General surgery residents volunteered with Surgical Outreach for the Americas to help patients in El Salvador.
Residents Provide International Surgical Care
Category: Recognition
Stories highlighting the accomplishments of members of the Department of Surgery community, including faculty, staff and surgical trainees.
Neil Ermitano, DPM, Joins the Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery
The Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis welcomes Neil Ermitano, DPM, as an assistant professor of surgery in the Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Receives 2022 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is once again recognized nationally for excellence in mitral valve repair by the Mitral Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Eberlein Delivers ASCRS Humanities in Surgery Lecture
Timothy Eberlein, MD, shares how the Department of Surgery has led in reducing health care disparities and improving health equity.
Vicky Peck, RN, and Erica Traxel, MD, Receive Barnes-Jewish Hospital Team Award for Quality Improvement
Vicky Peck, RN, Patient Safety and Quality Coordinator, and Erica Traxel, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, helped create a culture of safety in the Division of Urologic Surgery by developing a program to track ureteral stents.
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.
Frye Wins Top Gun at SAGES 2022
General surgery resident Corbin Frye, MD, won the SAGES Top Gun competition for the second year in a row. Frye and his fellow residents hone laparoscopic skills at the Washington University Institute for Surgical Education.
Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, Named Finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards
The Department of Surgery’s Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, was recently named a finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s 2022 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Kachroo Named Surgical Director of Center for Diseases of the Thoracic Aorta
Puja Kachroo, MD, has been named surgical director of the Center for Diseases of the Thoracic Aorta at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Kachroo is a leading expert in aortic disease and cardiac surgery.
Department of Surgery Educators Recognized by Medical Student Awards
At the 2020-2021 Distinguished Service Teaching Awards, three members of the department were recognized for their contributions to medical student education.
Mackinnon Receives AAPS Honorary Award
Susan Mackinnon, MD, the Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Plastic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) 2022 Honorary Award.
From Fellow to Faculty: Jacob Miller, MD
Washington University pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Jacob Miller, MD, specializes in the surgical treatment of congenital heart and lung conditions at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Miller joins the faculty after completing world-class surgical training at the School of Medicine.
Gayle Harvey Retires After 39 Years with the Department of Surgery
Financial accounting assistant Gayle Harvey retires after nearly 40 years at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Pawale Named Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation
Amit Pawale, MD, joins the department as surgical director of heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Beth Jurgensen Retires After 35 Years of Service
Ambulatory coder Beth Jurgensen retires after 35 years at Washington University. She reflects on the many fond memories from throughout her career while looking forward to giving back during retirement.
$2 Million Grant to Develop Sequestered Vascular Surgery Technology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Caeli Vascular, Inc., are developing the first sequestered therapy device for removal of deep vein thrombosis.
Itoh Transitions, Kotkar and Masood Lead ECMO Program
Assistant Professor of Surgery Akinobu Itoh, MD, PhD, transitions to role as transplant director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.
Brunt Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery Michael Brunt, MD, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Barnes-Jewish Medical Staff Association.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Receives 2021 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award
Barnes-Jewish Hospital has been recognized as one of the nation’s top centers for mitral valve repair surgery as it receives the 2021 Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award.
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: Julie Clanahan and Britta Han, WISE Fellows
Get to know residents Julie Clanahan and Britta Han 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.
Brunt Inducted to Washington University Academy of Educators
Michael Brunt, MD, Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery is among 15 fellows inducted into the Academy of Educators at Washington University School of Medicine in 2021.
Ask the Residents: Laura Lee, Urology
Get to know resident Laura Lee in the Urology residency programs, why she chose Washington University School of Medicine for her surgical training and what it’s like to be a resident in St. Louis.
Andriole Transitions from Chief of Urologic Surgery
Gerald Andriole, MD, will leave his role as Chief of Urologic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis in January 2022.
Department of Surgery Teaching Awards 2020-2021
The Department of Surgery recognizes residents, fellows and faculty for their contributions to resident and medical student education during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Klingensmith Named ACGME Senior Vice President for Procedural Accreditation
Mary Klingensmith, MD, transitions to new national leadership role in surgical education as Senior Vice President for Procedural Accreditation at the ACGME.
Brunt Named Pruett Family Professor of Surgery
Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery L. Michael Brunt, MD, receives the Pruett Family Professorship in Surgery.
Steven Strasberg Retires after 50 Years of HPB Surgery
Steven Strasberg, MD, retires after a seminal 50-year career in HPB-GI surgery.
Surgical Education from Start to Finish
Britta Han, MD, MSEd, brings her passion for education to the WISE Center as an ACS-AEI Education Fellow.
Steven Hunt, MD, Receives Moley Mentorship Award
General surgery chief residents recognize Steven Hunt, MD, for his mentorship at 2020-2021 graduation ceremony.
A Landmark Achievement: Lung Transplant Program Completes 1,900 Transplants
The Lung Transplant Program at Washington University School of Medicine reaches a major milestone by performing 1,900 lung transplants.
The Future of Endocrine Surgery
What does the legacy of excellence in endocrine surgery at Washington University School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center mean for patients? Our surgical oncologists have experience with a high volume of complex cases, making them experts in endocrine surgery.
Celebrating Our Graduating General Surgery Chief Residents
Congratulations to the graduating chief residents in general surgery, who go on to continue their training at Washington University in St. Louis and institutions across the country.
Surgeons Win Big Ideas Competition Grants
Congratulations to Chet Hammill, MD, MCR, and Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, on leading winning teams in Big Ideas Competition.
Gun Violence: St. Louis’ Other Public Health Crisis
Mark Hoofnagle, MD, PhD, appeared on Fox 2 St. Louis to explain his team’s work to understand gun violence as a public health issue.
Surgeons Receive AJT Outstanding Article Award
Satona Tanaka, MD, Jason Gauthier, MD, and Daniel Kreisel, MD, PhD, receive 2021 AJT Outstanding Article Award for lung transplantation research.
Community Care: Arnold Bullock, MD
Washington University urologist Arnold Bullock, MD, is an accomplished surgeon, public health advocate and mentor to young people in North St. Louis. Bullock discusses the importance of cancer screening, what makes a good patient and the value of mentorship in the local community.
Ginny Devenport Retires After 45 Years of Service
Certified professional coder Ginny Devenport retires after 45 years at Washington University. Throughout her career, she became an expert coder, trusted colleague and dear friend to many.
A Conversation with Condoleezza Rice: 101st AATS Annual Meeting
Guest lecturer Condoleezza Rice, 66th U.S. Secretary of State, joined AATS President Marc Moon, MD, in conversation at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.
Advancing Cardiothoracic Care: Shuddhadeb Ray, MD, MPHS
Cardiothoracic surgeon Shuddhadeb Ray, MD, MPHS, brings his expertise in heart, lung, and esophageal surgery to Christian Hospital after a decade of training at Washington University School of Medicine.
Chair Installation of Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, FACS
The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital celebrates the appointment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Chief Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, as the Chairholder of the Shoenberg Endowed Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Heart to Heart with Ralph Damiano, MD: Leading Edge Medicine
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Ralph Damiano, Jr., MD, shares life-saving advances in lung transplant and heart surgery with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Treating Recurrent Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Landmark study from the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome finds reoperation for recurrent neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome to be safe and effective.
Emeritus Evarts A. Graham Professor of Surgery James Cox, MD, FACS, named recipient of the Jacobson Innovation Award
James Cox, MD, FACS, Emeritus Evarts A. Graham Professor of Surgery and former Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, has been named the recipient of the 26th Jacobson Innovation Award of the American College of Surgeons.
Transforming Lives with Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgeon Francesca Dimou, MD, MS, helps people achieve their goals with weight loss surgery. Dimou describes the transformative process, offers advice and shares the story of her surgical training.
Erica Traxel, MD, inducted into Washington University’s Academy of Educators
Erica Traxel, MD, Associate Professor of Urologic Surgery and Director of the Urologic Surgery Residency Program, was among 26 fellows inducted into Washington University’s Academy of Educators in 2020.
Changing the Playing Field: Robotic Surgery in Transplantation
Transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon Adeel Khan discusses the growth of the Robotic Transplant Surgery Program at the School of Medicine, the reasons behind its success and the impact on patient care.
There is an Option: Treating Pancreatitis with Islet Auto-Transplant
For young people with pancreatitis, total pancreatectomy and islet auto-transplant can prevent years of chronic pain. HPB surgeon Chet Hammill, MD, MCR, explains the procedure and encourages people to learn about their options early in life.
Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, and Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD, Receive 2020 Skandalaris LEAP Funding
Two Department of Surgery faculty receive Skandalaris Center LEAP funding for translational research projects.
Michael Awad, MD, PhD, FACS, Inducted to American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
Awad recounts the growth of his career as a surgical educator, from beginning as a teaching assistant in college to becoming Director of the Washington University Institute for Surgical Education.