Summer 2020
The Scalpel A Dissection of News from the Department of Surgery
Chairman’s Thoughts
day, provide telehealth, be flexible in our With the beginning of a new academic year, we have again said schedules, and at goodbye to a great finishing class least for me, reflect on the things of chief residents and fellows as important in my life. well as welcomed a new group of Moreover, the surgical trainees. As you will note recent tragic events inside the Scalpel each of the chief occurring across our residents and fellows will be nation has Dr. Freeman and graduating Vascular Fellow demonstrated the either advancing their surgical Dr. Rideout need for us all to Michael B. Freeman, MD training in great fellowships or reassess the racial, social and equity issues that continue to entering private practice in Chairman plague our society, as well as how we can each play a role in surgery. In future years, reversing these injustices. I pray that we all will get back as reflections on their training at UTMCK will bring back soon as possible to the normalcy of life in the hospital but memories of the comradery they experienced with their also that we will be able to learn and grow from the fellow residents but also how the COVID-19 pandemic struggles that have occurred in 2020. In the end if we strive effected their training. Our end of the year functions to to understand how we got to where we are and endeavor to celebrate the finishing residents were limited but the ability correct the things that have gotten us to this point, we, with our children, we will live in a better world. to create a special video featuring the administrative staff, surgical attendings, and junior residents continued the legacy of sending off the residents with warm appreciation for a job well done. Like many of you, as I reflect on the past six months there have been several major events that have caused me to reexamine my life priorities and how I deal with those I come in contact with. First of all, living in a health care bubble there has been the COVID-19 pandemic. For many the initial fear of exposure to COVID-19 patients and the interruption that occurred with elective surgery put a strain on everyone psychologically, physically and financially. Despite the stress COVID-19 has put on each of us, I am so proud of how everyone in the Department of Surgery has risen to the occasion and sacrificed to continue excellence in patient care and teaching of our surgical house staff. We have learned to reach out to others and teach per ZOOM and Microsoft TEAMS, wear masks and wash our hands throughout the
Dr. Freeman and Dr. Daley with Chief Residents
New Residents and Fellows
Reid Andrews
Jacob Balmer
Jacob Creighton
Taylor Crismon
PGY1 Preliminary Radiology
PGY1
PGY1
Medical University of South Carolina
University of Texas HSC—San Antonio
PGY1 University of Louisville
University of Texas, Houston
Vanessa Garber
Kaylan Gee
Katherine Mass
Tom Mazonas
PGY1 Preliminary
PGY1
PGY1
Lincoln Memorial University
Medical University of South Carolina
PGY1 Preliminary Saint Louis University
Summer 2020 │The Scalpel │ Department of Surgery │2
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Brett Salomon
Anna Tarasidis
Matt Wendahl
Wenjia Xu
PGY1 Preliminary
PGY1 Preliminary
PGY1, Preliminary OMFS Resident
PGY1 University of Oklahoma
Louisiana State University of South University—New Carolina—Greenville Orleans
University of Pittsburgh
Nathan Hieb
Beau Bush
Jordan Grubbs
Surgical Critical Care Fellow
Vascular Surgery Fellow
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Florida State University
Advanced GI MIS Fellow, Faculty University of Colorado
2020 Residents’ Research Day • Chief Residents’ Dinner The Department of
exceptional faculty, fellows, and
Surgery celebrated its
residents.
Twenty-Ninth Annual
Dr. Michael Freeman and Dr.
Residents’ Research Day
Brian Daley spoke of these
on June 19, 2020 in
outstanding winners for their
Wood Auditorium. In an
contribution to the department.
effort to maintain social
That evening, a dinner was
distancing, the event was
hosted at Cherokee Country Club
hosted virtually for the
Dr. Lewis
first time and those in Dr. Rideout
in Bearden. A limited number of residents and fellows gathered
attendance were spread throughout with family and faculty to honor the room. Presentations began at 7
a.m. and finished by noon. A lunch was served
Dr. McLain
the graduates and recognize their achievements.
followed by an award ceremony for this year’s
Dr. Daley introducing Chief Residents at award ceremony
Dr. Jordan Shealy presenting at Residents’ Research Day
Dr. Daley presenting chief residents with the first virtual Captain’s Chair
Summer 2020 │The Scalpel │ Department of Surgery │4
2020 Resident Award Recipients Resident Teaching Award Dr. Jordan Shealy Faculty Teaching Award Dr. Kyle Kleppe Exceptional Service Award Dr. Phillip Rideout and David Trout, RN Scott B. Frame Trauma Scholarship Award Dr. Devin Clegg Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgery Award Dr. Sung Lee Resident Performance Award First place, Dr. Jared Griffard Second place, Dr. Rachel Lewis Third place, Dr. Evan Foulke and Dr. Miles Landry Kimball I Maull Award First place, Dr. Lauren Grimsley Second place, Dr. Rachel Lewis Third place, Dr. Bethany Sappington
2020 Chief Residents and Fellows
Lynellen Gregory, MD
Miles Landry, MBBS
Sung Lee, MD
Megan Lodeiro, MD
Chief Resident
Chief Resident
Chief Resident
Chief Resident
Colon and Rectal Fellowship at Orlando Health
Bariatric Fellowship at Peachtree Bariatrics, Atlanta, GA
Private Practice at Vascular Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Martin East Carolina Health, Port St. Lucie, FL University
John McLain, MD
Eric Whittington, MD
Phillip Rideout, MD
Chief Resident
Chief Resident
Vascular Surgery Fellow
Private Practice, Resolute Health Hospital, New Braunfels, TX
Vascular Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin
Private Practice, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA
Summer 2020 │The Scalpel │ Department of Surgery │6
Andrew Rogers, MD Advanced GI MIS Fellow Private Practice Blossom Bariatrics Las Vegas, NV
Department News Dr. Chun Receives Masters Degree from UTHSC Dr. Joseph T. Chun earned his Master’s degree in Health Informatics and Information Management from the UT Health Science Center in Memphis. The goal of the program is to provide the competencies for health care professionals to manage the information in an increasingly complex electronic health environment. Graduation was scheduled for May 11, 2020 but has been postponed due to COVID-19 precautions. The Department of Surgery congratulates Dr. Chun on his degree!
Department Renovations Complete
and new
Recently the 2 North hallway, home to the
video
Department of Surgery, finished updates and
conference
renovations. The remodeling includes newly
cameras for
painted hallway walls, interview conference room,
season to be
bathrooms, and
conducted
mailroom. The
virtually. A
women’s and men’s
hallway
restrooms received
monitor screen was added near the entrance of the
Tryptic paneling in the back of the conference room
new tiling and fixtures. department that features news, department
Chairs provided for waiting areas
The mailroom has
conference dates, and recent poster presentations
larger mail storage,
from residents. Photographs featuring prominent
new sink countertops
Knoxville landmarks line the walls and furniture
and storage areas. The hallway carpet was
was added to help break up the long hallway and
removed and replaced with vinyl tile. The
provide comfortable seating.
conference room also features new tryptic paneling of beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery, new meeting table and chairs, an updated smart board, (Left) New plaques for department awards along the entrance; (Right) Conference room with updated smart board, storage, and conference table
Department News Alumnus Dr. David Jeffcoach recently visited the department since moving to Soddo, Ethiopia in February 2019. He joined the staff at Soddo Christian Hospital and directs the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). PAACS trains African surgeons to provide for those in need. His wife Krichele is a physicians assistant at the hospital and also cares for their three children. Dr. Jeffcoach
completed a fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at UC San Francisco— Fresno before moving to Ethiopia. For more information about the Soddo Christian Hospital please visit: www.soddo.org To donate to the missionary of Dr. Jeffcoach: https:// www.globaloutreach.org/giving/ missionary-details/david-and-krichelejeffcoach Information on the PAACS: www.paacs.net
Dr. Jeffcoach graduated the residency program in 2016 and
Dr. John Mack was
Dr. Mack started with the Department of Surgery
honored for his
September 1, 1994; retiring in December 2019, after 25
contributions to the
years as full-time faculty. Prior to joining the faculty he
cardiovascular
trained with one of the premier pediatric cardiac
intensive care unit. Dr.
surgeons in the nation. He was the only congenital heart
Mack spent many years
surgeon in the region
teaching rounds in the
for several years. Dr.
CVICU with nurses,
Mack also trained in the
residents, and medical
military and remained
students.
in the reserves until
Cardiothoracic
1998. He was the
surgeons Dr. Ray Dieter From Left: Dr. Raymond Dieter,
physician advisor for
Dr. Thomas Gaines, Dr. John and Dr. Thomas Gaines, Mack, and Dr. Michael Freeman
over 10 years to the
and vascular surgeon
HLVI. “Dr. Mack will
and Chairman Dr. Michael Freeman presented Dr. Mack always be remembered with this award. It features a framed photo of the Heart
as an excellent surgeon,
and Lung Vascular Institute with signatures and
teacher, and colleague
congratulatory wishes from his colleagues.
while at UTMCK, “ said
CVICU nurse Heather Hiltbold, RN and Dr. Mack
Dr. Dieter.
Summer 2020 │The Scalpel │ Department of Surgery │8
Department News McNally Named Fellowship Director Michael McNally, MD was named the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program Director as of this past May. Dr. Freeman previously served as fellowship director since the program’s inception in 1993. Dr. McNally will have responsibility and authority for the operations, teaching and scholarly activity, recruitment and selection, evaluation of the fellows, and the fellow’s education in patient care. The department congratulates Dr. McNally for this new role.
Welcome New Faculty Alex Cavalea, MD Assistant
Stephanie Scott, MD Assistant
Professor, Trauma/Critical Care
Professor, Trauma/Critical Care
General Surgery Residency UT Graduate School of Medicine
General Surgery Residency, Monmouth Medical Center
Fellowship—Surgical Critical Care at LSU Health Sciences Center
Fellowship—Surgical Critical Care, East Caroline University
Davis Berry, MD Assistant
Ryan Schmocker, MD Assistant
Professor, Trauma Critical Care
Professor, Surgical Oncology
General Surgery Residency, UT Health Science Center
General Surgery Residency, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Fellowship—NIH T32 Postdoctoral Research, Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program
Fellowship—Surgical Critical Care/ Trauma, UT Health Science Center
Fellowship—Complex General Surgical Oncology, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Min Yoo, MD Assistant Professor,
Heath Many, MD Assistant
General Surgery Residency, University of Texas Southeastern Medical Center
General Surgery Residency, University of New Mexico Health Science Center
Fellowship—Renal Transplant, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Fellowship—Surgical Critical Care, UT Graduate School of Medicine
Transplant
Professor, Trauma/Critical Care
Fellowship—Abdominal Transplant Surgery, UT Health Science Center
Sean Jordan, MD Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic
General Surgery Residency, University of Arizona College of Medicine Fellowship—Thoracic Surgery, Temple University/ Fox Chase Cancer Center Fellowship—Thoracic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer
Aaron Guel, MD Instructor, Cardiothoracic
Combined General & Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency, Allegheny General Hospital
Department Spotlight Sheri Baldwin Recognized for Excellence in Job Performance The UT Graduate School of Medicine recently honored employees with the 14th annual Employee Excellence Awards program. Nominated by peers and supervisors, Excellence Award winners are recognized for their willingness to go beyond the scope of their jobs by providing outstanding job performance, leadership, courtesy and customer service, and community service. This year’s awards were announced in surprise Zoom meetings with the recipients. A recognition ceremony will be held at a later date. Ms. Baldwin has provided administrative support to the Department of Surgery for more than 18 years. She supports the Division of Oncology to ensure faculty maintain requirements within the GSM and UT systems. She helps faculty to update their CVs, accomplish research goals, and prepare for academic meetings. She also ensures that faculty are informed about their daily schedules.
In nominating her, James McLoughlin, MD, Professor, wrote, “Sheri continually works with a smile and a word of encouragement. She remains a source of joy and energy within our office.” Dr. McLaughlin was joined on the Zoom call by Drs. Freeman, Lewis and Lloyd who offered their congratulations.
Congratulating Sheri via Zoom: Dr. James Lewis, Kandi Hodges, Dr. Paul Hauptman, Dr. Michael Freeman, Sheri Baldwin, Amy Paganelli, Dr. Jonathan Wall, Dr. Rajiv Dhand, Dr. Jillian Lloyd, Dr William Metheny and Dr. James McLoughlin
Dr. Michael McNally Receives Excellence in Leadership in Clinical Research
In his nomination letter, Michael Freeman, MD, Chair of
Dr. McNally developed a monthly vascular clinical
than Dr. McNally in regards to receiving the Excellence
research meeting with all faculty members and residents to discuss ongoing projects and plans for publication. Dr. McNally has initiated a clinical trial in
Surgery wrote, “I can think of no one more deserving and Leadership in Clinical Research Award. He always conducts research in an ethical manner and has contributed to the body of knowledge in surgery.”
collaboration with the Department of Nutrition for evaluation of a potential anti-inflammatory herbal medication, as a modulator of intimal hyperplasia. He is also principal investigator of a Phase 2 clinical trial utilizing endovascular stent graft technology for thoraco -abdominal repair. He has previously participated in research related to radiation exposure during the vascular surgery training program as well as clinical outcomes of thrombosed AV access grafts.
Dr. McNally (center) receives his award virtually with: Dr. Michael Freeman, Kandi Hodges, Dr. William Metheny, Dr. Dr. Paul Hauptman, Dr. Rajiv Dhand, Amy Paganelli, and Dr. Jonathan Wall
Summer 2020 │The Scalpel │ Department of Surgery │10
Department Faculty and Alumni http://gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/faculty.cfm http://gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/alumni.cfm
Further Reading The Department of Surgery is actively engaged in research. Check out our recent publications and presentations at:
http:gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/scholarlyactivity.cfm
Donate to the Department The UT Graduate School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery are thankful for generous support from people like you! If you are interested in giving please contact development@utmck.edu or 865-305-6611.
Contacts Us The University of Tennessee Department of Surgery 1924 Alcoa Highway, U-11 Knoxville, TN 37920-6999 Phone: 865-305-9294 Email: rroberts1@utmck.edu Website: http://gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/main.cfm
The University of Tennessee Medical Center comprises the University Memorial Hospital and the Graduate School of Medicine. Together, these entities embody the medical center’s philosophy and mission through the spirit of exploration, the passion for teaching, and the compassion to restore. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title IV/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. E20-6358-00-0002-08