Archive - News from the Department of Surgery
John Myers, MD, appointed Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery:
Serving as Interim Chief of Trauma since 2008,
he completed his medical degree and
residency training at UTHSCSA in 1999, at which time he joined the faculty. He completed a
Surgical Critical Care fellowship in 2002 and is board certified in general surgery and surgical
critical care.
Dr. Myers has been serving as the Interim Chief of the Division of Trauma and Emergency
Surgery since October, 2008. He has done an outstanding job during this time, serving as a
gifted clinician and a highly accomplished educator and administrator.
Dr. Myers currently serves on seventeen University Hospital Committees and is or has been the
leader of six of these committees. He is and has been central to the new capital improvement
project – the construction of the new hospital and downtown clinics. He has been a very active
and committed member of the Medical School Admissions Committee. He was elected to the
Medical Faculty Assembly Executive Committee where he served admirably, first as a member
and then as the Chair.
Most notably, over the four decades since the establishment of our J. Bradley Aust Surgical
Society, Dr. Myers has served as one of only two Secretaries of this vitally important and
successful organization.
More about Dr. Myers |
Division of Trauma & Emergency Surgery
(7-25-11)
Martin G. Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Surgery at UTHSCSA, appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the International
Journal of Burns and Trauma. The International Journal of Burns and Trauma (IJBT) (ISSN: 2160-2126),
is an open access, online-only
journal to facilitate rapid publication and circulation of novel discoveries in basic and clinical sciences of
burns and traumas. The scope of IJBT is intended to encompass that of multi-disciplinary researchers
from any scientific discipline where the primary focus of the research is to increase and integrate
knowledge about etiology and molecular mechanisms of burns and trauma with the ultimate aim of
advancing the cure and prevention of this group of diseases.
More info – International Journal of Burns and Trauma Editorial Board |
More about Dr. Schwacha |
Dr. Schwacha's Trauma Immunopathology Lab
(7-20-11)
Local chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons established by UT School of Medicine surgeons: The
South Texas Chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) was recently established by Department of Surgery faculty
and residents, as well as other community women surgeons. Local AWS chapters serve as a resource at the
local level for women surgeons, providing professional growth and networking opportunities. Lori Pounds, MD, Vascular Surgeon
in the Department of Surgery, has been assigned as President; Co-Vice Presidents are Johanna Bayer, MD, General
Surgery Resident, and Alicia Logue, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Co-Secretaries are Heather Brandfellner, MD,
General Surgery Resident, and Michelle Savu, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Co-Treasurers are
Helenmari Merritt, Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident, and Paula K. Shireman, MD, Professor of Vascular
Surgery and Interim Associate Dean for Research for the UT School of Medicine San Antonio; and Lillian Liao, MD,
MPH, Social and Webmaster. The group will continue to have regular meetings to establish a mentorship program and to
select guest speakers.
Association of Women Surgeons website
(7-7-11)
Congratulations to
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of UT Surgical Oncology, who was recently
awarded the Legion of Merit for his dedicated service in the US Army, given for
exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and
achievements in the United States military (pictured, center). Dr. Jatoi served in the US Army from 1977 to 2010, serving as head of the
National Naval Medical Center Breast Care Center in Bethesda, Maryland, from 2006 through 2010. Upon retirement from
the Army in early 2010, Dr. Jatoi joined the
Department of Surgery.
More about Dr. Jatoi |
UT Surgical Oncology website (7-5-11)
Congratulations to
Paula K. Shireman, MD, who has been named a fellow of the Executive Leadership
in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program of Drexel University. Dr. Shireman,
Professor of Vascular Surgery and Associate Dean for Research for the School of Medicine,
is one of 54 women faculty members chosen to participate in the program. As part of
her fellowship, she will lead a project that addresses an institutional need, increasing
understanding of the challenges of today's academic health centers.
Read HSC News story |
More about ELAM |
More about Dr. Shireman (6-15-11)
June 29, 2011 – UT Transplant Center's Allograft Resources and Donate Life Texas sponsor Texas League All-Stars Game: The
number of San Antonians willing to donate organs and tissue is extremely low. In an effort to help educate the public
about organ and tissue donation and to help dispel some of the myths and misinformation surrounding the topic, the UT
Transplant Center's Allograft Resources
sponsored the Texas League All-Stars game. Fans were encouraged to sign up to be organ
and tissue donors. Anyone interested in becoming a donor should register with
Donate Life Texas – click here to sign up! |
Read story on MySA.com |
More UT Transplant Center news |
(6-14-11)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery, delivers invited lecture
at the 63rd Southwestern Surgical Congress held in March 2011: Dr. Stewart presented
the Claude H. Organ, Jr. Memorial Lecture, entitled 'The Care of the Patient: Science and Service.'
Founded in 1948, the Southwestern
Surgical Conference offers educational programs to stimulate and promote the progress of surgery
to general and specialty surgeons in fifteen member states.
More about Dr. Stewart |
More about the Southwestern Surgical Congress
(6-6-11)
Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, interview — 'Weight Loss Pod': Dr. Peterson, Assistant Professor
of Surgery and Director of the UT
Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, agrees that there are benefits to the new sauna weight loss spa therapy, which uses heat and LED
lighting to accomplish weight loss — but the weight loss is more than likely just water weight.
"I don't know that there's any data to support right now the claims that this is going to help sustained
weight loss for any length of time." According to Dr. Peterson, a balanced diet and exercise are the mainstays
for long-term weight loss results, and he strongly recommends talking to your doctor before using any kind of
sauna weight loss therapy.
KSAT-12 story, video |
UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery |
More about Dr. Peterson (5-24-11)
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology, UT School of Medicine Department of Surgery, discusses
recent breast cancer study with local news media:
Dr. Jatoi's recently published study, a collaborative research effort with the National Cancer Institute and the
University of Pittsburgh, 'Breast Cancer Adjuvant Therapy: Time to Consider Its Time-Dependent Effects', in
the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests that breast cancer treatment medicines begin to lose their effectiveness after
a period of about three years. This study suggests that breast cancer should be treated as a chronic disease, similar to
diabetes or hypertension, and that perhaps new, different drugs that specifically target this stage of the disease need to
be developed.
HSC News article |
KSAT-12 news interview & article |
San Antonio Express-News article |
Journal Article |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(5-19-11)
University Transplant Center achieves record lung transplants in one year: Transplant surgeons recently
performed the 40th lung transplant at the UT Transplant Center, also marking the 403rd lung transplant since
the center – a partnership of University Health System and the UT Health Science Center San Antonio –
began performing this procedure in 1987. The procedure allows patients to breathe on their own again and,
despite such severely compromised patients, the survival rate is a remarkable 92 percent.
Read HSC News story |
Visit UT Transplant Center website (5-05-11)
The School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery are delighted to announce
the appointment of Ronald M. Stewart, MD, to the position of Chair of the Department of
Surgery. Dr. Stewart, Professor of Surgery and Anesthesia, has
served admirably as the Interim Chair for Surgery since October of 2008, and
will continue to bring his experience, energy, and talents
to the Department and to the School. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Stewart on his appointment and in
thanking him for his service. We look forward to many productive years for the Department of Surgery.
Read Dean's Announcement |
More about Dr. Stewart (4-25-11)
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, appointed as Cancer Liaison Physician for Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital:
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer has announced the appointment of Dr. Alfredo Santillan, UT
Surgical Oncology, as the Cancer Liaison Physician for Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
The ACS Commission on Cancer supports cancer patients and Commission-accredited programs with resources, and
includes representatives from more than 1500 cancer programs nationwide.
More about the American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer |
More about Dr. Santillan |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology, UT School of Medicine Department of Surgery, appointments:
Dr. Jatoi has been selected to chair the University Health System, San Antonio, TX, Cancer Committee through 2011; he has also been
selected to serve on the American Society of Clinical Oncology Health Disparities Advisory Group and the Society
of Surgical Oncology Health Disparities Advisory Committee.
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, guest speaker for Society of Nuclear Medicine national meeting and Exito! Latino Cancer
Research Leadership Program:
Dr. Santillan has been invited to present his abstract, 'Surgical Oncology Imaging', at the 2011 annual meeting
of the Society of Nuclear Medicine in San Antonio, TX. The Society of Nuclear Medicine works to improve health care
by advancing molecular imaging and therapy. He will also be presenting at the 2011 Exito! Latino Cancer Research
Leadership Training Program sponsored by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
More about Dr. Santillan |
More about Exito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-20-11)
Congratulations to Surgery faculty who have earned promotions or tenure for
September 2011: John Myers, MD, Interim Chief of Trauma, promoted
to Professor of Surgery, and Matthew J. Sideman, MD, promoted to
Associate Professor of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery. Tenure has been awarded to
Martin G. Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Trauma Research, and Steven E. Wolf, MD, Professor of
Surgery and Vice Chairman for Research for the Department of Surgery.
(pictured, left to right, Drs. Myers, Sideman, Schwacha, and Wolf) (4-14-11)
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, receives two appointments in the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO):
Dr. Santillan has been appointed to the SSO Melanoma/Sarcoma Disease Site Workforce through
2012. Created in 2011, the role of this group in the SSO is to assist with development of surgical oncology
curriculum, review abstracts, act as a resource for Public Policy Issues & commentary, review guidelines, and
develop consensus statements on behalf of the SSO.
He has also been named to serve on the Society of Surgical Oncology Training Committee, which, among other activities,
assists in the development of surgical oncology
training programs and training program guidelines.
Visit the Society of Surgical Oncology website |
More about Dr. Santillan |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(4-13-11)
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, to chair new Cutaneous Oncology Tumor Board:
The Cutaneous Oncology Tumor Board will meet the first Monday of each month
at 11 am in the Kraus Conference Room (G336), 3rd Floor of the CTRC Grossman Building.
More about Dr. Santillan |
Info on all surgery conferences & tumor boards |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website
(3-31-11)
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Education & Research Foundation
recognizes Wayne H. Schwesinger, MD, Professor of Surgery and Interim Chief, General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery:
Dr. Schwesinger has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the prestigious SAGES Foundation Jeffrey L. Ponsky Master
Educator in Endoscopy Award, which honors a distinguished SAGES leader who exemplifies Dr. Ponsky's pioneer leadership
spirit and dedication to the development and teaching of surgical endoscopy. Dr. Schwesinger will be honored at the
5th Annual SAGES Foundation Awards Luncheon on March 30, 2011, in San Antonio.
More about SAGES Foundation Successes |
More about Dr. Schwesinger
(2-11-11)
General Surgery Scholarship established by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Sirinek:
The University, the School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledge the generous gift made by
the Sirineks to establish a $25,000 General Surgery Scholarship, which will be awarded Spring of 2011 during the Annual
Founders' Day Endowment Luncheon. Dr. Sirinek, who holds the J.B. Aust, MD, PhD Chair in Surgery, is a Professor of Surgery as
well as the Department of Surgery Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional Development, and served as
Chief of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery from 2001 until 2010.
More about Dr. Sirinek
(2-11-11)
Steve Wolf, MD, Department of Surgery Vice Chairman for Research and Professor of Trauma,
featured on National Geographic Explorer's 'How to Build a Beating Heart'. Explorer
delves into regenerative medicine – the science of tissue engineering – and shows how scientists are
beginning to harness the body's natural powers to grow skin, muscle, body parts
and vital organs, even hearts. Research is investigating regenerating damaged, aging or diseased body parts grown from our own cells &ndash
genetically indistinguishable from our own.
Go to Nat Geo story |
More about Dr. Wolf |
(2-7-11)
Interviewed on KSAT-12 by Brian Mylar, Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas
Poison Center, warns of new form of substance abuse:
People are using bath salts to get high — this new form of getting high hasn't
reached San Antonio yet, but is probably on the way. Some bath salts contain
Mephedrone which when ingested nasally or orally causes an elevated mood similar
to the effects of cocaine or methamphetamine.
View KSAT-12 News story, video
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center
(12-21-10)
Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery, featured in the December 2010 Scene in SA Magazine:
Every cell in our body has the programming it needs to shape itself from a single cell in the womb into distinct organs
and parts of the body – and this ability doesn't go away after birth. Called 'pixie dust', the extracellular matrix (ECM for short)
cells are the subject of a $250 million research project sponsored by the Department of Defense. The hope is that this 'pixie dust' can
be triggered to re-grow body parts in our wounded warriors. More about Dr. Wolf |
Scene in SA – 'Mad Science'
(12-13-10)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas
Poison Center, on his appointment to the National Toxicology Program Board
of Scientific Counselors:
The National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors was established
in 1978 by the Department of Health and Human Services as a cooperative effort
to monitor, control, and coordinate toxicology testing and to provide
information about potentially toxic chemicals to the public and health,
regulatory, medical and research agencies. Appointed by Kathleen Sebelius, US Secretary
of Health and Human Services, Dr. Fernández's term on the board
will run through June 2013.
Read HSC News story |
National Toxicology Program |
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center
(12-8-10; updated 1/13/11))
December 2010 – Congratulations to all our Surgery faculty chosen as San Antonio's
'Best Doctors' published in the January 2011 issue of San Antonio Magazine:
Transplant:
Gregory Abrahamian, MD;
Jose Almeda, MD;
Robert Esterl, MD;
Glenn Halff, MD;
Charles Nolan, MD;
Kenneth Washburn, MD.
General Surgery:
Stephen Cohn, MD;
Arthur McFee, MD, PhD;
Ashraf Hilmy, MD, MBA;
Alicia Logue, MD;
Joseph Love, DO;
Patrick Nguyen, MD;
Raul Ramos, MD;
Wayne Schwesinger, MD;
Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD;
Kent Van Sickle, MD.
Trauma / Critical Care Surgery:
Michael Corneille, MD;
Daniel Dent, MD;
Deborah Mueller, MD;
John G. Myers, MD;
Basil Pruitt, MD;
H. David Root, MD, PhD;
Ronald M. Stewart, MD;
Steven E. Wolf, MD.
Vascular / Endovascular Surgery:
Teresa Crutchley, MD;
Benjammin Pearce, MD;
Lori Pounds, MD;
Maureen Sheehan, MD;
Paula K. Shireman, MD;
Matthew Sideman, MD;
Boulos Toursarkissian, MD.
Surgical Oncology:
Anatolio Cruz, MD;
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD;
Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD;
Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:
L. Alejandro Jaramillo, MD;
Howard T. Wang, MD.
Emergency Medicine:
Miguel Fernández, MD. (12-8-10)
Basil Pruitt, MD, FACS, Trauma & Emergency Surgery, selected as
honorary member of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM): The Board of
Directors of the JAAM have awarded their first ever foreign honorary membership to
Dr. Pruitt, Professor of Trauma Surgery. For more than 50 years, Dr. Pruitt has been a tireless advocate for burn
patients and burn survivors, and rules the field of burn surgery through his innovation and tireless leadership.
Throughout his career, he has conducted clinical and laboratory research that
has dramatically improved the treatment of burns, and he has published papers in
all areas in which advancements have been made.
More about Dr. Pruitt (11-16-10)
Congratulations to Carol Singleton, Surgery Human Resources / Credentialing, who
was selected by the South Texas Association of Medical Staff Professionals
(STAMSP) for special recognition during National Medical Staff Services
Awareness Week, November 7-13, 2010. Carol has been an active member of
STAMSP since 2007 and has been involved behind the scenes during the year
lending her talents and contributions. Carol's duties in Surgery include
responsibility for the credentialing of Surgery faculty and health
professionals at University Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Centers and other
hospital facilities in the medical center and downtown San Antonio. Her
affiliation with STAMSP has provided her with the knowledge, resources and a
network of credentialing professionals that help her do her every day job.
(11-11-10)
Fox 29 News – Much-needed $900 million expansion for University Emergency facilities underway: Even before the closing of
one of San Antonio's three Level I Trauma Centers at Wilford Hall, University Health System's emergency services were
feeling the pinch – not enough beds, not enough waiting area, not enough room for providing services to our
ever-increasing population and service area. With the new emergency services expansion at University Hospital, Emergency
Medicine Interim Chief Justin Williams, MD, is looking forward to being able to better serve the sick and injured of
Bexar County and beyond. More ICUs,
larger waiting area, increased trauma bays – an all-around improvement in the quality of care we'll be able to provide.
View Fox29 video |
Emergency Medicine
(11-10-10)
HSC News – Experienced surgeons join
CTRC's surgical oncology division: 2010 has seen many new developments in Surgery's
Division of Surgical Oncology, including three new faculty – Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD,
Professor and Chief; Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD; and Alfredo Santillan, MD. Anatolio Cruz, MD, (pictured, right) founding Surgery faculty member,
has been with the division for 40 years. In the news article, he talks about the standards of excellence brought by our new faculty, as
well as the changes he's seen in the specialty of surgical oncology over
the past four decades. HSC News article |
Surgical Oncology website |
More about our Surgical Oncology physicians |
CTRC website (11-03-10)
Congratulations to Department of Surgery faculty named Distinguished Teaching Professors by the Chancellor,
the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs of
the University of Texas System – Daniel Dent, MD, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, and Robert Esterl, MD, Transplant:
This distinction is given to recognize faculty who have made significant
contributions to education. Faculty who receive this distinction are also
selected by their peers to become
members of the Academy of Master Teachers.
HSC News – HSC honors 175 stellar faculty members |
More about Dr. Dent |
More about Dr. Esterl
(11-03-10)
Surgery faculty invited speakers for Methodist Healthcare Woman Plus Family Health and Wellness Program's 20th
Annual RESToration Retreat, October 2010, San Marcos, Texas:
Lori Pounds, MD, Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, presented "Varicose and spider vein treatments – So many options!".
Alfredo Santillan, MD, Surgical Oncology, presented "What you need to know about breast cancer".
More about Dr. Pounds and
Vascular/Endovascular Surgery |
More about Dr. Santillan and
Surgical Oncology
(10-29-10)
South Texas Poison Center recognized by the American Association of Poison Control
Centers Fatality Review Team:
Our team was recognized at the 2010 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology Meeting
held in Denver, Colorado, for being the first poison center in the country to complete all of
their fatality case abstracts. The South Texas Poison Center fatality abstract review
team includes
Douglas Cobb, RPh;
Miguel C. Fernandez, MD;
George Layton, MD;
Cynthia Abbott-Teter, PharmD; and
C. Lizette Villarreal, MA.
More about the American
Association of Poison Control Centers |
South Texas Poison Center
(10-27-10)
(10-27-10)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month — The numbers don't lie: Every three
seconds, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 12 seconds a woman dies of breast cancer.
Alfredo Santillan, MD, Assistant Professor, UT Surgical Oncology, discusses breast cancer
awareness month on Univision 41 San Antonio.
View
KWEX-San Antonio Univision video (en español) |
UT Surgical Oncology |
More about Dr. Santillan
(10-26-10)
Breast cancer researchers present recent breast cancer awareness information to legislators:
'An Assessment of Breast Cancer Awareness in South Texas Border Communities: A Community Based
Participatory Approach,' by Thankam Sunil PhD, Thelma Hurd, MD and Frank Moore PhD was
presented to legislators at the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) showcase in October 2010. The
project enables promotoras in the Eagle Pass and Del Rio colonias to conduct a community survey
of breast cancer awareness among women and men in the communities. The promotoras are
integrated throughout all aspects of project development, implementation and dissemination.
More about Dr. Hurd (10-20-10)
Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed by Startech – a non-profit technology commercialization
center in San Antonio, Texas: As chief of clinical research at the United States Army Institute of Surgical
Research at Fort Sam Houston, Wolf is working with injured veterans to test
whether ECM can help the body regenerate new tissue, when applied directly to
damaged muscle tissue.
Read article in Startech newsletter |
Startech website | More about Dr. Wolf
(10-14-10)
Providing new options for patients
with pancreatic or liver cancer – Jose Almeda, MD, interviewed for MDNews October 2010: Dr. Almeda and other members of the UT Transplant Center
surgical team are taking a new approach. "We evaluate a patient's functional
status rather than his or her chronological age, and we try to find solutions for all patients
who will have a high quality of life after surgery."
More about Dr. Almeda |
UT Transplant Center |
MDNews San Antonio
(10-13-10)
South Texas Poison Center faculty and staff will present at the 2010 North American College of
Clinical Toxicology Conference in Denver, Colorado: This annual conference
provides an opportunity for physicians, pharmacists, nurses and scientists from around the world to
participate in the sharing of information on a wide variety of toxicological issues.
Read more... |
Visit South Texas Poison Center website
(10-6-10)
Hoi Lan Nakajo, winner of Surgery's 2010 drawing for the Employee of the Month Caribbean Cruise for Two! The Department of Surgery,
the J. Bradley Aust Surgical Society, and the Surgery Employee of the Month Committee offer their congratulations to Hoi Lan,
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, for being the winner of our annual drawing. More about
Surgery's Employee of the Month program (9-29-10)
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Westover Hills opens Vascular Lab:
Westover Hills Vascular Lab Medical Director, Matthew Sideman, MD, (pictured right) commented,
"Vascular Lab procedures are conducted with imaging and non-imaging
methodologies and I am pleased to see CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System's
commitment to bring this level of service to the Westover Hills community."
The Westover Hills Vascular Lab provides a full range of diagnostic testing, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD),
cerebrovascular disease, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), renal artery disease, mesenteric arterial disease, aortic
aneurysms, and chronic venous disease. Other specialized vascular lab examinations include vein mapping for peripheral
or coronary bypass, arm artery mapping for coronary bypass, and vascular screening clinics.
The new Vascular Lab is located in CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Westover Hills at 11212 State Highway 151,
San Antonio, Texas 78251.
Read announcement |
More about Dr. Sideman | More about the Division of Vascular /
Endovascular Surgery
(9-21-10)
Constructing the South Texas Research Facility — HSC News talks with
Paula K. Shireman, MD, Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Research about
building the HSC's research teams:
Dr. Shireman is working with university departments to discover which existing faculty and which
new recruits might make good candidates to work in the STRF.
"When recruits come in I will meet with them and work with group leaders to
identify what would complement existing faculty," Dr. Shireman said. "It's going
to take a lot of people working together to populate the building and make it
the great research facility that it can become."
Read HSC News story |
More about Dr. Shireman (9-9-10)
New study by San Antonio surgeons says laparoscopic surgery OK in pregnancy:
worries about the fetus sometimes give patients and surgeons pause about whether to operate using popular,
minimally invasive techniques, which involve inserting metal tubes into the abdomen and inflating it with gas.
A new study by San Antonio surgeons looked at the results of both laparoscopic and open surgery on pregnant
women over several years and found them equally safe and effective for removing both gallbladders and appendixes.
"Now we can at least say definitively, when we looked at our results we saw no difference between an open
operation and a laparoscopic one," said Michael Corneille, MD, Associate Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
Read complete MySA.com story |
More about Dr. Corneille (9-9-10)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to recognize the creation of the Department of Cardiothoracic
Surgery in the School of Medicine on September 1, 2010. John H. Calhoon, MD, Professor of Surgery,
will lead this promising, growing, new department. Dr. Calhoon (pictured right), a nationally recognized cardiothoracic
surgeon, heads a talented and dedicated group of faculty and staff.
The entire Department of Surgery wishes the new Department well, and is proud and thankful to have
been a part of their development. We look forward to a continued strong and collegial partnership
with the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery as they begin this latest phase of their journey.
NEW Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery website (9-7-10)
Congratulations to Department of Surgery faculty who received promotions September 1, 2010: (pictured left to right)
Howard T. Wang, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery with Tenure;
Daniel Dent, MD, Professor of Surgery;
Paula K. Shireman, MD, Professor of Surgery with Tenure;
Miguel Fernández, MD, Professor of Surgery; and
Michael Corneille, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery. (9-7-10)
KENS-5 –
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center, interviewed by KENS-5 regarding teen cough medicine abuse:
A growing number of young people are chugging down cough medicine for a quick high.
A recently published report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the inappropriate use of dextromethorphan which
is found in over 100 over-the-counter-medicines and is linked to nearly 8,000 emergency room visits in 2008, up more than 70% from 2004.
KENS-5 story, video |
More about Dr. Fernandez | South Texas Poison Center
(9-7-10)
Congratulations to Robert Johnson, PhD, Trauma Research, who has been named
chairman of IACUC: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
is one of four UTHSCSA entities responsible for the humane care and use of laboratory animals. These groups
work together to ensure that the University remains in compliance with federal and institutional
guidelines and regulations and remains accredited by the regulatory agencies.
More about Dr. Johnson (9-1-10)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Interim Chairman, Department of Surgery and Trauma Director for University Hospital,
interviewed on KSAT-12 News — More student-athletes visit ER For head injuries:
According to a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics, emergency room visits among student athletes have risen
sharply in recent years. Dr. Stewart said he has not noticed a specific change at University Hospital's ER, but that every
head injury needs to be treated with care. "At the Level 1 Trauma Centers, we see a lot of more serious brain injuries,"
Stewart said.
Some symptoms of a concussion include headaches, confusion, nausea, and can last for several days or weeks; Dr. Stewart
recommends seeking medical assistance if any of these symptoms are present.
KSAT-12 story, video |
More about Dr. Stewart
(8-31-10)
KENS-5 –
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center, discusses listeria contamination of deli meats, sold
locally in pre-packaged sandwiches at Walmart stores.
380,000 pounds of meat that may be contaminated with bacteria called listeria have been recalled. Listeria is
a common, naturally-occurring bug that can spread in food that has been mishandled.
"The listeria bacterium is very crafty about figuring out how to escape our own immune system," explained Dr. Fernández.
Victims "could develop high fever, neck pain and stiffness. They could get meningitis. It can be fatal."
KENS-5 story, video |
More about Dr. Fernández | South Texas Poison Center
(8-25-10)
09-10-1957 to 08-12-2010 —
Mary Bogardus, Administrative Assistant at the South Texas Poison Center in the Department of
Surgery, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2010 after a difficult battle with cancer. The services for
Mary will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at Southwest Funeral Home 3946 South
Zarzamora St. San Antonio, Texas 78225. Visitation will be open from 5-9 pm with a service at
7 pm. Please keep her daughter Brandy and grandson Marcus in your thoughts and prayers as they
deal with the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother.
UTHSCSA announcement (8-17-10)
San Antonio
Express-News interviews Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center: Concern
about synthetic marijuana is very real —
Synthetic marijuana — manufactured and distributed nationwide under
various brand names — is intended to be used as incense or potpourri. However,
many people are smoking it, looking for a high similar to marijuana that's
available over the counter and won't show up on drug tests. Nationwide, there have been
more than 750 calls to poison centers about adverse reactions to smoking synthetic marijuana.
Complaints range from headaches, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat to seizures or blackouts.
Read Express-News story |
South Texas Poison Center |
More aboaut Dr. Fernández (8-17-10)
KENS-5 –
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center, talks about the dangers of K-2:
Made from herbs and spices, K-2 mimics marijuana and is completely
legal. However, South Texas emergency rooms and medical care providers are now seeing the dangerous side effects of K-2.
Dr. Fernández recently treated a man in his 30s who was experiencing seizures and other symptoms as a result of smoking K-2.
KENS-5 story, video |
More about Dr. Fernández | South Texas Poison Center
(8-13-10)
KENS-5 –
New Braunfels hospital offers comprehensive cardiac care:
A new comprehensive cardiovascular center is open at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa
Hospital in New Braunfels.
In an interview with KENS-5, Jeffrey McNeil, MD, cardiothoracic surgery,
said keeping patients close to home has its advantages. "It's mostly
being able to have the support of their family." New Braunfels area physicians
have been supportive of this new program, helping with the design of the
facility and selection of the equipment. It's considered a vital service to a
rapidly growing South Texas city.
KENS-5 story, video |
More about Dr. McNeil (7-27-10)
KENS-5 –
HeartGift San Antonio – life-saving surgery for Mongolian toddler:
Only a year old, Borhkuu Amralt has traveled halfway around the world.
The baby from Mongolia was born with a congenital heart defect, a hole.
"Because of this hole, his heart works overtime and he has a daily competition
between being able to breathe and being able to eat," said John Calhoon, MD,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UT School of Medicine San Antonio.
KENS-5
story, video |
More about HeartGift |
More about Dr. Calhoon (7-26-10)
Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, Professor, Vascular Surgery, on her
appointment as Interim Associate Dean for Research for the UT School of Medicine
San Antonio. Dr. Shireman is the Principal Investigator on an R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and a Veterans Administration Merit Review grant. Her
research focus is on aging and muscle regeneration, collateral artery formation, lower extremity bypass grafts,
muscle regeneration and stem cells. More about
Dr. Shireman (7-26-10)
'Five Minutes with Daniel DeArmond, MD' — Minimally Invasive VATS Lobectomy: The San Antonio Business Journal conducts a conversation with Dr. Daniel
DeArmond, Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has extensive training and expertise in a novel procedure known as
VATS – Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery – which is used to remove cancerous lobes from the lungs. Since joining our faculty
in 2007, Dr. DeArmond has performed approximately 80 VATS lobectomies. "We are the only program in this region doing this operation with the
commitment of a surgeon who has specific, minimally-invasive thoracic surgery fellowship training," says Dr. DeArmond.
Read
San Antonio Business Journal article |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
More about VATS lobectomy procedures (7-16-10)
Heart resynchronization gives S.A. man a new lease on life: Three heart
attacks, congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, all before the age of
30 — That's what happened to a San Antonio man whose life has been turned around
with an amazing implanted device. V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, UT Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Manoj Panday, MD, UT Medicine Cardiology,
worked together to stabilize patient Samuel Ramirez's heart – and completely changed the quality of Mr. Ramirez's life.
Read KENS-5 story, view video |
More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. Panday (7-2-10)
Heart laser and bypass treats crushing chest pain: V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, cardiothoracic surgeon, using a
procedure called transmyocardial revascularization, (TMR) is able to use traditional bypass procedures in conjunction
with a CO2 heart laser to eliminate chest pain and stimulate new blood vessel growth.
"During the same operation, we're able to both bypass the arteries that are
bypassable, and then on areas of the heart where the vessels were too small to
be bypassed, we created laser channels that are one millimeter in size and about
a centimeter apart," explained Dr. Reddy.
View KENS-5 video |
Learn more about transmyocardial revascularization
from the American Heart Association |
Patient Care - TMR |
More about Dr. Reddy |
Appointments and referrals – 210-358-8001 (7-2-10)
Congratulations to the winners of the Department of Surgery
Teaching Awards for 2009-2010:
Voted most favorite teaching faculty by the medical students, with Dr. Rosenthal being 'Most Favorite' –
Arthur Rosenthal, MD; Robert M. Esterl, Jr., MD; and Patrick Nguyen, MD, received awards for Excellence in Teaching
Medical Students.
Voted most favorite teaching resident or intern by medical students in their 3rd year, with Dr. Diaz voted 'Most
Favorite' –
Rafael Diaz Flores, MD; Prejesh Philips, MD; and Elizabeth Thomas, MD, received awards for Excellence in Teaching
Medical Students.
Voted most favorite teaching faculty by residents, with Dr. Logue voted 'Most Favorite' –
Alicia Logue, MD, and Ashraf Hilmy, MD, received the awards for Excellence in Teaching Residents.
Awards were presented June 3, 2010, during the annual meeting of the J. Bradley Aust Surgical Society.
Pictured, left to right: Drs. Esterl, Nguyen, Diaz, Philips, Thomas, Logue and Hilmy.
(6-23-10)
McDonald's pulls 12 million USA-made cadmium-tainted 'Shrek' glasses: Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, discussed the potential danger of cadmium poisoning during an interview with WOAI-4 News.
This recall dramatically expands contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children's jewelry. Dr. Fernández
explained that the potential danger of the contaminated glasses would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium,
which could leach from the paint onto a child's hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.
South Texas Poison Center |
More about Dr. Fernández |
WOAI-4 Story
(6-7-10)
Congratulations to Irma Garcia, Administrative Assistant, Cardiothoracic Surgery, on 30 years of service to the Health
Science Center: Irma was awarded a plaque and a service pin for 30 years of dedication and service to the University and
the School of Medicine. The faculty, staff, residents and fellows of the Division
of Cardiothoracic Surgery are grateful for her continued excellence and dedication. (6-3-10)
Button batteries a powerful health risk for young children: Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, spoke with KENS5 health reporter Wendy Rigby about the growing threat posed by these small
batteries to small children. Found in items ranging from digital thermometers to children's books to musical greeting
cards, the batteries seem harmless. But, says Dr. Fernández, "Anything really small can get into the
mouth of a child pretty easily. They're small. They're round. They're shiny, so kids like them." Small enough to lodge in
the throat or airway of a small child, they can cause choking.
Read
KENS5 story, view video |
More about Dr. Fernández (6-2-10)
Justin Williams, MD, to serve as Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine:
Ronald Stewart, MD, Interim Chief of the Department of Surgery, has announced that Dr. Claire Escamilla has
stepped down as the Interim Division Chief in
Emergency Medicine and residency program director effective June 1, 2010. The department is grateful to Dr.
Escamilla for her tireless leadership and strong commitment to excellence in patient care and service.
She has served as a driving force for the development of an academic emergency medicine program at
UHS and UTHSCSA. Her presence will be missed.
Dr. Williams is a well-respected clinical faculty member in our Division of Emergency Medicine. He is a graduate of Tulane
University Medical School, where he was an AOA member. He completed his residency from the
University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine program. He is a faculty member with the San Antonio
Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) and a staff physician at Brooke Army
Medical Center. More about Dr. Williams |
Division of Emergency Medicine (5-19-10)
Hidden dangers of energy drinks — too much of a good thing: Over-consumption of 'energy drinks' can lead to
chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting and agitation, and a trip to the emergency room. Miguel Fernández, MD, director of the
South Texas Poison Center, spoke with WOAI News about the effects of the extremely high amounts of caffeine in
some of the energy drinks. South Texas Poison Center |
More about Dr. Fernández |
View
WOAI video, read story (5-13-10)
Lung transplant patient honored as 'medical miracle' at University Health System's
annual UHS Foundation fundraiser: Kevin King, a lung transplant recipient, credits Luis Angel, MD, with the medical miracle
of a new life. Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, King's lungs developed multiple scars, resulting in a restricted
ability to move air in and out. In March 2008, King received the gift of a new lung transplant. After some setbacks
and problems, King is now doing great.
More information:
Lung Transplant Program |
UHS Medical Miracles Gala |
More about Dr. Angel |
Lung
transplant 'Medical Miracle' patient - KENS-5 story, photos and video (5-7-10)
Congratulations to Dan Dent, MD, Professor of Surgery, (left) and Patrick Nguyen, MD, Assistant Professor of
Surgery, (right) on their acceptance into the Health Science Center Academy of Master Teachers. Dr. Dent, Trauma and
Emergency Surgery, has been accepted as a Master Teacher, and Dr. Nguyen, General and Laparoendoscopic
Surgery, as an Associate Master Teacher. New members were inducted into the Academy in a ceremony
on April 15, 2010. The Academy is a UTHSCSA professional society organized to demonstrate an ongoing
institutional recognition of and commitment to teaching and learning excellence and the scholarship of
teaching.
More about the Academy of Master Teachers |
More about Dr. Dent |
More about Dr. Nguyen (4-19-10)
The Department of Surgery and Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Interim Chairman, are extremely pleased to
announce the appointment of Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery, to
Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional Development in the Department of
Surgery. Dr. Sirinek has also been named J.B. Aust, MD, PhD, Chair in Surgery.
Dr. Sirinek has been a full-time faculty member since 1979 and has served as the Chief
of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery since 2001. He also served as the General Surgery
Residency Program Director for sixteen years. He is an accomplished clinical scientist and
internationally recognized member of the academic surgical community. In this new role, Dr.
Sirinek will be responsible for mentoring individual faculty members and directing their
professional and academic development, including developing individual faculty and
divisional plans for academic development, encouraging national and regional participation in
surgical organizations, and marketing of clinical services and product lines. He will
also assume leadership of the department's promotion and tenure committee.
More about Dr. Sirinek (4-19-10)
The Department of Surgery is also pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Schwesinger, MD,
Professor of Surgery, to the position of Interim Chief of the Division of
General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery. Dr. Schwesinger has been an outstanding member of
the Surgery Department faculty since 1974. An accomplished academic
surgeon, Dr. Schwesinger is the immediate past president of both the Western Surgical Association and the
Texas Surgical Society and is a recognized thought leader in American surgery.
More about Dr. Schwesinger (4-19-10)
Howard T. Wang, MD, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, promoted to Associate Professor
with Tenure effective September 1, 2010: Dr. Wang joined the Department of Surgery in 2005 and has been
serving as the Interim Chief since May, 2008. Simultaneously, he has served as the Program
Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency since May, 2007. Dr. Wang has done an outstanding job
during this time, serving as a highly accomplished educator, administrator, surgeon, and
researcher with great skill in managing a highly complicated plastic surgery program that has met
and exceeded expectations.
More about Dr. Wang (4-19-10)
Department of Surgery announces faculty promotions, effective September 1, 2010: (pictured left to right)
Michael Corneille, MD, Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, promoted to Associate Professor.
More about Dr. Corneille
Daniel Dent, MD, Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, promoted to Professor of Surgery.
More about Dr. Dent
Miguel Fernández, MD, Division of Emergency Medicine and Director of the South Texas Poison Center,
promoted to Professor of Surgery. More about Dr. Fernández
Paula K. Shireman, MD, Division of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, promoted to Professor of Surgery with Tenure.
More about Dr. Shireman (4-19-10)
Surgery physicians participate in the HSC's 2010 National Doctors' Day outreach:
Three of our surgeons visited local high schools to share their journey to a medical career.
Dr. Dan Dent (Trauma) spoke at Churchill High School,
Dr. Patrick Nguyen (General Surgery - Westover Hills) at Brandeis High School, and
Dr. Kent Van Sickle (General Surgery) at Lee High School.
Forty-one Health Science Center MDs and PhDs participated, touching more than
3,600 students in 35 public and private schools and represented nearly all of our departments and
centers. More about National Doctors' Day (3-31-10)
Doctors' Day 2010: Dr. Nguyen visited Mrs. Amanda Garcia's anatomy class at Brandeis High School, reaching out to a group of
25 senior high school students to share what our doctors do
at the UT Health Science Center. These were very enthusiastic seniors, and when asked to raise their
hand if they were interested in going into the Health Care field over a third of the students raised their
hands. Dr. Nguyen says, "It was rewarding to be able to go into the community and share with young adults what we as
physician members of the Health Science Center do on a daily basis, and to answer any burning
questions they had for me. In addition, they all loved the T-shirts that were given to them by UTHSCSA
in celebration of Doctor's Day." More about Dr. Nguyen (3-31-10)
Doctors' Day 2010: Dr. Van Sickle really enjoyed my visit to Robert E. Lee HS – Go Vols!!! He gave a talk to
about 80 or 90 students, mostly juniors and seniors. Many of them were part of the STEM program –
science, technology,
engineering and math – and many were interested in a career in healthcare. The talk lasted about 30
minutes and no one fell asleep which is usually a good sign! After his talk, there was plenty of time for
questions; several students stuck around afterwards to ask even more questions.
Definitely a good experience and Dr. Van Sickle believes the students got something out of it; the free T-shirts were a
nice bonus! More about Dr. Van Sickle (4-2-10)
Tapestry of life and giving: Kidney disease patient Raymond McEntyre and his wife, Monique,
tell the story of their experiences with the UT Transplant Center and Daniel
Riley, MD, the nephrologist Mr. McEntyre credits with changing – and saving
– his life. From the Winter 2010 edition of the School of Medicine's
Future Magazine.
Read the story on the Transplant Center website |
UT Transplant Center Adult Kidney Transplant Program |
Winter 2010 FUTURE magazine
(3-31-10)
University Hospital's ER showing signs of recovery: More than 67,000 people used University's emergency department
last year – almost 3,000 more than in the previous year.
Roughly 12 percent of them left without being seen – usually after waiting for hours. In a city where one in
four people don't have health insurance, the emergency room is a necessity for some patients to get any care at all,
but it's also expensive to provide. Department of Surgery Emergency Medicine physicians are interviewed for this very
interesting article on the recovery of care in the University
Hospital emergency center in the San Antonio Express-News:
Read article in the
Express-News | Division of Emergency Medicine (3-19-10)
Happiness
associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease:
Interviewed for an article in the San Antonio
Express-News, V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, discusses the link between happiness and good health. Unhappy or
depressed people tend to engage in unhealthy activities — drinking too much, smoking, poor diet, etc.
If you are depressed and have heart disease, your risk of some sort of cardiac event is increased.
Read San Antonio Express-News article |
More about Dr. Reddy |
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(3-16-10)
Miniaturized
assist devices providing hope for South Texas heart failure patients too ill for transplant:
Jay D. Pal, MD, PhD,
Cardiothoracic Surgery, is specialty-trained in heart transplantation and has extensive experience with mechanical
circulatory support, such as the HeartMate II™, which significantly improves survival for extremely ill heart failure patients.
In January 2010, the FDA approved use of the HeartMate II™, which provides a continuous flow left ventricular assist system, powered by an electrical cable that
passes through the skin to a controller worn around the waist.
HSC News article |
Read HSC Press Release |
More about Dr. Pal | Cardiothoracic Surgery
New
implanted heart pumps give hope to more heart failure patients — KENS-5 News story
(3-11-10)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, whose abstract, 'The Comparative Clinical Effects of Cocaine and Amphetamines',
has been accepted for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the
European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in
Bordeaux, France. The abstract will be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. |
More about Dr. Fernández |
South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, and Lizette Villarreal, MA, Assistant Director, South Texas Poison Center,
whose abstracts,
'Health Care Disparities in Delivering Poison Center Services to Spanish Speakers in Texas' and
'Poison Center Data: Complete or Completely Inaccurate? How to Improve Accuracy in Data Recording' have been
selected for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the
European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in
Bordeaux, France. The abstracts will also be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. |
More about Dr. Fernández |
More about Ms. Villarreal |
South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)
Body from scratch: Regenerative medical breakthroughs allowing doctors to regrow body parts:
CNN International's World's Untold Stories', interviews Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research and
Professor of Surgery, as part of an in-depth story on regenerative medicine. Ushering in a new age of medicine,
scientists are using regenerative medicine research to 'build' body parts. This research will allow a patient's own
cells to harness the body's ability to regrow, and, in the not-so-distant future, will provide organs for the
hundreds of thousands waiting for transplants worldwide.
View
CNN Intl video report | More about Dr. Wolf
(2-26-10)
Becky Doran, MD, Emergency Medicine, putting kids on the ER fast track:
Pediatric emergency specialist Dr. Becky Doran has been on the job at University
Hospital for just over a month, and she's embraced a new mission: to get the
youngest patients in and out as quickly as possible.
"We've instituted new protocols so that our pediatric patients are flagged the
moment they walk in the door," explained Doran, director of pediatric
emergency medicine at University Hospital. "They are treated and triaged
completely differently than our adult population. When children are sick
and time is of the essence, we want parents to think of our hospital as a good
option for quality care."
KENS-5 story & video |
More about Dr. Doran |
Division of Emergency Medicine (2-5-10)
Doctors are not paid more (or less) for minimally invasive surgery:
In an interview with the San Antonio Business Journal, V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, UT Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon,
states that, whether the patient is undergoing traditional open cardiac surgery or one of the newer minimally invasive
surgeries (MIS) — where a surgeon goes in through the patient's side using robotic equipment —
payment for the procedure is fixed. Although cost is no different, the patient benefits with a significantly
reduced recovery period after an MIS procedure.
Read more in
the San Antonio Business Journal |
More about Dr. Reddy |
UT Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery (2-3-10)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard T. Wang, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as Chief of the division.
Dr. Wang is board certified in plastic surgery, and has served as Interim Chief of the division for two years.
He also serves as director of the plastic surgery residency program. Dr. Wang received his medical training at
Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, earning his MD in 1995, and has also completed a general surgery residency, a plastic surgery residency, a
postdoctoral research fellowship, and a postdoctoral hand surgery fellowship. He has
extensive training in microvascular reconstruction of the lower extremities, head, neck and breast.
More about Dr. Wang | More about the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery (1-28-10)
Congratulations to Charles R. Bauer, MD, CPE, Professor of Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery,
who has received the prestigious Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award. Dr. Bauer's years of work in
disaster planning and response has led to countless lives being saved, and has ensured a much safer future for
generations of Texans to come. Dr. Bauer was presented the award on December 9, 2009, by Texas First Lady, Anita Perry.
The Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding service of an individual who has enhanced the delivery
of social services in Texas — rare individuals who see impossible dreams and make them realities.
More about the Governor's Volunteer Awards |
More about Dr. Bauer (12-17-09)
SA doctor knows the true trauma of war: Working at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, John Bini, MD, trauma surgeon and
critical care specialist, is in the center of everything connected with caring for our soldiers, as
well as the Afghans who arrive as urgent cases and require immediate aid. Dr. Bini is the only
trauma doc there, so he must scrub in on all urgent cases — a job that seems impossibly large.
Read SA Express-News story |
More about Dr. Bini (12-14-09)
Beloved academic pediatrician celebrates lifesaving kidney transplant: After enduring a year of kidney dialysis, John Mangos, MD,
pediatrician at the UT School of Medicine in San Antonio, asked Glenn Halff, MD, interim dean of the school and
Professor and Director of the Transplant Center, why his team did not transplants older patients. Dr. Halff replied, 'We
do," and explained that the prospect of a successful outcome — not age — was the determining factor. With
Dr. Mangos' son-in-law's match for a living kidney donation, the transplant journey was underway.
Read the complete HSC News story
about Dr. Mangos' lifesaving kidney transplant. | The Transplant Center
(12-9-09)
Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research, interviewed by CBS 60 Minutes' Morley Safer.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Wolf was interviewed regarding the AFIRM (Armed Forces Institute of
Regenerative Medicine) Muscle ECM (extracellular
matrix) study at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Dr. Wolf's interview aired on CBS December 13, 2009.
View CBS 60 Minutes segment - 'Growing Body Parts' |
Read CBS News article |
More about Dr. Wolf (12-14-09)
Congratulations to A.J. Carpenter, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who was recently elected to
a three-year term on the Council of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association at their 2009 annual meeting.
Southern Thoracic Surgical Association |
More about Dr. Carpenter (11-30-09)
Living legend, Dr. Red Duke, Visiting Lecturer for General Surgery's November 16, 2009, Grand Rounds: The
Department of Surgery was recently privileged to have Dr. Duke join us for Grand Rounds on the subject of 'The inevitability of
Change.' For those who missed his talk, it is available on the internet:
View Dr. Duke's Nov 2009 General Surgery
Grand Rounds
(11-20-09)
Congratulations to John H. Calhoon, MD, Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been named Vice Chairman
and Chairman-Elect of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
From 2011 to 2013 he will lead the board, which certifies cardiothoracic surgeons
nationwide and protects the public by establishing and maintaining high
standards in the field.
Dr. Calhoon, who joined the Health Science Center faculty in 1989, was
mentored by South Texas transplant surgery pioneers J. Kent Trinkle, MD,
and Frederick Grover, MD. Dr. Calhoon was named head of cardiothoracic
surgery in 1994, succeeding Dr. Trinkle. He occupies the Calhoon President's
Council Chair for Excellence in Surgery, which was established in his family's
honor by Health Science Center supporters who are members of the
President's Council. Read HSC Press Release |
18 Nov 2009 HSC News article |
More about Dr. Calhoon |
More about the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(11-18-09)
Jeffrey McNeil, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, performs first open heart surgery at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in
New Braunfels: In a newly-renovated operating room, Dr. Jeffrey McNeil and his team performed the four
hour operation. It was a success. The New Braunfels interventional cardiology program is prepared
to perform one or two cardiac surgery cases per week, offering New Braunfels patients a first-class alternative
to traveling for their heart disease care.
Read Wendy Rigby - KENS-5 blog article
| More about Dr. McNeil |
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(11-17-09)
The Department of Surgery
is very pleased to announce that Ismail Jatoi, MD, will join our faculty on December 1, 2009, as professor
and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jatoi comes to us from the Breast Care Center at the
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda where he served as the department head. He will lead the
Division of Surgical Oncology and establish a surgical oncology practice at the CTRC and University
Hospital focused on the management of breast diseases. Please join us in welcoming him to UTHSCSA
and San Antonio. More about Dr. Jatoi |
More about the Division of
Surgical Oncology (11-13-09)
The Department of Surgery offers our condolences to the family of Javier J. Marcos, MD, who
passed away Monday, November 9, 2009 in San
Antonio. Dr. Marcos graduated medical school in 1965 from Universidad
Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.
He was a captain in the US Army during the Vietnam War, then finished his
fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at University Hospital here in San Antonio
in 1975. Dr. Marcos pioneered a very successful practice as
a heart surgeon for over three decades. His skills as a surgeon were exemplary, and
his life touched many people in profound ways.
(11-13-09)
Scene in SA Magazine publishes the 2009 Top Docs in San Antonio:
4000 local physicians were asked to list the physicians they would select to
treat their own family members. We're extremely proud to announce our
Department of Surgery 'best of the best' Top Docs in San Antonio:
Emergency Medicine: Charles Bauer, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery: Luis Angel, MD; John Calhoon, MD; Daniel DeArmond, MD; Scott Johnson, MD;
Jeffrey McNeil, MD; V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA; Edward Y. Sako, MD, PhD
General Surgery: Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD; Kent Van Sickle, MD
Transplant: Glenn Halff, MD
Trauma Surgery: Daniel Dent, MD; Deborah Mueller, MD; John Myers, MD; Ronald M. Stewart, MD
Vascular Surgery: Boulos Toursarkissian, MD (11-5-09)
Congratulations to Stephen M. Cohn, MD, Professor of Surgery, whose textbook, 'Acute Care Surgery
and Trauma: Evidence-Based Practice,' was published in September 2009: The 586-page text focuses on
important surgical management issues where one or more problems are addressed using
scientific evidence from the published literature and, predominantly cites Level I and Level II
evidence from the Oxford Scale. (11-4-09)
Loving nephew helps uncle with lifesaving liver transplant: Thanks to his nephew, James Steffanic,
Joe Steffanic has recently celebrated his 60th birthday. In late August,
James donated a portion of his liver to his uncle. Transplant surgeons Drs. Glenn Halff, Kenneth Washburn and Vincent Speeg
performed an advanced type of liver transplant surgery at the University Transplant Center. This was the
first living donor liver transplant performed in the past two years because of the extremely selective matching
procedures used. Joseph is healing and getting stronger every day. "What my nephew did is a beautiful thing.
I'm very proud of him for stepping up to help save my life," he said. "The surgeons are wonderful, too.
I feel like everything is going to be OK."
Read HSC News story
(11-4-09)
Medical Arts & Research Center opens to patients: The newest attraction
at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a striking,
eight-story building filled with the latest technology and featuring the medical
practices of the same doctors who teach and conduct world-class research in the
School of Medicine. Read HSC News Story
(11-4-09)
UTHSC opens towering new clinic in the medical center: UT Medicine's brand new 8-story building houses more than 200 doctors in 60 specialties. After several years and more than $100 million in development, planning and construction costs, the Medical Arts and Research Center is now a reality. "UT Medicine wants to create a one-stop shopping place for patients, "so that you don't have to go from doctor to doctor to doctor and travel around town to see this specialist or that specialist," explained Dr. William Henrich, president of UTHSC. Read / view KENS-5 story (10-22-09)
Minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery performed by cardiothoracic
surgeons V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, and Jeffrey McNeil, MD:
After a heart catheterization test to rule out artery blockages, nurses had a sandwich and cold soft drink ready for their patient
as the cardiologist delivered the news that an infection had damaged the patient's valve, and he would need heart
valve replacement surgery as soon as possible. Drs. Reddy and McNeil performed
the intricate three-hour minimally-invasive operation at University Hospital. The procedure required only
a small four-inch incision on the patient's chest.
Read Mission article |
More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. McNeil
(10-22-09)
'Keyhole' minimally invasive heart surgery leads to faster recoveries - V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA,
interviewed on KENS-5: Dr. Reddy, cardiothoracic surgeon, discusses the benefits of minimally
invasive cardiac surgery. With only one small incision in the right chest and without dividing any
bone, Dr. Reddy is able to use catheters to perform procedures that, in the past, have required a
much more invasive approach. With the minimally invasive procedure, patients experience less pain and
are able to return to work in a short period of time, as opposed to the traditional open heart surgery
which requires a much longer recovery period for the patient.
Read
KENS-5 story and view video |
Cardiothoracic Surgery |
More about Dr. Reddy
(9-30-09)
Claire Escamilla, MD, interviewed on KENS-5 regarding this year's flu season: 'Just stay home'
As ER waiting rooms fill with feverish South Texans, Dr. Escamilla, Medical Director of University Hospital
Emergency Room and interim chief of Surgery's Division of Emergency Medicine, advises people to just stay home,
treat the symptoms, and allow the flu to just run its course.
"If you have a flu-like illness, fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, profound fatigue - you can
safely assume that you have the flu," says Dr. Escamilla. She advises that a trip to the ER is not necessary unless
you are having trouble breathing or are experiencing other strange symptoms, such as seizures or fever with
a rash.
Read and view the KENS-5 story
View Dr. Escamilla's interview video for some excellent advice on dealing with the flu season.
Emergency Medicine |
More about Dr. Escamilla (9-25-09)
HSC physician Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, commands joint medical training exercise: Led by Dr. Bauer,
the Texas State Guard provided nearly 13,500 residents in South Texas with free medical and dental care during Operation
Lone Star July 27-August 5, 2009. The annual event is a collaborative training exercise of the Texas State Guard Medical
Brigade, the Army National Guard Medical Command, and the Air National Guard's 136th Airlift Wing, as well as state
health and human services agencies, county health departments, local service groups, and civilian volunteers.
Read HSC News story
(9-10-09)
Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, who has been selected as Chairman of the Research
Committee of the American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. Dr. Shireman is also on the Board for the
American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. The South Central Affiliate of the American Heart Association is based in
Austin, and includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
American Heart Association |
More about Dr. Shireman (9-10-09)
Congratulations to Surgery faculty who received promotions as of September 1, 2009: (pictured, left to right)
• Gregory Abrahamian, MD, Transplant, promoted to Associate Professor / Clinical
• Andrea Carpenter, MD, PhD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, promoted to Professor / Clinical
• V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, promoted to Associate Professor
• Kent Van Sickle, MD, promoted to Associate Professor / Clinical (9-9-09)
Matthew Sideman, MD, Vascular Surgery (pictured right); Patrick Nguyen,
MD, General Surgery; and Ross Willis, PhD, Director of Surgery
Education, assume leadership of Surgery Student Clerkship: Due to his
new role as Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Bob Esterl
will no longer be able to serve as Director of the Surgery Clerkship
program; his outstanding service in this role will be missed by medical
students as well as the Surgery faculty, staff, and residents. Dr.
Sideman, who will serve as clerkship director, served in a similar
capacity at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa, OK,
and will be assisted by Drs. Nguyen and Willis. (9-9-09)
Craig Manifold, DO, AirLIFE medical director and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine: as the city's growth moves north, so does AirLIFE's
home base. AirLIFE is shifting its homebase from downtown at Baptist Medical Center to
Stone Oak at North
Central Baptist Hospital.
"It gives us the opportunity to be able to provide services here in
the northern corridor and decrease our response times and hopefully
be able to save lives by being able to reach more people in a
shorter amount of time," said Dr. Manifold.
KENS-5 news item and video clip |
More about Emergency Medicine
(9-02-09)
Congratulations to Wayne Schwesinger, MD, Professor of General and Laparooendoscopic Surgery, who recently was awarded
a plaque for 35 years of dedication and service to the University and the School of Medicine. The plaque was presented to
Dr. Schwesinger by
University President Henrich. Dr. Schwesinger's career at the Health Science Center began in 1974. The Department
of Surgery is grateful for his continued academic and clinical excellence and his dedication to the
training of tomorrow's surgeons. More about Dr. Schwesinger (8-25-09)
Operation Lone Star 2009: Led by Col. Charles Bauer, MD, Professor of Surgery, Emergency
Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Emergency
Medicine, this year's operation provided help to more than 13,371 South Texas
patients — everything from dental care, to nutritional counseling and stop-smoking
assistance. "Operation Lone Star 09 has been a success," stated Col. Bauer, due to
the diligence, preparation, professionalism and dedication of the personnel deployed
during the exercise.
More about Operation Lone Star 2009 |
Complete article about
Operation Lone Star 2009 (pdf) | More about Dr. Bauer
(8-14-09)
Congratulations to Robert Esterl, Jr., MD, Professor of Surgery (Transplant), who has
been appointed Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs for the UT School of Medicine at San Antonio.
Dr. Esterl joined our faculty in 1994, and has served as Surgical Director of the
Pancreas Transplant Program at both University
Hospital and the Christus Transplant Institute and as the Surgical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at
the Christus Transplant Institute. He is currently the Director of Student Education in the Department of
Surgery and the Surgery Clerkship Director. Dr. Esterl has been selected numerous times by the students to
serve as an Assistant Marshal at commencement and for Teaching Excellence Awards. He is a founding
member of both The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education and the UTHSCSA Academy
of Master Teachers. More about Dr. Esterl (7-31-09)
Congratulations to Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Chief of General and Laparooendoscopic Surgery, who recently was awarded
a plaque for 30 years of dedication and service to the University and the School of Medicine. The plaque was presented to Dr. Sirinek by
University President Henrich. Dr. Sirinek's career at the Health Science Center began in 1979. The Department
of Surgery is grateful for his continued academic and clinical excellence and his dedication to the
training of tomorrow's surgeons. More about Dr. Sirinek (7-27-09)
Congratulations to Martin Schwacha, PhD, Professor of Surgery, Trauma Division and Director of the
Trauma Immunopathology Research Laboratory, who has been appointed to the Research
Committee of the American Burn Association (ABA). The ABA is dedicated to improving the lives of
everyone affected by burn injury through patient care, education, research and advocacy.
Dr. Schwacha's faculty profile |
Trauma Immunopathology Research Laboratory
(7-20-09)
Texas doctor works to revolutionize burn care: Steven Wolf, MD, Ft. Worth, Texas, native, featured in
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram story about BAMC's burn center and why Dr. Wolf is
doing what he is doing: research, patient care, trauma surgery. He has also emerged as one of the most creative researchers in the field and is overseeing a futuristic-sounding project to see whether troops’ limbs can regenerate, given the right cellular blueprint.
Read article in
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram |
More about Dr. Wolf
(7-20-09)
Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, who has been awarded $166,273
additional NIH / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funding for her research project,
'Chemokines and immune cells in hind limb ischemia.' Dr. Shireman and her research team, including
research resident Jason Wells, MD, are
seeking successful strategies for muscle regeneration — ultimately
improving survival rates in traumatic injuries — through studies of the interactions
of bone marrow-derived cells and tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells on skeletal muscle
regeneration and angiogenesis (the process of developing new blood vessels). This R01 Diversity
Supplement grant will provide
funding to support postdoctoral research training for Dr. Wells.
More about Dr. Shireman |
More about Dr. Wells |
Surgery Summer 2009 Research E-News article
(7-20-09)
Children and Guns don't mix! - KENS-5 Great Day SA:
Learn how to protect your children from gun accidents. Ronald Stewart, MD,
Chief of Trauma, Department of Surgery, and Trauma Medical Director of
University Hospital, is interviewed regarding the tragic consequences of
gun accidents in the home. Sunday June 21 2009, is National ASK day —
Asking Saves Kids. Get involved
right now, and learn more about this lifesaving message. |
View the KENS-5 video of Dr.
Stewart's interview (6-18-09)
Congratulations to George M. Layton, MD, South Texas Poison Center
Specialist in Poison Information, whose
abstract, 'Increasing Poison Center Case Reports of Male Enhancement
Supplements in Texas' (Fernandez MC, Forrester MB) has been accepted
by the Special Interest Group on Herbs & Dietary Supplements for
presentation at the 2009 North American College of Clinical
Toxicology Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX.
More about South
Texas Poison Center faculty and staff |
South Texas Poison
Center (6-16-09)
Is there a gun in your home? National Ask Day is Sunday June 21:
Did you know that Nearly 1.7 million children in the U.S. under the age of 18 live
in homes with firearms that are both loaded and unlocked.
"They don't think it will happen to them. Car crashes, unintentional shootings,
those are tragedies that involve other peoples' children,"
says Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Interim Chair of the
Department of Surgery.
View KENS-5 story |
More about National ASK Day |
More about Dr. Stewart | (6-16-09)
Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been selected
as one of the Advanced Clinical Education Skills (ACES) Top 20 Preceptors:
ACES is the 2nd year medical student course that teaches the students the
intricacies of the history and physical exam on patients with abnormalities. Award-winning
preceptors were selected by the students for effort and dedication to teaching excellence.
Students' comments were overwhelmingly positive, making choosing the Top 20 a difficult
task — a compliment to the educators selected for the Top 20. |
More about Dr. Reddy
(6-16-09)
Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons Spring 2009 Newsletter:
More news from our residency program graduate, Adam Kushner, MD, MPH, one of the founding members
of the Society of International Humanitarian Surgeons (SIHS). SIHS is one of the
fastest growing international groups concerned with saving lives in the developing
world by improving surgical care.
Read newsletter (pdf file) |
Visit the SIHS website
(6-10-09)
In the Summer 2009 Vanguard Newsletter (a supplement the HSC's Mission magazine): $25,000 grant from
the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation to Luis Angel, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Pulmonary Medicine, and
Director of the UT Health Science Center lung transplantation program. The
award is in support of the Barbara Melikan Lung Transplantation Research Fund.
More about Dr. Angel |
More about our heart and lung
transplant program
(6-3-09)
Researchers
study trauma response using near-infrared rays:
Texas researchers, including Department of Surgery Associate Professor
Paula K. Shireman, MD, and General Surgery Resident Carlo Martinez, MD, MSCI, are using near-infrared
light waves and a contrast agent to detect tiny leaks in rodents’ blood vessels, then track the blood
as it pools in tissues. Vessel leaks and muscle damage can be measured,
and can serve as markers of damage or muscle death.
"In the IR-820 experiments, we are attempting to measure how much albumin leaves the vascular
system and how robust the injured tissue’s capacity is to remove it,"
Dr. Shireman said. "We are looking to see if the vascular system is not leaky anymore and whether there is regeneration of muscle."
Read complete
story in the HSC News |
More about Dr. Shireman |
More about Dr. Martinez
(6-2-09)
Trauma centers want more of the Driver Responsibility Fund - Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma, Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery and Medical
Trauma Director of University Hospital, interviewed on KENS-5:
Medical workers and hospital officials don’t want the legislature to use money collected in
the Driver Responsibility Fund for
trauma care to go toward balancing the state budget. The fund should be used for the
care of seriously injured Texans. "It really is a fee on bad driving that pays for
the consequences of bad driving," Stewart explained.
"It’s dramatically increased the number of trauma centers and access to care in rural
counties. And it’s increased access to care for the poor," Stewart said.
Read
KENS-5 story, view video |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery |
More about Dr. Stewart
(5-21-09)
Outstanding Physician Award: Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research for the
Department of Surgery:
More than 300 people filled the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio May 13
to honor individuals and organizations recognized as Health Care
Heroes for 2009 by the San Antonio Business Journal. Dr. Steven Wolf was
praised for his commitment to improving care for pediatric burn
patients, for conducting research in tissue regeneration and encouraging
students to improve the status quo.
Read more in HSC News
(5-19-09)
Congratulations to presenters at 2009 North American College of Clinical Toxicology:
This annual conference provides an opportunity for
physicians, pharmacists, nurses and scientists from around the world to participate in the sharing of
information on a wide variety of toxicological issues.
Hundreds of abstracts are submitted from researchers and poison centers around the world.
Presenters / authors and abstract titles include:
• Cynthia L. Teter, PharmD; C. Lizette Villarreal, MA.
'The Impact of HIPAA on the Delivery of Poison Center Services'
• Ricardo Hernandez, MD; C. Lizette Villarreal, MA; Miguel C. Fernández, MD.
'Poison Center Data Identifies Increase in Energy Drink Consumption and Teens as
Highest At-Risk Group'
• Miguel C. Fernández, MD; Alfredo Gonz·lez, RN.
'Ethiopian Mountain Viper Envenomation In South Texas'
• Darelle E. Hinson, RN; C. Lizette Villarreal, MA; Miguel C. Fernández, MD; Leslie M. DeHart, RN.
'The Impact of Nuisance Callers on Poison Center Services and Staff Efficacy'
• George M. Layton, MD; Miguel C. Fernández, MD; Mathias B. Forrester, BS.
'Increasing Poison Center Case Reports of Male Enhancement Supplements in Texas'
• Leslie M. DeHart, RN; Darelle E. Hinson, RN.
'Automation and the Hazard of Human Error Results in Unexpected Toxicity
during Routine Blood Donation'
More about the South Texas Poison Center (5-19-09)
Cellular Healing: Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed by
Newsweek magazine -
"Regenerative medicine experts are helping wounded vets regrow lost muscle tissue.
Will fingers and limbs be next? In classical mythology, Prometheus was
chained to a rock, where a vulture pecked out his liver every day. It
would have been nothing short of a catastrophe, but, this being
mythology, the organ grew back every night. In fact, liver tissue
actually will regenerate, if less than half the organ is removed.
(That's why transplants are possible from living donors.)"
Article by Anne Underwood,
Newsweek Web Exclusive, May 6, 2009 |
Newsweek Health page, related articles |
More about Dr. Wolf
(5-12-09)
Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology, recently presented at two national
conferences:
'Breast Cancer in Hispanic Women in Texas: Where to from Here?', April 2009,
Disparities in Cancer Care Symposium held during the 19th Annual meeting of
the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
'Determinants of Cancer Screening Practices in an Urban Mexican Community,'
April 2009, at the 100th American Association of Cancer Research in Denver,
CO. This work was ranked among the top 3-4% of papers accepted for poster presentation and
received the Highly Rated distinction. This distinction is shared by coauthors Dr. Thankum Sunil (UTSA),
Dr. Virginia Mika (UHS), Dr. Frank Moore (UTSPH San Antonio Extension) and Dr. Larry Morningstar
(UTHSCSA).
(5-8-09)
On the occason of the UT Medical School at San Antonio's 40th Anniversary, the
Department of Surgery is honored to recognize our founding faculty members: In 1965,
J.B. Aust, MD, MS, PhD, was asked to be the
first Chairman of the brand new Department of Surgery. On his acceptance, he brought with him
six other surgeons from the University of Minnesota — Drs. Dave Root, Waid Rogers,
Arthur McFee, Tony Cruz, Carlos Pestana, and Jim Story.
Click here to view a Flash presentation
about the history of the Department of Surgery and the School of Medicine.
(5-5-09)
Congratulations and thank you to Wayne H. Schwesinger, MD, Professor
and Chief of Endoscopy, and Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief,
Division of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery: In July 1974,
Dr. Schwesinger began his career with the School of Medicine, and Dr. Sirinek
joined our faculty in May 1979. The Department is grateful for their
continued academic and clinical excellent, and for their dedication to
the training of tomorrow's surgeons.
More about Dr. Schwesinger |
More about Dr. Sirinek |
Division of General and Laparoendoscopic
Surgery (5-4-09)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor and
Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, who has been
appointed as the National Hispanic Medical Association representative
to a two-year term on the Governing Council of the Minority
Affairs Consortium (MAC) of the American Medical Association (AMA).
The AMA-MAC provides a national forum for advocacy on minority
health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians and
medical students.
More
about the AMA-MAC |
More about Dr. Fernández
(4-27-09)
With help from valiant volunteers, Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, is
proving that with a little help from 'pixie dust,' limbs and lives might be saved:
More than 1200 returning warriors had injuries resulting
in amputations, and statistics show that more than half of all limb amputations each year in the U.S. are caused
by diabetes and its complications. Dr. Wolf is working with several high-profile U.S. researchers
in the field of tissue regeneration, using a substance derived from pig bladders that has the potential to regrow human tissue.
Read Spring 2009 MISSION article
(4-23-09)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, interviewed by KWEX-TV
for A Su Salud on the subject of Poisons in the home: We all have many common items in our
homes that we don't think of as poisons. Dr. Fernández discussed how families
can identify some of these common household poisons (cosmetics, charcoal, soaps, plants, etc.) and
how to protect their children from ingesting these items.
South Texas Poison Center website |
More about Dr. Fernández
(4-23-09)
Steven Wolf, MD, receives San Antonio Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Outstanding
Physician Award: Dr. Wolf, Vice Chairman for Research, Professor of Surgery, Betty and Bob Kelso
Distinguished Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, Chief of Clinical Research at the US Army Institute
of Surgical Research, and Director, University Hospital Pediatric Burn Program, was awarded San Antonio
Business Journal's
Outstanding Physician award on April 10, 2009. Dr. Wolf was one of six HSC faculty members, including interim
president William L. Henrich, MD, who received Health Care Heroes awards.
Inside UTHSCSA |
HSC News |
More about Dr. Wolf (4-21-09)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, spoke on behalf
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Poison Control Program (Health Services
Administration) at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Pharmacists Association
in San Antonio. The topic of Dr. Fernández's was 'Improving Patient Safety: Success Stories of the Patient Safety
and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative and the Poison Centers Role in Patient Safety.'
(4-14-09)
Howard Wang, MD, Interim Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and 2008 National Endowment Grant Award Winner, interviewed by Plastic
Surgery News - Exploring the promise of stem cells for reconstruction: With his
research team (David Sahar, MD, and Stacy Stephenson, MD, Plastic Surgery Residents), Dr.
Wang is investigating neovascularization of bony constructs using adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs).
The goal is to generate tissue in vitro from a donor site and, ultimately, be able
to implant this bony construct back into the patient for reconstruction. Ultimately, Dr.
Wang hopes that this research will lead to new reconstruction options for patients.
Read article | More about Dr. Wang |
More about Drs. Sahar and Stephenson
(4-8-09)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Surgery Interim Chairman (photo right), and Kent Van Sickle, MD, Assistant Professor,
General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery, visit local schools on
National Doctors' Day: On March 30, 2009, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Van Sickle spoke to future doctors Southside High School
and Stevens High School, each telling their personal story of how and why they became physicians. Students received
a 'FUTURE DOCTOR' t-shirt to mark the experience.
Read more in the April 2009 SOM News |
HSC News, 07 April 2009
(4-6-09)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Medical Director of the South Texas Poison Center, interviewed about Texas Legislature House Bill 23,
regarding meth lab disclosure:
This bill would add a meth lab disclosure requirement to leases.
"We have a saying in toxicology that there is nothing that is not a poison," Dr. Fernández said. "It's the
dose that makes the poison. And this really is pertinent to this scenario." HB 23 adds to current law regarding
disclosures to homebuyers, with a further requirement for landlords to inform renters before a lease is signed
that the property had been used
as a methamphetamine lab. Unlike asbestos or lead
contamination in a home, the effects of methamphetamine contamination may vary widely.
Read story in Express-News |
More about Dr. Fernández (4-3-09)
Soldiers of fortitude - HSC Mission Magazine, Spring 2009: With the help of a
few brave wounded warriors, Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chairman for Research, Department of
Surgery, is helping to put the pieces back together for those who have lost limbs,
whether as a result of war or disease. Through regenerative medicine research and
the development of an extracellular matrix, Dr. Wolf and his associates here, at BAMC,
and at other institutions are helping the wounded to re-grow missing limbs.
More about Dr. Wolf (3-26-09)
Economic stress has effect on heart and overall health: Cardiothoracic surgeons V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA,
and Daniel T. DeArmond, MD, are interviewed by the San Antonio Express-News regarding the impact of a depressed
economy on the health and healthcare of South Texas pulmonary and cardiac patients. Both the
intensity of stress and the effect of stress on our bodies are potentially harmful for some
post-surgical patients. Read
Express-News story | More about Dr. Reddy |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(3-19-09)
Congratulations to South Texas Poison Center
Assistant Director Lizette Villarreal,
and Director, Miguel Fernández, MD, on their successful submission for presentation of
two abstracts: 'Addressing health care disparities in
delivering poison center services to Spanish speakers in Texas,' has been accepted for poster
presentation to the
3rd Annual Health Disparities Conference in New Orleans, LA, March 2009.
Their abstract 'Regional
poison center hourly call-taker staffing and call volume' has been accepted for poster presentation
at the 29th International Congress of the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical
Toxicologists in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2009.
More about Lizette Villarreal |
More about Dr. Fernandez |
South Texas Poison Center
(3-12-09)
Congratulations to Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, Trauma, who has been selected to hold the
Dr. Ferdinand O. Herff Chair in Surgery. Dr. Pruitt is an internationally recognized trauma surgeon,
with extensive specialized research and experience in burn injuries.
More about Dr. Pruitt |
Learn
more about the Herff family - digital book - 'The Doctors Herff: A Three-Generation
Memoir'
(2-25-09)
Minimally invasive heart surgery reaping maximum benefits: With traditional open-heart surgery, the
sternum is split and a bypass machine is used while the cardiothoracic surgeon operates on the
stopped heart. Minimally invasive heart surgery is performed through small incisions, typically between
the patient's ribs. V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, recently was interviewed by MySA.com regarding
the techniques and benefits of minimally invasive heart surgery.
Read complete story on
MySA.com | SA Express News Video |
More about Dr. Reddy | Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(2-23-09)
Vascular Surgery begins specialty clinical services at UT Medicine Westover Hills: Beginning
in March, the Division of Vascular Surgery will begin providing clinical services at our new facility
in Westover Hills. Dr. Matthew Sideman, Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery, will see patients
on Wednesday mornings. Please call 567-5715 for appointments, referrals, or for additional
information. More about Dr. Sideman |
Division of Vascular Surgery (2-19-09)
New heart surgery promises shorter hospital stay: Seenu V. Reddy, MD, MBA, performs first-time
minimally invasive heart surgery at Christus Santa Rosa. "This is a relatively newer technique," said
Dr. Reddy. Instead of opening the patient's chest, a small incision is made in the groin. Wires and
catheters are inserted through the incision, and will be used to insert a stent. Because this procedure
is significantly less invasive than traditional heart surgery, it is
especially useful for older patients who might not be in the best of health.
Read story on WOAI |
View WOAI Video |
More about Dr. Reddy | Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
(2-10-09)
Glenn A. Halff, MD, appointed Acting Dean of the School of Medicine: Dr. Halff is currently
a Professor of Surgery, Director of the Transplant Center. As Director of the Transplant Center, Dr. Halff leads a team of dedicated and talented
physicians, nurses and staff. Under his leadership, the liver transplant team has grown to the largest
in the nation. He has also served as Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery, and is highly respected
by the School, our faculty, and our clinical partners, and will be an effective leader for the School
of Medicine. Read HSC News article
(1-21-09)
Jeffrey McNeil, MD, USAF, Cardiothoracic Surgery, researching synthetic blood products: In
an effort to improve
surgical outcomes, the Air Force Surgeon General, Wilford Hall Medical Center, and
the UT Health Science Center San Antonio are collaborating in an ongoing research project at
the Health Science Center's Research Imaging Center. Their research is testing whether a synthetic
oxygen-saturated blood product can help the brain and other organs during major heart surgery, possibly
providing a protective boost for patients who may be at risk for
stroke or other internal injury.
Read Express-News article |
More about Dr. McNeil (1-15-09)
The Department of Surgery is deeply saddened to announce the death of
Michael Sanchez, MD, Interim Chief of the Division of Emergency
Medicine,
who died Sunday January 11, 2009, when struck by a motor vehicle while jogging.
Dr. Sanchez joined our Emergency Medicine Faculty in 2006, and was selected as
interim chief of the Division of Emergency Medicine in August 2008. In that role, Dr. Sanchez was
a tireless leader and a dynamic force engaged in revitalizing the University Hospital Emergency
Center and the UT Health Science Center's Division of Emergency Medicine.
Mike was a beloved figure, a passionate worker, a great clinician and a wonderful teacher.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters. A memorial service was held in San Antonio on Wednesday, January, 14, 2009.
Funeral and burial services were held on January 15, 2009, in New Mexico.
Read more |
University
Health System press release (1-12-09)
William L. Henrich appointed Interim President of UT Health Science Center San Antonio:
The UT System has announced the appointment of William L. Henrich, Dean of the School of Medicine, as
Interim President of UTHSCSA. Henrich will serve as interim president while the search is underway
for a permanent successor to Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, who has been named Chancellor of the UT System.
Dr. Henrich also serves as vice president for medical affairs for the School of Medicine. |
Read UT System Announcement
(1-12-09)
Congratulations to Francisco Cigarroa, MD, UT Health Science Center President and Professor, Transplant Surgery,
on his appointment as Chancellor of the University of Texas System.
A member of the prestigious Institute of Medicine, Cigarroa is a recognized pediatric transplant surgeon and researcher.
He joined the health science center faculty in 1995, where prior to his appointment as president he was
director of pediatric surgery and director of abdominal transplant surgery. He serves on the medical staffs at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital and University Hospital, among others.
Read UT System News Release
(1-9-09)
Congratulations to Kent Van Sickle, MD, General Surgery, director of the Johnson Center for
Surgical Innovation, who has been selected as the
President-Elect of the statewide Texas Association of Surgical Skills Laboratories (TASSL). As one of the
founding members of TASSL, Dr. Van Sickle is strongly supportive of their mission to enhance
surgical education and simulation-based training through collaboration and research.
Learn more about TASSL |
More about Dr. Van Sickle |
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation (1-09-09)
Congratulations to Surgery Administrator, Michelle Price, PhD, who has been selected as one of
San Antonio Business Journal's '40 Under 40 Rising Stars' for 2008. This award honors young people
in San Antonio who are making a difference in the business world and the community.
Read
story in San Antonio Business Journal |
More about Dr. Price (12-09-08)
Congratulations to Luis Angel, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Pulmonary Medicine
on his award of $25,000 for lung transplant research from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park,
California, for the Barbara Melikan Lung
Transplantation Research Fund. More about Dr. Angel (12-8-08)
Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgery,
who has been awarded a $40,000 University Research Council grant for his ongoing research project,
'IL-18 expression in human cardiovascular tissue and its role in left ventricular hypertrophy.'
Dr. Reddy and his research team have previously demonstrated in a mouse model that
IL18 stimulates cardiomyocytes in a manner that is consistent with
cellular hypertrophy, and that IL-18 is highly up-regulated in heart
tissue biopsies of patients with pressure overload, simultaneously with
increased accumulation of collagen. If IL-18 could be identified as an
important factor in the hypertrophic changes that occur in patients with
aortic stenosis, then pharmacological interventions could be sought,
including cases where there is too little space for valve replacement.
More about Dr. Reddy (12-4-08)
Congratulations to Daniel T. DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been awarded a $40k
University Research Council grant for his ongoing research project, 'Differentiating between organ rejection and
infection in a rat model of lung transplantation using PET scanning.' Treatment of organ rejection and
infection require very different therapeutic paths - infection is treated by increasing host immune
response to the infectious agents, and organ rejection is treated with immunosuppressants. Determining whether the illness
is due to infection or organ rejection will allow physicians to be able to provide timely and appropriate treatment
for their critically
ill transplant patients. More about Dr. DeArmond
(12-3-08)
Two year old Chinese boy alive thanks to new San Antonio charity:
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons repair hole in child's heart - "He had a very formidable defect," says
John Calhoon, MD,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. "There was a blockage of blood flow to his lungs and a
hole in his heart." The surgery was done last week, and now,
Jian is back up and playing like a normal child.
More about Dr. Calhoon |
Read story on WOAI.com |
More about HeartGift San Antonio
(11-20-08)
Congratulations to Surgery's TopDocs, listed in the November 2008 Scene in SA Magazine: This year's Top Doctors edition of Scene in SA Monthly includes Drs. Luis Angel, John Calhoon, AJ Carpenter, Barry Cofer, Deborah L. Mueller, Scott Johnson, Ed Sako, Wayne Schwesinger, Kenneth R. Sirinek, Boulos Toursarkissian, Peter Wang. Read more (11-14-08)
Use of robotic surgery
expanded to early-stage lung cancer:
In mid-October, Daniel DeArmond, M.D., assistant professor of surgery,
removed the lobe of a patient’s lung by making small incisions in the
chest and inserting miniature instruments that he maneuvered remotely,
using handles and pedals from a console six feet away.
Read HSC News article |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Learn more about the da Vinci® system |
Physician Referrals: 210-358-4579
(11-4-0)
UT Medicine opens San Antonio Westover Hills Clinic: Our newest clinic opened Oct 20 in the rapidly-growing
Westover Hills area of San Antonio. Specialty areas available will include vascular and general surgery, as
well as cardiology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, and family medicine. The clinic is
located on Highway 151 between Wiseman and Westover Hills Boulevard.
Read HSC
News article (10-29-08)
Dan DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, explains precision robotic lung cancer surgery options: Patients whose
lung cancer has been caught very early now have a minimally invasive surgical option at Christus Santa
Rosa Northwest — da Vinci® robotic surgery. Using the da Vinci robotic system, Dr. DeArmond is
able to perform lung tissue resections with minimal incisions, greatly reducing the patient's recovery and
in-patient days.
"If this tool can help us to move that frontier forward, then it's an advantage to patients," says
Dr. DeArmond. This surgery is not
for all lung cancer patients, but for those whose disease has been caught soon enough, long-term
survival rates are a very encouraging 80%.
More about Dr. DeArmond |
Learn more about the da Vinci® system |
Physician Referrals: 210-358-4579 (10-16-08)
Congratulations to Michael Sanchez, MD, Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine, and his divisional
faculty and staff, who have successfully recruited two dynamic physicians:
Cristina Salmon, MD, will join our faculty as an assistant professor on December 1,
2008. Claire E. Escamilla, MD, FACEP, will also join our faculty as an assistant professor on December 1,
2008.
Please visit our New Faculty and Staff welcome page for
more information on our new faculty. (10-07-08)
Congratulations to Thelma C. Hurd, MD, Associate Professor and Director, Breast Surgery Program, who
has recently been awarded two research grants. The first, from the National Cancer
Institute (August 2008-2010, $369,994) is for her project titled
'Improved Cancer Screening: Life Skills Training in South Texas Hispanic
Communities'. This project will be studying the effect of life skills training on breast
and cervical cancer screening health behaviors among Mexican women in
Laredo, Eagle Pass and Corpus Christi.
The second grant has been awarded by the National Institutes of Health
(May 2008-May 2013, $26,332,750). Dr. Hurd serves as co-investigator with the
Community Engagement Core for the project titled 'Institute for
Integration of Medicine & Science: A Partnership to Improve Health
(U54),' implementing a Community Outreach,
Participation, and Engagement (COPE) program to promote community-academic research
partnerships in South Texas. More about Dr. Hurd (10-3-08)
Congratulations to Howard T. Wang, MD, Interim Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, who has
been awarded a $49,911 grant by the National Endowment for Plastic Surgery and
the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation for Dr. Wang's research project,
"Neovascularization of bony construct using adipose tissue-derived stem cells". The
National Endowment was established to fund meritorious projects in the field of
plastic surgery, focusing on issues of immediate need and great promise. More about Dr. Wang
(10-1-08)
V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, uses laser surgery to relieve
otherwise untreatable chest pain: Many patients
with chronic, life-limiting chest pain will be able to benefit from a procedure
called sole therapy transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR). In San Antonio, the procedure is available
only at University Hospital.
Dr. Reddy is
director of thoracic aortic surgery for the UT Health Science Center
San Antonio Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Read more |
More about Dr. Reddy
View animation video demonstrating the TMR procedure (video will open in a new browser window) |
Animation video graciously provided by Cardiogenesis
(9-30-08)
Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Chief of General and Laparoendoscopic Surgery,
is
very pleased to announce the successful recruitment of four strong academic
general surgeons: Michelle K. Savu, MD, FACS, bariatric surgery; Alfredo A. Santillan,, MD, MPH,
surgical oncology; S. Sameer Mohiuddin, DO, endocrine surgery; and Alicia Logue, MD,
currently a fellow in our minimally invasive surgery program.
Please visit our New Faculty and Staff welcome page for
more information on our new faculty. (9-26-08)
Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, and the Department of Surgery
Chair's Office are extremely pleased to announce the recruitment of a new faculty member for
vascular surgery: Matthew J. Sideman, MD.
Please visit our New Faculty and Staff welcome page to learn
more about our new faculty. (9-26-08)
Friday, 21 Nov 2008 - Shattered Dreams 10th Anniversary Reunion:
To celebrate the program;s 10 year anniversary, the Texas Statewide
Shattered Dreams Coalition would like past student participants,
teachers, program coordinators, planning team members, and original
program collaborators to attend a reunion celebration on Friday,
November 21, 2008 at the University of Texas Health Science Center San
Antonio Auditorium. More information
(9-24-08)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of
Michael Sanchez, MD, as Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Sanchez has been
a member of the Emergency Medicine community in South Texas for the past
14 years. Two years ago he joined our faculty at UTHSCSA. Mike is
committed to developing a smoothly functioning Emergency Center, and an
Emergency Medicine Residency program. More about Dr. Sanchez
(8-25-08)
Child Safety Seat Distribution: The UT Health
Science Center Department of Surgery has received 150 child passenger
safety seats to distribute to the San Antonio community. Our child
passenger safety seat distribution classes will run through September.
Read more about the
child safety seat disbribution program - Who qualifies? How do I register? |
Download flyers
(8-20-08)
University Health System has one of nation's top high-tech hospitals:
University Health System has been recognized as one of 100 Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems in the country.
began integrating its electronic medical record system in March of 2006, and the use of paper orders and records has been greatly decreasing ever since.
“We put the patient first in every decision we make, so our commitment to integrating the latest technologies at University Hospital, and across our network of community clinics, is first and foremost about delivering the highest quality of care possible,” says University Health System President and CEO George Hernandez Jr.
Read San Antonio Business Journal story
(8-7-08)
Researchers exploring regeneration of human tissues:
A substance derived from pig bladders is being scrutinized as a
potential way to regenerate parts of the body, such as fingers and
muscles, that have been lost to battlefield injuries, said Steven Wolf,
MD, Vice Chair for Surgery Research, UT Health Science Center School of Medicine,
Department of Surgery.
Read HSC News article
(8-1-08)
Steven Wolf, MD, Surgery Vice Chairman for Research, interviewed about tissue regeneration: Using a biomedically engineered matrix, surgeons and physicians are now using exciting new procedures to help damaged or missing tissue re-grow for our returning warriors. KSAT Interview (7-16-08)
Maj. James Connaughton, MD, appointed as cancer liaison physician for Wilford Hall:
Dr. Connaughton, a graduate of the UTHSCSA General Surgery residency program, will
be instrumental in spearheading the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer initiatives within the hospital's cancer program.
Read complete WHMC News story
(7-11-08)
Bexar County Commissioners set bond sales for hospital development, expansion funds:
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, July 8, 2008, commissioners voted to go forward with two bond sales to complete
the first phase of a $900 million expansion and renovation of University Hospital and its downtown
clinics. Dr. Ronald Stewart, chief of trauma, said the emergency room at University Hospital is
often overflowing with patients because no beds are available. "Patients are at risk. Literally,
lives are at risk," Stewart said.
Read Express-News story |
More about Dr. Stewart | More about University Hospital
(7-9-08)
Congratulations to Trauma and Emergency Surgery research nurse, Janet McCarthy, RN, CCRC, who has received Nurse Imagemaker of South Texas award.
The honor was bestowed jointly by the Delta Alpha chapter
of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nursing Honor Society and the
Texas Nurses Association, District 8. Read full story |
More about Trauma Research
(7-2-08)
Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, comments on the recent rise in
the number of motorcycle accident injuries.
With the rising cost of fuel, many South Texans are moving to two-wheeled vehicles. And motorcycle
accidents are rising proportionally. University Hospital motorcycle wreck statistics show a steady
increase, along with the steady increase in the cost of gas.
More about Dr. Stewart
(6-26-08)
Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, discusses children's risk of dog attacks during the hot summer months in KENS-5 interview. Parents can teach their children three strategies to stay safer around dangerous dogs: don't look dogs in the eyes, lie still and quietly if knocked to the ground by a dog, and don't bother a dog that is eating, drinking, or caring for puppies. More about Dr. Stewart (6-25-08)
Two Texas men breathing easier with simultaneous dual lung transplant at University Hospital:
In March 2008, Dr. Scott Johnson, head of Thoracic Surgery, and Dr. Luis Angel, assistant professor of
pulmonary diseases, performed the life-changing surgery for Kevin King and Kenny Deison. The dual operation
marked the 300th lung transplant of the Lung Transplantation Program.
Read
San Antonio Express-News story |
HSC News Story |
More about the Lung Transplant Program |
More about Dr. Johnson |
More about Dr. Angel
(6-18-08)
John Calhoon, MD: Heart-Felt Heart Surgery: The June-July 2008 issue of NSIDE SA Medical Journal
features Dr. Calhoon, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, in an article describing Dr. Calhoon's vast
knowledge and the many pathways of his 20 year career as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Read article. | More about Dr.
Calhoon (6-17-08)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the selection of
Howard T. Wang, MD, as Interim Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Wang attended medical school at Johns Hopkins; he completed a surgical residency and 2 year research fellowship
at the University of Rochester, and a 3 year Duke University plastic surgery residency. Dr. Wang has been
a member of our plastic surgery division for three years, and has served as director of the Plastic Surgery
Residency Program for the past year.
More about Dr. Wang | More about the
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
(6-16-08)
Regenerative medicine pursued by the Pentagon and top US medical facilities: Steven Wolf, MD, Professor of Surgery and Vice-Chair
for Research for the Department of Surgery, interviewed by CNN; Dr. Wolf discusses regenerative
medicine and the "pixie dust" used to form a microscopic scaffold to help cells grow into the desired
tissue.
Read CNN.com story |
San Antonio Regenerative Medicine Association (SARMA) |
More about Dr. Wolf
(5-28-08)
Maureen Sheehan, MD, Vascular Surgery, interviewed on WOAI San Antonio on DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis:
Long hours of driving can put us in danger of developing DVT - blood clots forming in your
legs from all those hours spent sitting in the same position mile after mile. Dr. Sheehan discusses
symptoms of DVT and ways to prevent and detect DVT.
Read WOAI News story, view video |
More about Dr. Sheehan
(5-19-08)
Leo Cuello, MD, first chair of cardiothoracic surgery at the UT Health
Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine, passed away early on
Monday, May 12, 2008. Dr. Cuello, who served as the chair of
cardiothoracic surgery from 1966 – 1972, was an accomplished and well-respected physician
and a great friend of San Antonio. He had many great achievements
over his long career, and continued throughout his professional and
personal life as an advocate for his patients. Dr. Cuello will be missed
by the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, as well the rest of the
University and the city he loved. (5-12-08)
Physician and educator shares his love of the art and science of surgery:
Bob Esterl, MD, Surgery Medical School Education Director and Professor of Surgery (Transplant),
is featured in the first edition of the School of Medicine's
Future magazine.
Since 1994, Dr. Esterl has been sharing his experience, knowledge and skills as a transplant surgeon, and has won
numerous teaching awards, many of them awards from the students themselves.
Read article (4-30-08)
Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Associate Professor, Surgical Oncology,
who has been selected to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award and Congressinoal Awards at the
United Nations General Assembly, New York, in recognition of her service and ongoing work in Nigeria with the
Africa Cancer Prevention Group, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Center for Research on Minority
Health.
More about Dr. Hurd | More about Dr. Hurd's award
(4-30-08)
Congratulations to Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Calhoon, MD, who has been chosen as
an Outstanding Physician – one of San Antonio's Health Care Heroes in 2008 – by the San Antonio Business Journal,
recognizing health care professionals who make a difference in health care in San Antonio. (4-23-08)
Emergency rooms facing budget cuts, staffing shortages: David Hnatow, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine,
interviewed by Wendy Rigby on KENS-5 to discuss the emergency room crisis.
More patients, less money, nursing shortages –
all factors adding to an already frustrating problem.
(4-23-08)
Less invasive procedure to treat lung cancer: Dan DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic
Surgery, discusses video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on KSAT-12. VATS is a less-invasive
alternative to traditional rib-spreading surgery for lung cancer.
View KSAT-12 video |
More about Dr. DeArmond
(4-03-08)
March 16-22 is National Poison Prevention Week: Dr. Miguel Fernández, MD,
toxicologist and director of the South Texas Poison Center, reminds everyone of the services
available 24/7 to the citizens of San Antonio, Bexar County and the South Texas region.
Read HSC press release |
Visit the STPC website (3-18-08)
HSC News - Call South Texas
Poison Center for help with poison concerns (3-28-08)
New lung cancer procedure is less invasive:
A new surgical procedure for early-stage lung cancer is helping patients recover more quickly and
without as much pain as the traditional operation. Daniel DeArmond, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, is one of
only a very small number of thoracic surgeons in San Antonio who is performing the new video-assisted
thoracic surgery procedure (VATS).
View KENS-5 video |
More about Dr. DeArmond |
More about VATS procedures
(3-14-08)
HSC News - Minimally invasive
surgery a new option for lung cancer (3-28-08)
Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, on
receiving R01 funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council on the
recommendation of the National Institutes of Health Scientific
Review Group for her research project, "Chemokines and Immune Cells in Hind Limb Ischemia." (3-07-08)
Anti-rejection nanotherapy shows promise in rodent lung transplant model:
Rejection can lead to failure of transplanted lungs. Scott Johnson, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, is
one of many participants in a new study testing nanoparticle
aerosol therapy to prevent post-transplant rejection, in the hopes that aerosol therapy will more
directly target the lungs than traditional high-dose medications.
Read HSC press release. (3-6-08)
Dr. Scott Johnson interviewed on KENS-5: Local scientists testing lung transplant drug on rats. Each year 1,500 American lives are saved by lung transplants but there is a high rate of rejection. Now, some scientists are trying to find a better way .... View KENS-5 video. (3-12-08)
On Sunday, March 9, 2008, Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, FACS, FACM, will be awarded the 2008 King Faisal
International Prize for Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Pruitt has been an innovator in
trauma and burn management for nearly 50 years while caring for thousands of American soldiers.
Read complete press release. | SA Biz Journal article
(3-5-08)
Col. William Clouse, MD, and Col. David Smith, MD, were each awarded the Bronze Star during ceremony at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
The Bronze Star is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious
achievement or service in connection with operations against an armed enemy. Dr. Clouse and Dr. Smith
are both active leaders in the Dept of Surgery's General Surgery residency program.
Read WHMC press release.
(3-5-08)
Francisco Cigarroa, MD, HSC President and Professor of Surgery, Organ Transplantation,
inducted into Mexican American/Hispanic Physicians Association Hall of Fame in February 2008.
Dr. Cigarroa, appointed President of the University in 2000, is the first Hispanic president of
a health science center in the US.
Read HSC News article.
(2-29-08)
Steven Wolf, MD, Bob & Betty Kelso Distinguished Chair in Burn Research and Professor of
Trauma, has been appointed Vice Chairman for Research for Department of Surgery.
Dr. Wolf was selected for this role based on his
extensive research and administrative experience.
Click here to read more.
(2-29-08)
Presentations from the 2007 13th Annual Trauma Symposium available on NTI website: A large
number of the 2007 trauma symposium presentations are now available on the National Trauma Institute
website. Please click here to view list of
available presentations. |
Click here to view updated 2008 Trauma Symposium program.
(2-27-08)
University Health System Foundation 2008 Medical Miracles Gala honoree, esophageal cancer survivor SAPD Officer Larry Price:
In the late summer of 2006, Dr. Scott Johnson, associate professor of thoracic surgery, surgically
removed a large portion of Larry's esophagus.
Read more. (2-25-08)
HSC physicians take part in Nigerian medical mission:
Coordinated by Stanley Okoro, MD, plastic surgery fellow, the team also included
an anesthesiologist and a first-year anesthesiology resident from the HSC; the team
spent two weeks caring for indigent patients in southeastern Nigeria.
Read story in HSC News.
(2-15-08)
The HSC Jocelyn and Joe Straus Endowed Chair in Trauma Research,
established in September 2007, will be held by Ronald M. Stewart, MD,
Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery for the UT Health Science Center San Antonio Department of
Surgery. The endowment from the Straus family will help to fund research to improve
traumatic injury outcomes.
(1-24-08)
SURGERY RECEIVES NIH T32 RESEARCH TRAINING GRANT: The Department of Surgery is pleased to have been awarded an NIH T32 training grant to support
our surgical resident research training program. The five-year grant will provide stipend and research funds for residents
during their two-year research assignments (PI - Stephen M. Cohn, MD).
Of the 248 U.S. surgical residency training programs, the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio's
general surgery research residency program is one of only 33 to have
received NIH T32 funding.
(1-22-08)
The Allograft Resources Tissue Bank, part of The Transplant Center, has been
awarded the prestigious accreditation of the American Association of Tissue
Banks (AATB). Read story in HSC News
(1-20-08)
Surgeon has built transplant program that has real heart: (San Antonio Business Journal,
1-21-08) Dr. John Calhoon, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, is an outstanding educator, and
the major clinical and educational driving force behind the UT Health Science Center's extremely
successful cardiothoracic surgery program.
Read article in SA Business Journal
(1-18-08)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce NIH award of a T32 training grant to support research training. The five-year grant will provide stipend and research funds for residents during their two-year research training assignments. (PI: Stephen M. Cohn, MD) (1-18-08)
New options open up for treating heart problems in children: article (1-11-08
San Antonio Business Journal) by John Calhoon, MD,
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant mortality in the
US, representing 36 percent of all infant deaths due to birth defects,
according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Read article in
San Antonio Business Journal (1-16-08)
Daniel Dent, MD, Associate Professor of Trauma Surgery, was interviewed in Spanish by
Univision 41 television for a weekly news
segment on 'Blood Donation with Trauma,' as part of a media campaign for community-based
injury prevention awareness by the
South Texas Injury Prevention and Research Center's A Su Salud program.
More about A Su Salud |
More about Dr. Dent's interview
(1-15-08)
Wayne Schwesinger, MD, Professor of Surgery (Division of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery),
will be awarded the 2008 Clinical
Excellence Award on January 31, 2008. This award recognizes Dr. Schwesinger's
superlative clinical service here at the Health Science Center and in the San Antonio community.
View video about Dr. Schwesinger.
(1-15-08)
Early January Newsletter from Balad, Irag: Snow and surgical team replacements are arriving at the Balad
Air Force Theater Hospital, and Surgery's Steve Bowers will be heading home soon.
Read early January 2008 newsletter.
(1-14-08)
Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, Professor of Surgery, who was selected as one of two
winners of the 2008 King Faisal International Prize for Medicine / Trauma Management. Dr. Pruitt's
work spans more than five decades; he is
internationally recognized as a cinical leader in burn surgery, as well as for his extensive
research into improving the outcome of serious burn injury.
King Faisal Prize
Winners in 2008 Announced (Arab News) 1-9-08)
King Faisal Intl Prize for Medicine 2008
Selection procedure for the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine
(1-9-08)
Saudi Arabia: Scientists and literary experts honoured in annual award (Adnkronos enews, Italy)
(2-5-08)
Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, Asst. Prof. of Cardiothoracic Surgery, on his selection as
one of the San Antonio Business Journal's 2007 40 under 40, San Antonio's
Rising Stars business executives who have focused at an early age on
what it takes to succeed. Dr. Reddy is profiled in a special print edition of the Dec. 21, 2007,
San Antonio Business Journal. (12-31-07)
Life in Balad: Late December 2007 Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: Steaks, music, Robin Williams, and the Dallas
Cowboy Cheerleaders help to brighten Christmas in Balad.
Click here to read newsletter. (12-31-07)
Steven Wolf, MD, professor of surgery, director of the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn
Center at BAMC, director of the Pediatric Burn
Program at University Hospital, and Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, talks with KENS-5's Wendy Rigby about
the Pediatric
Burn unit, and the dangers children face from fire, cooking ovens and
rangetops, candles, etc. this
time of year.
(12-19-07)
Miguel Fernandez, Asst Prof of Surgery and Director of the
South Texas Poison Center, was interviewed on KENS-5's Great Day SA to discuss one of the hottest
topics this holiday season - lead in kids' toys.
View KENS-5 video.
(12-12-07)
Life in Balad: December 2007 Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: With fewer American and more anti-Iraqi patients, it looks
as though things are going well; unfortunately, still far too many children
are caught in the crossfire of war.
Click here to read newsletter. (12-12-07)
SA trauma
institute gets $3.8 million grant for research: The Texas Emerging Technology Fund is providing
the grant to the National Trauma Institute to help fund new medical devices and technology to save
lives and help trauma victims.
Read SA Express News article.
(11-16-07)
When doctors get sick, who do they call? Congratulations to Surgery's 2007 Texas Monthly Super Docs!
Drs. Wayne Schwesinger, General Surgery; Scott Johnson,
John Calhoon (Chief) and Ed Sako of Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Ronny Stewart, Chief of Trauma, are all included in this year's Super Doctors for 2007.
Super Docs are chosen by their peers, and are recognized for their professional, outstanding achievement. The list will be
published in the December 2007 edition of Texas Monthly magazine.
(11-15-07)
Scene in SA Monthly announces San Antonio's Top Doctors: Congratulations to Surgery's top
doctors for 2007:
Glen Halff (Transplant), John Calhoon (Cardiothoracic), John Myers (Trauma), Ronald Stewart (Trauma),
Scott Johnson (Cardiothoracic), Edward Sako (Cardiothoracic), and Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic / Pulmonary).
Life in Balad: Newsletter from the Balad Air Force
Theater Hospital 332nd EMDG - Surgical Operations: Halfway through a 4-month rotation, the surgeons
in Balad update us - service casualties near a war-time low, but injuries of Iraqi children at a war-time high.
Click here to read newsletter. (11-12-07)
HSC establishes distinguished chair in burn and trauma surgery:
A $1M gift from San Antonio philanthropists Betty and Col. Robert E. Kelso to UTHSCSA will ensure
that San Antonio remains the nation's leader in burn and trauma surgery.
Read HSC ews story.
(11-12-07)
HSC Surgery clinical faculty train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery: USAF medical professionals
participate in ongoing defense mission to teach international military counterparts the latest combat-related
surgical techniques.
Read Wilford Hall
USAF Medical Center news story.
(11-9-07)
SA being positioned as a major trauma hub: San Antonio's military and civilian medical experts
are positioning the city as one of the nation's major centers for trauma research and treatment.
Read story in
SA Express-News
(11-7-07)
Study says artificial blood may carry risks: A national two-year study of an
experimental blood substitute in critically injured patients, found that those transfused
with the artificial blood were more likely to suffer a non-fatal heart attack.
Read story in
SA Express-News
(11-7-07)
New surgery center gets $1 million grant: The federal Economic Development Administration has awarded $1 to the UT Health Science Center - San Antonio to support construction of the new ambulatory surgical center. Read story in SA Express-News | More in SA Express-News | Read HSC press release (11-2-07)
National
Trauma Institute seeks $100 million injection: If approved, House Bill 3673 would provide a landmark financial boost to the National Trauma Institute (NTI), which was created earlier this year and is based in the Alamo City.
Read article in SA Business Journal
(10-30-07)
An Emergency Education:
program provides entry into medical field, EMT Basic certification:
Through Surgery's Division of Emergency Medicine (David Hnatow, MD, Chief) and the Brownsville Independent School
District, BISD seniors are receiving training this semester as Emergency
Medical Technicians.
Read
article in the Brownsville Herald
(10-25-07)
Jocelyn and
Joe Straus Endowed Chair in Trauma Research established:
Life-saving trauma research is at the forefront in San Antonio because
of the foresight of one of the city's most well-known and well-respected
community leaders - Joci Straus - and her husband, Joe.
Read HSC News article ...
(10-15-07)
SA Health Science Center to study GI trauma: Armed with an $11.3 million contract with the U.S. Army, the University of Texas Health Science Center will spend the next five years on three major research projects aimed at improving the care of wounded soldiers. Read story SA Express-News (10-12-07)
SA
Trauma Symposium focuses on research:
The 13th Annual San Antonio Trauma Symposium, which took place Aug.
20-22 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, served as a platform
to promote emergency and trauma care awareness on a national level.
Read story
in HSC News ...
(10-5-07)
University Hospital's emergency room is in crisis: Day or night, peer through the large glass
windows into University's crowded ER and you'll glimpse a microcosm of America's health care crisis.
Read more
in San Antonio Express-News (9-09-07)
Valero Energy Corp. donates $5 million to Health Science Center: A large part of the donation
will be dedicated to transplantation research and to create a Distinguished Chair in Transplantation.
This donation has a "world-changing impact," says University President Francisco Cigarroa, MD, a transplant
surgeon.
Read more
in San Antonio Express-News (8-29-07)
Robert Esterl, MD, Professor of Surgery and Director of Medical Student Education
receives title of Distinguished Teaching Professor: Selected by the University of
Texas Academy of Health Science Education, this honor recognizes faculty members who have made a
significant and outstanding contribution to education.
Read HSC News article.
(8-27-07)
Inside Job – Endovascular Experts:
With new technology and the addition of top-notch faculty, the program has expanded to include the less-invasive technique for the thoracic aorta. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to health care.
Read more in the latest
Mission magazine. (8-22-07)
13th Annual Trauma Symposium:
Trauma care for civilians, GIs on agenda:
Caring for the injured in a war zone is about getting to the right
soldier at the right time. A new technology being developed by a
national trauma consortium based in San Antonio would help prioritize
that process by keeping constant track of soldiers' vital signs, then
beaming them back wirelessly to medics in the field.
Read this and other news stories about hte
Trauma Symposium (8-21-07)
Congratulations to Carlo Martinez, MD, on receiving NIH Loan Repayment approval. The NIH Health
Disparities Loan Repayment Program will assist Dr. Martinez in repayment of approximately $70k in educational loans, in return for his
fulfillment of a non-profit research service obligation here at the Health Science Center. For more information on
how the NIH Loan Repayment Program can help you repay your educational loans, please
visit the NIH LRP website.
(8-08-07)
Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology. Her poster presentation, "How is Cancer
Information Disseminated Outside of a Formal Community Based Cancer Education Program," has been
accepted for presentation as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Education annual meeting
in September 2007, and will be published in the Journal of Cancer Education. (7-30-07)
Steven E. Wolf, MD, Trauma, holder of the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, and Col. John B. Holcomb, MD, Trauma, are UTHSCSA faculty members of a team who
developed an adjustable arm sling. The sling fits on the rails of a hospital bed, and helps soldiers
heal with less swelling and impairment after serious upper-extremity burns.
Read HSC News story ... (7-30-07)
Howard Wang, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, interviewed on KENS-5's evening news health segment. Dr.
Wang discusses the efficacy and safety of
lipo dissolve treatments, an injection to dissolve fat tissue. This process is not FDA approved; Dr. Wang
advises caution for patients seeking a 'quick fix' for fat loss. |
(7-25-07)
Daniel Dent, MD, Trauma, and Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, has been
selected as incoming chair for the University's Committee on Committees. Members of this committee are
elected by the full-time faculty of the Health Science Center. (7-25-07)
Congratulations to Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, on his selection
as recipient of this year's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award. The recipient of this award is
selected by both students and Health Science Center faculty. Dr. Stewart will be the keynote speaker
at this year's School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony on July 22, 2007, welcoming the incoming first year
medical students. (7-10-07)
Miguel Fernandez, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, was interviewed on KENS-5 San Antonio's
evening news regarding the CDC's recent warnings about elemental mercury in some antiques.
CDC: Elemental Mercury Releases ...
(7-9-07)
Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, who has been named 2007-2008 President of the North American/United
States Shock Society, an organization dedicated to improving the care of victims of trauma, shock,
and sepsis through research, education, and mentoring of the next generation of investigators and
care providers. (6-28-07)
Congratulations again to Dr. Basil Pruitt, who has been awarded the Roswell Park Medal of the
Buffalo Surgical Society. This prestigious honor is given annually to a surgeon who has contributed
significantly to the art and science of surgery. Past winners have included Drs. Allan Whipple and
Michael DeBakey, and Denton Cooley. (6-28-07)
Congratulations to Cherie Benson, Perfusionist, on her appointment to the Perioperative Blood Management Taskforce, under the auspices of the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AMSECT). The taskforce's goal is to identify, evaluate, and promote methods of blood management through educational processes, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing patient safety. (6-26-07)
Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been selected as a member
of the 2007-2008 American Heart Association Board of Directors.
(6-26-07)
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation opening ceremonies were held on June 21, 2007. More than
three years of research, planning and development have culminated in a state-of-the-art training facility
for surgical training for our medical students, residents, fellows and faculty.
KENS-5 Video |
HSC News |
Read more.
(6-26-07)
Congratulations to Steven Wolf, MD, Trauma on being awarded the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, announced May 29, 2007, by William Henrich, MD, Dean of the School of
Medicine, and Francisco Cigarroa, MD, University President.
(5-31-07)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy International Referral Center: The UTHSCSA Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic, staffed by both
cardiologists from Medicine's Division of
Cardiology and Surgery's cardiothoracic surgeons, is one of only 14 international referral
centers for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as being a Center of Excellence in the treatment
and care of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The clinic provides a full spectrum of medical
and surgical care, including medical therapy, septal alcohol ablation, and operative septal
myectomy. For more info on our HCM clinic, please email Andrea Carpenter, MD. (5-4-07)
Miguel Fernandez, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, served as a panel moderator and led a
workshop entitled "Health Professions Education: Future Direction of Medical Curriculum Development," for the
11th Annual Conference of the National Hispanic Medical Association in March 2007. Other participants and presenters
included Francisco Cigarroa, MD, President of UTHSCSA, and Leonel Vela, MD, Dean, Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen.
(4-19-07)
Congratulations to Michelle Price, Surgery Administrator, who has recently been awarded her PhD
in Behavioral Sciences (Biostatistics, Management & Policy minors), from the University of Texas - School of Public Health.
(4-9-07)
Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, General Surgery/Surgical Oncology, who has been
selected as one of the minority health
researchers to be honored at the upcoming National Minority Awareness Week event April 17, 2007, in
Houston, TX. (4-9-07)
Department of surgery opens Latin American Student Program: The program allows students to choose six of 11 rotations (including general surgery, surgical oncology, vascular
surgery,
plastic surgery, transplant surgery and pediatric surgery).
Read story in HSC News ... |
More about the program (4-6-07)
Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, President, receives National Kidney Foundation awards:
Dr. Cigarroa (Transplant) and his wife, Graciela, received the National Kidney
Foundation's 2007 Kathryn Dial Murray Gift of Life Award on Thursday, March 22.
Read more ... (4-5-07)
Congratulations to Dr. John Calhoon, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been honored
at the 22nd Annual Heart Ball on March 30, 2007, in gratitude for his outstanding work in cardiovascular
public education and supporting the mission of the AHA. Read more ... (4-2-07)
Surgery faculty noted in March 2007 issue of the ACS Surgery News: Col. Donald Jenkins, MC, USAF and
Col. John Holcomb, MC, USA, in the Trauma news, and
Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, author of the guest editorial. (3-28-07)
Medicare approval for Adult Lung Transplant Center:
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University Health System received Medicare approval of our
Adult Lung Transplant Center on March 1, 2007. Read more ... (3-1-07)
Congratulations to Dr. Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic Surgery) for achieving the goals set in the
Surgery Department 2006 Lead or Senior Author Incentive Program. Dr. Angel is co-director of the lung
transplantation program and head of interventional pulmonary medicine within cardiothoracic
surgery. Please visit Dr. Angel's faculty
profile for more information on his academic and clinical accomplishments. (3-16-07)
Congratulations to Cardiothoracic Surgery's Dr. V. Seenu Reddy, who is serving as Chair
of the ACGME Resident Committee.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), the organization that accredits GME programs in
the U.S., consists of 28 ACGME Review Committees. Of the
28 elected chairs, 4 are held by our own UTHSCSA faculty, including Dr. Reddy.
Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology, discusses mammography and screening on behalf of the San Antonio
affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on the Wednesday, March 14,
San Antonio Living show on WOAI. San Antonio's Race for the Cure will be on Saturday,
March 31, 2007 at the Alamodome. Click
here to register for the race. | WOAI's San Antonio Living (3-13-07)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center who
received the Mayoral
Proclamation for National Poison Prevention Week on March 13, 2007 at the Joint Meeting of the
Central Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Bexar County Pharmacy Association.
Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, FACS, FCCM, Professor, Division of Trauma, has received the Society of University Surgeons
Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, for extraordinary achievements in the field of academic surgery,
was presented at the recent Academic Surgical Congress in Phoenix, AZ. Read more about Dr. Pruitt
(02-22-07)
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month!
Colorectal cancer -- cancer of the colon and rectum -- is the second leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. Approximately 90% of
colorectal cancer cases and deaths are preventable.
Click here to learn more ...
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Chief of Vascular Surgery, discusses lifesaving ultrasound testing for
abdominal aortic aneurysms with Wendy Rigby, KENS-5 news (02-01-07).
Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, addressed the 2nd session of the 'Preparing for and
Responding to Disaster in North America' conference on the topic of an avian flu pandemic. The
conference, held in early November at the downtown UTSA campus, focused on US, Canadian, and
Mexican efforts to plan and respond to significant natural and man-made disasters on the North American
continent.
Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian for his selection as one of the
recipients of the 2007 Presidential Clinical Excellence Award. Dr. Toursarkissian was
selected for this honor by a committee of Health Science Center employees and his peers. President
Cigarroa will present the award at the annual Presidential Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2007.
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Chief of Vascular Surgery, has been named a Distinguished Reviewer
for the Journal of Vascular Surgery. The Journal provides cardiothoracic, vascular, and general surgeons
with the most recent information in vascular surgery on behalf of the Society for Vascular
Surgery, and ranks in the top 5% of the almost 6000 scientific journals most frequently cited.
Congratulations to Dr. Seenu Reddy, Cardiothoracic Surgery, on his
continuing service to the ACGME as a member of their Board of
Directors. Dr. Reddy has been instrumental as the assistant residency
program director for the cardiothoracic surgery division, and is
currently working to establish the first integrated six-year thoracic
surgical program nationally. Dr. Reddy also serves on ACGME's Committee for Improvement
of the Learning Environment and a special task force on introducing Learning Portfolios
to Resident Education.
Congratulations to Surgery employees receiving service awards: 25 years service for Patti Ruffin, Trauma, and Cynthia Garza, Accounting; 10 years service for Alfredo Gonzalez, South Texas Poison Center; and 5 year service awards for John Kodosky, James Morgan, Reenie Lopez, Kenneth Galfo, and Larry Wooldridge in Emergency Medicine, and Thelma Aguirre in Transplant.
San Antonio Scene Monthly, November 2006 - Congratulations to our Top Doctors: Morton Kahlenberg, MD, Surgical Oncology; Ronald Stewart, MD, Trauma; John Calhoon, MD, Cardiothoracic; Ed Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic; Constance Barone, MD, Plastic Surgery; and Luis Angel, MD, Pulmonary Medicine/Cardiothoracic.
Many breast cancer patients unhappy with lumpectomy look: Plastic surgeon Dr. Howard Wang
operates on many breast cancer survivors, and is helping lumpectomy patients by correcting
cosmetic problems.
Study confirms success of device for trauma patients: Dr. Stephen Cohn, Professor, Division of Trauma, served as lead investigator in a multi-site StO2 trauma study; results were presented at the recent American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Meeting. Read HSC News story ...
Health Science Center breaks ground for ambulatory center: UTHSCSA held groundbreaking ceremonies Oct. 24 for
construction of the new ambulatory care center for clinical, research and educational excellence.
TRISAT receives Congressional funding: The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT has received $1 million in
Congressional FY07 funds. The appropriations request was sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith. Dr.
Ronald Stewart is Chairman of the TRISAT Board and PI of this grant.
The Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledges the Ewing Halsell Foundation gift of $175,000.
This generous gift will help complete funding for capital equipment for the
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation (JCSI). Learn more about
the JCSI ...
Robert Esterl, MD, Transplant,
one of 13 inaugural members of the University of Texas Academy of Health
Science Education, has been closely involved in the education effort of our medical students.
Read HSC News story ...
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, MD FACS was selected a 2006 Health Policy
Scholar by the American College of Surgeons, Society for Vascular
Surgery Health Policy Scholar. Dr. Toursarkissian was one of nine
surgeons in this prestigious group that attended the Leadership Program
in Health Policy Management at Brandeis University in Spring 2006. Read more ...
Surgery research residents Rachel Giese and Oscar Ochoa earn 1st place at 6th Annual Medical Student Research Day. Read more ...
President Francisco Cigarroa Elected to Institute of Medicine:
The National Academies, independent advisers to the nation on science,
engineering and medicine, today announced the election of Francisco G.
Cigarroa, M.D., president of UTHSCSA and faculty member of the Department of
Surgery, to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the
National Academies. Read more ...
Advances
help doctors, improve teaching and reduce patients' recovery time (San Antonio
Express-News, Oct 10, 2006). Telesurgery, technology & education in the 21st century: Microscopic cameras at the end of scopes placed by
Dr. David Jimenez, Neurosurgery, and Dr. Constance Barone, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, in their young patient's
head give learners glimpses into the procedure they'd never get otherwise
The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT
(Trauma Institute of San Antonio) has been awarded a Department of Defense grant of $1.35 million for
trauma and burn research. Dr. Ronald Stewart, Chief of Trauma, is the principal investigator; these funds
will be used for multi-site, mutli-study research between the Health
Science Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
Ralph Terpolilli, MD, served as an oral examiner for the American Board of Emergency
Medicine. The Board has expressed their gratitude for Dr. Terpolilli's participation in this demanding
and time-consuming process.
Dr. Roman Hlatky, Neurosurgery (1968-2006)
Memorial Funds & Additional Information
Dr. Scott Johnson,
Chief of General Thoracic Surgery,
interviewed by Jim Forsyth, WOAI-1200 News - Cancer of the Esophagus is an Alarming Threat: The death of former Gov. Ann
Richards from esophageal cancer is bringing more attention to this rising cancer killer.
Transcript of interview
University Hospital - Top 50 US
hospitals
University Hospital
brings home national honors, again
Health Science Center surgeon
urges early detection for throat cancer (San Antonio Business Journal): Reflux disease can
be an early warning sign for esophageal cancer, according to Scott Johnson, MD, associate professor of
surgery.
Dr. John Calhoon, Cardiothoracic Surgery, joined the KENS-5 Backyard Barbecue
and the family of Raymond Marek on Friday, September 1 to
celebrate the 18th anniversary of Mr. Marek's heart transplant and 2 year anniversary of his kidney transplant.
Celebrate Life - become an organ donor!
Dr. Scott Johnson, Chief of General Thoracic Surgery, talks with KENS-5's Wendy Rigby
about long-term antacid use masking esophageal adenocarcinoma. Worldwide in the past 25 years,
incidence of
esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 350 percent faster than other forms of cancer.
Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs.
Read HSC News story
Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Vascular Surgery,
who has been honored by being selected to fill a 3-year term as an Examination Consultant by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board
of Surgery.
Congratulations to Dr. Basil Pruitt, Professor, Trauma, for his award from the
International Burn Foundation. Dr. Pruitt has been chosen to receive the prestigious
Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick (TVB) Burn Prize of $100,000, which will be awarded at the ISBI Congress in Brazil in September.
NOVA: Life and Death
in the War Zone, an hour-long PBS NOVA documentary on Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq.
Dr. Robert Lyons (Col., US Army), Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery, is interviewed in his 2003 role as Deputy Commander for Clinical Services.
The University and the Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledge
Dr. H. David Root's generous endowment to
establish a Critical Care Lecture Series in the Department of Surgery. Recruited to
the department in 1966 by our first Chair, Dr. J.
Bradley Aust, Dr. Root is considered
one of the 'fathers' of the Department of Surgery.
Congratulations to Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, on
his two-year appointment as Chair of
the Texas Medical Association committee on EMS and Trauma.
Congratulations to Gabe Martyak, MD, Emergency Medicine,
on his promotion from Assistant to Associate Dean of the School of Medicine. As
Associate Dean for UT Medicine and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Martyak
continues to be responsible for the day-to-day activities of UT
Medicine, as well as continuing his work with the Dean's Clinical Group.
Congraulations to Juan Nieto, MD, Emergency Medicine,
recipient of the National Hispanic Medical Association Health leadership Award at
the NHMA 10th Annual Conference held in
Washington, D.C. on March 25, 2006. Read more.
Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs.
Helmets' value still open to debate by some riders - Interview with Dr. Ronald Stewart, trauma medical
director. In 2005, 152 motorcycle crash victims were treated at University Hospital. The first question in Dr.
Stewart's mind is always whether the victim was wearing a helmet.
Read San Antonio
Express-News article
Congenital
heart program collaboration is saving the tiniest of lives. Colman Collins turned 2 on March 30 - he is
an active, energetic child today, thankfully, in part due to the care of John H. Calhoon, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and James
H. Rogers, MD, medical director of the Children's Heart Network.
Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, has been awarded the 2006 Health Policy Scholarship by the American College of Surgeons
and the Society for Vascular Surgery. This scholarship allows him to attend an intensive health policy leadership
and management course specifically designed for surgeons.
UTHSCSA Department of Surgery employee receives kidney
from caring co-worker:
Patti Ruffin knew that one
day she would need a kidney transplant. As a member of a family in which
multiple members have polycystic kidney disease, it was
only a matter of time.
KENS-5 Wendy Rigby interviews Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian for
Vascular Disease Week: More people should get tested for vascular disease, doctors say.
View video
Dr.
Steven Bowers and the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, US Air Force Hospital in Balad, Iraq: Emergency evacuations and
medicine in Iraq presented in an excellent streaming video from the Detroit Free Press.
Double lung recipient, wife hope their story will help other families Lloyd and Ruth Wilkins of Redwood City, Calif., wrote firsthand accounts of their quest to get Lloyd a lung transplant. Read HSC News article ...
Local study looks at drug used on patients in shock: (KENS-5) San Antonio's University Hospital is embarking on a unique study. Department of Surgery trauma doctors want to try a new technique on patients in shock, a drug that could save some lives. KENS-5 Video | Read more ...
Miguel C. Fernandez, Director, South Texas Poison Center, Pit viper envenomation in pregnancy: A case report and literature review
Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 30, Issue 2, February 2006
A colorectal screening is 'an
investment in your health,' says Dr. Morton Kahlenberg, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology. If you are over 50 (or younger
if you have certain risk factors), make a deposit in the bank account of your health by getting screened.
Department of Surgery enters a new era: Among other significant advancements and changes, the department of surgery has an ambitious goal - a top 10 research funding ranking in the next five years. Read more in the March 7, 2006 HSC News ...
Congratulations to Howard Tzu Wang, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, who has received a one-year grant from the
ERC for his submission, "Tissue culture of pre-adipocyte precursor for reconstruction of calvarial defects." Dr. Wang's funding
begins July 1, 2006.
Congratulations to Juliane Bingener-Casey, MD, PhD
on receiving funding from SAGES for her research project.
KENS-TV, Jan. 26:
Trauma Centers Save More Lives Wendy Rigby interviews Dr. Mike Corneille (video)
December 2005 Scene in SA Monthly - San Antonio's Top Doctors: Results of SA Scene Monthly's first survey of top doctors, as referred by their peers. Among those chosen for this prestigious list are Todd Rasmussen (Vascular); John Calhoon, Edward Sako, Daniel Martinez & Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic); Morton Kahlenberg (Surgical Oncology); Melanie Richards & Ken Sirinek (General Surgery); Constance Barone (Plastic Surgery); and Frank Robertson (Pediatric Surgery).
Congratulations to Bob Edwards, RN, Surgical Oncology, selected as a recipient of the 2006 UTHSCSA Employee Excellence in Service Awards for providing excellence in patient care and service. His performance reflects the quality of care and first rate service provided by the Division of Surgical Oncology. Mr. Edwards will receive his award from President Cigarroa on January 19, 2006.
December 2005 Texas Monthly: Texas Super Doctors, chosen by their peers. The list includes quite a few of our faculty, including Ken Sirinek and Wayne Schwesinger, General Surgery; Glenn Halff, Transplant; John Calhoon and Scott Johnson, Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Ron Stewart, Trauma Surgery.
UT System Board of Regents approve construction of
Medical Arts & Research Center 
Transplant program
marks 20 years
Thoracic endograft surgery,
1st in S.A., fixes firefighter's aorta
Surgeon's wife
compiles letters home from Iraq
Back to school with belligerent
bacteria
Stewart named as distinguished
HSC alumnus
Young woman thriving after
transplant put her heart on the correct side
Pruitt elected as
President of Southern Surgical Association
National Kidney
Foundation awards Calhoon, Fried, Nichols
STPC 'Best Scientific Abstract' Award
