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A NEWSLETTER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY
at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
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Surgical Disruptive Technology Summit Showcases the Future of Surgery | |
The Surgical Disruptive Technology Summit (SDTS), held during the SAGES NBT Innovation Weekend at The Woodlands Hilton Hotel from January 23-25, 2025, was a groundbreaking event that brought together 299 attendees, including leading experts and innovators, to explore the future of surgical technology and digital integration.
The conference featured cutting-edge discussions on artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital surgery, with the AI and Digital Surgery Sessions standing out as key highlights. These sessions delved into machine learning, connectivity, and simulation, showcasing the transformative potential of these technologies in modern surgical practice.
Co-chaired by Erik B. Wilson, MD, FACS, professor, and Lynn and Oscar Wyatt Chair in Metabolic Research and director of the division of elective general surgery at McGovern Medical School, the summit also hosted the SAGES Shark Tank Semi-Finals, where innovative startups pitched their groundbreaking solutions to a panel of industry leaders. A special recognition goes to UTHealth Houston faculty for their invaluable contributions, enriching discussions, and expertise that helped shape this forward-thinking event.
UTHealth Houston MIST Faculty Presenters & Moderators:
- Erik B. Wilson, MD, FACS
- Nirav C. Thosani, MD, MHA
- Oscar A. Olavarria, MD, MS
- Shinil K. Shah, DO, EdD, FACS, FASGE
- Jullie Holihan, MD, FACS
- Todd D. Wilson, MD, FACS
- Jonah J. Stulberg, MD, PhD, MPH, FACS
- John C. Cowling, MD, FACS
- Melissa M. Felinski, DO, FACS, FASMBS
This conference, known for pushing the boundaries of surgical innovation, continues to drive the next generation of medical technology forward.
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New Research Defines “Time to Weight Plateau” in Obesity Treatment | |
Deborah Bade Horn, DO, MPH, MFOMA, associate professor in Surgery and Medical Director of the UT Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance, and international colleagues have defined a novel obesity treatment marker, Time to Weight Plateau (TTWP), in the analysis of the GLP-1 receptor agonist Tirzepatide.
In this post-hoc analysis of clinical trial data, weight plateau was defined as a weight change of less than 5% over a 12-week interval and all subsequent intervals in the 72-week trials. TTWP was measured as the time from randomization to the start of the first 12-week interval. Understanding the trajectory of weight loss is crucial for both patients and providers using these highly effective obesity management medications, making the duration of weight loss a key consideration.
Findings from the study indicate that higher doses of Tirzepatide (10 and 15 mg), younger age, and female sex were associated with a longer TTWP. Identifying the factors that influence weight plateau presents an opportunity to tailor interventions and personalize treatment strategies for individuals with overweight and obesity. By recognizing how individual characteristics impact weight loss patterns, healthcare providers can make more informed treatment decisions.
Read the complete study here…
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Khan Military Scholarships | |
Established in 2022 by Shane Jensen, MD—staff physician for Acute Care Surgery and CAPT (SEL) in the US Navy—the Khan Military Scholarship honors Saleem Khan, MD, professor and Chief of Emergency General Surgery at McGovern Medical School. Dr. Khan has had a distinguished military career, with seven deployments between 2003 and 2009 to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served in Operation Desert Storm and is a decorated veteran, awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. Today, he continues to serve our community by providing high-quality emergency general surgical care and training the next generation of surgical and healthcare providers.
This scholarship honors and supports military trainees pursuing a career in surgery. This is made possible by ongoing contributions from faculty and military trainees. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, with recipients receiving up to $1,500 to support their surgical career pursuits.
2024 scholarship recipients:
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Artem Boyev, DO – Active Duty, Captain US Army - General Surgery Resident
- James Dickey, MD – Active Duty, Captain, US Army – General Surgery Resident
- Michael Eisenberg, MD – Veteran, US Army – Current Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident, UTHealth Houston, previous General Surgery Resident
- Coleman Miller, MD – Active Duty, Captain, US Army – General Surgery Resident
- Renee Walker, MD – Active Duty, Captain, US Army – General Surgery Resident
For more information or to apply, visit the Khan Military Scholarship Application.
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Honoring resilience throughout National Birth Defects Awareness Month | |
January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and support individuals born with congenital anomalies. UT Physicians provides expert personalized care to each patient. Matthew Greives, MD, MS, FACS, the Dr. Thomas D. Cronin Chair in Plastic Surgery, associate professor and chief of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, emphasizes the importance of recognizing all children with diagnoses, stating, "Maybe their case is rare, but it doesn’t mean that they’re not important or they shouldn’t be recognized or celebrated."
Learn more about our commitment to improving lives
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Houston’s Snow Day: A Rare Winter Wonderland | |
Winter Storm Enzo brought more than just a chill to Houston—it got the magic of snow! From cozy neighborhoods and local parks to a few dedicated moments captured in the Texas Medical Center, our faculty and residents embraced this rare opportunity to enjoy the beauty of a Houston winter.
Whether building snowmen, catching snowflakes, or snapping pictures of the frosty scenery, the UTHealth Houston community found joy in every corner of the city.
Enjoy these incredible photos shared by our team
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Ten Reasons You Can’t Miss the 2025 South Texas ACS Annual Meeting! | |
Ten reasons why you should attend the 2025 South Texas American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting: | | |
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To support our residents, Devi Bavishi, MD, and Art Boyev, DO, as they compete in Surgical Jeopardy (Round 1: Thursday, February 20, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm and Round 2: Friday, February 21, to follow Surgical Skills Round-Up). | | | |
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To cheer on our residents, Shah Dodwad, DO, and Alfredo Cepeda, MD, as they compete in the Surgical Skills Round-Up (Friday, February 21, 5:15 pm start time). | | | |
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To learn from fellow students, residents, fellows, and faculty who are presenting their research. | | | |
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To hear McGovern Medical School faculty – Jonah Stulberg, MD, MPH, PhD, FACS, Julie Holihan, MD, MS, FACS, and Ana Leech, MD, MS - give invited lectures. | | | |
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To listen to regional experts debate controversial topics. | | | |
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To meet new people and to network with colleagues from all over South Texas - Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Austin, Temple, El Paso, and Edinberg. | | | |
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To become up-to-date on cutting-edge research.
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To engage more actively with the American College of Surgeons (ACS), whose motto is “To Heal All with Skill and Trust.” | | | |
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To mingle with the national ACS President, Beth Sutton, MD, FACS, and the South Texas ACS Chapter President, Lillian Kao, MD, MS, MBA, FACS. | | |
The 2025 South Texas American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting is being held February 20 to 22, 2025, at the Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District!! Scan the QR code or follow the link to the website (https://southtexasacs.org/2025-annual-meeting/) to register for the meeting! It is not too late to register, and all are welcome! | |
ANNOUNCEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS | |
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We are proud to announce that Neha Malik, MD, a general surgery resident, has been selected for the 2025 Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Writers Workshop Scholarship. This award recognizes her outstanding contributions as a research fellow and the impact of collaborative training within the MDA Surgical Oncology T32, UT Masters, and C-STEP programs.
As a recipient, Dr. Malik will attend the 66th SSAT Annual Meeting during Digestive Disease Week 2025 in San Diego, CA, from May 3-6. Her scholarship covers conference registration, hotel accommodations, and travel reimbursement. She will also be recognized at the Foundation Reception on May 4.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Malik on this well-deserved honor!
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Stephanie Martinez Ugarte, MD, a second-year research fellow and T32 grantee, has received a travel award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) to attend the LHS+ Identity, Development, and Resources Seminar (LIDEReS) in Research in Washington, DC. This seminar provides guidance on navigating careers in academic medicine and research while fostering networking opportunities. | |
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Horn DB, Kahan S, Batterham RL, Cao D, Lee CJ, Murphy M, Gonsahn-Bollie S, Chigutsa F, Stefanski A, Dunn JP. Time to weight plateau with tirzepatide treatment in the SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-4 clinical trials. Clin Obes. 2025 Jan 12:e12734. doi: 10.1111/cob.12734. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39800653.
Wang AMQ. Adversity as Privilege-Poverty Has Made Me a Better Surgeon. JAMA Surg. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2024.6312. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39878972.
Del Pilar Huby Vidaurre M, Mokhtari AK, Osborn BK, Cotton BA, Wang YW, Xu Y, Arnold K, Liu J, Richter JR, Cardenas JC. The interaction between antithrombin and endothelial heparan sulfate mitigates pulmonary thromboinflammation after trauma and hemorrhagic shock. Shock. 2025 Jan 23. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000002543. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39847723.
Liu JK, Collins CE, Moturu A, Pollitt K, Kao LS, Mason BS, Nathens A, Ko CY. Equity Landscape in Healthcare Quality: A Mixed-Methods Study of Efforts within Surgical Quality Programs. J Am Coll Surg. 2024 Dec 10. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001254. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39655804.
Van Gent JM, Bavishi D, Clements TW, Dickey JB, Hobbs R, Bai Y, Kao LS, Cotton BA. Impact of Massive Transfusion Activation on Time to Delivery of the First Cooler and Patient Survival: A Study of 4,313 Consecutive Activations. J Am Coll Surg. 2025 Jan 14. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001282. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39807791.
Van Gent JM, Clements TW, Rosario-Rivera BL, Wisniewski SR, Cannon JW, Schreiber MA, Moore EE, Namias N, Sperry JL, Cotton BA. The inability to predict futility in hemorrhaging trauma patients using 4-hour transfusion volumes and rates. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2025 Feb 1;98(2):236-242. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004541. Epub 2025 Jan 6. PMID: 39760660.
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Presentation Title: Expanding the Horizon of Surgical Education: DTD!
Speaker: Scott Steele, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FPSCRS (Hon), FPCS (Hon) President, Main Campus Submarket at Cleveland Clinic
Rupert B. Turnbull MD Endowed Chair in Colorectal Surgery
Chair of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic
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Presentation Title: State of our Program
Speaker: Sasha Adams, MD
Professor in the Department of Surgery and Program Director and Vice Chair of Surgical Education
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Presentation Title: TBD
Speaker: William Rhodes, MD
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Presentation Title: QI Projects / Workgroups
Speaker: Tamara E. Saunders, MD, FACS
Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery
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uthealthhouston: 🐍🎉 Happy Lunar New Year! 🌙✨ | |
uthurology: So proud of our PGY2 @ash.monaco on completing the Houston Marathon…and in below freezing temperatures! 🥶❄️🏃🏼♀️ | |
utplastics: Meet UTPlastics Pediatric Craniofacial faculty Dr. Danielle Sobol as she talks about why she chose to specialize in craniofacial surgery and what makes her job special! | |
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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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