SURGERY NEWS
VOLUME 11, NO. 2 SUMMER/FALL 2026
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Message from the Chair . . . . . . . 2 Department News and Announcements. . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Visiting Professors. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 New Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 HWSS Alumni Event . . . . . . . . 8-9 Faculty Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 TNACS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13 Residency Feature. . . . . . . . . . . 14 Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-20 HWSS Donors List. . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CREDITS Senior Editor David Shibata, MD Editorial Staff Brenda Young, MA
Send comments, suggestions and future content to: Brenda Young byoung64@uthsc.edu
uthsc.edu/surgery
Above: The UT Health Sciences Department of Surgery welcomed Dr. Henri Ford, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL, and immediate Past-President of the American College of Surgeons, on June 12, 2026, at the SAC Building. Read more on page 8 (B. Young/ UT Health Sciences). Left: Dr. David Shibata, Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery at UT Health Sciences (right), with Dr. Henri Ford, the Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Distinguished Visiting Professor.
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
TOP DOCTORS BY MEMPHIS THE CITY MAGAZINE SONIA ALVAREZ, MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Welcome to the Summer/Fall 2026 edition of the UT Health Sciences Surgery News. As we closed another academic year, we once again observed a number of Department of Surgery traditions. These included showcasing the scholarly accomplishments of our students, residents and fellows at the annual Department of Surgery/Harwell Wilson Surgical Society (HWSS) Research Symposium. We had the distinct honor of hosting Dr. Henri Ford, Dean of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Past-President of the American College of Surgeons, as our HWSS Distinguished Visiting Professor. Most importantly, the annual evening banquet at The Peabody Hotel was the setting of our awards ceremony and celebration of the graduation of our outstanding class of Chief Residents. Soon thereafter, we turned another page with our annual new intern/resident welcome event at Topgolf. We are again extremely pleased with the high caliber of residents that we continue to attract to the program. Thank you to Ms. Brandi Lewis for her invaluable assistance in organizing the many functions.
DEVRA BECKER, MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery SASKYA BYERLY, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care ANDREW DAVIDOFF, MD Pediatric Surgery OLIVIA DELOZIER, MD General Surgery CORY EVANS, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care JAMES W. EUBANKS, III MD Pediatric Surgery ALEXANDER FELIZ, MD Pediatric Surgery DINA FILIBERTO, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care MARTIN FLEMING, MD Surgical Oncology
During the month of August, the Department faculty and residents provided strong representation at the TN Chapter of the American College of Surgeons annual meeting. Herein, please find highlights of their participation in the conference and a summary of leadership appointments in the organization. Innovation, initiative, and commitment are among the most distinguishing traits of our surgical faculty. As a prime example, in this edition’s Faculty Spotlight we report on Dr. Thomas Easterday’s persistent efforts that have culminated in the development and introduction of “Transition to Surgical Residency,” a new formal College of Medicine course for outgoing 4th-year medical students. Join me in congratulating Dr. Easterday on this great accomplishment. Thank you to all staff, residents, fellows, and faculty for all that you do every day to enhance the excellence of our department. We look forward to another stellar year of growth and accomplishments! Sincerely,
David Shibata, MD, FACS, FSSO, FASCRS Harwell Wilson Alumni Endowed Chair in Surgery Professor and Chair
VASANTHI BALARAMAN, MD Transplantation
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HARVEY E. GARRETT, MD Vascular Surgery ASHLEY HENDRIX, MD Surgical Oncology - Breast Surgery TIM JANCELEWICZ, MD Pediatric Surgery JUSTIN MONROE, MD Surgical Oncology - Colorectal Surgery NOSRATOLLAH NEZAKATGOO, MD Transplantation DAVID SHIBATA, MD Surgical Oncology REGAN WILLIAMS, MD Pediatric Surgery
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
DEPARTMENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENTS DEVRA BECKER, MD
MAHMOUD HASSOUBA, MD
Devra Becker, MD, Professor, Chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was named an Editor on the Editorial Board of FACE. FACE is the peer-reviewed online journal founded as the official publication of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS).
Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was named a Section Editor on the Editorial Board of FACE.
ALEXANDER FELIZ, MD
THAO WOLBERT, MD Thao Wolbert, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was named an Associate Editor of the Editorial Board of FACE.
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Surgery, was accepted to the Southern Surgical Association’s Leadership Development Program. He is also the founding faculty member of the newly established UT Health Sciences chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association.
JANE ZHAO, MD, MS Assistant Professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, was featured on ABC 24 Memphis Local News (WATN-TV) in a segment titled, “Memphis doctor first in Mid-South to use technology that makes cancer literally light up,” which aired on June 19, 2026. Zhao used an FDA-approved technology called Cytalux, which targets and causes lung lesions to fluoresce intraoperatively.
NEW FACULTY TRANSPLANTATION MAHMOUD MUSA, MD Dr. Musa has joined the UT Health Sciences Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplantation. His surgical training includes general surgery residencies at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, and at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He also completed fellowships in Nephrology at Wayne State and Transplant Nephrology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
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SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
DEPARTMENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONT. NEW FELLOWS (STARTING 2027)
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
TRAUMA/SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE SURGERY
CLEMENT JOSE, MD
SUKAINA ALIKHAN, MD
Fellow in Complex General Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jose completed both medical school and his general surgery residency training at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, NM.
Fellow in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Alikhan received her medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine in Osbourn, Antigua. She completed her general surgery residency training at State University of New York System (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY.
VASCULAR SURGERY
SOLOMON FEUERWERKER, MD
CARLEY ISBELL, DO, MS
Fellow in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Feuerwerker graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his general surgery residency training at Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT.
Fellow in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Isbell attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX, and completed her general surgery residency training at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School in Houston, TX.
MATTHEW REEVES, MD Fellow in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Reeves attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, CA, where he also completed his general surgery residency training.
SHRIYA REDDY, MD, MBA
Pasadena, CA.
Fellow in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Reddy graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. She completed her general surgery residency training at Huntington Health in
GUNNAR J. ORCUTT, MD Fellow in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Orcutt graduated from DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. He completed his general surgery residency training at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. 4
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE
SAVE THE DATES
GLOBAL SURGERY SCHOLARS
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY SYMPOSIUM
Erin Koffman, MD (PGY4); Mariah Perkins, MD (PGY3); and Imani Sweatt, MD (PGY3) were named the 2027 UT Health Sciences Global Surgery Institute Scholars as selected by the GSI Scholarship Committee and the host organization in the Philippines.
NOV. 14 | MEMPHIS, TN The UT Health Sciences Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, is hosting a one-day symposium on the management of soft tissue sarcoma. The symposium will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park, 415 Great View Drive East, Memphis, TN.
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY HOLIDAY RECEPTION DEC. 5 | MEMPHIS, TN
UPCOMING MISSION TRIP
The Department of Surgery’s annual holiday reception will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the University Club of Memphis.
Nia Zalamea, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Division of General Surgery, Director of UT Health Sciences Global Surgery Institute, will travel with a multidisciplinary team to Manila, Philippines, in Feb. 2027. This team will include Drs. Olivia DeLozier, Chelsea Olson, Thomas Easterday, and Sara Soule. This trip will also include academic teaching at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center.
UTHSC DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY’S HARWELL WILSON SURGICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM JUNE 24-26, 2027 | MEMPHIS, TN The annual event will include the visiting professor lecture, scientific symposium, alumni reception, graduation/awards banquet, and golf outing. Visit harwellwilson.org for more details.
PEDIATRIC SURGERY FELLOWSHIP BOOTCAMP The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and UT Health Sciences hosted the Pediatric Surgery Transition to Fellowship Course on July 21–22. Ying Weatherall, MD, served as course director. The Association of Pediatric Surgery Training Program Directors (APSTPD) developed the course to help prepare incoming pediatric surgery fellows for fellowship and provide a common foundation as they begin their training, recognizing the variability in their prior surgical experiences. This was the eighth year of the course. Traditionally, two parallel courses are held each July in different geographic regions to facilitate travel, but this year Le Bonheur was the sole host site. The event welcomed 30 incoming pediatric surgery fellows who began fellowship programs across the United States and Canada in August. The curriculum covered a broad range of pediatric surgery topics, along with important areas such as well-being and quality improvement. Didactic sessions were held at Le Bonheur, while the simulation and wet lab portions of the course took place at the UT Health Sciences for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation (CHIPS). The course brought together 35 faculty members, including Le Bonheur pediatric surgeons, general surgery and trauma advanced practice providers, graduates of the Le Bonheur Pediatric Surgery Fellowship, and regional and national leaders in pediatric surgery.
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IN THE NEWS
VISITING PROFESSORS’ SERIES
LEVELING UP
HENRI FORD, MD, FACS
AS SEEN IN UT HEALTH SCIENCES MAGAZINE Andrew Kerwin, MD, Professor, Chief, Division of Trauma/ Surgical Critical Care, serves as medical director of the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health. The center has received national verification as a Level 1 Trauma Center from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The designation makes it the only Level 1 adult trauma center within 150 miles and places it in an elite class among other institutions.
On June 12, Dr. Henri Ford, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL, and immediate Past-President of the American College of Surgeons, served as the 2026 Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Distinguished Visiting Professor. He lectured on the topic, “Leadership in American Surgery: Achieving Our Best Together.”
The article was featured in the inaugural edition of Health Sciences magazine (Summer 2026), an institutional publication that includes stories that demonstrate the power of connecting people, disciplines, and ideas to improve health across Tennessee.
ALICIA LOGUE, MD
To read the full article: https://magazine.uthsc.edu/2026/ leveling-up/
On June 12, Dr. Alicia Logue, Associate Professor, Leader of the Colon/Rectal Surgery Program, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Antonio, TX, was welcomed as the 2026 Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Alumni Speaker. She presented on the topic, “Life After Memphis — The Unexpected Home in Academics and Journey Through Colorectal Surgery.”
SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST DR MARTIN FLEMING AND FAMILY: THREE GENERATIONS OF CANCER CARE AS SEEN IN THE DAILY MEMPHIAN Dr. Martin Fleming, MD, Professor, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology, followed in the footsteps of his father, a local icon in cancer surgery. Now, his son, Andrew Fleming, MD (UTHS Surgery ‘26), is continuing the family tradition as he pursues Complex General Surgical Oncology training at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL.
GILBERT “GIB” UPCHURCH, MD
To read the article visit: https://dailymemphian.com/ subscriber/section/metrospirit-of-memphis/article/65457/ uthsc-surgical-oncologist-martin-fleming-taking-after-father
On Aug. 5, Dr. Gilbert Upchurch, Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, served as the 2026 UT Health Sciences Visiting Professor in Vascular Surgery. He presented on the topic, “Our Role in Caring for Patients with Complex Diseases.”
NEW RESIDENT WELCOME EVENT
UPCOMING VISITING LECTURERS TAMERA WORLTON, MD TBA 2027 | Dr. Worlton, Director of Global Surgery at Uniformed Services University, Director of Surgical Operations at the Center for Global Health Engagement at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, will serve as the 2027 UT Health Sciences Global Surgery Visiting Professor. 6
A welcome social outing for new residents, faculty, and staff was hosted by Dr. Alexander Feliz and Dr. David Shibata at Topgolf Memphis in June (B. Young/UT Health Sciences).
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
NEW RESIDENTS CATEGORICAL (PGY 1)
Teresa Belledent
Grace Howell
Tyler Johnston
Shemariah Kentish
Meharry Medical College
University of Mississippi
UT Health Sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University
Boris Kuyeb
Blake Mastalerz
Meera Thiel
Jill Weatherly
University of Mississippi
UT Health Sciences
Indiana University
UT Health Sciences
PRELIMINARY (PGY 1)
Derek Bradley Asserson
Lucas Baumgarten
Caleb Joseph Berta
California Northstate University
University of South Carolina
UT Health Sciences
Aneesa Jones Mercy University
Jennifer Lynn Wallace 7
University of Arkansas
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
HARWELL WILSON SURGICAL SOCIETY GRADUATION BANQUET The Department of Surgery held its annual Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Research Symposium in June. Following a day of lectures and research presentations, the Department celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 chief residents.
AWARDS LIST ABSITE Awards PGY-1: Joshua Moore, MD PGY-2: Jonathan Fox, MD PGY-3: Daniel Gehle, MD PGY-4: Samantha Brashier, MD PGY-5: Tari-Ann Yates, MD Chairman’s Top ABSITE Performance Award Daniel Gehle, MD Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU) Award Erin Koffman, MD Chief Resident Teaching Award
Linnea Cripe, MD and Kaushik Varadarjan, MD
Faculty Teacher of the Year Award (Senior Residents) Thomas Easterday, MD Left to Right: Andrew Fleming, MD, Kaushik Varadarjan, MD, Brenden Sheridan, MD, Linnea Cripe, MD, Tari-Ann “Tariana” Yates, MD, Ladd Caballero, MD, and Lillian Malach, MD (Photo/Z. Mack).
Faculty Teacher of the Year Award (Junior Residents) John Nelson, MD Research Symposium Presentation Awards Translational – Andrew Fleming, MD Clinical Science – Kevin Lang, MD QuickShot – Hamda Alaazmi, MD
WHAT’S NEXT? LADD CABALLERO, MD Vascular Surgery Fellowship The Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH
BRENDEN SHERIDAN, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis St. Louis, MO
LINNEA CRIPE, MD Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
KAUSHIK VARADARJAN, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Fellowship University of Tennessee Health Sciences Memphis, TN
ANDREW FLEMING, MD Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL
TARI-ANN “TARIANA” YATES, MD Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship Oregon Health & Science Center Portland, OR
LILLIAN MALACH, MD Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Fellowship University of Michigan Health Ann Arbor, MI
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GRADUATION BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS The Department of Surgery gathered for the annual Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Research Symposium and the Awards Ceremony and Banquet in June. The Symposium was held at the SAC Building, while the Awards Ceremony and Banquet took place at The Peabody Hotel. The festivities began with the Alumni Reception on Thursday evening at The James Lee House (Photo/Z. Mack).
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UT HEALTH SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY FACULTY SPOTLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPMENT Thomas Easterday, MD, FACS, pays it forward by developing two surgical education programs on campus.
Brenda Young, Communications and Marketing Associate Thomas Easterday, MD, FACS, has been focused on making a difference in the training of future physicians since his fellowship days at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences. Dr. Easterday developed and leads two surgical education programs on the Memphis campus: “Intern Boot Camp” for new surgical residents and the “Transition to Surgical Residency” course for outgoing fourth-year medical students. Dr. Easterday said the transition course, which started in 2024, is a two-week, highyield, didactic and simulation-based program based on the American College of Surgeons’ Resident Prep curriculum. It is designed to prepare students who have matched into surgical residencies for the rigors of intern year. Meanwhile, the intern boot camp is an eight-week, once-a-week class held in July and August, that is tailored specifically to the needs of the department’s surgical interns.
Dr. Easterday delivers a lecture to students in a classroom (Photo/T. Easterday).
receive. He also received the department’s Faculty Teaching Award, as voted on by the chief residents, at the Harwell Wilson Surgical Society graduation banquet in June 2026. Dr. Easterday’s parents are both Emergency Room physicians, which influenced his interest in medicine. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN, and earned his medical degree from Indiana University in Indianapolis. He completed his general surgery residency at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta, GA, and his Trauma/ Acute Care/Surgical Critical Care fellowship training at UT Health Sciences, where he developed a passion for academic teaching.
“Both of these programs have evolved each year based on feedback from the students and interns,” said Easterday, who serves as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Trauma/ Surgical Critical Care and is the Associate Program Director of the Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Surgery Fellowship program. Dr. Easterday and Dr. Will Hudson, who also completed his fellowship training at UT Health Sciences, worked alongside each other this past year. Together, they tailored the Transition to Surgical Residency curriculum to best suit the students from a time management perspective, with an emphasis on the hands-on-sections of the course.
“Paying it forward to the trainees is important and brings personal fulfillment to see them develop from early medical training to becoming competent providers,” he said.
“He (Dr. Easterday) is very down-to-earth and approachable as an educator, which is an invaluable trait especially for trainees seeking mentorship,” said Dr. Hudson, who is now an Assistant Professor in Acute Care Surgery at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, FL. “Of all the educators I have experienced throughout training, he is the most passionate as well as pragmatic. He focuses on practical application of education to train doctors rather than focusing solely on passing tests.”
Dr. Easterday said a similar course existed at IU, where he was a medical student. This inspired him to adapt his own concept of the Transition to Surgical Residency curriculum to UT Health Sciences. “The support of Dr. (Andrew) Kerwin, Dr. (David) Shibata and Dr. (Martin) Fleming, as well as the essential role of coordinator Courtney Bishop and other faculty, fellows, and residents in teaching and organizing the courses, have all been great in getting these programs going,” Easterday said. “Courtney’s role as a coordinator is so significant in providing support to what we do throughout the year, including recruitment, student scheduling, and securing meeting space.”
In 2024, Dr. Easterday was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Student Government Association Executive Council and the Office of Student Life. The award is one of the most prestigious awards a faculty member can
Hudson said the course allows for trainees to learn how to be 10
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT CONT.
TN TRAUMA SYMPOSIUM
an intern in a stress-free environment.
Regan Williams, MD, FACS, gave the welcome address and provided a TNACS leadership update during the TN Statewide Trauma Symposium on Thursday, July 30. As chair of the Committee on Trauma, she later provided the closing remarks and shared a preview of 2027.
“It covers a lot of basic things that are never formally taught and are just learned along the way in the first few years. The phrase, “Well, I wish someone would have just told me that,” is very common in the first few years because of a lack of continuity inherent in surgical residency especially in the early years,” he said.
Presenting faculty included: • Rachel Landisch, MD, Division of Pediatrics Surgery, Travis Webb, MD, FACS, Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, “Burn Care When You Are Not at a Burn Center: Adult & Pediatric Essentials”
Dr. David Shibata, Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, said Dr. Easterday’s background in teaching and program development has been immeasurable to the department’s growth.
• Emily Lenart, DO, Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, panelist, “Lunch Session: Difficult Cases Across the Continuum of Care”
“It is a special faculty member that is able to innovate and adapt to create new curricula for our learners. Dr. Easterday has that special talent, and we are very grateful to have him in the department,” he said.
• Regan Williams, MD, FACS, Division of Pediatric Surgery, “Field Triage Updates & Pediatric Concentrations”
Dr. Easterday said his goal is to train well-rounded and competent surgical trainees through an in-depth preparation course for medical students, particularly those applying to general surgery residency programs. “They can learn both didactic and simulation perspectives, including procedures like chest tubes and cricothyroidotomies that students will be tested on and encounter during residency,” he said. “The majority of general surgery applicants from the past three years who have enrolled in the course have said that it provides valuable preparation for the rigors of surgical training.”
TNACS Presenting faculty included: • Regan Williams, MD, FACS, Division of Pediatric Surgery, “Tennessee Trauma Care Advisory Council Meeting” • Ashley Hendrix, MD, Division of Surgical Oncology, panelist, “Lunch with the Commission on Cancer: Update from National Breast Meeting”
TNACS MEETINGS
• Alexander Feliz, MD, Division of Pediatric Surgery, panelist, “Roundtable: Flexible Training, Future Surgeons: Preparing Residents for an Evolving Surgical Landscape”
The Oscar Guillamondegui Trauma Symposium and the Tennessee Chapter of American College Surgeons (TNACS) annual meeting were held July 30-Aug. 3 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville in Nashville, TN.
• Nia Zalamea, MD, Division of General Surgery, moderator, “Ten Hot Topics”
The UT Health Sciences Department of Surgery faculty will hold various positions on the 2026-2027 TNACS Board of Directors:
• Regan Williams, MD, FACS, Division of Pediatric Surgery, speaker, “Shots Fired: A Rapid Update on Pediatric Firearm Injuries”
• • • • • • • • • • •
• Olivia DeLozier, MD, Division of General Surgery, speaker, “Ablation of Thyroid Cancer: When and When Not?”
Nia Zalamea, MD, President-Elect Dina Filiberto, MD, At-Large West Director Ashley Hendrix, MD, At-Large West Director Andrew Kerwin, MD, At-Large West Director Regan Williams, MD, FACS, Chair, Committee on Trauma David Shibata, MD, FACS, FASCRS, Governor, At-Large James “Trey” Eubanks, MD, FACS, Advocacy Insider Olivia DeLozier, MD, AWS Representative Yasmin Ali, MD, FACS, Young Fellows Representative Jane Zhao, MD, MS, Associate Fellows Representative Imani Sweatt, MD, Resident Representative
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TNACS CONTINUED RESIDENT PRESENTATIONS
• Not Just Little Adults, Not Just Kids’ Surgeons: Pediatric Trauma Centers Achieve Comparable Survival in Critically Injured Adolescents Requiring HemorrhageControl Operations – Kevin Lang, MD (PGY3)
UT Health Sciences had several resident presentations during the TNACS event.
• Impact of Chemotherapy (CT) and Chemoradiation (CRT) on Overall Survival (OS) - Matthew Romine, MD (PGY2)
Timothy Fabian Trauma Podium Presentations • Ipsilateral Isn’t Inferior: Vein Graft Laterality Likely Does Not Impact Outcomes After Lower Extremity Revascularization in Trauma - Jeremy Banks, MD (MS3)
• Utilization of Artificial Intelligence to Predict NBME Surgery Shelf Performance – Imani Sweatt, MD (PGY3)
• Same City, Different Care: Management of Adolescent TBI at Adult vs Pediatric Trauma Centers – Mariah Perkins, MD (PGY3) Phillip Burns Cancer Podium Presentations • Leveraging AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis to Decode Public Opinion on HIPEC Across Disease Sites and Digital Platforms – Tarek Atyia, MD (MS4) • PET-CT or Wait and See? Routine Cross-Sectional Imaging in High-Risk Gene Expression Profiling Cutaneous Melanoma - Daniel Gehle, MD, MS (PGY4)
AWARDS LIST
• Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Distal Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Real-World NCDB Analysis – Andrei Gurau, MD (PGY3)
PRESENTATION AWARDS Philip Burns Cancer Paper Competition Second – Daniel Gehle, MD, MS (PGY4)
• PAX6: An Epigenetically Regulated Candidate Tumor Suppressor in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancers – Julia Pedo Freitas, MD (PGY3)
“PET-CT or Wait and See? Routine CrossSectional Imaging in High-Risk Gene Expression Profiling Cutaneous Melanoma”
Leonard Hines/Calvin Morgan Clinical & Basic Science Paper Competition
Timothy Fabian Trauma Paper Competition First – Jeremy Banks, MD (MS3)
• Doing More for Less: The Declining Value of Surgeon Reimbursement for Ventral Hernia Repair in an Era of Longer Operations and Larger Hernias – Richard DePersio, II, MD (MS4)
“Ipsilateral Isn’t Inferior: Vein Graft Laterality Likely Does Not Impact Outcomes After Lower Extremity Revascularization in Trauma”
Disparities in Surgical Care & Surgical Education Podium Presentations
Disparities in Surgical Care & Surgical Education Paper Competition First - Julie Firnhaber, MD (PGY3)
• Engagement Matters: Enrollment, Retention, and Reinjury in a Pediatric Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program - Julie Firnhaber, MD (PGY3)
“Engagement Matters: Enrollment, Retention, and Reinjury in a Pediatric Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program”
Resident QuickShot Presentations - Session 1 • Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Opportunistic Salpingectomy for Ovarian Cancer Risk Reduction Among General Surgeons - Richard DePersio, II, MD (MS4) • Practice Patterns for Repairing Primary Umbilical Hernias with concomitant Rectus Diastasis: A Survey of SAGES and ACHQC Surgeons - Richard DePersio, II, MD (MS4) 12
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TNACS HIGHLIGHTS The Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (TNACS) annual meeting and Trauma Symposium was held July 30-Aug. 2 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville in Nashville, TN. Dr. Nia Zalamea, Associate Professor, Division of General Surgery, Director of the Global Surgery Institute, will serve as President-Elect for 2026-2027 (photos provided).
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DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SURGERY CHIEF RESIDENTS FEATURE MAKING THE ROUNDS Meet our Surgical Chief Residents! Over the course of the upcoming academic year, each newsletter will include brief questions and answers with our Chief Residents.
Samantha Brashier, MD, PGY5
Morgan Lynch, MD, PGY5
Hometown: Munford, TN College: Baptist College of Health Sciences Medical School: UT Health Sciences College of Medicine Residency: UT Health Sciences
Hometown: D’Hanis, TX College: Ouachita Baptist University Medical School: McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX Residency: UT Health Sciences
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
Other than being a physician, what previous jobs have you held? I worked as a bartender, a patient transporter, and a Scholar at Church Health.
What has been your most memorable experience during residency? Toasting sparkling cider with the team in the Regional One Health ambulance bay at midnight on New Year’s Eve, just as a car drove up and dropped off a trauma patient.
What advice do you have for the incoming surgical interns? Work hard, stay humble, and pay attention to the details—they matter. Be proactive, scrub into cases, and take every opportunity to learn. Ask questions, seek feedback, and always load the boat. Take ownership of your patients, support your co-residents, and remember that consistency, preparation, and a positive attitude will earn the trust of your team and help you grow throughout residency.
Other than being a physician, what previous jobs have you held? I grew up working every summer on my grandpa’s ranch, tending cattle and digging fenceposts. What advice do you have for the incoming surgical interns? Work hard. Give people second chances. Never be the reason someone cries on their drive home from work.
What attracted you to the UT Health Sciences general surgery residency program? The program provides outstanding surgical training through exposure to a diverse, high-acuity patient population, offering excellent opportunities to develop both clinical judgment and operative skills. Additionally, the strong sense of camaraderie among the residents and faculty creates a supportive, collaborative learning environment that further enhances the training experience.
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PRESENTATIONS JUNE 2026 - PRESENT Dinh T. Routine 4L Node Retrieval in the Era of Robotic Surgery for Left-sided Lung Cancer, an Analysis of Safety, Efficacy, and Potential Benefits. Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Symposium, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026. Gehle DB, Sweatt IH, Holt JR, Hauser NL, Morgan PW, Fitts EM, Olson CR, Fleming MD. “PET/CT or Wait and See? Evaluating Routine Cross-Sectional Surveillance for Cutaneous Melanoma with High-Risk Gene Expression Profiling.” Paper Presentation. Tennessee Chapter of American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, July 31, 2026. Gurau A. Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Distal Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Real-World NCDB Analysis. Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Symposium, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026, and the Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN, August 2, 2026. Jung C. Is Segmentectomy or Wedge Resection Appropriate for Stage 1B Non-small Cell Lung Cancer < 2cm with Visceral Pleural Invasion? Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Symposium, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026. Lang KJ, Seewer EC, Firnhaber J, Reece A, Herring LS, Hutcheson JA, Locke LN, Byerly SE, Filiberto DM, Williams RF, Landisch RM. “Nutritional Deficits and Pressure Injury Risk in Pediatric and Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury: A Dual-Center Study.” Podium Presentation. American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, May 6, 2026. Lang KJ, Seewer EC, Williams RF, Lin S. “The Impact of Fathers and Male Role Models on Recovery and Resilience in Pediatric Victims of Violent Trauma.” Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026. Lang KJ, Gehle DB, Pollack JC, Byerly SE, Landisch RM, Filiberto DM, Williams RF. “Not Just Little Adults, Not Just Kids’ Surgeons: Pediatric Trauma Centers Achieve Comparable Survival in Critically Injured Adolescents Requiring HemorrhageControl Operations.” Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026. Lang KJ, Gehle DB, Pollack JC, Byerly SE, Landisch RM, Filiberto DM, Williams RF. “Not Just Little Adults, Not Just Kids’ Surgeons: Pediatric Trauma Centers Achieve Comparable Survival in Critically Injured Adolescents Requiring HemorrhageControl Operations.” QuickShot Presentation. Tennessee Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, August 2, 2026. Levine E. Editorial Self-Publication in Cardiothoracic Surgery Journals. Podium Presentation. Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Annual Symposium, Memphis, TN, June 12, 2026.
Dr. Alicia Logue delivers her presentation at the 2026 Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Research Symposium in the SAC Building in Memphis, TN (B. Young/UT Health Sciences).
Residents participated in the QuickShot Research presentations during the 2026 Harwell Wilson Surgical Society Research Symposium (B. Young/ UT Health Sciences).
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SURGERY NEWS
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PUBLICATIONS JUNE 2026 - PRESENT CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY Cardiac surgery for children in war and disaster zones: global experiences and lessons. Mathews V, Francis J, Ravishankar R, Hussein N, George J, Ismail A, Peng E, Novick W. Cardiol Young. 2026 Jun 15:1-7. doi: 10.1017/S104795112611364X. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42290591. A Unique Combination of CrissCross-Heart and Common Arterial Trunk: Case Report of Successful Management. Pylypets A, Pasternak O, Novick W, DodgeKhatami A, Yachnik O.World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2026 Aug 1:21501351261463245. doi: 10.1177/21501351261463245. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42541708
PEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY A Bridge With Gaps. Absi M, Mettler BA, Sen DG.Ann Thorac Surg. 2026 Jul 1:S0003-4975(26)00682-X. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2026.06.029. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42386062.
PEDIATRIC SURGERY Symptomatic Recurrent Splenomegaly Following Partial Splenectomy in Patients With Hereditary Spherocytosis. Abdelhafeez AH, Rosenberger K, Crest P, Unal A, Zeng E, Connor-Pham CE, Ryan K, Talbot LJ, Davidoff AM, Murphy AJ.Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2026 Jun;73(6):e70249. doi: 10.1002/15455017.70249. Epub 2026 Mar 19.PMID: 41852320. Outcomes and Surgical Management of Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney: A Report From the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative. Rinehardt HN, Tracy
ET, Paredes A, Beckhorn C, Leraas HJ, Fusco J, McKay KG, Kontchou NT, Kastenberg ZJ, Hoyt DW, Roach J, Myers EK, Cost NG, Mullapudi B, Marchese CR, Jensen AR, Lautz TB, Carter M, Dasgupta R, Lundstedt J, Brungardt JG, Talbot L, Davidoff AM, Murphy AJ, Aldrink JH, Mansfield S, Piche N, Le-Nguyen A, Lal DR, Craig BT, Schuh JM, Cromeens BP, Mannava S, Castle S, Lopez A, Mello K, Short J, Petroze RT, Rajavel S, Thompson GR, Mattei P, Rothstein DH, Fialkowski E, Fowler K, Martchenke N, Rich BS, Glick RD, Brown EG, Doyle K, Abril P, Seemann N, Davidson J, Wilson CA, Le HD, Joshi D, Stellon M, Ahmed T, Dimmer A, Ehrlich PF, Hammoud M, Williams K, Grant CN, Gorgy M, Polites SF, Debertin J, Cameron DB, Stetson A, Kim ES, Lee WG, Barkhordar A, Austin M, Coakley BA, Kahan A, Murphy JT, Pitonak M, Boehmer C, Malek MM.Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2026 Jun;73(6):e70296. doi: 10.1002/15455017.70296. Epub 2026 Mar 26.PMID: 41889149. Outcomes of pediatric blunt liver and spleen injury in 1029 patients using the ATOMAC+ pediatric trauma research network guideline. Notrica DM, Maxson T, Stottlemyre RL, Cohen AS, Bundrant N, Lawson KA, Eubanks JW 3rd, Ryan M, Letton RW, Bhatia A, Wyrick D, St Peter SD, Leys C, Ponsky T, Williams RF, Johnson JJ.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jul;61(7):163107. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2026.163107. Epub 2026 Mar 24.PMID: 41887567. Survival in children with hepatoblastoma and pulmonary metastatic disease at diagnosis based on extent of metastases and need for surgical clearance. Polites SF, Vierkant RA, Aldrink JH, Lautz TB, Ragan MV, Reiter A, Chen SY, Kim ES, Rinehardt HN, Malek M, Fleming AM, Murphy AJ, Roach JP, Radhakrishnan S, Piche N, Osman Y, Lovvorn HN 3rd, Tracy ET, Favela J, Le HD, Marquart J, Craig B, Lal DR, Seemann N, Petroze R, Rich BS, Glick RD, Selesner L, Yoo A, Fialkowski E, Brown EG, Boehmer C, Dasgupta R, Langham MR Jr, Tiao GM, Kastenberg ZJ.J Pediatr Surg. 16
2026 Jun;61(6):163034. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2026.163034. Epub 2026 Feb 24.PMID: 41747957. Longitudinal Changes in Pulmonary Function After Treatment of Childhood Cancer: A Report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study. Bhatt NS, Xie L, Li K, Srivastava D, Armstrong GT, Davidoff AM, Dixon SB, Gajjar A, Huang IC, Hudson MM, Krasin MJ, McCarville MEB, Merchant TE, Mulrooney DA, Ness KK, Robison LL, Srinivasan S, Green DM, Stokes DC.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2026 Jul 31:aaoag231. doi: 10.1093/ annalsats/aaoag231. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42538814. Late complications of treatment for childhood pelvic sarcoma: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). Murphy AJ, Chen Y, Cameron DB, Geiger EJ, Ramsey D, Green DM, Howell RM, Kieran K, Krull KR, Meacham LR, Ness KK, Oeffinger KC, Yasui Y, Armstrong GT, Chow EJ, Weldon CB, Weil BR.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jul;61(7):163117. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2026.163117. Epub 2026 Mar 30. PMID: 41921603. Long-term outcomes of evolving treatment regimens in Ewing sarcoma survivors diagnosed 1970-1999: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Ramsey DC, Shulman DS, Zhou GC, Cameron D, Geiger E, Howell RM, Krull K, Murphy AJ, Ness KK, Turcotte LM, Raskin KA, Srivastava DK, Yasui Y, Chow EJ, Armstrong GT, Weil BR, Dubois SG, Weldon CB.Cancer. 2026 Jul 15;132(14):e70504. doi: 10.1002/cncr.70504.PMID: 42390889. Does Surgical Technique Play a Role in Postoperative Hydrocele Formation in Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair? Brierley SF, Ochoa B, Heller K, Padilla BE; Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Collaborative Group (Lin S).J Am Coll Surg. 2026 Aug 1;243(2):368-374. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001872. Epub 2026 Jul 16.PMID: 41711771. The Impact of Fathers and Male Role Models on Recovery and Resilience in Pediatric Victims of Violent Trauma.
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED Lang KJ, Seewer EC, Williams RF, Lin S; Memphis, Tennessee.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Aug 1;101(2):233-240. doi: 10.1097/ TA.0000000000004951. Epub 2026 Jul 2.PMID: 42390557. Surgeon annual volume impacts recurrence rates of pediatric inguinal hernia repairs: A multi-institutional study. Heller K, Ochoa BV, Brierley SF, Padilla BE; Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Collaborative Group; Alhajjat A, Byrd E, Chao SD, Clinker C, DiazMiron 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.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Aug;61(8):162890. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2025.162890. Epub 2025 Dec 29.PMID: 41475507. Defining pediatric cervical spine clearance with computed tomography: A prospective observational study by the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium and Western Trauma Association. Russell KW, Kahan AM, Eldredge RS, Larsen KE, Swendiman RA, Rampton JW, Kastenberg ZJ, Wan HY, Padilla BE, Ostlie DJ, Jensen AR, Ignacio RC, Chao SD, Kelley-Quon LI, Gillory LA, Notrica DM, Schroeppel TJ, Escobar MA Jr, Leneweaver KJ, Williams RF, Kotagal M, Yorkgitis BK, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Ravindra VM, Inaba K; and the Western Pediatric Cervical Spine Study Group, Salt Lake City, UT.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Aug 17. doi: 10.1097/ TA.0000000000005120. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42611682. Blunt brachial arterial injury in pediatric patients. Hafeez MS, Notrica DM, Sheahan C, Williams RF, Eslami MH.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Aug;61(8):162200. doi: 10.1016/j.
jpedsurg.2025.162200. Epub 2025 Jun 2.PMID: 40461368 Review. Vascular surgery in children. Rothstein DH, White JV, Williams RF, Coleman DM.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Aug;61(8):162308. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2025.162308. Epub 2025 Jun 2.PMID: 40461369 No abstract available. Beyond the pull-through: A multiinstitutional study of long-term surgical and functional outcomes in total colonic Hirschsprung disease - A Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium (PCPLC) study. Ahmad H, Joachim A, Urrutia Gonzalez AY, Shaul D, Austin K, Badillo A, Calkins CM, Crady RC, Durham MM, Frischer J, Gayer C, Grabowski JE, Harris JC, Hong CR, Kawaguchi AL, Langer JC, Nandivada P, Rana A, Reeder RW, Rentea RM, Rollins MD, Rosen N, Saadai P, Smith CA, Speck KE, Wood RJ.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Aug;61(8):163232. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.163232. Epub 2026 Jun 6.PMID: 42251888. Colonic manometry and contrast enema findings in children with ineffective antegrade continence enema therapy. Abi Nassif M, Wongteerasut A, El-Chammas K, Graham K, Kostandy E, Santucci NR, Rymeski B, Frischer JS, Garrison AP, Kaul A.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jul 24;61(10):163325. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2026.163325. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42498069. Comparison of prenatal lung volume measurements associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilization and mortality in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Stanic P, Gavulic A, Jenkins TM, Brown C, Frischer J, Rymeski B, Lim FY, Galganski L.J Pediatr Surg. 2026 May;61(5):162970. doi: 10.1016/j. jpedsurg.2026.162970. Epub 2026 Jan 29.PMID: 41619847. Effects of Extracorporeal Life Support Volume on Neonatal Mortality in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Guner YS, Martino A, Giron A, Flyer Z, 17
Murthy K, Di Nardo M, Schomberg J, Grover TR, Hammond JD, Yu PT, Goodman LF, Gowda SH, Harting MT, Jancelewicz T, Nguyen DV.J Pediatr. 2026 Jun;293:115062. doi: 10.1016/j. jpeds.2026.115062. Epub 2026 Mar 13.PMID: 41831781. Exercise-Induced ECG Abnormalities in Pediatric Pectus Excavatum: Evidence of Right Ventricular Compression Beyond the Haller Index. Guerrier K, Bejnood A, Shyam S, Hyde RA, Hendrickson B, Eubanks T, Jancelewicz T, Philip R.Med Sci (Basel). 2026 Jul 8;14(3):379. doi: 10.3390/ medsci14030379. PMID: 42506348. Implementation and Effectiveness of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol for Children Undergoing Surgery: The ENRICH-US Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Trial. Raval MV, Tian Y, Schäfer W, Balbale SN, Perez MN, Ingram ME, Lehane A, Smith CJ, Sullivan GA, Reiter AJ, Hu A, Borst JM, Blake SC, Close S, Davis TL, Essner BS, Heiss KF, Huang LW, Wymore E, Paniagua-Perez D, Engelhardt KM, Graffy PM, Johnson JK, Lillehei CW, Gray BW, Goldstein SD, Short SS, Pandya SR, Taylor JA, Gayer C, Goldin AB, Boelig MM, Rialon KL, Jancelewicz T, Lipskar AM, Jafri M, Tracy ET, Harting MT, Sulkowski JP, Ham PB 3rd, Vali K, Cina RA, Schindel DT, Islam S, Teeple EA, Shah SR, Gosain A, Rothstein DH, Brockel MA, Chown J, Holl JL.JAMA Surg. 2026 Jul 1;161(7):670-680. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2026.1382.
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Routine Screening for Neurocognitive Impairment in Patients with Craniosynostosis: Towards a Standardized Approach. Grande PK, Holder CM, Holcombe BD, Becker DB, Evans RJ.Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026 Jun;63(6):1444-1454. doi: 10.1177/10556656251335475. Epub 2025 Apr 21.PMID: 40255056.
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SUMMER/FALL 2026
PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED Reduction mamoplasty at a large county hospital: what is the impact of socioeconomic status on complications? Asserson DB, Isber J, Hetherington G, Reidy CS, Hassouba M, Liu X, Becker D, Kruchevsky D. European Journal of Plastic Surgery 49 (2026): n.pag. External Fixation for Ballistic Mandibular Trauma: An Old Method for a Modern Problem. Asserson DB, Reidy CS, Hassouba M, Becker DB, Evans RJ.Ann Plast Surg. 2026 Sep 1;97(3S):S143-S147. doi: 10.1097/ SAP.0000000000004763. Epub 2026 May 11. PMID: 42113946. Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating Time to Graft Between Intact Fish Skin Grafts and a Synthetic Matrix Used in Complex Full-Thickness Acute Traumatic and Burn Wounds. Hill DM, Mukit M, Atmeh K, Davtyan K, Kruchevsky D, Liu X, Hassouba M.Eur Burn J. 2026 Jul 13;7(3):38. doi: 10.3390/ ebj7030038.PMID: 42496479. Multicenter Analysis of Standard of Care versus Oxandrolone versus Testosterone in burn hypermetabolism (MASCOTS). Hong A, Hannan PM, Ivanko A, Danos DM, Davis AD, DeFelice GL, Schoen JE, Carter J, Faris J, Coffey R, Nosanov LB, Kong BH, Yoerg MT, Johnson LS, Beyene RT, Cogle SV, Wagner A, Jain A, Foster K, Werenski H, Holmes JH 4th, Hill DM, Hassouba M, LaChapelle C, Thompson CM, Johnson A, Mittal R, Kahn S, Tejiram S, McLawhorn M, Blomberg E, Suarez J, Al-Hayek S, Boyd AN, Miles MVP.J Burn Care Res. 2026 Jul 28:irag127. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/ irag127. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42518198.
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY The Management of Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Review. Onuma AE, Kurtom S, Krumeich LN, Fisher SB, Dickson P, Hu Y.Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul;33(7):5976-5987. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-19731-w. Epub
2026 May 11.PMID: 42108359. Opportunities and Challenges in Using Smartphone Sensor Data to Capture Surgeon Behavior and Well-Being: A Qualitative Analysis of Surgical Residents’ Perspectives. Tarquine JM, Robinson AM, Olson CR, Williams R, Feliz A, Haynes AB, Lenart E, Hendrix A, Solsky I.J Surg Educ. 2026 Jun;83(6):103945. doi: 10.1016/j. jsurg.2026.103945. Epub 2026 Apr 16.PMID: 41997027. Melanoma: Cutaneous, Version 2.2026, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology. Swetter SM, Johnson D, Albertini MR, Barker CA, Bateni S, Baumgartner J, Bhatia S, Bichakjian C, Boland G, Chandra S, Chen D, Chmielowski B, Choi J, DiMaio D, Dronca R, Fleming MD, Galan A, Guild S, Hu-Lieskovan S, Karakousis G, Kendra K, Kiuru M, Lange JR, Lanning R, Logan T, Materin M, Nelson K, Olson D, Olszanski AJ, Ott PA, Puzanov I, Rothermel L, Salama AK, Shannon A, Sharma R, Singh A, Stacey A, Tsai K, Wuthrick E, Xing Y, McMillian N, Espinosa S.J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2026 Jun;24(6):272-277. doi: 10.6004/ jnccn.2026.0027.PMID: 42297031. Consensus Guideline for the Management of Patients with Appendiceal Tumors, Part 1: Appendiceal Tumors Without Peritoneal Involvement. Godfrey EL, Mahoney F, Bansal VV, Su DG, Hanna DN, Lopez-Ramirez F, Baron E, Turaga KK, Benson AB 3rd, Cusack J, Winer JH, Gunderson CG, Misdraji J, Shah R, Magge DR, Solsky I, Eng C, Eng OS, Shergill A, Shen JP, Foote MB; Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) Consortium Group.Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun;33(6):5142-5175. doi: 10.1245/ s10434-025-17359-w. Epub 2025 Jun 25.PMID: 40560498. Consensus Guideline for the Management of Patients with Appendiceal Tumors, Part 2: Appendiceal Tumors with Peritoneal Involvement. Godfrey EL, Mahoney F, Bansal VV, Su DG, Hanna DN, LopezRamirez F, Baron E, Turaga KK, Benson AB 3rd, Setia N, Winer JH, Gunderson 18
CG, Shah R, Magge DR, Solsky I, Eng C, Eng OS, Shergill A, Shen JP, Misdraji J, Foote MB, Luo W; Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) Consortium Group. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun;33(6):51765203. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-17364-z. Epub 2025 Jun 25.PMID: 40560501. Consensus Guideline for the Management of Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases. Schultz KS, Bansal VV, Wach MM, Bhutiani N, Godley FA 4th, Wang JJ, Waheed MT, Buchheit JT, Papai E, Campbell S, Schleimer LE, Su DG, Turaga KK, Gunderson CG, White MG, Uppal A, Raghav KPS, Labow DM, Sarpel U, Shergill AP, Shen JP, Eng C, Foote MB, Baumgartner JM; Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) Consortium Group (Solsky I).Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun;33(6):5260-5282. doi: 10.1245/ s10434-025-17363-0. Epub 2025 Jun 25.PMID: 40560497. Consensus Guideline for the Management of Peritoneal Metastases from Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Su DG, Brown LM, Bansal VV, Bakkila B, Concors SJ, Turaga KK, Gunderson C, Bergsland E, Strosberg JR, Halfdanarson TR, Metz DC, Kunstman JW, Kunz PL, Gangi A; Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) Consortium Group (Solsky I).Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun;33(6):5204-5221. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-17360-3. Epub 2025 Jun 25.PMID: 40560496. Universal Risk Stratification in Stage I-III Cutaneous Melanoma Using 31gene Expression Profiling: A SingleCenter Study. Gehle DB, Morgan PW, Fitts EM, Hauser NL, Olson CR, Fleming AM, Freitas JP, Liu-Smith F, Nouer SS, Murphy AJ, Fleming MD.J Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun;133(7):889-900. doi: 10.1002/ jso.70229. Epub 2026 Mar 8.PMID: 41797300. Specificity of Celbrea, a novel noninvasive thermal screening device, in women with recent negative screening mammograms. Stabellini N, Hendrix A, McKnight L, Cripe L, Alvarez A, Salazar J, Dayan JH, Fleming M, Montero AJ.Front Oncol. 2026 Jul 17;16:1810073. doi: 10.3389/
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PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED fonc.2026.1810073. eCollection 2026.PMID: 42539498. Sedentary behavior and physical activity one year after colorectal cancer diagnosis: results from the ColoCare Study. Viskochil RH, Lin T, Gigic B, Himbert C, Bandera VM, Skender S, Holowatyj AN, SchrotzKing P, Steindorf K, Strehli I, Mutch MG, Chao D, Toriola AT, Shibata D, Siegel EM, Li CI, Hardikar S, Peoples AR, Figueiredo JC, Schneider M, Ulrich CM, Ose J.J Cancer Surviv. 2026 Aug;20(4):1570-1580. doi: 10.1007/s11764-025-01756-x. Epub 2025 Feb 22.PMID: 39985691. Dietary Patterns Associated With Weight Loss Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer During the First 6 Months After Diagnosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis From the ColoCare Study. Hoobler R, Tabung FK, Lin T, Gigic B, Smith KS, Woodruff K, Crowder SL, Hardikar S, Byrd DA, Coletta AM, Sanchez A, Chaix A, Greathouse KL, Ilozumba MN, Ose J, Damerell V, Strehli I, McLaws M, Florou V, Huang LC, Shibata D, Figueiredo JC, Toriola AT, Li CI, Ulrich CM, Playdon MC.J Acad Nutr Diet. 2026 Aug;126(8):156351. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2026.156351. Epub 2026 Mar 30.PMID: 41921744. Longitudinal Associations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Fatigue in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Study. Loroña NC, Liu L, Kazemian E, Acuna N, Playdon MC, Cubitt CL, Kabir S, Crowder SL, Nguyen N, Gomez M, Damerell V, Mooney K, Erickson PA, Ilozumba M, Himbert C, Siegel E, Ulrich CM, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Ose J, Peoples AR, Hardikar S, Byrd DA, Bower JE, Hoogland AI, Li X, Small BJ, Gigic B, Jim HSL, Figueiredo JC.Cancer Med. 2026 Jul;15(7):e72135. doi: 10.1002/ cam4.72135.PMID: 42498976. Abundance and balance of circulating leukocyte subsets and colorectal cancer survival. Richards AR, Gomez MF, Dowling
BI, Bulka CM, Gigic B, Figueiredo JC, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Byrd DA, Ulrich CM, Teng M, Stewart PA, Siegel EM, Kresovich JK.Br J Cancer. 2026 Sep;135(5):756-762. doi: 10.1038/ s41416-026-03480-4. Epub 2026 Jun 3.PMID: 42237020.
THORACIC SURGERY Robotic Intracorporeal Resection of an Extra-enteric Malignant Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Chest Wall: A Case Report. Yates T, Masterlerz B, Davis T, Zhao J, Ng T. Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports. June 2026.
TRANSPLANTATION Dynamics of genetic and somatic tradeoffs in ageing and mortality. Arends D, Ashbrook DG, Roy S, Lu L, Sloan Z, Centeno AG, Lamour KH, de Magalhães JP, Prins P, Broman KW, Sen S, Mitchell SJ, MacArthur MR, Akin ÖA, Li X, Bajwa A, Diaz V, Harrison DE, Strong R, Nelson JF, Mozhui K, Auwerx J, Williams EG, Miller RA, Williams RW.Nature. 2026 Jun;654(8118):437-453. doi: 10.1038/ s41586-026-10407-9. Epub 2026 Apr 22.PMID: 42020758. Hypothermic Machine Perfusion in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: Provider and Transplant Center Practices and Perspectives. Concepcion BP, Binari LA, Balaraman V, NishioLucar A, Yadav A, Patel A, Woodside KJ, Lentine KL, Sanders ML, Adebiyi OO, Hussain SM, Mehta S, Viswanathan V, Cheng XS, Parsons RF.Clin Transplant. 2026 Aug;40(8):e70637. doi: 10.1111/ ctr.70637.PMID: 42573133.
TRAUMA/SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE Adherence of Impulse Control in Primary Management of Grade I and II Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury. Tran JN, Byerly S, Gross M, Lenart EK, Dong CT, Mitchell EL, DePhillips PB, Kerwin AJ, Filiberto DM.J Surg Res. 2026 Aug;324:102-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2026.04.035. Epub
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2026 May 26.PMID: 42190440. Breaking Down the Evidence: A Multicenter Analysis of Venous Thromboembolism Among Trauma Patients with Lower Extremity Fractures. Knowlton LM, Guorgui JG, Wang S, Arnow K, Knudson MM; CLOTT Study Group (Kerwin AJ). J Orthop Trauma. 2026 Jul 1;40(7):e164-e170. doi: 10.1097/ BOT.0000000000003174.PMID: 41949896. Diaphragm stimulation after human spinal cord injury: Effects on respiratory function and diaphragm muscle activation. Vose AK, Cavka K, Freeborn P, Tonuzi G, Kerwin AJ, Yorkgitis BK, Fuller D, D’Alessandro A, Wauneka CN, Croft C, Fox EJ; Gainesville, Florida.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1097/ TA.0000000000005085. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42257720. Long-Term Outcomes of Traumatic Neck Vascular Injury Repairs: A Prospective Observational Vascular Injury Treatment Registry Analysis. Nekooei N, Bent C, Brabender D, Siletz A, Matsushima K, Inaba K, Dubose J, Martin MJ; AAST PROOVIT study group (Lenart E).J Surg Res. 2026 Jun 24;325:394-403. doi: 10.1016/j. jss.2026.05.054. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42341611. Closing the loop: Understanding ostomy reversal rates and risks in trauma patients. Lang KJ, Patel DD, Perkins MR, Fleming AM, Jones-Sayyid CE, Byerly SE, Filiberto DM, Kerwin AJ, Sharpe JP, Tolley EA, Evans CR.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Jul 8. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000005118. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42418695. Propofol-induced hypertriglyceridemia in critically ill trauma patients requiring nutrition therapy: A descriptive cohort study. Lemke ES, Walker JK, Farrar JE, Byerly S, Filiberto DM, Dickerson RN.JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2026 Aug;50(6):794-804. doi: 10.1002/ jpen.70105. Epub 2026 May 17.PMID: 42143567.
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED Feasibility of Same-Day Mastectomy Discharge in a Safety Net Hospital in Memphis, TN. Cripe L, Sweatt I, Michael G, Byerly S, Tsao M, Fleming M, Hendrix A.Clin Breast Cancer. 2026 Jul 15;26(9):62-65. doi: 10.1016/j. clbc.2026.07.012. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42594560. When Should Anticoagulation Be Started after Major Trauma? Kerwin AJ, Mannino EA, Romero AD, Filiberto DM.Adv Surg. 2026 Sep;60(1):169-182. doi: 10.1016/j.yasu.2026.03.009. Epub 2026 Jun 29.PMID: 42556951 Review. Advanced Practice Provider Utilization in Acute Care Surgery: A National Survey of the Society of Acute Care Surgery Division Chiefs. Nahmias J, Truong N, Murphy PB, Joseph B, Crandall M, Callcut RA, Patel MB, Nguyen PD, Martin ND, Bernard A, Grigorian A; Society of Acute Care Surgery Chiefs (Kerwin AJ).J Surg Res. 2026 Jul 13;326:279-286. doi: 10.1016/j. jss.2026.06.047. Online ahead of print. PMID: 42442206. Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: Lung injury. Hynes AM, Kuckelman JP, Coimbra R, Beckman MA, Bower KL, Croft CA, Inaba K, Keric N, Kerwin AJ, Kopelman TR, Kundi R, Lorenzo M, Magee GA, Privette AR, Savage SA, Schellenberg MA, Schuster KM, Tesoriero RB, Windell EM, Hartwell JL, Stein DM.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Jul 13. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000005127. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42441866. The provision of palliative care: A Western Trauma Association critical decisions algorithm. Hartwell JL, Follette C, Beckman M, Bower K, Coimbra R, Croft C, Hynes AM, Inaba K, Keric N, Kerwin AJ, Kopelman T, Lorenzo M, Magee GA, Privette A, Schuster K, Schellenberg M, Tesoriero R, Windell E, Stein D.J Trauma Acute
Care Surg. 2026 Jul 10. doi: 10.1097/ TA.0000000000005112. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42425710 No abstract available. Impact of utilization of temporary vascular shunts on outcomes in traumatic peripheral artery repairs: An 11-year review of the PROOVIT registry. Nekooei N, Bent CI, Brabender DE, Wang JL, Prasad AN, Siletz A, Matsushima K, Inaba K, Dubose J, Martin MJ; AAST PROOVIT study group (Lenart E), Los Angeles, California.J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Jul 6. doi: 10.1097/ TA.0000000000005116. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42407437.
VASCULAR/ ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY Gender disparities in perceived parenthood support among vascular surgery trainees. Reilly MA, Olivere LA, Cui CL, Zielke T, Pillado EB, Li RD, Eng JS, Grafmuller LE, DiLosa KL, Shaw PM, Hu YY, Bilimoria KY, Sheahan MG 3rd, Coleman DM.Am J Surg. 2026 Jul 10:117138. doi: 10.1016/j. amjsurg.2026.117138. Online ahead of print.PMID: 42509082. Conduit choice in open repair of iliac artery injuries: A comparative analysis of in-hospital outcomes from the National Trauma Data Bank. Fassler MJ, Neal D, Stone DH, Mitchell EL, Kewalramani D, Narayan M, Brat G, Tignanelli C, Upchurch GR Jr, Scali ST, Loftus TJ.J Vasc Surg. 2026 Aug;84(2):406-414.e1. doi: 10.1016/j. jvs.2026.03.624. Epub 2026 Apr 11.PMID: 41967729. Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: Impact of Arch Type on the Rate of Type 1 Endoleak. MacHugh A,
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Mendizabal FY, DuBose J, Teixeira PG, Kim KM, Arnaoutakis GJ, Grimm JC; Aortic Trauma Foundation (Mitchell EL).Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep. 2025 Aug 28;4(1):12-16. doi: 10.1016/j. atssr.2025.07.025. eCollection 2026 Mar. PMID: 42027520.
SURGERY NEWS
SUMMER/FALL 2026
HARWELL WILSON SURGICAL SOCIETY DONATIONS LISTING The Department of Surgery and the Harwell Wilson Surgical Society (HWSS) would like to take this opportunity to recognize this past year’s generous donors. Donations to the HWSS help to provide critical resources for our surgical residents, including surgical loupes, educational materials, research support, and funding for HWSS Surgical Research/Graduation Day events. Thank you once again. We appreciate your continued support of our outstanding residents.
HWSS Donors Academic Year 2025-2026 Chair’s Circle ($2,000 or greater) Dr. Andrew Kerwin Dr. Renee Levesque Dr. David Shibata Faculty Society ($1,000$1,999) Dr. Martin Croce Dr. Paxton Dickson Dr. Martin Fleming Dr. Patrick Shahan Dr. Regan Williams Benefactors ($500-$999) Dr. Tiffany Bee Dr. Boris Cehajic Dr. Norma Edwards Dr. Alexander Feliz Dr. Michael Kelly Dr. Gayle Minard Dr. Nosratollah Nezakatgoo Dr. Ben Pettigrew Dr. Armando Ramirez
Supporters ($0-$499) Dr. Saskya Byerly Dr. Cherie Colbert Dr. Olivia DeLozier Dr. Angel Doño Dr. Benjamin DuBois Dr. Corey Eymard Dr. Meg Ferguson Dr. Dina Filiberto Dr. Peter Fischer Dr. Jason Frischer Dr. Leonard Hines Dr. George Maish Dr. Katy Marino Dr. Alexander Mathew Dr. Justin Monroe Dr. Clarisse Muenyi Dr. Chelsea Olson Dr. Kate Savoie Dr. Ian Solsky Dr. Jessica Staszak Dr. Nia Zalamea
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For more information, please contact: Department of Surgery | 910 Madison Ave. 2nd Floor | Memphis, TN 38163 t 901.448.9522| f 901.448.7306
uthsc.edu/surgery 21