Archive - News from the Department of Surgery
Valero Energy Corp. donates $5 million to Health Science Center: A large part of the donation
will be dedicated to transplantation research and to create a Distinguished Chair in Transplantation.
This donation has a "world-changing impact," says University President Francisco Cigarroa, MD, a transplant
surgeon.
Read more
in San Antonio Express-News (8-29-07)
Robert Esterl, MD, Professor of Surgery and Director of Medical Student Education
receives title of Distinguished Teaching Professor: Selected by the University of
Texas Academy of Health Science Education, this honor recognizes faculty members who have made a
significant and outstanding contribution to education.
Read HSC News article.
(8-27-07)
Inside Job – Endovascular Experts:
With new technology and the addition of top-notch faculty, the program has expanded to include the less-invasive technique for the thoracic aorta. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to health care.
Read more in the latest
Mission magazine. (8-22-07)
13th Annual Trauma Symposium:
Trauma care for civilians, GIs on agenda:
Caring for the injured in a war zone is about getting to the right
soldier at the right time. A new technology being developed by a
national trauma consortium based in San Antonio would help prioritize
that process by keeping constant track of soldiers' vital signs, then
beaming them back wirelessly to medics in the field.
Read this and other news stories about hte
Trauma Symposium (8-21-07)
Congratulations to Carlo Martinez, MD, on receiving NIH Loan Repayment approval. The NIH Health
Disparities Loan Repayment Program will assist Dr. Martinez in repayment of approximately $70k in educational loans, in return for his
fulfillment of a non-profit research service obligation here at the Health Science Center. For more information on
how the NIH Loan Repayment Program can help you repay your educational loans, please
visit the NIH LRP website.
(8-08-07)
Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology. Her poster presentation, "How is Cancer
Information Disseminated Outside of a Formal Community Based Cancer Education Program," has been
accepted for presentation as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Education annual meeting
in September 2007, and will be published in the Journal of Cancer Education. (7-30-07)
Steven E. Wolf, MD, Trauma, holder of the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, and Col. John B. Holcomb, MD, Trauma, are UTHSCSA faculty members of a team who
developed an adjustable arm sling. The sling fits on the rails of a hospital bed, and helps soldiers
heal with less swelling and impairment after serious upper-extremity burns.
Read HSC News story ... (7-30-07)
Howard Wang, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, interviewed on KENS-5's evening news health segment. Dr.
Wang discusses the efficacy and safety of
lipo dissolve treatments, an injection to dissolve fat tissue. This process is not FDA approved; Dr. Wang
advises caution for patients seeking a 'quick fix' for fat loss. |
KENS-5 Video (7-25-07)
Daniel Dent, MD, Trauma, and Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, has been
selected as incoming chair for the University's Committee on Committees. Members of this committee are
elected by the full-time faculty of the Health Science Center. (7-25-07)
Congratulations to Ronald Stewart, MD, Chief of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, on his selection
as recipient of this year's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award. The recipient of this award is
selected by both students and Health Science Center faculty. Dr. Stewart will be the keynote speaker
at this year's School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony on July 22, 2007, welcoming the incoming first year
medical students. (7-10-07)
Miguel Fernandez, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, was interviewed on KENS-5 San Antonio's
evening news regarding the CDC's recent warnings about elemental mercury in some antiques.
Read San Antonio Express-News story. |
Watch KENS-5 video. |
CDC: Elemental Mercury Releases ...
(7-9-07)
Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, who has been named 2007-2008 President of the North American/United
States Shock Society, an organization dedicated to improving the care of victims of trauma, shock,
and sepsis through research, education, and mentoring of the next generation of investigators and
care providers. (6-28-07)
Congratulations again to Dr. Basil Pruitt, who has been awarded the Roswell Park Medal of the
Buffalo Surgical Society. This prestigious honor is given annually to a surgeon who has contributed
significantly to the art and science of surgery. Past winners have included Drs. Allan Whipple and
Michael DeBakey, and Denton Cooley. (6-28-07)
Congratulations to Cherie Benson, Perfusionist, on her appointment to the Perioperative Blood Management Taskforce, under the auspices of the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AMSECT). The taskforce's goal is to identify, evaluate, and promote methods of blood management through educational processes, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing patient safety. (6-26-07)
Congratulations to V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been selected as a member
of the 2007-2008 American Heart Association Board of Directors.
(6-26-07)
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation opening ceremonies were held on June 21, 2007. More than
three years of research, planning and development have culminated in a state-of-the-art training facility
for surgical training for our medical students, residents, fellows and faculty.
KENS-5 Video | HSC News |
Read more.
(6-26-07)
Congratulations to Steven Wolf, MD, Trauma on being awarded the Betty and Bob Kelso Distinguished
Chair in Burn and Trauma Surgery, announced May 29, 2007, by William Henrich, MD, Dean of the School of
Medicine, and Francisco Cigarroa, MD, University President.
(5-31-07)
Congratulations to Dr. Renata Bastos, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been awarded the
Department of Surgery's Dr. Witten B. Russ Developmental Research Grant
for 2007. Her project, Evaluation of the effects of Clostridium
botulinum toxin type A on mammary artery vessel rings, will receive
$15,000 for the period June 1, 2007-May 31, 2008. (5-17-07)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy International Referral Center: The UTHSCSA Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic, staffed by both
cardiologists from Medicine's Division of
Cardiology and Surgery's cardiothoracic surgeons, is one of only 14 international referral
centers for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as being a Center of Excellence in the treatment
and care of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The clinic provides a full spectrum of medical
and surgical care, including medical therapy, septal alcohol ablation, and operative septal
myectomy. For more info on our HCM clinic, please email Andrea Carpenter, MD. (5-4-07)
Miguel Fernandez, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, served as a panel moderator and led a
workshop entitled "Health Professions Education: Future Direction of Medical Curriculum Development," for the
11th Annual Conference of the National Hispanic Medical Association in March 2007. Other participants and presenters
included Francisco Cigarroa, MD, President of UTHSCSA, and Leonel Vela, MD, Dean, Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen.
(4-19-07)
Congratulations to Michelle Price, Surgery Administrator, who has recently been awarded her PhD
in Behavioral Sciences (Biostatistics, Management & Policy minors), from the University of Texas - School of Public Health.
(4-9-07)
Congratulations to Thelma Hurd, MD, General Surgery/Surgical Oncology, who has been
selected as one of the minority health
researchers to be honored at the upcoming National Minority Awareness Week event April 17, 2007, in
Houston, TX. (4-9-07)
Department of surgery opens Latin American Student Program: Developed by Stephen M. Cohn, MD,
Chair, the program allows students to choose six of 11 rotations (including general surgery, surgical oncology, vascular
surgery,
plastic surgery, transplant surgery and pediatric surgery).
Read story in HSC News ... |
More about the program (4-6-07)
Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, President, receives National Kidney Foundation awards:
Dr. Cigarroa (Transplant) and his wife, Graciela, received the National Kidney
Foundation's 2007 Kathryn Dial Murray Gift of Life Award on Thursday, March 22.
Read more ... (4-5-07)
Congratulations to Dr. John Calhoon, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been honored
at the 22nd Annual Heart Ball on March 30, 2007, in gratitude for his outstanding work in cardiovascular
public education and supporting the mission of the AHA. Read more ... (4-2-07)
Surgery faculty noted in March 2007 issue of the ACS Surgery News: Col. Donald Jenkins, MC, USAF and
Col. John Holcomb, MC, USA, in the Trauma news, and
Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, author of the guest editorial. (3-28-07)
Medicare approval for Adult Lung Transplant Center:
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University Health System received Medicare approval of our
Adult Lung Transplant Center on March 1, 2007. Read more ... (3-1-07)
Congratulations to Dr. Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic Surgery) for achieving the goals set in the
Surgery Department 2006 Lead or Senior Author Incentive Program. Dr. Angel is co-director of the lung
transplantation program and head of interventional pulmonary medicine within cardiothoracic
surgery. Please visit Dr. Angel's faculty
profile for more information on his academic and clinical accomplishments. (3-16-07)
Congratulations to Cardiothoracic Surgery's Dr. V. Seenu Reddy, who is serving as Chair
of the ACGME Resident Committee.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), the organization that accredits GME programs in
the U.S., consists of 28 ACGME Review Committees. Of the
28 elected chairs, 4 are held by our own UTHSCSA faculty, including Dr. Reddy.
Thelma Hurd, MD, Surgical Oncology, discusses mammography and screening on behalf of the San Antonio
affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on the Wednesday, March 14,
San Antonio Living show on WOAI. San Antonio's Race for the Cure will be on Saturday,
March 31, 2007 at the Alamodome. Click
here to register for the race. | WOAI's San Antonio Living (3-13-07)
Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center who
received the Mayoral
Proclamation for National Poison Prevention Week on March 13, 2007 at the Joint Meeting of the
Central Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Bexar County Pharmacy Association.
24-hour Surgery Referral Line launched - 210-567-0001: Surgery's referral service for patient appointments and physician referrals recently launched. This service provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week assistance in routing appointment and referral requests. Learn more ... (02-28-07)
Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., MD, FACS, FCCM, Professor, Division of Trauma, has received the Society of University Surgeons
Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, for extraordinary achievements in the field of academic surgery,
was presented at the recent Academic Surgical Congress in Phoenix, AZ. Read more about Dr. Pruitt
(02-22-07)
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month!
Colorectal cancer -- cancer of the colon and rectum -- is the second leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. Approximately 90% of
colorectal cancer cases and deaths are preventable.
Click here to learn more ...
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Chief of Vascular Surgery, discusses lifesaving ultrasound testing for
abdominal aortic aneurysms with Wendy Rigby, KENS-5 news (02-01-07).
View KENS-5 video.
Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, addressed the 2nd session of the 'Preparing for and
Responding to Disaster in North America' conference on the topic of an avian flu pandemic. The
conference, held in early November at the downtown UTSA campus, focused on US, Canadian, and
Mexican efforts to plan and respond to significant natural and man-made disasters on the North American
continent.
Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian for his selection as one of the
recipients of the 2007 Presidential Clinical Excellence Award. Dr. Toursarkissian was
selected for this honor by a committee of Health Science Center employees and his peers. President
Cigarroa will present the award at the annual Presidential Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2007.
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Chief of Vascular Surgery, has been named a Distinguished Reviewer
for the Journal of Vascular Surgery. The Journal provides cardiothoracic, vascular, and general surgeons
with the most recent information in vascular surgery on behalf of the Society for Vascular
Surgery, and ranks in the top 5% of the almost 6000 scientific journals most frequently cited.
Congratulations to Dr. Seenu Reddy, Cardiothoracic Surgery, on his
continuing service to the ACGME as a member of their Board of
Directors. Dr. Reddy has been instrumental as the assistant residency
program director for the cardiothoracic surgery division, and is
currently working to establish the first integrated six-year thoracic
surgical program nationally. Dr. Reddy also serves on ACGME's Committee for Improvement
of the Learning Environment and a special task force on introducing Learning Portfolios
to Resident Education.
Congratulations to Surgery employees receiving service awards: 25 years service for Patti Ruffin, Trauma, and Cynthia Garza, Accounting; 10 years service for Alfredo Gonzalez, South Texas Poison Center; and 5 year service awards for John Kodosky, James Morgan, Reenie Lopez, Kenneth Galfo, and Larry Wooldridge in Emergency Medicine, and Thelma Aguirre in Transplant.
San Antonio Scene Monthly, November 2006 - Congratulations to our Top Doctors: Morton Kahlenberg, MD, Surgical Oncology; Ronald Stewart, MD, Trauma; John Calhoon, MD, Cardiothoracic; Ed Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic; Constance Barone, MD, Plastic Surgery; and Luis Angel, MD, Pulmonary Medicine/Cardiothoracic.
Many breast cancer patients unhappy with lumpectomy look: Plastic surgeon Dr. Howard Wang
operates on many breast cancer survivors, and is helping lumpectomy patients by correcting
cosmetic problems.
Read San
Antonio Express-News story ...
Study confirms success of device for trauma patients: Dr. Stephen Cohn, Chair of the Department
of Surgery, served as lead investigator in a multi-site StO2 trauma study; results
were presented at the recent American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Meeting.
Read HSC
News story ...
Health Science Center breaks ground for ambulatory center: UTHSCSA held groundbreaking ceremonies Oct. 24 for
construction of the new ambulatory care center for clinical, research and educational excellence.
San Antonio Express-News |
KENS-5 Video
TRISAT receives Congressional funding: The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT has received $1 million in
Congressional FY07 funds. The appropriations request was sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith. Dr.
Ronald Stewart is Chairman of the TRISAT Board and PI of this grant.
The Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledges the Ewing Halsell Foundation gift of $175,000.
This generous gift will help complete funding for capital equipment for the
Johnson Center for Surgical Innovation (JCSI). Learn more about
the JCSI ...
Robert Esterl, MD, Transplant,
one of 13 inaugural members of the University of Texas Academy of Health
Science Education, has been closely involved in the education effort of our medical students.
Read HSC News story ...
Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, MD FACS was selected a 2006 Health Policy
Scholar by the American College of Surgeons, Society for Vascular
Surgery Health Policy Scholar. Dr. Toursarkissian was one of nine
surgeons in this prestigious group that attended the Leadership Program
in Health Policy Management at Brandeis University in Spring 2006. Read more ...
Surgery research residents Rachel Giese and Oscar Ochoa earn 1st place at 6th Annual Medical Student Research Day. Read more ...
President Francisco Cigarroa Elected to Institute of Medicine:
The National Academies, independent advisers to the nation on science,
engineering and medicine, today announced the election of Francisco G.
Cigarroa, M.D., president of UTHSCSA and faculty member of the Department of
Surgery, to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the
National Academies. Read more ...
Advances
help doctors, improve teaching and reduce patients' recovery time (San Antonio
Express-News, Oct 10, 2006). Telesurgery, technology & education in the 21st century: Microscopic cameras at the end of scopes placed by
Dr. David Jimenez, Neurosurgery, and Dr. Constance Barone, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, in their young patient's
head give learners glimpses into the procedure they'd never get otherwise
The Trauma Division is pleased to announce that TRISAT
(Trauma Institute of San Antonio) has been awarded a Department of Defense grant of $1.35 million for
trauma and burn research. Dr. Ronald Stewart, Chief of Trauma, is the principal investigator; these funds
will be used for multi-site, mutli-study research between the Health
Science Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
Ralph Terpolilli, MD, served as an oral examiner for the American Board of Emergency
Medicine. The Board has expressed their gratitude for Dr. Terpolilli's participation in this demanding
and time-consuming process.
Dr. Roman Hlatky, Neurosurgery (1968-2006)
Memorial Funds & Additional Information
Dr. Scott Johnson,
Chief of General Thoracic Surgery,
interviewed by Jim Forsyth, WOAI-1200 News - Cancer of the Esophagus is an Alarming Threat: The death of former Gov. Ann
Richards from esophageal cancer is bringing more attention to this rising cancer killer.
Transcript of interview
University Hospital - Top 50 US
hospitals
University Hospital
brings home national honors, again
Health Science Center surgeon
urges early detection for throat cancer (San Antonio Business Journal): Reflux disease can
be an early warning sign for esophageal cancer, according to Scott Johnson, MD, associate professor of
surgery.
Dr. John Calhoon, Cardioithoracic Surgery, joined the KENS-5 Backyard Barbecue
and the family of Raymond Marek on Friday, September 1 to
celebrate the 18th anniversary of Mr. Marek's heart transplant and 2 year anniversary of his kidney transplant.
View KENS-5 video |
Celebrate Life - become an organ donor!
Dr. Scott Johnson, Chief of General Thoracic Surgery, talks with KENS-5's Wendy Rigby
about long-term antacid use masking esophageal adenocarcinoma. Worldwide in the past 25 years,
incidence of
esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 350 percent faster than other forms of cancer.
Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs.
Read HSC News story
Congratulations to Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian, Vascular Surgery,
who has been honored by being selected to fill a 3-year term as an Examination Consultant by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board
of Surgery.
Congratulations to Dr. Basil Pruitt, Professor, Trauma, for his award from the
International Burn Foundation. Dr. Pruitt has been chosen to receive the prestigious
Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick (TVB) Burn Prize of $100,000, which will be awarded at the ISBI Congress in Brazil in September.
NOVA: Life and Death
in the War Zone, an hour-long PBS NOVA documentary on Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq.
Dr. Robert Lyons (Col., US Army), Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery, is interviewed in his 2003 role as Deputy Commander for Clinical Services.
The University and the Department of Surgery gratefully acknowledge
Dr. H. David Root's generous endowment to
establish a Critical Care Lecture Series in the Department of Surgery. Recruited to
the department in 1966 by our first Chair, Dr. J.
Bradley Aust, Dr. Root is considered
one of the 'fathers' of the Department of Surgery.
Congratulations to Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, on
his two-year appointment as Chair of
the Texas Medical Association committee on EMS and Trauma.
Congratulations to Gabe Martyak, MD, Emergency Medicine,
on his promotion from Assistant to Associate Dean of the School of Medicine. As
Associate Dean for UT Medicine and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Martyak
continues to be responsible for the day-to-day activities of UT
Medicine, as well as continuing his work with the Dean's Clinical Group.
Congraulations to Juan Nieto, MD, Emergency Medicine,
recipient of the National Hispanic Medical Association Health leadership Award at
the NHMA 10th Annual Conference held in
Washington, D.C. on March 25, 2006. Read more.
Congratulations to Edward Y. Sako, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has
been unanimously selected as
a member of the VA Cardiac Surgery Consultants Board (CSCB). The CSCB
is a special advisory board appointed
to advise the Undersecretary of Health through the Department of
Veterans Affairs Director of Surgical Service for the cardiac surgery
programs.
Helmets' value still open to debate by some riders - Interview with Dr. Ronald Stewart, trauma medical
director. In 2005, 152 motorcycle crash victims were treated at University Hospital. The first question in Dr.
Stewart's mind is always whether the victim was wearing a helmet.
Read San Antonio
Express-News article
Congenital
heart program collaboration is saving the tiniest of lives. Colman Collins turned 2 on March 30 - he is
an active, energetic child today, thankfully, in part due to the care of John H. Calhoon, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and James
H. Rogers, MD, medical director of the Children's Heart Network.
Boulos Toursarkissian, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, has been awarded the 2006 Health Policy Scholarship by the American College of Surgeons
and the Society for Vascular Surgery. This scholarship allows him to attend an intensive health policy leadership
and management course specifically designed for surgeons.
UTHSCSA Department of Surgery employee receives kidney
from caring co-worker:
Patti Ruffin knew that one
day she would need a kidney transplant. As a member of a family in which
multiple members have polycystic kidney disease, it was
only a matter of time.
KENS-5 Wendy Rigby interviews Dr. Boulos Toursarkissian for
Vascular Disease Week: More people should get tested for vascular disease, doctors say.
View video
Dr.
Steven Bowers and the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, US Air Force Hospital in Balad, Iraq: Emergency evacuations and
medicine in Iraq presented in an excellent streaming video from the Detroit Free Press.
Double lung recipient, wife hope their story will help other families Lloyd and Ruth Wilkins of Redwood City, Calif., wrote firsthand accounts of their quest to get Lloyd a lung transplant. Read HSC News article ...
Local study looks at drug used on patients in shock:
(KENS-5) San Antonio's University Hospital is embarking on a unique study. Department of Surgery trauma
doctors want to try a new technique on patients in shock, a drug that
could save some lives.
KENS-5 Video | Read more ...
Miguel C. Fernandez, Director, South Texas Poison Center, Pit viper envenomation in pregnancy: A case report and literature review
Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 30, Issue 2, February 2006
A colorectal screening is 'an
investment in your health,' says Dr. Morton Kahlenberg, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology. If you are over 50 (or younger
if you have certain risk factors), make a deposit in the bank account of your health by getting screened.
Department of Surgery enters a
new era: Among other significant advancements and changes for the department, Chairman Stephen M. Cohn, MD,
FACS, has an ambitious goal - a top 10 research funding ranking in the next five years.
Read more in the March 7, 2006 HSC News ...
Congratulations to Howard Tzu Wang, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, who has received a one-year grant from the
ERC for his submission, "Tissue culture of pre-adipocyte precursor for reconstruction of calvarial defects." Dr. Wang's funding
begins July 1, 2006.
Congratulations to Juliane Bingener-Casey, MD, PhD
on receiving funding from SAGES for her research project.
KENS-TV, Jan. 26:
Trauma Centers Save More Lives Wendy Rigby interviews Dr. Mike Corneille (video)
December 2005 Scene in SA Monthly - San Antonio's Top Doctors: Results of SA Scene Monthly's first survey of top doctors, as referred by their peers. Among those chosen for this prestigious list are Todd Rasmussen (Vascular); John Calhoon, Edward Sako, Daniel Martinez & Luis Angel (Cardiothoracic); Morton Kahlenberg (Surgical Oncology); Melanie Richards & Ken Sirinek (General Surgery); Constance Barone (Plastic Surgery); and Frank Robertson (Pediatric Surgery).
Congratulations to Bob Edwards, RN, Surgical Oncology, selected as a recipient of the 2006 UTHSCSA Employee Excellence in Service Awards for providing excellence in patient care and service. His performance reflects the quality of care and first rate service provided by the Division of Surgical Oncology. Mr. Edwards will receive his award from President Cigarroa on January 19, 2006.
December 2005 Texas Monthly: Texas Super Doctors, chosen by their peers. The list includes quite a few of our faculty, including Ken Sirinek and Wayne Schwesinger, General Surgery; Glenn Halff, Transplant; John Calhoon and Scott Johnson, Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Ron Stewart, Trauma Surgery.
UT System Board of Regents approve construction of
Medical Arts & Research Center 
Transplant program
marks 20 years
Thoracic endograft surgery,
1st in S.A., fixes firefighter's aorta
Surgeon's wife
compiles letters home from Iraq
Back to school with belligerent
bacteria
Stewart named as distinguished
HSC alumnus
Young woman thriving after
transplant put her heart on the correct side
Pruitt elected as
President of Southern Surgical Association
National Kidney
Foundation awards Calhoon, Fried, Nichols
STPC 'Best Scientific Abstract' Award
