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A NEWSLETTER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

January 2025

Robinson and Kao Served as Citizen Ambassadors to Vietnam

Dr Kao and other delegates at Tam Anh Hospital in Ho Chi Minh

Emily K. Robinson, MD, FACS, professor in the Department of Surgery; Lillian S. Kao, MD, FACS, professor, and Jack H. Mayfield, MD, Chair in the Department of Surgery, joined the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Delegation to Vietnam over the new year. The delegation was co-led by Dr. Carlos Pellegrini, former Chair of Surgery at the University of Washington and Past President of the ACS, and Dr. Patricia Turner, CEO and Executive Director of the ACS. The delegation’s activities included both professional visits to hospitals as well as tourist visits to cultural attractions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The objectives of the delegation’s visit included learning more about healthcare delivery in Vietnam as well as identifying opportunities for future collaboration and bidirectional learning. The exchange program was coordinated by Citizen Ambassadors, a Cultural Vistas Program. Prior delegations have visited Cuba, Israel, Kosovo, and Morocco.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

The Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) has announced its 2025 leadership team. Kulvinder Bajwa, MD, Professor in the Department of Surgery, has been elected Vice President. Dr. Bajwa joins a robust team that represents over 13,000 physician and medical student members, embodying a commitment to advancing healthcare in Harris County and beyond. The society, which is the largest county medical society in the United States, continues to uphold its mission of supporting physicians in the delivery of high-quality patient care.

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We are proud to share that Rodrigo Donalisio de Silva, MD, Associate Professor in Urology, served as Guest Editor for the Special Endourology issue of UroPrecision (Volume 2, Issue 4). This edition explores the latest advancements and innovations in endourology, highlighting Dr. Donalisio’s expertise and leadership in the field.


Read more...

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The Endourology Section and Urology residents have published a groundbreaking study evaluating the financial impact of delays in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for patients with large renal stones treated at LBJ Hospital. Their findings reveal a significant increase in resource utilization, the need for additional procedures, and an average 30% rise in charges to the healthcare system.


Read more...

Rodrigo Donalisio de Silva, MD, Associate Professor in Urology, and Urology Fellow Thairo Pereira, MD, have published a step-by-step guide on a paradigm-shifting technique for renal access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This retrograde approach offers an alternative to the traditional, more challenging antegrade image-guided method, empowering urologists to independently achieve renal access. The technique reduces reliance on interventional radiology, minimizes costs, and lessens the burden on patients.


Read more, including a step-by-step video under the Supporting Information tab

Publications of Note

Brito AM, Yazer MH, Sperry JL, Luther JF, Wisniewski SR, Guyette F, Moore EE, Cotton BA, Vincent L, Fox E, Cannon JW, Namias N, Minei JP, Ammons LA, Clayton S, Schreiber M. Evolution of whole blood trauma resuscitation in childbearing age females: practice patterns and trends. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2024 Dec 7;9(1):e001587. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2024-001587. PMID: 39659777; PMCID: PMC11629016.


Liu JK, Collins CE, Moturu A, Pollitt K, Kao LS, Mason BS, Nathens A, Ko CY. Equity Landscape in Healthcare Quality: A Mixed-Methods Study of Efforts within Surgical Quality Programs. J Am Coll Surg. 2024 Dec 10. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001254. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39655804.

IN THE NEWS

Deborah Horn, DO, MPH, joined FOX 26 News to talk about the difference between the weight-loss drugs Zepbound and Wegovy.


Deborah Horn, DO, MPH, was interviewed by CNN about taking a pause from weight-loss drugs like Ozempic during the holidays. 

Deborah Horn, DO

GRAND ROUNDS

McGovern Medical School at Department of Surgery Grand Rounds

The Department of General Surgery Grand Rounds will resume on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Throughout January, sessions from 7:00–8:00 AM will be dedicated to resident ABSITE review and preparation. Regularly scheduled M&M will still take place from 8:00–9:00 AM.

February

6

Presentation Title: Expanding the Horizon of Surgical Education: DTD!

Speaker: Scott Steele, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FPSCRS (Hon), FPCS (Hon) President, Main Campus Submarket at Cleveland Clinic

Rupert B. Turnbull MD Endowed Chair in Colorectal Surgery 

Chair of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

uth_surgery: We know interview season can be stressful so here are some of our UTHealth surgery dogs to brighten your day!

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

uth_surgery: A look back at some of the amazing projects that our research residents presented this year

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

uthurology: Thank you @bostonsci for hosting a fun workshop testing out all your new endo equipment!

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Logo

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.