Four trainees graduate from cardiothoracic fellowship programs, two faculty recognized for their contributions to academic surgery.
Cardiothoracic surgery graduation 2026 (Links to an external site)
Category: Recognition
Stories highlighting the accomplishments of members of the Department of Surgery community, including faculty, staff and surgical trainees.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery graduation and James Barrett Brown Day 2026 (Links to an external site)
4 residents and 3 fellows were honored at the 2026 plastic surgery graduation.
Rosengart named inaugural Theodore and Bertha Bryan Professor of Environmental Medicine (Links to an external site)
Matthew R. Rosengart, MD, has been installed as the inaugural Theodore and Bertha Bryan Professor of Environmental Medicine in the WashU Medicine Mary Culver Department of Surgery.
Fellowship to faculty: Stephanie Armocida
Stephanie Armocida, MD, shares insights from her time in the acute and critical care surgery fellowship’s first all-female graduating class.
Colditz, Jiang receive Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Links to an external site)
WashU Medicine researchers developed AI tool that refines breast-cancer risk prediction
Wahidi awarded VQI-FIT scholarship
Ryan Wahidi, MD, was recognized with the prestigious Jack L. Cronenwett Scholarship to continue research.
Rowland receives education grant
Award from American Pediatric Surgical Association Foundation will support study of pediatric surgery fellow well-being and training experiences.
Four early-career physician-scientists selected as Dean’s Scholars (Links to an external site)
Four physician-scientists have been selected as Dean’s Scholars, a program that supports outstanding early-career faculty.
Brown receives community-engaged research award
Victoria Brown, PhD, received the Provost Impact Award for Early Career Community-Engaged Research.
Five surgeons elected into AΩA class of 2026
Five surgery faculty and trainees were inducted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society class of 2026.
Surgery staff recognized for career milestones
WashU Medicine faculty and staff were honored for their years of service at the Staff Awards Ceremony on June 3.
Puri receives VA research award
Varun Puri, MD, recognized by the St. Louis VA for advancing lung cancer research that improves care for veterans.
Breast Cancer Thrivers and Supporters Champion New Chair Inspired By Gratitude (Links to an external site)
In honor of her dedication to patients over the past 30 years, Dr. Margenthaler was installed as the inaugural Endowed Chair for Surgical Excellence in Breast Cancer through The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital on April 9, 2026.
Board game simulation helps faculty practice procedural feedback
Plastic surgeon designed a faculty development simulation to strengthen real-time teaching and feedback in procedural settings.
Surgical simulation specialist: Angelia DeClue
Reflecting on 15 years of service as an education service coordinator in WISE.
Jiang recognized for statistical innovation (Links to an external site)
WashU Medicine cancer biostatistician receives 2026 Annie T. Randall Innovator Award.
Thoracic surgeons establish robotic esophagectomy program
New minimally invasive approach now available at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Collaborative research: Transforming surgical approaches in congenital heart disease
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons advance surgical approaches in life-saving treatment.
Five department faculty receive 2026 Dean’s Impact Awards
Surgeons recognized for exceptional clinical care, education, research and service at WashU Medicine.
Siteman cancer center prevention expert named Guggenheim Fellow (Links to an external site)
With the prestigious award, Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, will write a book examining why cancers are increasingly occurring earlier in life — and how this shift can be better understood, communicated and prevented.
SAFE accolade recipients – February/March 2026
Department members received SAFE accolades for collegiality and professionalism.
WashU Medicine team performs region’s first procedure using breakthrough valve technology (Links to an external site)
Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from WashU Medicine’s cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery divisions used the ShortCut device to successfully treat a high-risk patient with a failing heart valve.
Surgery faculty, clerkship recognized with 2026 teaching awards
Kranker, clerkship recognized at Distinguished Service Teaching Awards ceremony.
Faculty projects selected for 2026 research corps
Support for AI-assisted research in cancer susceptibility, facial rehabilitation.
Rosengart named Theodore and Bertha Bryan Professor of Environmental Medicine
Matthew R. Rosengart, MD, MPH, installed as endowed professor of environmental medicine.
Tina Burmeiseter retires after 43 years of service
From a part-time summer job, to a lengthy career as a database analyst in cardiothoracic surgery.
Noda wins ethics essay challenge (Links to an external site)
Resident essay recognized by surgical association.
Meet weight loss surgeon, Danny Mou, MD, MPH
Dr. Mou’s bariatric surgery expertise improves patient quality of life.
Niziolek, Tevlin named 2026 Dean’s Scholars
Grace Niziolek, MD, and Ruth Tevlin, MD, were inducted in the Dean’s Scholars program.
Colorectal cancer awareness: A leading surgeon’s essential insights
Paul Wise, MD, answers frequently asked questions about colorectal cancer.
Gerull wins surgical skills competition
Will Gerull, MD, successfully defends title at WISE Top Gun 2026.
Holzem receives early career research award from vascular society
Vascular surgeon-scientist recognized for commitment to vascular research
Kozower named Editor of the Year by Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Benjamin Kozower, MD, PhD, was recognized for his high quality contributions as editor of Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Vascular Access – Washington Manual of Surgery
Join Dr. Mustansir for a discussion with expert transplant and vascular access surgeon Dr. Shenoy.
Warner honored with Presidential Citation Award
The Society of University Surgeons posthumously presented Brad Warner with the Presidential Citation Award at the Academic Surgical Congress.
Comprehensive care of Marfan Syndrome – Q&A with surgical expert
Leading vascular specialist, J. Westley Ohman, MD, provides insights on detecting and living with and managing with Marfan syndrome.
Patricia Limpert, MD, joins Section of Surgical Oncology
Breast surgery specialist joins surgical oncology section on February 18.
Martin named president of the Society of University Surgeons
Director Martin recognized for leadership and significant contributions to pediatric surgery.
SAFE accolade recipients – December 2025/January 2026
Department members received SAFE accolades for collegiality and professionalism.
Miller named reviewer of the year
Recognized for his contributions to congenital cardiac surgery research by the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Sacks named inaugural managing director of ASPS journal portfolio
Director of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, appointed to national office at American Society Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Jeffrey Bailey Will Be COT Vice Chair, RCOT Chair (Links to an external site)
Bailey to assume Vice Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma and Chair of the Regional Committees on Trauma roles in March 2026.
Surgery faculty provide international care
Surgical faculty provide life-saving care and clinical education, both at home and abroad.
Michael Bonebrake, MD, joins Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery
Trauma surgeon joins critical care surgery section on January 5.
SAFE accolade recipients – November/December
Department members received SAFE accolades for collegiality and professionalism.
Community outreach champion – Frank Olumba, MD
General surgery resident is recognized for his commitment to community outreach.
Swana named urologic surgery residency program director
Urologic surgeon-educator to lead residency training program.
Munfakh honored with lifetime achievement award
Recognizing Dr. Nabil Munfakh’s 25 years of consummate excellence in cardiothoracic surgical care and leadership.
Wanken named program director of vascular surgery integrated residency
Vascular surgeon-educator to lead training program.
Doyle serves as WSA president
Renowned transplant surgeon completes term as head of Western Surgical Association.