A Newsletter for the Departments of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery

at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

October 2026

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION

Houstonia unveils its 2026 Top Doctors

Houstonia Magazine recently released its annual Top Doctors list for 2026, recognizing physicians across the Greater Houston area for excellence in clinical care. This year’s honorees include several outstanding faculty members from the Departments of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery.

Congratulations to all our awardees for this well-deserved recognition of their dedication to patients and the community.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

UTHealth Houston Departments of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery well represented at ACS Clinical Congress

The UTHealth Houston Departments of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery participated in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress, which took place in Washington, D.C., September 26–29, 2026.

Residents and students had an opportunity to present their original research:

• Rachel Bordelon, MD – High Post-Discharge Utilization in Pediatric Intestinal Failure: Identifying Modifiable Cost Drivers (Mentor: Allison Speer, MD, FACS)
• Erin Morris, MD – Institutional Variation in the Management of Pediatric Complicated Appendicitis: A Pediatric Health Information System Database Study (Mentor: KuoJen Tsao, MD, FACS)
• Joseph Albert Aldrich IV, BS – Communication Gaps at the Discharge Transition after Laparotomy: A Qualitative Study in Acute Care Surgery (Mentor: Krislynn Mueck, MD)

Multiple faculty served as course instructors and panelists. Jonah Stulberg, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor, was an instructor in a course entitled Regional Blocks: Approaches for the Surgeon. Lillian Kao, MD, MS, professor of surgery, gave an overview of the basics of quality improvement at the Inclusive Excellence Certificate Course.

Faculty also presented as panelists on a variety of topics, including Sasha Adams, MD, FACS, professor in the Division of Acute Care Surgery, who spoke at the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) panel on Why Do We Quit? Michael Wandling, MD, MS, associate professor of surgery, and Natalie Drucker, MD, assistant professor of pediatric surgery, spoke at a panel entitled The Bleeding Edge: High-Stakes Decisions in Pediatric Trauma Surgery. Dr. Wandling spoke on kidney trauma, and Dr. Drucker described surgical rescue in junctional trauma. Dr. Kao participated in a panel on Successful Models of Acute Care Surgery.

Faculty also participated in ACS leadership activities. H. Randolph Bailey, MD, FACS, professor emeritus, was honored for having served as president of the ACS Foundation this past year. Dr. Kao is a member of the ACS Foundation Board of Directors. As members of the Board of Regents and the Board of Governors, respectively, Drs. Kao and Stulberg attended board meetings and activities.

Faculty and resident Canvas orientation module due November 9

All teaching faculty and residents are required to complete the annual Faculty and Resident Canvas Orientation Module by Monday, November 9, 2026, to meet Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) requirements.

The orientation module must be completed annually, while additional education tool modules only need to be completed once. Module completion will be tracked through monthly CES reports in preparation for the upcoming LCME site visit.

Access the Canvas orientation module to self-enroll or access the course if previously enrolled.

PEOPLE & RECOGNITION

Faculty Inducted as Fellows of the American College of Surgeons

Founded in 1913, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional organization whose mission is to improve the care of surgical patients and to safeguard standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

On Saturday, September 26, the Convocation Ceremony was held at the 2026 ACS Clinical Congress in Washington, D.C. The ceremony welcomed more than 2,100 new Fellows and marked the installation of the 107th president.

Four assistant professors in the Department of Surgery were inducted: Dalya Ferguson, MD, MS; Diego Hanssen, MD; Oscar Olavarria, MD, MS; and Thomas Clements, MD.

Those present at the ceremony took the ACS oath "to heal all with skill and trust."

Congratulations!

Pediatric Surgery celebrates Lally's prestigious Ladd Medal and highlights research at AAP National Conference

Faculty, colleagues, and friends gathered during the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference in San Diego to celebrate Kevin P. Lally, MD, MS, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, who was honored as the 2026 William E. Ladd Medal recipient. The medal is the highest honor awarded by the AAP Section on Surgery.

KuoJen Tsao, MD, professor of pediatric surgery, served on the AAP Executive Committee.

Erin Morris, MD, pediatric surgery research resident, also presented a poster titled “Comparable Urologic Outcomes Following Prenatal and Postnatal Repair of Myelomeningocele.” Her research compared urologic outcomes following prenatal and postnatal surgical repair of myelomeningocele, contributing to ongoing efforts to improve care for children with spina bifida.

Reiger receives 2026 Bassini Award

William D. Rieger, MD, resident, received the 2026 Bassini Award from the American Hernia Society for his research presentation, “Better than BMI? The Association of Pre-Operative CT-Derived Body Composition with Complications after Ventral Hernia Repair.”

The annual award recognizes the best overall abstract presentation at the American Hernia Society Annual Meeting. Dr. Rieger’s research examines the association between preoperative CT-derived body composition and complications following ventral hernia repair.

The award follows Dr. Rieger’s presentation of the research at the society’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

Saif honored at AWS Foundation Awards Gala

Areeba Saif, MD, a 2026 graduate of the UTHealth Houston General Surgery Residency Program, was honored with the Dr. Hilary Sanfey Outstanding Resident Award during the Association of Women Surgeons Foundation Awards Gala on Sept. 27 in Washington, D.C.

UTHealth Houston sponsored a table at the event, where faculty and colleagues gathered to celebrate Dr. Saif's achievement. She is currently completing a Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Loma Linda University Health.

Hao Liu, MD, PhD, joins Abdominal Organ Transplantation Division

Hao Liu, MD, PhD, has joined the Division of Abdominal Organ Transplantation in the Department of Surgery as an assistant professor of surgery.

Dr. Liu completed medical school in China before coming to the United States, where he earned a PhD in cancer biology from Harvard University in 2017. He subsequently completed his general surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh and a transplant surgery fellowship at Houston Methodist, which included hepatopancreatobiliary experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has authored more than 70 publications and received the International Liver Transplantation Society Rising Star Award in 2024.

Working alongside Ryan Hall, MD, Dr. Liu will serve in a dual role in transplant and hepatobiliary surgery, helping to expand transplant oncology services and supporting the continued development of the multidisciplinary Texas Liver Center. The program’s long-term goals include offering minimally invasive donor hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation.

“We are fortunate to recruit him to our growing program,” said Mark Hobeika, MD. “I believe he has the ability and personal qualities necessary to be a leader in both the clinical and research arenas.”

Natalie Hodges, MD, MPH, and Ankeeta Mehta, DO, join Acute Care Surgery Division

The Department of Surgery welcomes Natalie Hodges, MD, MPH, and Ankeeta Mehta, DO, FACS, to the Division of Acute Care Surgery. Both bring extensive clinical and academic experience, as well as a strong commitment to surgical education, mentorship, and patient care.

Dr. Hodges joins UTHealth Houston after completing an Acute Care Surgery fellowship at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center. She completed her General Surgery residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, where she also earned a dual MD/MPH degree with a focus on trauma systems. Her scholarly work includes book chapters on burn care and peer-reviewed research on trauma airway management and resuscitation, outcomes in obese trauma patients undergoing laparotomy, and non-accidental trauma. Dr. Hodges has a particular interest in educational innovation and serves on the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Education Committee.

Dr. Mehta joins UTHealth Houston from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she served as an assistant professor of surgery and held several leadership roles, including medical director of Acute Care Emergency Surgery, wellness director for the Department of Surgery, and site director for Surgery Clerkship and Residency programs. She also helped develop and launch UT Southwestern’s robotic emergency general surgery program, expanding access to minimally invasive surgical care. A board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in Endocrine Surgery, Dr. Mehta’s academic interests include endocrine surgery, surgical education, teamwork, and physician wellness. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented her work nationally.

Drs. Hodges and Mehta bring complementary expertise in acute care surgery, education, mentorship, and academic scholarship. Their experience and perspectives will further strengthen the division’s clinical, educational, and academic missions.

Please join us in welcoming Drs. Hodges and Mehta to UTHealth Houston and the Division of Acute Care Surgery.

Jacob Burns, MD, joins Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Division

Jacob Ryan Burns, MD, MBA, has joined the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Surgery as an assistant professor of surgery. He will practice at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land.

Dr. Burns recently completed the Independent Plastic Surgery Residency Program at UTHealth Houston. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. He earned his medical degree and MBA with a concentration in strategy from the University of Florida.

In addition to his clinical training, Dr. Burns has a strong background in research and health care leadership, including service on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Board of Directors. His research interests include craniofacial surgery, breast reconstruction, nerve regeneration, and outcomes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Burns to the faculty and the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land community.

Karpe named finalist in Adirondack Chair Art Contest

Ashna Karpe, a fourth-year McGovern Medical School student pursuing a career in surgery, was named a finalist in the 2026 Adirondack Chair Art Contest featured in TMC Today.

Her design, America in the Making, interprets this year’s “America 250” theme through five 50-year chapters of American history painted against a stars-and-stripes-inspired background. The design traces the journey from the Declaration of Independence and the fight for freedom and equality to milestones in World War II, civil rights, and space exploration. Its final chapter looks toward the future, highlighting medical innovation, surgical pioneers, and advances of the digital and technological age.

Karpe described the five chapters as snapshots of the nation’s progress, intended to recognize how far the country has come while looking ahead to what is still possible.

Surgery alumna Damaris Ortiz receives K23 award

Damaris Ortiz, MD, FACS, a graduate of UTHealth Houston’s Acute Care Surgery Fellowship, has received a K23 Award from the National Institute on Aging for her research project, Trauma Medical Home 2.0, which builds on work she began during her fellowship. Congratulations to Dr. Ortiz on this achievement!

Remembering Joseph N. Corriere Jr., MD

The Department of Surgery remembers Joseph N. Corriere Jr., MD, founding chief of the Division of Urology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, who died Sept. 14 at age 89.

Dr. Corriere joined the newly established medical school in 1972 and served as professor of surgery and a leader in the development of its urology program. An authority on urologic trauma, he trained more than 100 urology residents, mentored junior faculty, and contributed extensively to the scientific literature. His national leadership included service on the American Board of Urology and numerous roles with the American Urological Association, including president of the organization in 2005. He later spent the final decade of his career as a professor of urology and the medical director of the Genitourinary Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

His influence at UTHealth Houston extended well beyond Urology and helped shape the Department of Surgery for generations to come. Richard J. Andrassy, MD, recalled Dr. Corriere with great fondness as both a gifted surgeon and a valued colleague. More than 41 years ago, it was Dr. Corriere who recruited Dr. Andrassy from San Antonio to Houston, beginning a relationship that would span decades and leave another lasting mark on the department’s history.

Dr. Corriere’s legacy lives on through the physicians he trained and mentored, the programs he helped build, and his many contributions to the field of urology.

Read more about Dr. Corriere’s life and career 

RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP

Urology faculty and residents shine at South Central Section AUA Annual Meeting

The Division of Urology was well represented at the 105th Annual Meeting of the South-Central Section of the American Urological Association, held Sept. 9-12 in Tucson, Arizona. Faculty and residents showcased their leadership, research, and educational contributions through presentations and scientific sessions.

Rodrigo Donalisio da Silva, MD, associate professor of surgery, served as moderator of the Endourology Plenary Session and presented “Metabolic Management of Kidney Stones: Why Do Patients Fail?” addressing challenges in long-term stone prevention and patient adherence. His multi-institutional study, “RETRO (Retrograde Renal Access Outcomes): Interim Analysis of a Prospective, Multi-Institutional Observational Trial of Efficacy for the RetroPerc Device for Supine PCNL,” was also presented and generated discussion around innovations in percutaneous kidney stone surgery.

Steven Palasi, MD, urology resident, mentored by Dr. Donalisio da Silva, earned second place in the Resident Competition for his presentation, “Extreme Encrustation: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Encrusted Ureteral Stents Requiring Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.”

Ashley Monaco, MD, urology resident, presented “The Burden of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Patients with Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance,” conducted under the mentorship of Justin Gregg, MD, and Dr. Donalisio da Silva.

Rohit Rajendran, MD, urology resident, received the best poster award in the Urology Reconstruction section for “Phalloplasty Following Total Penectomy for Penile Cancer: Restoring Form, Function, and Psychosocial Well-Being.” His research explored reconstructive options to restore form and function and improve quality of life following oncologic treatment.

Rachel Pham, MD, urology resident, presented research evaluating the diagnostic yield of cognitive MRI fusion-guided prostate biopsy in a county hospital system. Conducted under the mentorship of Steven Canfield, MD, the study contributed data on prostate cancer detection in a safety-net health care setting.

Congratulations to the faculty, residents, and mentors who represented the Division of Urology at this year’s meeting.

Plastic Surgery showcases research and mentorship at Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting

The Division of Plastic Surgery had one of its largest showings at the 2026 Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Houston, with 15 residents and 13 medical students presenting research and faculty members leading sessions focused on education and mentorship.

Mustafa Khan, DO, fellow, earned first place in Clinical Research for his presentation, “AI-Assisted Real-Time Answer Retrieval Using Wearable AI: A Proof-of-Concept Application for Emerging Smart Glasses Technology and Its Implications for Medical Examination Integrity.”

Michael Talanker, MD, resident, earned first place for Clinical Paper for his presentation, “Intramedullary Screw Fixation for Open Metacarpal Neck and Shaft Fractures: Outcomes at a Level I Trauma Center.”

Faculty also contributed to educational and mentoring opportunities throughout the meeting. Klara Sputova, MD, an assistant professor, organized a panel that offered residents and early-career plastic surgeons practical guidance on building successful careers. Matthew R. Greives, MD, professor, hosted a morning session that allowed medical students to meet one-on-one with program directors and assistant program directors from across Texas to discuss the application process and ask questions about pursuing a career in plastic surgery.

The division’s participation highlighted its commitment to research, education, and mentorship across multiple stages of surgical training.

Acute care surgeons highlight research and expertise at AAST Annual Meeting

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) held its 85th Annual Meeting Sept. 16–19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, where UTHealth Houston faculty presented research and contributed to scientific discussions.

Jessica Schucht, MD, PhD, assistant professor of surgery, presented research during the meeting's opening plenary session. Her presentation was titled “Green Plasma Exhibits a Procoagulant, Pro-Complement, and Immune-Modulatory Proteomic Profile.”

William Rieger, MD, MS, presented research on behalf of Anne Jeckovich, MD, titled “Distinct Recovery Trajectories Following Major Abdominal Surgery for Trauma.”

Bryan Cotton, MD, MPH, professor of surgery, and Natalie Drucker, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatric surgery, served as invited discussants.

Michael Wandling, MD, MS, associate professor of surgery, presented during a lunch session titled “The Nuts and Bolts of Emergency General Surgery Verification: Building, Implementing, and Maturing EGS Programs.”

Publications of Note

Sperry JL, Guyette FX, Cotton BA, Luther JF, Utarnachitt RB, Kutcher ME, Daley BJ, Peetz AB, Patel MB, Goodman MD, Claridge JA, Patel N, Harbrecht BG, Hashmi ZG, Zarychanski R, Neal MD, Yazer MH, Martin-Gill C, Vincent LE, Harner AM, Meyer DE, Latimer AJ, Robinson BR, McKnight CL, Hinckley WR, Miller KR, Jansen JO, Martin D, Fox EE, Rosario-Rivera BL, Wisniewski SR; TOWAR Study Group. Prehospital Resuscitation with Type O Whole Blood for Trauma and Hemorrhage. N Engl J Med. 2026 Jun 18;394(23):2317-2328. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2602167. Epub 2026 May 18. PMID: 42150044; PMCID: PMC13313084.

Alam T, Olson SD, Cox CS Jr. Harmonizing the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research Informatics System to Study Pre-Injury Immunomodulator Exposure: A Proof-of-Concept Analysis. Neurotrauma Rep. 2026 Aug 27;7:2689288X261481806. doi: 10.1177/2689288X261481806. PMID: 42668871; PMCID: PMC13525320.

Atmanli A, Collier AM, Olson SD, Cox CS Jr. Fibrin Degradation Products Regulate Endothelial Barrier Function in Traumatic Brain Injury via the Actin Cytoskeleton. Neurotrauma Rep. 2026 Aug 26;7:2689288X261469553. doi: 10.1177/2689288X261469553. PMID: 42666666; PMCID: PMC13522683.

Clements TW, Cotton BA, Van Gent JM. Authors' response to the letter by Milford et al. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Sep 16. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000005178. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42748340.

Leeper CM, Spinella PC, Polk T, Yazer M, Andrews JC, Malone JR, Robinson KA, Wilson LM, Josephson CD, Sherwood M; Emergent Transfusion and Hemolytic Risk Working Group. (Cotton BA) RhD-Positive Blood Product Use in Females of Childbearing Potential: Clarifying Risk and Clinical Context: In Reply to O'Brien and Colleagues. J Am Coll Surg. 2026 Oct 1;243(4):1026-1029. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000002092. Epub 2026 Jul 14. PMID: 42447370.

Hersh DS, Anuar A, Anadkat J, Bennett KA, Blumenfeld YJ, Buchanan CQ, Clifford CM, Emery SP, Gebb JS, Goodnight WH, Herzeg A, Heuer GG, Hirose S, Jampa A, Lillegard JB, Lim FY, Luks FI, Miller JL, Moehrlen U, Moldenhauer JS, Cortes MS, Schenone MH, Shaaban AF, Tsao K, Van Mieghem T, Wagner AJ, Zaretsky MV, Crombleholme TM; fMMC Consortium sponsored by NAFTNet (North American Fetal Therapy Network). Prenatal Closure of Myeloschisis vs Myelomeningocele: Insights From the fMMC Consortium Registry. Neurosurgery. 2026 Oct 1;99(4):830-840. doi: 10.1227/neu.0000000000003954. Epub 2026 Feb 5. PMID: 41642007.

Heller K, Ochoa BV, Brierley SF, Padilla BE; Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Collaborative Group; Alhajjat A, Byrd E, Chao SD, Clinker C, Diaz-Miron J, Dantes G, Eldredge RS, Fialkowski EA, Guner Y, Gurria JP, Haddadin Z, Highet A, Huerta CT, Keane OA, Kelley-Quon LI, Laje P, Le H, Lee J, Lesher A, Lin S, Lym L, Pandya SR, Papastefan S, Parrado RH, Perez EA, Ramazani C, Rehrer W, Russell KW, Selesner L, Shideler BL, Slater BJ, Stellon MA, Stephens C, Sutyak KM, Tsao K, Velazco CS, Weber N, Westbrook N, Wieck MM, Yu P. Surgeon annual volume impacts recurrence rates of pediatric inguinal hernia repairs: A multi-institutional study. J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Aug;61(8):162890. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162890. Epub 2025 Dec 29. PMID: 41475507.

Brierley SF, Ochoa B, Alhajjat A, Byrd E, Chao SD, Clifton MS, Clinker CE, Dantes G, Diaz-Miron J, Fialkowski EA, Gillory L, Gurria JP, Guner Y, Haddadin Z, Highet A, Huerta CT, Keane OA, Laje P, Le HD, Lee J, Lesher A, Pandya SR, Lin S, Papastefan ST, Parrado RH, Perez EA, Kelley-Quon LI, Rehrer W, Russell KW, Selesner L, Shideler BL, Slater BJ, Stellon MA, Stephens C, Sutyak KM, Tsao K, Velazco CS, Webber N, Wieck MM, Yu PT, Ostlie DJ, Padilla BE. Timing of inguinal hernia repair does not influence recurrence in premature infants. J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Sep 3;61(12):163442. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.163442. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42692192.

Tomita K, Austin MT, Hsu DM, Katz MHG, Ikoma N. Robotic Transmesocolic Approach to the Left Retroperitoneum. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Sep;33(9):8290-8291. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-20029-0. Epub 2026 Jun 29. PMID: 42374005.

Sutyak KM, Fletcher SA, Sandberg DI, Lally KP, Speer AL. What About the Gallbladder? A Case Series of Experience and Outcomes in Pediatric Ventriculogallbladder Shunts. J Surg Res. 2026 Sep;325:96-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2026.05.033. Epub 2026 Jun 19. PMID: 42320073.

NEWS & EVENTS

In The News

Travis P. Green, MD

• Men’s Health and Prostate Cancer Awareness – KTSU 90.9 FM

Matthew R. Greives, MD

• Mom Told Newborn’s Purple Arm Mark Was Bruising—Then Came Diagnosis – Newsweek

Grand Rounds

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

View past issues or submit content for future editions of SurgeON.