as a nursing assistant in the emergency department. Dr. Toevs was a trauma surgeon, and her ability to command the room and lead the team while staying calm under pressure really inspired me and stuck with me."
He continued, “Flash forward nearly 16 years, and I found myself on the same AAST committee as her, and we began working together on projects. I finally had the opportunity to share with her how much she impacted me without even trying. It’s been a reminder to both of us of the opportunity we have to be a positive influence on those around us.”
The inaugural Geriatric Trauma Symposium highlighted the critical need for age-friendly, multidisciplinary care and inspired attendees to continue advancing innovative approaches for older adult patients.
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UTHealth Houston Faculty Communicate
Their Successes in Trauma Quality TQIP Conference | |
The 2024 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Annual Conference was held November 12-14 in Denver, Colorado. The theme of "Enhancing Quality through Communication" was embedded in all of the presentations. Krislynn Mueck, MD, MPH, MS, Assistant Professor of Surgery, presented on "Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words? Improving Equity Through Communication". Her enlightening talk highlighted the prevalence of low health literacy amongst injured patients and simple strategies that can be undertaken to address this problem. The session, Answering the Call to Provide Equitable Care, was moderated by Lillian Kao, MD, MS, FACS, Professor, and Jack H. Mayfield, MD, Chair in the Department of Surgery. Kao, who serves as the Quality Pillar Lead for the Committee on Trauma, also contributed to the conference as a member of the planning committee.
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Gabrielle Hatton, MD, MS, a second-year acute care surgery fellow, presented on behalf of her colleagues, including Anna Mydlowska, MD, Assistant Professor, and Laura Moore, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery. The poster highlighted the impact of the "STAT IR" mechanism for ensuring timely angiography and embolization in injured patients with hemorrhagic shock.
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The TQIP conference serves as a platform for trauma medical directors (TMDs) and performance improvement personnel to share knowledge and collaborate. At the Texas TQIP Collaborative meeting, trauma teams gathered to discuss strategies for achieving collective improvement across the state. Michael Wandling, MD, MS, FACS, Vice Chair of the collaborative, joined TMDs from UTHealth Houston and its hospital system partner, Memorial Hermann Hospital System, in representing the institutions at the conference. UTHealth participants included Dr. Wandling (Interim TMD at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center), John Harvin, MD, MS, FACS (TMD at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital), and Michelle Scerbo, MD, MS, FACS (TMD at Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital).
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Malik Awarded Inaugural Division of Pediatrics
Shark Tank Award |
Congratulations to Neha Malik, MD, a general surgery resident, on being selected as the winner of the inaugural Division of Pediatrics Shark Tank Award at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Currently completing a research fellowship, Dr. Malik will receive $100,000 to support her innovative research project. This prestigious award promotes groundbreaking research and fosters collaboration across diverse disciplines.
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UTHealth Houston Students Shine at Western Surgical Society 2024 |
UTHealth Houston medical students showcased their research excellence at the 2024 Western Surgical Association Annual Meeting (WSA) held November 2–5 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All five abstracts submitted by our students were accepted, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Presentations Included:
Large Podium Oral Presentation:
Feasibility, Outcomes, and Odds of Same-Day Surgery in Laparoscopic Repair of Type IV Hiatal Hernia with Intrathoracic Stomach
N. Erabelli, S. Shah, C. Hoffman, C. Fritz, and F. Banki
Presenter: Ethan Bui, 2nd-year medical student
Mini Oral Presentations:
An Unusual Manifestation of an Esophageal Perforation Presented as a Gastroesophageal Abscess Requiring Multimodality Treatment
Presenter: Connor Fritz, 3rd-year medical student
Reoperative Laparoscopic Type IV Hiatal Hernia Repair in the Same-Day-Surgery Setting in a Patient with a History of Small Bowel Injury During CABG Procedure
Presenter: Raymar Turangan, 4th-year medical student
Gastric Intramural Hemorrhage and Contained Perforation, a Rare Presentation of an Incarcerated Type IV Hiatal Hernia
Presenter: Joshua Haag, 3rd-year medical student
Quick Shot Presentation:
Stepwise Supervision of Residents in Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair: Performance and Outcomes
Presenter: Karsten Fields, 2nd-year medical student
Their outstanding contributions dominated the esophageal session and demonstrated the exceptional talent emerging from UTHealth Houston. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued impact on the field of surgery!
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Ethan Bui, 2nd year medical student, presenting the feasibility of same-day surgery in patients with intrathoracic stomach | |
Karsten Fields, 2nd year medical student, presenting stepwise supervision of residents in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair | |
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Connor Fritz, 3rd year medical student, presenting an unusual manifestation of esophageal perforation, treated laparoscopically | |
Joshua Haag, 3rd year medical student, presenting laparoscopic repair of a type IV hiatal hernia with transmural hemorrhage and intraoperative perforation | |
Raymar Turangan, 4th year medical student, presenting laparoscopic repair of type IV hiatal hernia after bile peritonitis and laparotomy. | |
Uncovering New Insights into Acute Pancreatitis |
Recent research at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, led by Yanna Cao, MD, MS, Associate Professor, Tien C. Ko, MD, FACS, Professor, and Jack H. Mayfield, MD, Distinguished Professor in Surgery, and fourth-year medical student Amy Qin, provides groundbreaking insights into the cellular mechanisms of acute pancreatitis. This study advances understanding of the disease’s progression and identifies potential therapeutic targets.
Learn more about their findings and the impact on future treatments: Research Reveals Cellular Mechanisms of Acute Pancreatitis.
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Endometrial Cancer Brings Alumnus Back to UT |
Angela Meshack has devoted her life to education and advocacy, earning advanced public health degrees and building a career that included 14 years in research at UTHealth Houston and a tenured professorship at Texas Southern University. Just a year before retiring, she noticed concerning changes in her body that were initially dismissed as age-related. Trusting her instincts, Angela sought answers and ultimately received a life-changing diagnosis.
Read more about her journey and Dr. Marianne Cusick's critical role in her care…
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Celebrating Mentorship in the Department of Surgery |
Mentorship is often described as a cornerstone of professional growth, and for many aspiring medical students, the guidance of a great mentor can leave a lifelong impact. This statement rings especially true for students mentored by Farzaneh Banki, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Department of Surgery. Her group has constantly produced scholarly works spearheaded by medical students, creating opportunities for them to present at national meetings and to publish as first authors.
Most of the time, she recruits her mentees as MS1s, and they work with her doing clinical research for two years before they get into their busy clinical rotations (although some students have been with her for much longer than that). There is a formal interview process, where Dr. Banki's students say she tries to get a sense of what experiences they have already had, what their goals are, and if they seem like the dedicated, hardworking professionals that she enjoys mentoring.
She has many mentees under her wing at any given time - sometimes as many as eight. They are assigned to projects in pairs, and the entire group meets weekly at her Southeast office for 5 hours every Saturday morning, where they create databases, work on their data analytics, and produce their scholarly works. Her mentorship comes with a focus on building foundational skills. "Each session begins with a teaching component where she walks us through a patient’s hospital course, fostering our clinical decision-making skills and building confidence in case presentations," states one of her students.
This hands-on approach continues as students take ownership of their research projects. Her students say Dr. Banki’s strategy is to start with manageable projects, gradually introducing more complexity as students grow in confidence and capability. She exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity, dedication, and a passion for both teaching and clinical excellence. "Her emphasis on integrity and precision ensures that everything her office produces upholds the highest standards.” says one of her mentees. Another student recalls a time when Dr. Banki's team unknowingly submitted an abstract with a data error to a national conference, and the error was only found after the fact. Immediately, she emailed the organization and retracted the entire abstract (which had already been accepted, mind you), apologizing profusely for her team's minor error. “She is extremely ethical and strives to ensure that all of her work reflects that.”
Dr. Banki's students have presented work at Western Surgical, SSAT, and other national conferences through her mentorship. She even helps personally fund travel for students not covered by the medical school or other grants to attend the conferences when their work is accepted. They have also been published in esteemed journals like the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, JACS, and Foregut.
Chatting with any of her medical student mentees, it is clear that Dr. Banki’s personal investment in their success leaves a lasting positive impact on them as they move through their training. It is a shining example of mentorship within our department, which we are proud to highlight.
Know someone who deserves to be in the spotlight? We'd love to hear from you! Nominate a colleague or alumni to be featured in SurgeON by emailing us at Lillian.S.Kao@uth.tmc.edu.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS | |
We’re thrilled to share that Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital has been ranked #4 on Money magazine’s list of the best hospitals for bariatric surgery! Led by Melissa Felinski, DO, FACS, FASMBS, Associate Professor of Surgery, and Associate Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Program at UTHealth Houston, this recognition highlights the outstanding care and expertise provided to bariatric patients. Learn more… | |
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David R. Hall, MD, FACS, Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, has been appointed Assistant Dean for Student Admissions and Affairs at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. In this capacity, Dr. Hall will lead efforts to promote medical students' personal and professional development, including academic advising, wellness programs, student engagement activities, and career guidance. The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs also oversees significant milestones such as Orientation, Match Day, and Commencement, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive environment for all students throughout their educational journey. | |
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Congratulations to John Harvin, MD, MS, FACS, Professor of Surgery in the Division of Acute Care Surgery, for his appointment to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (COT). The mission of the COT is to develop and implement programs that support injury prevention and ensure optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care. | |
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Best wishes to Connie Hudson, PA, on her retirement! She has worked with UTHealth Houston for 19+ years, spending over a decade on the trauma surgery service. UTHealth Houston thanks her sincerely for her services and contributions to the care of injured patients! | |
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Congratulations to Thaddeus Puzio, MD, MS, FACS, Assistant Professor, for his receipt as one of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) Leadership Development Workshop Scholarship! | |
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Yanna Cao, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Surgery, has been honored with the Outstanding SRP Mentor Award 2024, recognizing her exceptional mentorship and dedication to the Summer Research Program. In her role, Dr. Cao has been instrumental in fostering student success and ensuring the program’s seamless execution. Alongside her fellow awardees, Dr. Cao was celebrated for her unwavering commitment to mentoring, volunteerism, and her readiness to go above and beyond for her students.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Cao and the other outstanding mentors for their invaluable contributions to this meaningful program.
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Dive into groundbreaking GI insights! In this *GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Interview*, Curtis Wray, MD, FACS, Professor in the Department of Surgery, and Nirav Thosani, MD, MHA, Professor in the Department of Surgery and Chief of the Center for Interventional Gastroenterology (iGUT), discuss their latest article, “EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic adenocarcinoma,” from the October issue. Discover how this innovative approach is paving the way for new treatments in pancreatic cancer care. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! | |
Curry N, Davenport R, Thomas H, Fox E, Lucas J, Evans A, Massou E, Sharma R, Shanmugaranjan S, Rourke C, Newton A, Deary A, Dallas N, Fitzpatrick-Creamer C, Podbielski JM, Wade CE, Edwards A, Benger J, Morris S, Cotton BA, Piercy J, Green L, Brohi K, Stanworth S. Early high-dose cryoprecipitate to reduce mortality in adult patients with traumatic haemorrhage: the CRYOSTAT-2 RCT with cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2024 Nov;28(76):1-69. doi: 10.3310/JYTR6938. PMID: 39545850; PMCID: PMC11590119.
Hout B, Van Gent JM, Clements T, Rausa R, Kaminski C, Puzio T, Rizzo J, Cotton B. Does whole blood resuscitation increase risk for venous thromboembolism in trauma patients? A comparison of whole blood vs component therapy in 3468 patients. Shock. 2024 Nov 18. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000002508. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39617420.
Martinez Ugarte S, Fajemisin MO, Guy-Frank CJ, Klugh JM, Zhang X, Fox EE, Wade CE, Mankiewicz KA, Kao LS. Is there an association between inflammatory biomarkers and organ space surgical site infection after emergency laparotomy in massively transfused trauma patients? Am J Surg. 2024 Nov 19;244:116106. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.116106. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39615438.
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Presentation Title: QI Workgroup Curriculum
Speaker: Tamara E. Saunders, MD, FACS
Faculty Mentors invited – NO CME
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Presentation Title: Human Trafficking - Annual CME requirement
Speaker: Mollie Gordon, MA, MD
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Presentation Title: Empowering the Next Generation: Surgery Residents Shaping AI- Innovation and Implementation
Speaker: Uwe Fischer, MD
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NO GRAND ROUNDS or M&M
CANCELLED DUE TO HOLIDAY
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NO GRAND ROUNDS or M&M
CANCELLED DUE TO HOLIDAY
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Editorial Team: Dr. Lillian S. Kao, Dr. Casey B. Duncan, Dr. Peter A. Walker, and Dr. Elias A. Chamely
For content submissions, email Sophia.M.Solis@uth.tmc.edu.
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