Dr. Blatnik fixed the complex hernias that caused Vojin pain for years.
The Perfect Repair: Vojin’s Hernia Story
Awad Named Clinical Teacher of the Year 2022
Graduating medical students recognize Michael Awad, MD, PhD, for his commitment to education.
Campus Catch-Up
The Washington University campus community is making headlines every day. Members of the School of Medicine are regularly featured in local, national and international news stories. Department of Surgery faculty, staff and medical students are leaders in their specialties, and share their expertise when called upon. Campus Catch-Up collects some of these stories and celebrates members of the community who are receiving recognition.
Residents Provide International Surgical Care
General surgery residents volunteered with Surgical Outreach for the Americas to help patients in El Salvador.
Learning More About Weight Loss Surgery: Easy as 1-2-3
Starting your weight loss surgery journey with Washington University bariatric surgeons is as simple as 1-2-3.
Olumba and Newcomer Named Winners of the 21st Annual Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Resident Research Day Competition
Four finalists presented research at 2022 Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Research Day Competition and two winners were selected by faculty vote
Exercise may lower your cancer risk and help if you get the disease (Links to an external site)
Research also is starting to show it’s possible to quantify how much of a workout may make a difference after a diagnosis of the illness.
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.
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.
Dane Johnson, MD: The Men’s Health Expert
Dane Johnson, MD, explains what led him to his role as a men’s health, sexual dysfunction and infertility specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Life After Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery is part of a lifelong journey. Learn more about life after surgery.
Residents, Faculty and Staff Attend Surgical Education Week 2022
Members of the Department of Surgery had a successful showing at Surgical Education Week (SEW) 2022. Alongside several research presentations, residents and staff were honored with awards and grants from surgical education organizations.
A Lasting Impact
With the funds established by renowned surgeon-scientist Glover Copher, MD, general surgery resident Eileen Smith, MD, was able to pursue surgical education research while being fully supported.
A Beautiful New Heart: Audrey’s Story
Audrey was born with a rare combination of heart conditions. Thanks to an organ donor and the St. Louis Children’s and Washington University Heart Center team, she celebrated her first birthday at home with a new heart.
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.
11 Things to Do Before Surgery
Follow these steps to get ready for your scheduled surgery.
Cardiothoracic Faculty and Trainees Attend American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting
Several Washington University cardiothoracic surgery faculty members and trainees trekked to Boston to attend the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting.
Body Mass Index: Explained
Washington University bariatric surgeons use measures like body mass index (BMI) to determine whether their patients are eligible for weight loss surgery.
Urology Faculty, Trainees Present Research at the 2022 American Urological Association Annual Meeting
Washington University urologic surgery faculty members and trainees travelled to New Orleans, LA, to attend the 2022 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.
Asbun Delivers 19th Annual Bricker Lecture
Washington University welcomes Horacio Asbun, MD, for the 19th Annual Eugene M. Bricker Visiting Lecture in Surgery.
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.
Meet the Staff: Emily Shepherd, Business Director
Staff members at Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery are essential in supporting the institution’s mission of excellence in clinical outcomes, research and education. Meet Business Director Emily Shepherd!
High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction
Both high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction are common among older men. Understanding the relationship between these conditions could help men find the treatment that’s right for them.
What is Microsurgery?
Surgeons explain what mircosurgery is, how its performed, its benefits and more.
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.
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.
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.
A Durable Treatment for Recurrent Hernias
Research by Washington University hernia surgeons finds a durable solution for treating complex recurrent ventral hernias. The findings are published in the journal Surgery.
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.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome are two different gastrointestinal conditions. Learn more about each, and how Washington University Colon & Rectal Surgery provides team-based care for inflammatory bowel disease.
Surgeon-scientist Olson named head of surgery (Links to an external site)
Recognized for expertise in endocrine tumor development.
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.
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.
Introduction to Robotic Surgery Training at WISE
General surgery residents at the Washington University Institute for Surgical Education get hands-on experience with the latest innovations in surgical technology during an introduction to robotic surgery training course.
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.
Pediatric CT Surgeons Utilize New Tools to Combat Complex Heart Defects
Washington University pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons and fellows tackle rare heart defects in virtual simulation program.
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.
Identifying Causes of Vascular Damage in Lung Transplantation
Investigators from the Thoracic Immunology Laboratory have identified pathways leading to ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Their findings are published in the journal PNAS.
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.
7 Things to Know About Lymphedema
Lymphedema is swelling caused by a blockage or damage to the lymphatic system. Most cases of lymphedema in the United States happen after cancer or cancer treatment. Understanding this condition can help with lymphedema prevention, management and treatment.
Robotic-assisted Urologic Surgery Advances Clinical Care
Washington University urologic surgeons embrace leading-edge robotic techniques to advance clinical care.
What is HIPEC surgery?
Learn about the benefits of HIPEC surgery for people in St. Louis with abdominal cancer.
Campus Catch-Up
The Washington University campus community is making headlines every day. Members of the School of Medicine are regularly featured in local, national and international news stories. Department of Surgery faculty, staff and medical students are leaders in their specialties, and share their expertise when called upon. Campus Catch-Up collects some of these stories and celebrates members of the community who are receiving recognition.
LaSalle Leffall, Jr., MD, FACS: A Champion for Health Equity
LaSalle Leffall, Jr., MD, FACS, one of Homer G. Phillips Hospital’s most notable alumni, had an immeasurable impact on surgical oncology and health equity.
Coaching After Amputation: Sam’s Story
Sam Schaefer suffered from constant pain after an injury left him with a rare neurological condition. After a below-the-knee amputation at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, he is back to playing hockey, breaking world records and coaching at a local gym.
Precious cargo: Donor lungs get seat on Southwest flight to St. Louis as transplant team fights time and snowstorm (Links to an external site)
After a winter storm prevented a Mid-America Transplant flight from getting out of Chicago, the transplant team bought a ticket for the lungs on Southwest Airlines which ferried the precious cargo to St. Louis in time for a transplant operation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
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.
Virtual Reality Laparoscopic Skills Training at WISE
Washington University surgery faculty and trainees are evaluating a new virtual reality laparoscopic skills simulator at the WISE Center.
Understanding Innate Immunity in Lung Transplantation
Washington University General Surgery residents and leaders of the Thoracic Immunobiology Laboratory collaborated to discuss the body’s innate immune responses that could lead to lung injury and allograft failure.