A NEWSLETTER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Wishing you and your families joy, peace, and happiness this holiday season.

Thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and partnership in everything you do for the department and for our patients.

Happy Holidays to All! Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!



Meyer Named Medical Director for Memorial Hermann Life Flight

David E. Meyer, MD, MS, FACS, an esteemed member of our faculty in the Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School, has been appointed as the Medical Director for Memorial Hermann Life Flight®.

Meyer has been integral to Life Flight since 2019, serving as Assistant Medical Director. In his new role as Medical Director, effective mid-October, he will provide clinical oversight for the dedicated team of 25 flight nurses and 15 paramedics and dispatchers. This includes developing and maintaining best practice medical protocols, ensuring the appropriate application of medical care by reviewing patient records, and meticulous preparation for flight reviews.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Meyer will lead initiatives in continuing medical education for the Life Flight crews. His role extends to providing guidance on research, quality improvement, and professional development, reflecting his commitment to advancing excellence in medical care.

Meyer’s academic journey includes earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Carolina University, his medical degree from The Ross University School of Medicine, and completing his residency in general surgery at the University of Arizona. He joined UTHealth and the Red Duke Trauma Institute in 2015 as a trauma and surgical critical care fellow, becoming a valued member of our faculty in 2017, where he furthered his education by obtaining a second master’s degree.

Please join us in congratulating Meyer on this well-deserved appointment.

92nd Annual Plastic Surgery Meeting

The 92nd Annual Plastic Surgery Meeting (PSTM) took place in Austin, TX from October 26th-29th, 2023. Hosted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in collaboration with the Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF), the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS), and The Rhinoplasty Society (TRS), this conference stands as the largest gathering in the world for Plastic Surgery professionals, attracting participants from over 70 countries. Representing UTHealth Houston were more than 20 attendees, including 8 Plastic Surgery faculty, 6 Plastic Surgery residents and fellows, 2 General Surgery residents, and 6 McGovern medical students.

The meeting is a spectacular combination of cutting-edge research in Plastic Surgery, graduate medical education, networking, and mentorship for trainees. There were 14 talks given by UTHealth Houston residents and medical students, including presentations by David Hopkins, MD, and Arvind Manisundaram, MD, both PGY-8 Plastic Surgery fellows in their final year of training.

In a notable turn of events, two outstanding talks by McGovern students, Jackson Green and Megan Rodriguez, garnered well-deserved recognition at the conference. Their presentations were among the top 200 abstracts and secured a place in the latest edition of PRS Global Open, a prestigious open-access journal. A special congratulations is in order for Jackson Green, whose dedication and expertise led him to win the coveted title of Best Presentation. His abstract, "Impact of Dosage Frequency of Propranolol on Sleep Patterns in Patients with Infantile Hemangiomas," stood out for its exceptional quality and contribution to the field. Jackson's accomplishment marks a significant achievement. Kudos to Jackson Green and Megan Rodriguez for their remarkable contributions to the world of medical research!

In addition, Matthew Greives, MD, MS, FACS, the Dr. Thomas D. Cronin Chair in Plastic Surgery, associate professor and chief of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and Wendy Chen, MD, MS, FACS, assistant professor, participated in 2 separate panel discussions during the conference. Similarly, Daniel Freet, MD, FACS, assistant professor, and Plastics Surgery resident Rachel Goldstein, MD, were intimately involved in judging research posters due to their expertise in gender affirmation surgery. 



Apart from these fantastic achievements, faculty, residents, and students still made time to socialize outside the conference, including at the UTH Plastic Surgery Alumni Social held on October 28th.

MS3 Jackson Green, pictured presenting his award-winning research on 'Propranolol Dosage Frequency and Sleep Patterns in Infantile Hemangioma Patients' at the Craniomaxillofacial 1 session, where he earned the Best Presentation accolade.

Dr. David Hopkins, PGY-8 plastic surgery fellow, discussing frailty scores as a predictor of outcomes after lower extremity reconstruction.

Plastic Surgery fellow Dr. Bora Kahramangin with program director Dr. Erik Marques and Dr. Daniel Freet.

Faculty member Dr. Klara Sputova hanging out with residents/fellows Drs. Dylan Bezzini, Robert Tung, Arvind Manisundaram, Bora Kahramangil, Karen Lu, and Jack Hua at the Women Plastic Surgeons lounge.

Plastic surgery fellows, residents, and medical students enjoying a nice evening out together.

CeTIR Summer Research Program Showcases Engaging Poster Presentations

We are excited to highlight the recent accomplishments of our students who completed the Summer Research Program with the Center for Translational Injury Research (CeTIR). Their work was showcased at the Research Forum, demonstrating their commitment to advancing trauma medicine. Most of our summer research students each year also participate in the Trauma Scholarly Concentration program.

Overview of the Trauma Scholarly Concentration Program: Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals aged one to forty-five, posing a significant economic burden of over $670 billion annually. Addressing this, our Trauma Scholarly Concentration Program seeks to enrich the medical student experience with interdisciplinary learning and scholarly activities focused on trauma during years 1-4.

Purpose/Goals of the Trauma Scholarly Concentration Program:

• Enhance the student's curriculum with complementary and enriching content.
• Provide role models, mentorship, and academic and personal development guidance.
• Foster interdisciplinary interactions for a holistic educational experience.
• Support leadership development among students.
• Offer a structured and experiential learning journey, encouraging self-directed learning.

Our students have excelled in projects ranging from the correlation of clot burst pressure in trauma patients to exploring the efficacy of blood products in ground EMS. These endeavors contribute to the field and align with our mission to nurture academic and personal growth.

Kudos to our students for their dedication and impactful contributions, reflecting the excellence of our institution. Their achievements reinforce our commitment to advancing knowledge in trauma medicine.

Summer Research & Trauma Scholarly Concentration:

Student: Addison Allen

Mentor: Dr. Charles Cox

Project Title: Correlation of Clot Burst Pressure to Clinical Data in Level One Trauma Patients

Student: Jackson Burns

Mentor: Dr. Lillian Kao and, Dr. Krislynn Mueck

Project Title: Systematic Review of Health Literacy in Acute Care Surgery

Student: Leonardo Martinez

Mentor: Dr. Michael Wandling

Project Title: Identify Risk Factors for Fascial Dehiscence and Incisional Hernia in Trauma Patients

Student: Josh Haag

Mentor: Dr. David Meyer

Project Title: The Smoking Gun: Trauma Hot Spotting as a Tool to Guide Targeted Intervention

Student: Jay Sauer

Mentor: Dr. Christopher Stephens

Project Title: Efficacy of Blood Products in Ground EMS – A Retrospective Review

Student: Maddie Cotton

Mentor: Dr. Jessica Cardenas

Project Title: Relationship between the HS3ST1 Genotype and Outcomes in Hemorrhagic Shock

Student: Joselyn Yang

Mentor: Dr. Todd Huzar

Project Title: Does Addition of Fresh Frozen Plasma to Burn Resuscitation Improve Outcomes in Thermally Injured Patients?

Student: Andrea Abeln

Mentor: Dr. John Harvin

Project Title: Outcomes Using Autologous Epidermal Autograft for Wound Closure of Majority Deep Partial Thickness Burns

Moore Elevates Zoo Care with REBOA for Primates

In a recent collaboration, Laura Moore, MD, FACS, professor in the Department of Surgery, had the unique experience of sharing expertise on REBOA (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta) with the Los Angeles Zoo veterinary team, focusing on large female primates with uterine fibroids. The course addressed challenges related to limited blood availability during procedures. Moore is excited about potential collaboration with the Houston Zoo after its success. In addition, she assisted in the zoo's ICU, addressing respiratory distress in a rooster, highlighting the importance of innovative medical approaches in zoo animal care.

Wandling Earns EAST Leadership Development Workshop Scholarship

We are thrilled to extend our congratulations to Michael Wandling, MD, MS, FACS, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, on being chosen as a distinguished recipient of the 2024 EAST Leadership Development Workshop Scholarship. This award not only recognizes Wandling's exceptional contributions but also provides support for his continued professional growth. The scholarship will cover his tuition expenses for the next three years, commencing with the 2024 workshop, allowing him to engage in valuable opportunities and further enhance his leadership skills. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and look forward to witnessing the positive impact of his participation in the EAST Leadership Development Workshop.

Urology Team Excels at 24th Annual Sexual Medicine Society Meeting

We take great pride in acknowledging the outstanding achievements of the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Urology Division at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) in San Diego, California, in 2023. Our esteemed faculty, Run Wang, MD, FACS, the Cecil M. Crigler, MD, Chair in Urology and professor in the Division of Urology, and his Sexual Medicine Fellow, Kareim Khalafalla, MD, and Urology residents/medical students have made significant contributions to sexual medicine, showcasing the exceptional talent within our division. Their dedication was highlighted during the three-day conference, engaging with some of the brightest minds in the field.

Under Wang's guidance, Khalafalla successfully led a team of UTHealth Houston residents and medical students, working diligently over the past few months. Their collaborative efforts, including extensive data collection, statistical analysis, abstract preparation, and manuscript writing, led to the acceptance of 13 distinct ideas for presentation. Our fellows, residents, and students demonstrated remarkable expertise at this SMSNA meeting. Khalafalla's multiple insightful presentations covered topics such as concurrent penile prosthesis and incontinence surgery outcomes, the impact of anticoagulant therapy on the progression of erectile dysfunction treatment, and the challenges of salvage prostatectomy post-penile prosthesis. Skyler Howell, MD (PGY-3) presented a video on a complex case of Peyronie's disease, effectively managed by Wang, showing intraoperative decisions and extra-skillful techniques. Hannah Slovacek, MD (PGY-3) reported on the age-independent feasibility of penile prosthesis insertion. Moreover, our 4th-year medical student, Jerril Jacob's research, highlighted the significance of androgen deprivation therapy on satisfaction rates post-penile prosthesis surgery in prostate cancer patients. In addition to that, Mohammed Mahdi, MD, our current Sexual Medicine Fellow, delivered an exceptional meta-analysis focusing on various penile prosthesis reservoir placement outcomes and complications. These presentations underscore the depth of talent and dedication within our academic community.

Wang's reception of the Distinguished Service Award for SMSNA illuminates his noteworthy contributions to the field of sexual medicine. His resolute dedication to advancing knowledge and care in this specialized area marks him as a standout figure. This acknowledgment affirms his expertise and serves as a wellspring of inspiration for up-and-coming professionals in the field.

As we reflect on these accomplishments, we eagerly anticipate continued collaborations, further advancements in sexual medicine, and the ongoing success of our talented faculty, fellows, residents, and students.

Houston Celebrates Women in Surgery with ACS Executive Director and CEO

On November 7, five local medical schools hosted a Women in Surgery Reception honoring Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS who is the Executive Director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons and Clinical Professor at University of Chicago Medicine. McGovern Medical School joined Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in hosting the event.

UTHealth Houston faculty and residents with Dr. Patricia Turner.

Surgeons Bring Hope: 39 Life-Changing Procedures in Guatemala

A dedicated team of UTHealth Houston Plastic Surgeons, spearheaded by Matthew Greives, MD, MS, FACS, the Dr. Thomas D. Cronin Chair in Plastic Surgery, associate professor and chief of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, alongside Chief Resident David Hopkins, MD, Anesthesiologist Amy Graham-Carlson, MD, Scrub Tech Mimi Feutral, and Nurse Sandra Gutierrez Resendez, recently embarked on a transformative mission to Guatemala City in collaboration with Austin Smiles. Over the course of a week, they performed an impressive total of 39 surgeries to address cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, congenital anomalies affecting children globally. Beyond tackling physical challenges, these surgeries alleviate speech and eating difficulties while combating social stigma. In regions like Guatemala, where families and healthcare facilities struggle to provide necessary treatments, the impact of each procedure extends far beyond the physical, instilling hope and confidence in both young patients and their families. Greives, Hopkins, and the entire medical team have transformed lives and paved the way for healthier, more fulfilling futures. The success of this mission is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the medical team, supported by Austin Smiles, creating a ripple effect of positive change for generations to come. This collaboration exemplifies how compassion, expertise, and partnership can bring enduring smiles to those in need, illustrating a powerful commitment to making a lasting difference.

Publications of Note

Schellenberg M, Owattanapanich N, Emigh B, Van Gent JM, Egodage T, Murphy PB, Ball CG, Spencer AL, Vogt KN, Keeley JA, Doris S, Beiling M, Donnelly M, Ghneim M, Schroeppel T, Bradford J, Breinholt CS, Coimbra R, Berndtson AE, Anding C, Charles MS, Rieger W, Inaba K; AAST VTE Prophylaxis Study Group. When Is It Safe to Start VTE Prophylaxis after Blunt Solid Organ Injury? A Prospective AAST Multi-Institutional Trial. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Oct 24. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004163. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37872669.

Van Gent, JM, Clements TW, Cotton BA. Resuscitation and Care in the Trauma Bay. Surgical Care of North America. October 2023.

Gerard J, Van Gent JM, Cardenas J, Gage C, Meyer DE, Cox C, Wade CE, Cotton BA. Hypofibrinogenemia following injury in 186 children and adolescents: identification of the phenotype, current outcomes, and potential for intervention. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2023 Nov 9;8(1):e001108. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2023-001108. PMCID: PMC10649809.

Clements TW, Van Gent JM, Menon N, Roberts A, Sherwood M, Osborn L, Hartwell B, Refuerzo J, Bai Y, Cotton BA. Use of Low-Titer O-Positive Whole Blood in Female Trauma Patients: A Literature Review, Qualitative Multidisciplinary Analysis of Risk/Benefit, and Guidelines for Its Use as a Universal Product in Hemorrhagic Shock. J Am Coll Surg. 2023 Nov 6. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000906. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37930900.

Fox CJ, Feliciano DV, Hartwell JL, Ley EJ, Coimbra R, Schellenberg M, de Moya M, Moore LJ, Brown CVR, Inaba K, Keric N, Peck KA, Rosen NG, Weinberg JA, Martin MJ. Extremity Vascular Injury: A Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions Algorithm. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Nov 6. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004186. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37926992.

Klugh JM, Harvin JA. Acute Pain Management after Trauma: What You Need to Know. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Nov 13. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004193. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37962128.

Lammers D, Scerbo M, Davidson A, Pommerening M, Tomasek J, Wade CE, Cardenas J, Jansen J, Miller CC, Holcomb JB. Addition of aspirin to venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis safely decreases venous thromboembolism rates in trauma patients. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2023 Nov 3;8(1):e001140. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2023-001140. PMID: 37936904; PMCID: PMC10626753.

Obinero CG, Pedroza C, Bhadkamkar M, Blakkolb CL, Kao LS, Greives MR. We are moving the needle: Improving racial disparities in immediate breast reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 Nov 4;88:161-170. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.11.002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37983979.

Sisak S, Price AD, Foote DC, Montgomery KB, Lindeman B, Cho NL, Sheu NO, Postlewait LM, Smith SR, Markesbery KC, Meister KM, Kader S, Abelson JS, Anstadt MJ, Patel PP, Marks JA, Callahan ZM, Kimbrough MK, Byrd SE, Stopenski SJ, Nahmias JT, Patel JA, Wilt W, Dodwad SM, Adams SD, Willis RE, Farr D, Harvey J, Woeste MR, Martin RCG, Al Yafi M, Sutton JM, Cortez AR, Holm TM. A multi-institutional study from the US ROPE consortium examining factors associated with endocrine surgery exposure for general surgery residents. Surgery. 2023 Nov 10:S0039-6060(23)00670-0. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.05.048. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37953151.

Watson C, Saaid H, Vedula V, Cardenas JC, Henke PK, Nicoud F, Xu XY, Hunt BJ, Manning KB. Venous Thromboembolism: Review of Clinical Challenges, Biology, Assessment, Treatment, and Modeling. Ann Biomed Eng. 2023 Nov 1. doi: 10.1007/s10439-023-03390-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37914979.

Koh EY, Fox EE, Wade CE, Scalea TM, Fox CJ, Moore EE, Morse BC, Inaba K, Bulger EM, Meyer DE. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and resuscitative thoracotomy are associated with similar outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Dec 1;95(6):912-917. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004094. Epub 2023 Jun 29. PMID: 37381147.

Editorial Team: Dr. Lillian S. Kao, Dr. Casey B. Duncan, Dr. Peter A. Walker, and Dr. Elias A. Chamely

For content submissions, email Sophia.M.Solis@uth.tmc.edu.