Volume 62 | January 2024

Surgical Notes

A Newsletter from the VCU Department of Surgery

Department of Surgery Takes Part in RamTree Holiday Giving

The department took part in a holiday service project, collecting and donating gifts to patients over the holiday break. Through everyone’s generous donations, the department was able to bring some extra joy into the lives of our adopted patients. Thank you to all who participated!

For more information about the RamTree program, please click here

News From Urology

Lindsey Davis, NP (Urology) has passed the urology board to be a Certified Urology Nurse Practitioner (CUNP)

The Urology Care Foundation (UCF) has awarded Dr. Randy Vince Jr, MD, MS, the first-ever Health Equity Fellowship, which was “created for early career urologists who have a passion for humanitarian work to help them be successful in connecting with diverse communities, especially those most marginalized,” according to a news release from the UCF.

In October, Dr. Lance Hampton completed his 2000th robotics case since joining VCUHS in 2008.

Pictured from L-R: Tashana Taylor, Certified Surgical First Assist; Dr. Hampton; Intuitive rep

Surgical Oncology Welcomes Dr. Benjamin Schmidt, MD, FACS

We are excited to officially introduce Dr. Benjamin Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Surgery, who recently joined our Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Schmidt completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, and received his medical doctorate at the Tufts University Medical School in Boston, MA. He completed his general surgery residency at University of Connecticut and a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

Dr. Schmidt has years of experience guiding patients thru the diagnosis of cancer and working on an patient-centered treatment plan. His previous work in a community setting has taught him that every patient is unique and needs a teammate to overcome obstacles and help make their plan as thoughtful as possible.

Apart from providing excellent surgical care to patients, Dr. Schmidt loves spending time with family, especially in the outdoors, and staying active.

“I am excited to join a leading academic medical center that provides comprehensive care especially to patients with cancer. VCU offers patient access to leading edge expertise and innovation along with a commitment to community. I am eager to work with a team of other leading experts to cure and heal patients and to pass our passion for thoughtful care on to students.”

-Dr. Benjamin Schmidt

Resident Wins Thoracic Surgery Foundation Award

Dr. Zachary Kiernan, MD, MSc, was recently awarded the Thoracic Surgery Foundation's 2024 Resident Research Fellowship Award, providing a $120,000 grant to support his project entitled "Investigation of the Biochemical Basis For Gender-Related Outcomes Following Heart Transplantation”.

This study aims to investigate the biochemical mechanism explaining a long-observed phenomena in which female hearts transplanted into male recipients leads to worse overall graft function and higher mortality rates post-transplant. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms, he hopes to identify targets that can be modulated in the future to increase the longevity and function of these already scarce donor hearts.

Dr. Kiernan is currently in his second year of research in Dr. Mohammed Quader's lab, where he is currently towards a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics.

Rotation 4 Student's Choice Teaching Awards

Congratulations to Rotation 4 “Student’s Choice Teaching Awards” winners

Resident Teaching Award

Dr. Alexander Simmonds (General Surgery)

Dr. Simmonds promoted a welcoming teaching environment.
Dr. Simmonds took the time to explain to the students what they were doing for the patient and the reasoning behind clinical decisions that were made.
Spent a lot of time talking to students and residents while in the trauma bay
Dr. Simmonds kept students out of busy work. Directing students to educational cases and dictating beneficial tasks.

Honorable Mentions:

Dr. Konstantinos Karabetsos (Vascular Surgery)

Dr. Devin Shah (General Surgery)

Dr. Syeda Ayesha Farooq (Vascular Surgery)

Dr. Harsh Shah (Neurosurgery)

Dr. Renee Cholyway (General Surgery)

Dr. Peter Kwak (Otolaryngology)

Dr. Ashley Matthew (Urology)

Dr. Natalie Wall (General Surgery)

Dr. Taylor Jacobs (General Surgery)

Faculty Teaching Award

Dr. Georgi Guruli (Urology)

Dr. Guruli is very nice. He talked to students during cases and let the students reach in and touch stuff.
Dr. Guruli made sure there was room for students at the table
Asked a student her name and engaged with her
Said “thank you” to the students that helped him out.
Actively taught during the surgery.
"We love Dr Guruli"

Honorable Mentions:

Dr. Kandace McGuire (Surgical Oncology)

Dr. Patrick Melmer (EGS/Trauma)

Dr. Sayuri Jinadasa (EGS/Trauma)

Dr. Adam Khader (Surgical Oncology)

Dr. Leopoldo Fernandez (Surgical Oncology)

Dr. Paschalia Mountziaris (Plastic Surgery)

Dr. William Timmerman (VAMC)

Dr. Nicole Weighard (Colorectal)

Critical Care Nursing Excellence Award

Kwame Akuamoah-Boateng, Advanced Practice Provider Lead in Acuter Care Surgery, has been recognized with the 2024 Norma J. Shoemaker Award for Critical Care Nursing by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. The award is for the nurse member who demonstrates excellence in critical care clinical practice, education, and/or administration.

Kwame was also recently published in the Journal of Critical Care Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38236075/

Congratulations, Kwame!

A Patient's Perspective

During recent recovery from open heart surgery (by Dr. Kasirajan), I was cared for in the cardiac ICU by a remarkable young nurse, Katie. My wife and I were taken by her skill and caring, and we eagerly looked forward to her evening shifts. During one long, painful night, we began a conversation that led to her discussing the somewhat “unusual” behavior of her boyfriend, Thomas. As this unfolded, we all concluded that he may be planning to propose- and I laughingly offered to perform the service, as I would be completing seminary studies in the Spring and would be ordained afterwards, able to officiate at weddings.

I was transferred to another unit the following day, so we never heard the end of the story- until Katie and I re-connected some months later, on my return to work.She laughed and told me our assumption had been correct, and proudly showed off the engagement ring, then asked if I was serious about performing the ceremony.

The wedding was in February 2023, in Wilmington,NC.

Katie began training as a nurse anesthetist at VCU this Fall.

VCU Surgery Faculty Selected as "Virginia's Top Doctors"

Congratulations to all of our providers who were named as 'Virginia's Top Doctors' by Virginia Business!

Click to See Full List of VCUHS Providers Selected

Dr. Prabhu Senthil-Kumar Interviewed for WebMD Article

Dr. Senthil-Kumar was interviewed as part of a WebMD article discussing pediatric burns and hair styling products titled "Hair Styling Tools Pose Burn Risk for Kids: Study"

Click to view article

Leann Ragland, MSW

VCU Health Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP)

How long have you been with Surgery?

I have been with surgery for a little over 3 years, starting as an intern and later being hired on as an advocate for Injury and Violence Prevention Program's Project Empower.

Describe your role in your own words.

I am currently working as the lead on our Heartbeats project, working with people experiencing domestic/sexual violence and human trafficking who are pregnant and postpartum. We provide comprehensive case management and perinatal support services with the aims to reduce maternal mortality rates due to suicide and homicide.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most challenging part of my work is navigating the systems that are often not set up to help people succeed. The most exciting part of my job is seeing people overcome the barriers facing them and their confidence build.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job?

I enjoy watching the journey of my clients over time and witnessing their growth as they gain access to resources and supports that are truly making a difference in their lives. I am grateful to be a part of that support system and in a position that is improving outcomes and bringing about change.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I am usually spending time with my two kids who keep me running! I enjoy being outside, finding new restaurants in the city, and being with friends and family.

Surgery Research News

Dr. David Turner has been selected to participate in the NCI Cancer Health Disparities Ideation Minilabs on Embracing the Complexity: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Advance the Science of Cancer Health Disparities. For these in-depth virtual minilabs, which span four hours each over 5 sessions, participants will collaborate and refine research themes that create strong and impactful themes and new directions that can serve as the foundation for pioneering research in the field of cancer health disparities.