Shaina Eckhouse received the award for her leadership in patient-oriented minimally invasive surgery.
Eckhouse Receives Barbara Berci Memorial Award
Author: Megan
Residents Receive International Research Fellowships
Two general surgery residents recently received international research fellowships. These highly competitive fellowships will support the residents during their lab time.
Matthew Gerdisch Arrhythmia Fellow Joins Cardiac Surgery Section
Taras Lysyy, MD, MCh, is the recipient of the inaugural Matthew Gerdisch Arrhythmia Fellowship. Lysyy will be studying heart arrythmia and cardiac disease at Washington University.
Research on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Reveals Durable Treatment Options
Researchers with the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome conducted a retrospective study to compare clinical outcomes between treatment options.
SPAR Program Receives 2022 QUEST Award
The Surgical Prehabilitation and Readiness program is awarded the QUEST Award for its improvement of patient recovery by preparing them before surgery occurs.
Researchers Seek to Improve How Patients and Care Teams Make Decisions
Center for Collaborative Care Decisions’ inaugural bootcamp attracts international audience to address shared decision making.
Mackinnon Receives Prestigious Award from American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Pioneer in peripheral nerve surgery recognized at annual meeting.
What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer
Learn more about prostate cancer types, symptoms and treatment from Washington University surgeons at Siteman Cancer Center.
Expert Care at Your Fingertips – Washington University Hand Surgery
Hand surgeons ease the pain and inconvenience of hand, wrist and finger conditions.
Who is Eligible for Colorectal Cancer Screening in 2022?
Learn more about the up-to-date screening guidelines and tests for eligible patients at risk of colorectal cancer.
A Parent’s Guide to Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate are common conditions that develop before birth.
Lung Cancer – The Basics
Learn more about lung cancer types, symptoms and treatment from Washington University surgeons at Siteman Cancer Center.
Sarcoma – What It Is and How It’s Treated
Sarcomas are a cancerous condition that manifests in different types of tissue. Symptoms include progressively enlarged or painful lumps that are superficial, deep or in the joints. There are many options for diagnosing sarcomas, and their progress or stage determines treatment options. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that often doesn’t cause symptoms, which makes screenings vitally important if you develop any new and unidentified lumps.
Blood Donation: What, How and Why
Washington University patients benefit from blood donations during surgery and in critical care situations. Learn about the “what, how, and why” of blood donation.
Research Supports Short Course Radiation as a New Standard of Care for Rectal Cancer
Research conducted by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine has demonstrated the improvement of rectal cancer treatment through short course radiation therapy. This regimen may represent a new standard for treatment in eliminating localized rectal cancer.
The Connection Between Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction
Prostate cancer is among the most common types of cancer. Learn more about the connection between prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.
Research to Improve Breast Cancer Screening Indicates High Interest from Patients
Breast cancer screening is necessary to detect this condition early enough to have an effective treatment program. Research by investigators at Washington University indicate that patients who hear conflicting information about screening are still interested in attending screening.
Demystifying the Circulatory System
The Department of Surgery explains terminology and components of the circulatory system. We use plain language to explain to describe what arteries, vessels, and related structures are, how they are different and some common conditions that affect them.
Four-Year Grant Awarded to Acute and Critical Care Research Project
Dr. Isaiah Turnbull, a researcher and surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, has received a four-year $1.5 million grant for his research on immunosuppression induced by burn injuries. This work is in partnership with the Military Burn Research Program.
Neurogenic Bladder: Common Causes
Neurogenic bladder is a condition in which the nerves signaling to the bladder have been damaged, resulting in dysfunction of the bladder muscles and function. Common causes include genetic nerve problems, birth defects, injury, stroke, diabetes, infection, brain or spinal cord tumors. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicinal treatments and surgery.
Surgeons Study Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery Technique Developed at Washington University
Washington University School of Medicine cardiac surgeons review the long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of this procedure in patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmia.
What is HIPEC Surgery?
Hyperthermic or heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery is a two-step procedure that treats certain cancers in the abdomen. This is a procedure conducted by surgeons in the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Cancer Staging: What, Why and How?
Cancer staging is an essential step in the cancer treatment process. When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, staging tests indicate the extent and progress of cancer. Knowing this information assists physicians in deciding treatment options and can also predict health outcomes for the patient.
The Impact of Persistent Smoking on Outcomes After Lung Cancer Surgery
Researchers from Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center conduct research on patient health outcomes after surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer to understand if persistent smoking after surgery is associated with worse survival. They conclude that persistent smoking after surgery decreases the survival rates of patients.
2021 Annual Report for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery does essential, life-saving work for our patients at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where surgeons are shaping the future of surgery. To highlight the year’s accomplishments among our surgeons, are proud to share the 2021 Annual Report for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, which is now available online.
Department of Surgery 2021 Annual Report
With another year in the books, we are proud to share the Department of Surgery 2021 Annual Report, demonstrating our mission in action. You can read the Annual Report online to learn how the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has continued its leadership in patient care, research, education and health equity in a year of challenges and successes.
Ask the Research Director: Research During Residency with Ryan C. Fields, MD
Residency applicants need to know the fit of a program’s research education to their interests and needs. Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Director of Resident Research for the General Surgery Residency Program at Washington University, explains why WashU is an ideal location for research in surgery.
Ask the Doctor: Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An enlarged prostate is not a medical problem, but it is a condition patients should understand.
Ask The Residents: Advice to Applicants
General Surgery residents give their “best advice” to current or future applications to hospital residencies. Their insight and recommendations reflect their trials, successes, and learning experiences within the application process. They also emphasize how applying to programs like the General Surgery Residency is a major decision that cultivates professional and personal growth as a physician.
Disparities After Surgery: Readmission from Complications More Common for People of Color
Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a research study on the disparities of post-surgery complications and readmission, visualizing differences of readmission between white and non-white patients. Patients of color are more likely to require readmission after surgery, which may be related to other lived disparities, such as barriers to accessing equal healthcare to their white counterparts.
Ask the Doctor: Heart Failure with Dr. Moon
Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition in which the muscle tissue of the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen and circulation throughout the body. It results in symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath but can cause other complications. Multiple types of HF exist and are treated differently depending on the stage.
Ask the Doctor: Colorectal Cancer with the Colorectal Team
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lower intestine, either the colon or rectum, and causes symptoms such as bowel movement changes, pain and weight loss as it progresses. It is a common cancer that is often detected through regular screening and requires physician diagnosis from specific tests. Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and curable through surgical and radiation treatments. Washington University School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center provide patients with screening, diagnoses and treatment options.
Meet the Residents: Brendan Heiden and Jason Gauthier, Thoracic Surgeons
Get to know residents Brendan Heiden and Jason Gauthier in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Ask the Doctor: Diverticulitis with Dr. Kerri Ohman
Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection of diverticula, small pouches commonly occurring in the colon. The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis. If one or several diverticula become inflamed or infected, diverticulitis develops. Diverticulitis causes abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a changes in bowel habits. Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in diet and use of antibiotics, but severe or persistent attacks of diverticulitis requires surgery.
Ask The Residents: Advice from Attendings
he expertise and advice provided by our attending physicians and surgeons are integral to the development of our residents. We asked those in the General Surgery Residency about the best advice they received from attendings during their time at Washington University.
Meet the Residents: Ariana Naaseh and Steven Tohmasi, Partners in Surgery
Get to know residents Ariana Naaseh and Steven Tohmasi in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Ask the Doctor: Hirschsprung Disease with Dr. Baddr Shakhsheer
Hirschsprung disease is a congenital condition that causes issues with the digestive system. The bowel or colon is not able to contract due to a cell deficiency, leading to constipation and other digestive problems. Treatment for this condition includes surgery to repair the colon.
Ask the Residents: Best of Saint Louis at Washington University School of Medicine
We ask our physicians in General Surgery Residency to tell us some of their favorite aspects about St. Louis as well as their favorite places to visit.
Ask The Doctors: Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Limb ischemia is a peripheral arterial disease that causes reduced blood supply to the limbs. Long-term limb ischemia can progress into chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CL-TI), which requires immediate medical attention and treatment. Dr. Geraghty and the limb preservation team at Washington University answer questions about this condition, risk factors and treatment options.
Meet the Residents: Annie Hess and Robert MacGregor
Get to know residents Annie Hess and Robert MacGregor in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Washington University’s Surgical Prehabilitation and Readiness (SPAR) Program
Prehabilitation (or rehabilitation before surgery) helps patients be healthy and strong before surgery and has been shown to improve recovery and health outcomes. The Surgical Prehabilitation and Readiness (SPAR) program at Washington University guides patients for the weeks before a procedure by providing strategies and goals to prepare their body and mind.
Toriola and Zayed Awarded NIH Research Grants
Surgeons Adetunji Toriola, MD, PhD and Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD from the Department of Surgery have received prestigious R01 grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their research in cancer and vascular medicine, respectively.
Meet the Residents: Will Gerull and Angela Lee, MIS and Transplant
Get to know residents Will Gerull and Angela Lee in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
The Essentials of Biological Tissue Grafts, Donation and Research at Washington University
There are several sources for biological tissue grafts used for reconstructive, reparative or replacement surgery. Allografts are obtained from tissue donors and transplanted into recipients through the tissue donation process. The decision to donate involves registration as a donor and is an important conversation to have with family. Ongoing surgery and research at Washington University benefits from the donation of tissue grafts or specimens from consented donors.
Meet the Residents: Zhiyi Liu and Hailey Shepherd, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplant
Get to know residents Zhiyi Liu and Hailey Shepherd in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Health Literacy Month – October 2021
Celebrating health literacy this October comes with two initiatives: to increase personal literacy and improve organizational literacy. Patient health literacy and education are important goals for those seeking medical treatment, and hospital programs can encourage the familiarity of patients with the language of health. Organizations are also responsible for providing accessible, understandable information to their patients.
The Importance of Comfort: Patient Gender Selection in Colorectal Surgery
Colorectal screening, diagnosis and treatment are integral parts of overall health, but obstacles related to patient comfort can prevent effective medical intervention for colorectal illness. Having a diverse, accessible department of colorectal surgeons reassures patients and advances the optimal benefits for their colorectal health.
Ask the Doctors: Lymphedema Symptoms and Causes with Doctors Sacks and Anolik
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons Justin Sacks, MD, MBA and Rachel Anolik, MD answer frequently asked questions about the symptoms and factors leading to lymphedema. Both Dr. Sacks and Dr. Anolik specialize in treating advanced lymphedema.
Meet the Residents: William Chapman and Brad Krasnick, Colorectal Surgery
Get to know residents William Chapman and Brad Krasnick in the General Surgery residency program, why they chose Washington University School of Medicine for their surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Dr. Evarts Graham and the History of Cardiothoracic Medicine and Research at Washington University
Exploring the history of research in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery begins with the career of surgeon and clinical researcher Dr. Evarts Graham. A gifted cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Graham’s research included one of the earliest studies of smoking as it contributed to lung cancer, and this pioneering work has directed similar research on smoking cessation and health impacts for decades.