The Department of Surgery recognizes residents, fellows and faculty for their contributions to resident and medical student education during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Department of Surgery Teaching Awards 2020-2021
Category: Recognition
Stories highlighting the accomplishments of members of the Department of Surgery community, including faculty, staff and surgical trainees.
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.
Alec Patterson, MD, named Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Alec Patterson, MD, was appointed the new Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
FLS and OSATS Training at WISE
Surgery residents come to the WISE Center for laparoscopic and suturing skills lab training this summer.
Youth Outreach at WISE
General Surgery residents gave a tour of the WISE Center and explained various elements of surgery during the BJC School Outreach and Youth Development’s 2021 Adventures in Healthcare Camp.
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.
The Right Tool for the Job
Multidisciplinary research helps surgeons choose the right tool for stroke and peripheral arterial disease patients.
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.
Justin J. Cordonnier Visiting Professorship 2021
Benjamin Breyer, MD, MAS, serves as the 2021 Justin J. Cordonnier Visiting Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
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.
Leading in Surgical Simulation and Education: Eileen Smith, MD
Inaugural Simulation and Education Fellow Eileen Smith, MD, presents research at Surgical Simulation Summit.
Transplant Surgery | 2020 Annual Report
The Department of Surgery 2020 Annual Report features clinical, research and educational accomplishments from the Section of Transplant Surgery.
Surgery Superheroes: Pediatric Liver Transplant
The Washington University pediatric liver care and transplant team at St. Louis Children’s Hospital shares what makes their pediatric patients superheroes in their eyes.
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.
The Rewarding Aspects of Being a Surgeon: with Kerri Ohman, MD
Kerri Ohman, MD, who joined the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery in 2020 as an Assistant Professor of Surgery, shares her journey of becoming a colorectal surgeon and explains why she likes working at Washington University .
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.
A Constellation of Factors: Uncovering the Causes of Rising Incidence of Early-onset Colorectal Cancer
Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, is researching the troubling rise of early-onset colorectal cancer. In a series of publications, Cao’s research points to risk factors for the condition and offers some methods of prevention and improved screening.
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.
Ask the Doctors: WALANT Hand Surgery
Kelly Currie, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the WALANT technique for hand surgery.
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.
Register for the Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Virtual Open House
Learn more about the Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship virtual open house.
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.
Urology Team Earns Pedal the Cause Lifetime Bronze Impact Society Achievement
Urology Pedal the Cause team fundraises over $100,000 for cancer research and joins the nonprofit organization’s Lifetime Bronze Impact Society.
Eberlein Receives Scientific Forum Award
The American College of Surgeons recognizes Tim Eberlein, MD, FACS, for his contributions as a surgeon scientist and role model for young investigators.
WISE Without Walls
Remote and in-person training opportunities at the WISE Center create innovations in the world of surgical education.
Women in Urology
Research shows that the role of women in urology is growing rapidly, but there is still work to be done to ensure equity and access to opportunities. Erica Traxel, MD, Director of the Urologic Surgery Residency Program, and women in the residency program share their experiences at the School of Medicine.
Hands-on Training in Endourology
The Division of Urology offers hands-on training, fellowships and clinical research trials in endourology.
Celebrating Big for Savannah
Meet 11-year-old Savannah and her surgeon, Baddr Shakhsheer, who restored a sense of regularity to her life at the Pediatric Colorectal Center.
New Faculty 2020
New faculty joining the Department of Surgery in 2020 enhance our ability to care for the St. Louis community and surrounding areas.
Single Port Robotic Training Comes to WISE
Training with an Intuitive Single Port Surgical System at the WISE Center allows practicing physicians to hone their skills on one of the newest innovations in robotic surgery.
A Marathon Career in Cardiac Research
Richard Schuessler, PhD, Director of the Cardiac Surgical Research Laboratory, retires after 35 years at Washington University School of Medicine. Among Schuessler’s innumerable contributions is his involvement in research revolutionizing the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Meet the Residents: Heidy Cos, MD, and Anna Rose Johnson, MD, MPH
Get to know the residents in the Department of Surgery’s residency programs, and why they chose Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis for their surgical training.
Meet the Residents: Katie Agamawi, MD, and Britta Han, MD
Get to know the residents in the Department of Surgery’s residency programs, and why they chose Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis for their surgical training.
Keeping You Safe with Marc Moon and the St. Louis Blues
Marc Moon, MD, discusses St. Louis Blues Hockey and heart health on 101 ESPN Radio.