VCU Surgery was well-represented at the 2019 American College of Surgeons meeting in San Francisco. Below is a list of all the presentations and speakers. Well done, team!
Monday 10/28
:
- "Technique for Concomitant Laparoscopic Esophageal Epiphrenic Diverticulectomy, Heller Myotomy, Dor Fundoplication, and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass" - Dr. Guilherme Campos
- "What is the Cost of That ER Visit? An Analysis of Inguinal Hernia Repairs and Non-Scheduled Follow-Up" - Wayne Tse, Research Resident
- "Description of Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Procedure Outcomes from Mobile Surgery Units in Ecuador" - Virang Kumar, M2/Dr. Rodas
- "Mapping Disparities Using a Geospatial Approach to Evaluate Surgical and Trauma Access in Virginia" - James Dittman, M2/Dr. Rodas
- “Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Updates in Surgical Critical Care" - Dr. Ferrada
- Surgical Education II - Moderator, Dr. Anand
- "Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: A Cellular Mediator of Biliary Injury after Liver Transplant" - Nina Wickramaratne, PGY3
- "Clinical Capacity Building for Prehospital Staff: Rotary-VCU-Rwanda Experience" - Ashley Rosenberg, Research Resident
- "A Geospatial Analysis of Timely Surgical Access in Ecuador" - Noah Hillerbrand, M2/Dr. Rodas
- "Evaluating Surgical Care by Mobile Surgical Units" - Kyle Alexander, M2/Dr. Rodas
- "Predictive Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery: An Observational Validation Study of the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI)" - Ben Rothstein, PGY3
Tuesday 10/29
:
- "Comparing Management Strategies for Traumatic Femoral Artery Injuries: 5-Year Experience at a Single Level 1 Trauma Center" - Brandon Gaston, M2/Dr. Rodas
- "Low Volume Resuscitation with Polyethylene Glycol-20k Confers Survival After Severe Hemorrhagic Shock" - Nina Wickramaratne, PGY3
- "Factors Mediating Durability of Type 2 Diabetes Remission and Relapse after Gastric Bypass Surgery" - Bernardo Pessoa/Dr. Campos
- "What Opioids Are Attendings and Residents Prescribing? Who is Getting It Right?" - Wayne Tse, Research Resident
- "A Triage Protocol for Rib Fracture Patients: Clinical Function is More Important Than Age and Anatomy" - Dr. Leichtle
Wednesday 10/30
:
- General Surgery VI - Moderator, Dr. Ferrada
- "Experiences of Sexual Harassment Among Surgeons: A Qualitative Analysis" - Apoorve Nayar/Dr. McGuire
- Management of Complex Benign Breast Disease - Moderator, Dr. McGuire
- "Opioid Prescribing Practices of Junior Level Residents - What Are the Trends and Are They Contributing to Our National Opioid Crisis" - Wayne Tse, Research Resident
- "Who Needs to Be in the Intensive Care Unit? Potential Cost Savings with an Improved Triage Algorithm for Rib Fractures" - Dr. Leichtle
- Diversity Matters - Moderator, Dr. Grover
- "Strengthening Mobile Surgery Safety Standards: An Analysis of Cinterandes' Safe Surgery Strategies and Proposal of International Mobile Surgery Safety Standards" - Sierra Stingl, M2/Dr. Rodas
Thursday 10/31
:
- Ten Hot Topics in Emergency Acute Care Surgery - Moderator, Dr. Ferrada
- "Duodenal Trauma: How Do I Avoid Trouble" - Dr. Ferrada
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Director of Professionalism, Engagement & Wellness
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Dr. Aimee Grover (Professor, Surgical Oncology) as been selected as the inaugural
Director of Professionalism, Engagement and Wellness for the School of Medicine
. This new role will support professionalism, faculty engagement, and meaningful activities to advance faculty wellness for both clinical and basic science faculty.
Dr. Grover graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1996 and completed her surgical residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. She completed a surgical oncology fellowship at The National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and joined the VCU faculty in 2005. In addition to her active clinical practice, she has served on a variety of hospital and university committees and has held leadership positions with WISDM Women in Science Dentistry and Medicine and nationally on the Group on Women in Medicine and Science with the Association of American Medical Colleges. She has been active in our Wellness Task Force and is excited about this new role working on behalf of our medical school.
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ACS Master Surgeon Educators
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Congratulations to Dr. Rao Ivatury for his induction as a Member into the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Additionally, Dr. Brian Kaplan (Professor, Surgical Oncology) was inducted as an Associate Member. Both were honored at the induction ceremony in Chicago in October.
The ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is "a unique program of the American College of Surgeons, and induction into the Academy demonstrates the highest achievements in the domain of surgical education, as evaluated by stringent peer review."
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The Division of Urology was well represented at the Mid-Atlantic AUA Meeting in the Poconos, PA with several our own winning various awards.
Firstly, congratulations to Dr. Natalie Swavely (PGY4), for winning First Prize at the Resident Essay Competition for her paper titled “Phases of Decompensation During Acute Ischemia in an ex-vivo Porcine Model.” She was the best out of nine other resident presenters from places including the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, UVA, EVMS, and Georgetown.
Congratulations also to Dr. Naveen Nandanan (PGY4), who was a member of the group that won the Resident Jeopardy Bowl during the meeting. He received a travel award to attend AUA 2020 in Washington, DC!
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World Congress of Intensive Care
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In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 4% of the healthcare workforce is trained in critical care. As a result, there is inadequate access to infrastructure and personnel within these healthcare systems to ensure optimal outcomes for the critically ill patient. In response, Kwame Akuamoah-Boateng, DNP, Lead APP with the Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, led a group of critical care clinicians to include David Starling, NP (ACSS) and Dr. Aamer Syed (Pulmonary) to Kigali, Rwanda. While there they implemented a structured critical care training for the inter-professional critical care team members in Rwanda.
Kwame recently presented their work at the 2019 World Congress of Intensive Care at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia. The title of his poster presentation was "The Effect of Implementing Standardized Critical Care Training in an Emerging Critical Care System."
Held biennially, the World Congress of Intensive Care gathers critical care societies from across the globe. This year, over 2,200 people from 85 countries were in attendance.
Well done, Kwame and team!
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Each year, formal tribute is made acknowledging employee service (in five-year increments). 2019 marks the 48th annual service recognition celebration for VCU and VCU Health faculty and staff with 5 to 55 years of service. This year's celebration took place on October 15th.
Jessica Carey, HR Coordinator, was also recognized as a nominee for the 2019 President's Service Excellence Award.
Well done, team!
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November is a time of thanks as we celebrate all the people that brighten our lives.
We want to encourage that sense of gratitude with a
Department of Surgery gratitude wall.
Here's how it works:
- On West 16 you will find a white board with post-its and pens. During the month of November add a note of thanks or recognition for one of your DOS colleagues. Each note should be specific to one person (though you are welcome to add additional notes for as many colleagues as you'd like!) and detail why you are grateful to have them as a colleague. Did they do something awesome to help you? Do they just make your days brighter? Anything!
- For every note of thanks, those recognized will be entered into a weekly raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card.
- The drawings will be held weekly on Friday afternoon through November 29th.
Shout-outs can be added via the post-its on West 16 or emailed to
Jessica Carey
(who will write and add them for you).
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Meet Dr. Jon DeAntonio (PGY4)!
Dr. DeAntonio joined Surgery six years ago completing two years in research in addition to his general surgery residency duties. When asked what the most exciting part of his role was he responded, "making a difference in our patients and families." His goal during residency is to provide high quality care while learning everything he can to ultimately become a safe and competent surgeon. After residency, he hopes to complete a fellowship in pediatrics.
Outside of work, you will find Dr. DeAntonio spending time with family, tinkering with cars, and most importantly spending time with his newest addition. About parenthood he wrote, "I have recently become a father - hardest but most rewarding job I've ever loved."
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Halloween Costume Contest
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The Department of Surgery hosted a Halloween Costume Contest and we had some pretty awesome (and highly creative!) submissions.
The winner by exactly one vote...
Paula Talley-Pugh aka Winifred Sanderson! Paula is one of our fabulous APPs in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
2nd Place - Tina Hamlet, Associate Administrator for Plastics and Urology.
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Meet Katie Golob, Associate Administrator for the Division of Acute Care Surgical Services and Interim-Administrator for the Department of Surgery. Before joining Surgery almost 3 years ago, Katie completed her administrative fellowship at UVA Medical Center and was then hired to manage the outpatient service line for UVA Neurosciences and Psychiatry.
When asked to describe her role here at VCU she wrote, "There is an accelerated pace of change in the market, our strategic priorities, and the complexity of healthcare. My job is to understand these dynamics and partner with the clinical and administrative teams to navigate these obstacles to continuously advance our mission." She loves the challenge such a monumental task provides as well as the interaction with others to find creative solutions. She continues, "I love my job. Every day is different but there is always the same mission to ground us. I find it humbling to work with an incredible group of surgeons, APPs, faculty, and staff who bring their expertise and vision to the future of surgery."
Outside of work you can find Katie spending time with her husband, Jared, and two-year-old daughter Bryn. She loves spending time on the water and traveling.
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According to Tonya Dalton, author of The Joy of Missing Out, her five-minute end-of-day routine helps her decompress while also doubling her productivity and happiness.
Check out her routine which is posted on the VCU Well-Being Blog
here
.
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Women in Surgery Leadership Development Conference: Creating an Impact & Shaping the Future
December 13-14, 2019
University of Michigan
Cost: $100 (Non UM Registrants)
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Research Open Forum
Monthly, 2nd Mondays
4:00 - 5:00 PM
West 16 Conference Room (16-103)
All are encouraged to attend!
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Top Photo
: Katie Golob & Nikki Meador at ACS 2019 (Taken by Nikki)
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Department of Surgery | Virginia Commonwealth University | (804)828-7874 | surgweb@vcu.edu
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