Department of Surgery Newsletter

SEP T EMBER , 2018

“ON THE CUTTING EDGE” NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

Feature Stories: DR. JONATHAN KEITH:

First Phalloplasty in New Jersey DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:

Preventing Gun Violence is Personal DR. JAMES GUARRERA:

Liver Transplant Program Exceeds Expectations

DR. ANNE MOSENTHAL:

Progress Toward Strategic Vision

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Contents Honors & Awards

Welcome

Highlights

GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

DR. ASHLEY IGNATIUK

DR. HOSSEIN SADEGHI-NEHAD

AOA HONORS DR. GORE

DR. DUSTIN CUMMINGS

DR. ADAM FOX

PROMOTIONS

DR. JOSEPH OLIVER

DR. JESSICA ROUAN

GRADUATES

NEW RESIDENTS

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

JONATHAN BATISTA

DR. ADAM FOX & DR. FRANK PADBERG

RETIREMENTS

On the Scene WASHINGTON ADVOCACY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Speakers

On a Personal Note

NATIONAL SPEAKERS AT GRAND ROUNDS

Have a great story to tell?

SHARE IT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES: CONTACT DONNA SHORE, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CHAIR, DSHORE@NJMS.RUTGERS.EDU

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Inside this issue: People doing

DR. JONATHAN KEITH:

DR. ANNE MOSENTHAL:

DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:

First Phalloplasty in New Jersey

Progress Toward Strategic Vision

Page 16

Page 4

Intervening with gunshot victims in “teachable moments” Page 18

People doing

ALIKAH GREEN:

DR. JAMES GUARRERA:

“Big Sister” Helps Gun Victims To New Path

Liver Transplant Program Exceeds Expectations

Page 20

Page 28

Welcome New Surgeons Page 6

U.S. Senator Cory Booker Visits NJMS U.S. Senator Cory Booker, D- New Jersey, receives a “Gun Violence is a Public Health Issue” T-shirt from Dr. Stephanie Bonne during a visit to Rutgers NJMS.

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OUR STRATEGIC VISION:

To Raise the Rutgers NJMS Surgery Profile in the Region Through Research, Education, and Specialty Care

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SURGICAL NOTES FROM THE CHAIR:

Progress Toward Strategic Vision

By Anne Mosenthal, MD, FACS, Chair, Department of Surgery

I hope you share my excitement at the ongoing results of our journey to raise the regional profile of the Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery as you will see in this newsletter.

As we expand the reach of our specialty practices out into

We had many distinguished visiting professors

the region, the department is seeing the impact of our efforts

conduct Grand Rounds lectures this year, including

to recruit more people who bring research and innovation

an important talk on gun violence in The Dr. Eric

such as Dr. James Guarrera. Since his arrival in February

Muñoz Memorial Lecture given by Dr. Rochelle

as Chief of Abdominal, Liver and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Dr.

Dicker from UCLA and attended by New Jersey

Guarrera has reinvigorated the Transplant program,

Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, wife of the late

performing 20 liver transplants. Read more of the interview

Dr. Muñoz.

with Dr. Guarrera in this issue.

We are excited to announce new physicians who The Rutgers Center for Transgender Health has performed

are joining our team: hand surgeon Dr. Ashley

gender affirming surgery on its first two patients, including

Ignatiuk in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dustin Cummings,

the first phalloplasty in New Jersey. This is an exciting

a minimally invasive surgeon and Dr. Joseph

program for us, a collaborative center that will provide a full

Oliver, one of our former graduates, in general

spectrum of medical, psychiatric and surgical care for the

surgery.

transgender person. Read more in the story with program co-founder Dr. Jonathan Keith, assistant professor in

We celebrated retirements of two longtime, stalwart

the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

members of our faculty and wish farewell to Dr. Paul Bolanowski, and Dr. Anne Sheffet.

As surgeons, especially in Trauma, we seek hope in efforts to reduce the impact of the epidemic of gun violence. Many

I am extremely proud of our residents and they are

of our colleagues participated in The Student Walkout

featured throughout our newsletter. We graduated

for Gun Violence Awareness in March. A new program

another cohort of spectacular residents and you can

within Trauma, led by Dr. Stephanie Bonne, is making

see the amazing places where they are going next.

gains in helping victims of gun violence find a new path.

At the same time, we welcomed in the new class

Read more about Dr. Bonne’s work and collaboration with

—one of our most diverse groups and you can meet

caseworker Alikah Green.

them here.

Within the past year, we have begun work on integrating our

I appreciate hearing story ideas from several of

practices with University Hospital as an opportunity to focus

you who reached out after the first issue of “On the

on delivering a consistently high-quality experience with more

Cutting Edge,” which you will see published.

patient-centered care. To further enhance our capabilities, we are also launching a new performance improvement initiative.

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Welcome New Surgery Department Physicians Dr. Ashley Ignatiuk Brings “Wide Awake Hand Surgery”

Ashley Ignatiuk, MD, MSc, FRCSC looks forward to bringing new capability in “wide awake” hand surgery and a brachial plexus clinic to the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as a primary specialist in hand and wrist surgery. He is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery and an Attending at University Hospital.

“Wide awake hand surgery is more like going to the dentist using local anesthesia for treatment of carpal tunnel and trigger finger.”

Hospital in Denver. Board-certified in Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, he completed a Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Western Ontario and earned his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine.

“It is better for the patients and for me, they can participate and talk with me during the surgery. It is more cost effective and has better patient outcomes,” Dr. Ignatiuk said.

In partnership with orthopedist Dr. Michael Vosbikian, Dr. Ignatiuk said they will launch a brachial plexus and peripheral nerve clinic. “It will be a big part of limb restoration and limb salvage programs for high energy injuries such

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the opportunities “to join a great group” as part of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “They are doing fantastic stuff with trauma, cancer and burn reconstruction. I look forward to test my skills with the type of cases that come in.”

In addition to hand surgery for carpal tunnel and trigger fingers, Dr. Ignatiuk

Dr. Ignatiuk comes to Rutgers NJMS Surgery from the University of Colorado

Dr. Ignatiuk said he is excited about

as in motorcycle crashes.”

will perform breast reconstruction, head and neck reconstruction, and treat Raynaud’s Syndrome and Spasticity.

Dustin Cummings, MD, M.P.H.,

Joseph Oliver, MD, M.P.H Asst.

Bariatric Surgeon

Professor, General Surgery

Dr. Dustin Cummings has joined the

Former Administrative Chief

Department of Surgery as Assistant Professor, General Surgery. With experience in bariatric surgery, Dr. Cummings will predominately provide clinical services at New Bridge

Resident Dr. Joseph Oliver returns to Rutgers NJMS Surgery after a Fellowship at the University of Southern California.

Medical Center, NBMC.Â

Dr. Oliver, an Assistant Professor,

Dr. Cummings comes to Rutgers

predominately at New Bridge Medical

NJMS Department of Surgery from a fellowship in minimally invasive foregut/bariatric surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle.

He completed a residency in general surgery at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Health System.

Dr. Cummings earned his medical degree and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

General Surgery, will practice Center, NBMC. Prior to completing his residency in General Surgery at Rutgers, NJMS, Dr. Oliver was a Research Fellow in the Department of Surgery, Division of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Rutgers NJMS. A graduate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Oliver earned an MPH in Quantitative Methods, Biostatistics at Rutgers School of Public Health, and his undergraduate degree from Lafayette College.

Introducing New Finance Manager JONATHAN BATISTA, MBA, MPA

Jonathan Batista, MBA, MPA joins the Department of

Batista said, “I was attracted to this opportunity in that it

Surgery as the new Finance Manager.

is a new position, Rutgers’ reputation, its leadership in the community, and the accomplishments of the Department

Batista comes to Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery from

and faculty.”

the Science Division of City College of New York where his nine years of service included roles as Finance Manager, Sr.

Batista, who started July 2 said he will be interviewing all the

Budget Advisor to the Provost and Administrative Executive

division chiefs and their staff members to understand their

Coordinator. Previously Jonathan was a Senior Analyst at JP

needs for financial reporting for day-to-day decisions, and

Morgan Chase.

with the UPA staff, about their financial needs. Consolidating financial reporting efforts from others who have done the

Batista earned an MPA, Masters’ in Public Management

work for their own divisions will be important, Batista said.

& Public Policy at Baruch College, an MBA in Accounting, and is pursuing his CPA.

“My goal is to bring experience and best practices to this role to make sure we have enough resources for capital purposes,

This is a new position for the Department of

student aid and facilities’ needs,” Batista said.

Surgery, reporting to Larry Gold, Interim Vice Chair, Administration. Batista will be responsible for overseeing the

Little known fact: At CCNY Jonathan frequently saw

financial management of the department, supporting and

renowned theoretical physicist and professor Dr. Michio Kaku

developing the annual operating budget, financial planning,

in the halls or the elevator. “I noticed how often we got the

reporting, analysis and forecasting. Financial oversight of

same ‘M&Ms’ out of the vending machine.”

sponsored and non-sponsored funds and representing the department to the school administration are also part of Batista’s responsibilities.

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Welcome New Residents In June we hosted a welcome reception for our newest residents.

We look forward to all their accomplishments.

FRONT ROW: Rachel Berger, Parvin-Nejad Parnian, Mario Figueroa, Najib Allababbi, Elgamma Fatima, Laura Bloom, Sofia Gilels. BACK ROW: Karen Mann, Thomas Bachman, Eddie Ndichie, Posada Erazo, Rawan Sharma, Yu Yasong, Edwin Suarez, Steven Cai, Thomas Hwang, Maya Jackson, Abigail Morris.

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Prominent National Speakers Highlight Grand Rounds Presentations

In the first half of 2018, the Department of Surgery Grand Rounds hosted outstanding external speakers of national prominence.

SPE A K E R S

The Eric Muñoz, MD, Memorial Lecture Andre Muñoz, Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Dr. Anne Mosenthal, Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, Dr. Rochelle Dicker, and Dr. David Livingston gather for The Eric Muñoz, MD, Memorial Lecture. The event honors the former Rutgers Trauma surgeon, administrator and assemblyman. His wife,

In January, Dr. Carla Pugh, Professor of Surgery from

Nancy Muñoz, assumed the legislative seat upon his death

Stanford, spoke to a full house regarding the use of sensor

and then won re-election. Their son, Andre Muñoz, is a NJMS

technology to assess technical skills

medical student.

In March Dr. Julie Freischlag, the Dean, Wake Forest School of Medicine, CEO of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and a nationally sought-after speaker discussed aspects of leadership and lunched with residents.

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Dr. Gregory Jurkovich, Professor of Surgery, Lloyd F. and Rosemargaret Donant Chair in Trauma Medicine and Trauma Research, University of Callifornia, Davis presented on Surgical M&Ms.

Our Transplant team had a great day planned in May

Dr. Rochelle Dicker, Chief of Surgical Critical Care,

for Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, Chair, Department of Surgery at

Associate Chief of Trauma and Emergency General Surgery

University of Chicago. Dr. Matthews spoke on HPB topics

at UCLA was the featured speaker at The Eric Muñoz, MD

of Pancreatitis and complimented the resident presentations

Memorial Lecture, discussing Hospital Violence

given the night before.

Prevention. Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, wife of the former Trauma Surgeon and Assemblyman attended.

Planning is underway for an equally exciting Grand Rounds schedule for 2018-2019.

Highlights

Dr. Sadeghi-Nejad Serving On Urology Exam Board

Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad, MD, FACS,

the main affiliate of the American Urological

Professor of Surgery/Urology has been

Association, with a focus on male and female

selected to serve on the national examination

sexual health.

committee of the American Board of Urology.

He is the Chief of Urology at VA New Jersey In May, Dr. Sadeghi-Nejad became the

Health Care System.

President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. This organization is

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Dr. Adam Fox Interim Director New Jersey Trauma Center, Section Chief

Dr. Adam Fox has been appointed Interim

after practicing in the divisions of Trauma/

Director of the New Jersey Trauma Center

Critical Care and Emergency Surgery at the

at University Hospital and Section Chief of

University of Pennsylvania and Penn State

Trauma, effective July 1 according to an

University.

announcement from Dr. Anne Mosenthal, Chair, Department of Surgery.

He is an instructor and course director for multiple trauma and critical care related

Dr. Fox will oversee all clinical, operational,

courses. He is an active member of The

quality and regulatory aspects of the

International Medical Surgical Response

NJ Trauma Center.

Team (IMSuRT) and Mobile Acute Care Strike Team (MAC-ST) of the National

Dr. David Livingston will continue to be

Disaster Medical System (NDMS). He has

the Division Chief of Trauma/Critical Care

also provided surgical care on multiple

and Acute Care Surgery and represent the

medical missions around the world.

Trauma Center on the state level as Vice

Additionally, he provides medical care and

President of the State Trauma Systems

education to the Newark FBI SWAT Team.

Council.

Dr. Fox sits on the editorial board of several Dr. Fox is an Assistant Professor in the

journals and is the author of multiple journal

Department of Surgery at Rutgers New

articles and has presented at conferences

Jersey Medical School and faculty in the

both nationally and internationally. His

Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical

interests include leadership in trauma,

Care. Dr. Fox joined the faculty in 2011

education, and global trauma and disaster response.

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Resident Jessica Rouan, MD, Poster Presentation, 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting in Boston “Side Branch Ligation Improves Function of Arteriovenous Fistula”

“We looked at non-maturing AVF with evidence of side branches presumed to be diverting flow and took them for ligation. Ligation was performed as either an open procedure or via coil embolization. We reviewed pre- and post-ligation vein diameter and flow volumes using duplex ultrasound and found that post-ligation values were statistically significantly increased for both. Additionally, functional patency was improved post-ligation possibly due to increased vein diameter and flow volumes.”

Pictured Left: Frank Padberg, MD, Jessica Rouan, MD, Michael Curi, MD, Frank Caputo, MD, a recent NJMS residency graduate, currently Vascular Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.

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DR. ADAM FOX AND DR. FRANK PADBERG

Department of Surgery physicians Attended Surgical Lecture Series NJ-ACS Pilgrimage to Bologna, Italy

The event was held in a renaissance building, The Rizzoli Institute, decorated with ceiling frescos from its previous life as a monastery. Dr. Fox spoke on Disaster Management and the US and Italian Surgeons discussed comparative training for surgical residents.

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An Epicenter for Transgender Care and Surgery DR. JONATHAN KEITH

Now that Dr. Jonathan Keith has performed New Jersey’s first successful female to male gender affirmation surgery, a phalloplasty, he continues to study the progress of patient Elijah Stephens as he plans similar surgeries, academic research and

The mission of the Rutgers Center for Transgender Health “is to establish an epicenter in New Jersey that will improve the health and well-being of transgender people through evidence-based clinical care, research and education.” The vision is to “create fellowships in transgender medicine and surgery.”

While Dr. Keith spent three years planning the phalloplasty for patient Elijah Stephens his interest and training in gender affirmation surgery is some 13 years in the making.

“teaching others how to

In 2005 Dr. Keith witnessed his first

perform the operation.”

vaginoplasty in Pittsburgh and wrote

Dr. Keith is Assistant Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rutgers, NJMS and co-founder, codirector of The Rutgers Center for Transgender Health along with Dr. Mark Einstein, Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at Rutgers, NJMS

in a recent Op-Ed article published in USA Today, that after the surgery, “I came to understand that the transformative power of the gender affirming surgery was much more than physical, the patient could finally live as she felt inside.”

In May, Dr. Keith performed the first vaginoplasty in northern New Jersey.

A team of surgeons led by Dr. Jonathan Keith, Assistant Professor, Divsion of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, performs gender affirmation surgery for Elijah Stephens at St. Barnabas Hospital.

“I had never experienced such a demonstrable need for urgent medical intervention outside the Trauma Bay. My patients were at death’s door and needed someone to act.”

He wrote, “the patient told me that

and vaginectomy, leaving only the

Dr. Keith joined the Division of

she would now celebrate her birthday

labia and urethra, in preparation for

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

on the anniversary of her surgery.”

the phalloplasty.

at Rutgers NJMS in 2012 following a seven-year residency in the plastic

The 14-hour phalloplasty operation

To create the penis, Dr. Keith

surgery training program at the

at St. Barnabas Hospital involved

removed skin and tissue from the

University of Pittsburgh.

urologist Dr. Nitin Patel and plastic

patient’s left forearm. He used the

surgeon Dr. Edward Lee among 7

tissue to create a “tube within a

His training included the 2012

physicians and 8 residents.

tube,” to extend the urethra to carry

Stephen S. Kroll Fellowship in

urine to the tip of the penis.

microsurgery at the University

Dr. Keith told NorthJersey.com that

Hospital of Gent, Belgium where

Elijah Stephens recovered quickly

Dr. Keith told NewJersey.com that

he gained expertise in microsurgery

after the surgery and is able to stand

he grafted nerves from Elijah’s

and gender affirmation surgery.

to urinate and achieve orgasm.

forearm to a nerve in the clitoris to

The phalloplasty followed hormone

create feeling in the new phallus.

Dr. Keith wrote in his USA Today

therapy, testosterone, for Stephens

He transferred arteries and veins

op-ed that he views his work

beginning 10 years ago. Then “top

from the forearm, attaching the

as “life-saving” for people with

surgery,” a double mastectomy in

them to the femoral artery for blood

gender dysphoria for whom the

2016 at University Hospital.

circulation to the penis. He used

psychological distress has driven

labial tissue to create a scrotum. An

nearly 40 percent of the trans

Last August, Dr. Keith performed

operation will implant an inflatable

population to attempt suicide.

“bottom surgery,” a hysterectomy

pump to create an erection.

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DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:

Preventing Gun Violence is Personal “I have seen a lot of firearm injury and death since medical student days and as a trauma surgeon. Then as a mother myself, the impact of having to tell another mother that her child had died, that really changed it for me. I got so fed up, I felt I had to do something, so I don’t have to have these conversations with mothers, anymore. It really is the most awful thing we have to do as physicians.”

Participating in the national school

In the Trauma Center at University

caseworker to help mitigate risk and

walkout with her colleagues to bring

Hospital, Dr. Bonne and

navigate community resources, after

attention to gun violence is just one

caseworker Alikah Green (see

hospital discharge.

of many proactive initiatives

story below) engage one-on-

Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Assistant

one with gunshot victims “in that

“This is a ‘warm handoff’ for the

Professor Division of Trauma

teachable moment after trauma when

victims to talk with someone what are

and Surgical Critical Care, has

individuals are more receptive to

the risk factors in their life that may

undertaken to get beyond what she

discussion about prevention,

lead to an increased risk of becoming

calls “secondary prevention,” of a

and maybe willing to discuss the risk

a victim of violence,” Dr. Bonne said.

public health epidemic. “It was a

factors,” related to the shooting,

positive time to reflect and raise

Dr. Bonne said.

More than sixty people have been enrolled in the program and positive

awareness, to come together as a university, to recognize that this is a

She obtained a pilot foundation

outcomes are already taking place.

problem everybody cares about,”

grant from the Healthcare

“People are getting counseling

Dr. Bonne said.

Foundation of New Jersey to

that otherwise would not. People

establish a Hospital-Based Violence

in wheelchairs from their injuries

Intervention Program, HVIP, that

are getting support and learning

matches the gunshot victims and

about self-care. One person finished

“If you help people with other social outcomes in their life, they will be less at risk and have better post-discharge outcomes,”

a GED, one enrolled in college. Two patients received

Now, Dr. Bonne is interested in research funding to

probation from a judge instead of jail time since

investigate the impact of stress biomarkers, cortisol levels,

our caseworker went to court and advocated for them,”

TNF alpha, testosterone, interferon gamma and other

Dr. Bonne said.

things related to stress and depression and social and psychological problems.

As part of her research on best practices to establish HVIPs, Dr. Bonne received the American College of Surgeons, Claude H. Organ, J. MD, FACS Traveling Fellowship and visited “The Wraparound Project” at the University of San Francisco, UCSF, San Francisco General Hospital.

She spent one week meeting case managers who work with gunshot victims, and met with community-based

”Can we reduce the levels of the biomarkers when we give people a positive social network with their prevention and health outcomes?”

organizations that provide assistance to clients needing

She is encouraged that the New Jersey legislature passed

follow-up social services.

funding for a gun violence research center to be based at Rutgers, although details are not finalized.

“I learned it would be important to develop relationships with Newark organizations that offer job training,

Dr. Bonne said, “I think it is great that the Governor has

employment and mental health services.”

insight into the problems of gun violence research. Of the

- Dr. Stephanie Bonne

2600 trauma patients we see each year, 40 percent are the result of interpersonal violence. Among the root causes,

In an article published in “The Bulletin” of the American

domestic violence, poverty, child access to guns, the gun is

College of Surgeons, “Trauma Surgeon uses Traveling

a vector that is highly lethal.”

Fellowship to Learn about HVIPs” Dr. Bonne wrote: “I began to recognize my own implicit bias, that clouded

On a personal level, Dr. Bonne still feels saddened and

the way I defined ‘recovery’ for victims of violence… As

motivated by a school shooting 20 years ago that killed her

surgeons we see patients for a few postoperative visits,

chemistry lab partner at Kalamazoo College.

but we may have an incomplete understanding of how long it takes someone to heal from the psychosocial trauma

“Maggie Wardle was a friend of mine, and she was killed by

of being a victim of violence and how that affects their

her boyfriend in the dorm with a shotgun and then he killed

recovery.”

himself. It really deeply affected everybody. I have always carried that with me. I’m still mad about it.”

Data from other HVIPs in the National Network of Hospital Violence Intervention Programs, suggests recidivism is

She channels her personal experience with firearm injury to

reduced, that fewer repeat gunshot victims are seen as

look for public health-based solutions to firearm injury and

a result of the intervention. “If you help people with other

death in the United States.

social outcomes in their life, they will be less at risk and have better post-discharge outcomes,” Dr. Bonne said.

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ALIKAH GREEN:

“Big Sister” Helps Gun Victims To New Path

Every morning caseworker Alikah Green checks in with the Trauma Center at University Hospital “and they give me a list of guys who have been shot,” so she can help create a pathway to protect them from further violence.

A “civilian” working in the Hospital Violence Intervention Program under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Bonne, (see story above) Green relies on her experience in the community to create trusting relationships with the gun violence victims.

“When I was in high school, lots of my friends were passing away. I wanted to know, where are the people who can help these guys? I was tired of all the violence, and then I heard about this job opening. I know I can’t stop gun violence all by myself, but I’m trying my best to help one person at a time.” Alikah Green “I walk the community. Everybody knows me from working for the city of Newark. I engage with the victims, one on one, to help them find jobs, school, housing, mental health services.”

Green said her involvement extends beyond meeting the clients in the hospital. She provides six months of follow up.

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“I just talk and help them open up and be more comfortable in my presence.

After a while they see that I really care. I’m like a big sister, like a mom figure.”

She recalls a client who was “standoffish to me. I’m a stranger. A couple days went by, I kept making him feel comfortable, and then he tells me he wants to go to school and to work. I went with him on the search and found a school that would pay him to get a GED. He’s been there ever since, getting a paycheck every two weeks and he will graduate. It is a big impact on my life that I could help and make a difference.”

Green said that when clients get discharged, “they leave here with appointments. I call, I check in on them, I grab lunch. I help clients get a state ID card, social services, mental health care. I go out to make connections to help these people. I do the footwork, we build relationships to help find jobs. I teach them there are lots of positive ways to make lots of money, go to school and get the knowledge.”

A client who wanted to build elevators is getting assistance from Green to go to a technical school.

Progress and outcomes are a series of small steps.

“It can be very discouraging to see new clients every day, but I’m here to help.”

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PRO M OTI O NS

Honors and Awards Dr. Anthony Scholer

AOA NJ Honors

Wins Golden Apple

Dr. Amy Gore

Teaching Award Administrative Chief Resident Amy Anthony Scholer, M.D., recent residency graduate, is presented the Golden Apple Teaching Award

by Asmi Panigrahi, MD from the 2019 NJMS students. Anastasia Kunac, M.D. FACS, Program Director, General Surgery Residency, said,

Gore, MD, a recent 2018 graduate, was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, NJ Beta Chapter. She was inducted

Dr. Ravi Chokshi, to Associate Professor, Surgical Oncology

on April 17. From Left to Right are: Dr. Frank Padberg, Dr. Augustine Tawadros, President AOA; Dr. Amy Gore, Dr. Amy Weiss, Vice-President AOA and Dr. Michael Shapiro.

“We had so many resident nominees and I am proud that so many of our surgical residents were honored with nominations. Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. Each of you is shaping the future of our profession. Thank you for your commitment to our students and for being excellent surgical educators.”

Dr. Edward Lee, to Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery

Pictured Left Dr. Anthony Scholer, M.D., recent residency graduate, is presented The Golden Apple Teaching Award by Dr. Asmi Panigrahi, from the 2019 NJMS students.

Amy Gore, MS, Former Administrative Chief Resident, a 2018 graduate, was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, NJ Beta Chapter, Attending are: Dr. Frank Padberg, Dr. Augustine Tawadros, President AOA; Dr. Amy Gore, Dr. Amy Weiss, Vice-President AOA and Dr. Michael Shapiro.

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Congratulations 2018 NJMS Surgery Graduates Celebrating their residency graduation, from left to right :

Congratulations NJMS SURGERY GRADUATES!

Christopher McGreevy, MD; Anthony Scholer, MD; Amy Gore, MD; Anne Mosenthal, MD, Chair; Anastasia Kunac, MD, Program Director; Edward Andraos, MD; Dhaval Chauhan, MD; Neil King, MD. Not pictured: Vijayaumar Tanjavur, MD

JUNE 2018 RESIDENCY GRADS:

Where are they Going?

Division of General Surgery

Edward Andraos, MD - Houston Medthodist for Vascular Surgery

Dhaval Chauhan, MD - Montefiore Medical Center in NYC for Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship

Amy Gore, MDÂ - University of Colorado for

Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship

Neil King, MD - Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC for

Laparoscopic and Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellowship

Christopher McGreevy, MD - University of Pennsylvania for Breast Oncology Fellowship

Anthony Scholer, MD, MBS - John Wayne Cancer Institute in California for Surgical Oncology Fellowship

Vijayaumar Tanjavur, MD - Staten Island University Hospital for Vascular Surgery Fellowship

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2018

Retirements Ceremonies Honor Long-Time Retiring Doctors

DR. PAUL BOLANOWSKI, MD

DR. ALICE SHEFFET, PH.D.

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Ceremonies Honor Long-Time Retiring Doctors

“There are not many here who have not had the pleasure of learning and

Lecturer at University of New Mexico, Brandeis Institute in California, University of Albuquerque, Drew University and NYU.

working with him.”

Paul Bolanowski, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Ceremonies marking the retirements of Paul Bolanowski, M.D. and Alice Sheffet, Ph.D. highlighted their significant contributions to Rutgers NJMS as faculty members in the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Bolanowski, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Professor of Surgery, devoted 48 years of his medical career to Rutgers, NJMS and received many awards including “Top Docs in New Jersey,” “Best Doctors in New York” and “Best Doctors in America.”

Dr. Sheffet, an Associate Professor of Surgery, worked 29 years at Rutgers NJMS, highlighted by her service as Director of the multimillion-dollar CREST grant. (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy

Dr. Mosenthal said, “Paul received his MD degree at this institution, and after his surgery residency, he came back to New Jersey for his cardiothoracic residency and loved it so much he decided to never leave.” He was a specialist in thoracic oncology, tracheal reconstruction and chest wall reconstruction.

Dr. Bolanowski served two years as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Viet Nam and received the Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star.

“As an avid member and President of the Alumni Association, Paul continues to serve the Rutgers NJMS community,” Dr. Mosenthal said. “Paul’s expertise and skills are carried on for future generations of surgeons.”

Alice Sheffet, Ph.D.

Anne Mosenthal, M.D., Chair of the Department of Surgery.

the principal designers of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial, CREST, working with the initial PI, former chief of vascular surgery Dr. Robert Hobson.

She supervised the $21 million NIHfunded CREST study conducted at 117 clinical sites involving 2,522 patients in the U.S. and Canada from 2000 to 2017.

Dr. Sheffet published 33 research works as a result of the study and coauthored papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and other leading medical journals. The FDA approved the Acculink and Accunet stent systems in 2012 based on data reported from the CREST study.

Dr. Mosenthal said, “Dr. Sheffet’s leadership of this research changed the delivery of treatment for carotid

vs. Stenting Trial) “Paul is an icon here at NJMS,” said

At Rutgers Dr. Sheffet was among

Dr. Sheffet earned her Ph.D in

artery disease worldwide.”

Education at New York University and came to Rutgers NJMS in 1989 after work as an Instructor and

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The Liver Transplant Team has performed 20 liver transplants since the arrival of Dr. James Guarrera in February.

DR. JAMES GUARRERA:

Liver Transplant Program Exceeds Expectations In February Dr. James Guarrera joined Rutgers NJMS

led to the completion of a fully portable perfusion device

and University Hospital as Program Director of Liver

that can be brought to the donor hospital via ground or air

Transplantation “with a lot of confidence that there would be

transport. Organ Recovery Systems will be sponsoring the

great potential.” Since performing his first liver transplant at

upcoming trial under Dr. Guarrera’s leadership. As part of

University Hospital March 20, by mid-July the program has

the clinical trial sample tissue and blood will all be analyzed

already completed 20 transplants.

here in our lab, and biopsies studied by the department of pathology here, Dr. Guarrera said.

“There is a great referral base of liver disease patients and also many organ donors in New Jersey and we projected doing about 30 cases in the first year and now we are on target to do over 50 Liver Transplants.” Dr. James Guarrera

Dr. Guarrera has also proposed starting a living donor transplant program at University Hospital “which may allow more people to get better access to transplants, before they get too sick,” he said.

There are currently no living donor transplant programs in New Jersey, Dr. Guarrera said.

Dr. Guarrera, Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of Liver

“Due to upcoming policy changes in organ distribution, we

Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery, previously Surgical

may in the near future have to go further for donor organs

Director of Adult Liver Transplantation at Columbia University

and be a little more creative about what donor organs we

Hospital, said “I’m excited to continue my research in new

can obtain; these initiatives may help protect and position

strategies to expand access to transplantation by working on

us to be successful,” Dr. Guarrera said.

organ preservation, and living donor transplantation.”

The program has recruited another surgeon to join the The holder of seven patents from his research and

transplant and hepatobiliary team. Dr. Flavio Paterno from

development, including “Machine Perfusion for Liver

University of Cincinnati Health will be joining in October.

Preservation,” Dr. Guarrera said he will be the Principal

“In addition to his being an experienced transplant surgeon,

Investigator for an upcoming multicenter clinical trial of 10

Dr. Paterno has an MPH and is an accomplished outcomes

centers that will study use of his portable perfusion device

researcher who will help us grow our research endeavors”

to extend the life of livers for potential transplant.

Dr. Guarrera said.

He was previously federally funded and ran two clinical trials

Recruitment is also underway to add additional staff such

to develop the device and more recently has partnered with

as Physician Assistants, transplant coordinators and an

Organ Recovery Systems, the industry leader

experienced transplant administrator as the program

in Organ Preservation technology. This collaboration has

continues to grow.

SEP T EMBER , 2018

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Research Symposium Scenes In late February, the Department of Surgery conducted its fourth annual Research Symposium, highlighting the accomplishments of nearly 30 faculty, researchers, residents and students.

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Rutgers NJMS Surgery Staff Conduct Advocacy Visits to Washington, DC Members of the Rutgers NJMS Surgery Department visited Congressional Leaders in Washington during the American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ 7th District) met with delegates to discuss the issues. Dr. Frank Padberg, ACS Governor, Professor of Vascular Surgery, NJMS; Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Assistant Professor, Trauma, Critical Care, Young Surgeons Association; Representative Leonard Lance; Dr. Joseph Cauda,

Governor’s Meetings and Leadership

Vice-President NJ-ACS, Dr. Diana Arellano, 4th year

and Advocacy Summit, held May 18-22.

Surgery Resident NJMS; Dr. Justin Sambol, President NJ ACS, Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, NJMS.

An enthusiastic leadership session on Sunday included Chapter Success stories and motivational talks. Monday presented several sessions on the state of health care in the country and how ACS Advocacy may be most beneficial. Tuesday was reserved for visits to Capitol Hill.

Each Congressional Office--Senators, Congressmen, and Congresswomen--was visited. In most offices, physicians met with the Health Care Assistant but two congressmen personally hosted the delegation.

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On a Personal Note Congratulations and best wishes to Residents Dr. Young Mee Choi and Dr. Dhaval Chauhan on their recent wedding.

CONGR ATULATIONS

BEST WISHES

Former Vascular Surgery Instructor, Dr. Ben Chandler, Dr. Laurel Karian, Plastic Surgery Residency graduate,

welcomed their baby girl in March!

C o py r i g ht 2 018 Ru t g e r s , T h e S t ate U n i ve r s i t y o f N ew J e r s ey, a n e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t y, a f f i r m at i ve a c t i o n i n s t i t u t i o n. A l l r i g ht s r e s e r ve d

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Vol. 1, No.2 | Summer 2018