News from the Department of Surgery

Thelma Hurd, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, participated in a round table discussion on integration of the evolving US healthcare system: Convened by Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary of Health, as part of the 'One Sight 2012 Community Leaders Tour', the event was held at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center/University of Houston Center for Health Equity & Evaluation Research. Dr. Koh was joined by Admiral Epifanio Elizondo, Regional Health Administrator IV, James Dickens, Regional Health Administrator VI and Special Assistant to the OASH Kirby Bumpus and the Institutional leadership from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson and the University of Houston. More about Dr. Hurd (2-8-12)

Congratulations to Surgery faculty recently selected by their peers as some of the Best Doctors in America^® — Honorees include Drs. Stephen Cohn (General Surgery), Glenn Halff (Trauma), John Myers (Trauma), Boyce Oliver (Surgical Oncology), Wayne Schwesinger (General Surgery), Kenneth Sirinek (General Surgery), Ronald Stewart (Trauma; Department Chair), and W. Kenneth Washburn (Transplant). Our surgeons are listed along with other San Antonio honorees in the January 2012 edition of San Antonio Magazine. "These Best Doctors honorees, exemplify the commitment of UT Medicine San Antonio to our patients and communities," said Francisco González-Scarano, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs of the Health Science Center. Read HSC News article | Read SA Magazine article (1-17-12)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, on Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, interviewed for November 2011 San Antonio Magazine: "The obesity problem in Texas falls into the highest category of obesity as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," says Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of the UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and Chief, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, UT School of Medicine San Antonio. "One in three people in Texas are obese." Peterson says that most patients who are seeking surgery have tried traditional weight loss solutions. "We have talked to patients who have had the surgery, and they say, 'My one regret is that I wish I did it sooner.'" Read San Antonio Magazine article | More about Dr. Peterson | UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery | CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills (12-6-11)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery interviewed on Texas Public Radio: Dr. Jatoi serves as moderator of the discussion on clinical trials in developing countries for the December 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read story on TPR website | More about Dr. Jatoi | Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery (12-6-11)

Howard T. Wang, MD, Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, interviewed on KSAT-12: More dermatologists and gynecologists are beginning to offer the 'look good, feel good' procedures traditionally offered by plastic and reconstructive surgeons. When it comes to actual plastic surgery, though, it's possible these newcomers to the cosmetic surgery marketplace are seriously underqualified. Dr. Wang discusses the necessity of using a board certified practitioner, and the benefits for the patient. Read story, view video | More about Dr. Wang | UT Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | UT Medicine San Antonio Aesthetic Surgery Group (11-23-11)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, on KENS-5 Great Day SA: Lose weight the right way ... Today! — Dr. Peterson, Director of the UT Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Chief of the UTHSCSA Division of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, and Medical Director of the CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute - Westover Hills, discusses procedures and who is a good candidate for these procedures, as well as the keys to success - exercise, eating right, and going to the support group meetings. View video | More about Dr. Peterson | UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery | CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills (11-9-11)

Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, interviewed on Laredo NBC affiliate – UT Health Science Center gives presentation on breast cancer: Along with many UTHSCSA and CTRC physicians, Dr. Santillan participated in a cancer education workshop for the public, with a presentation on breast cancer. Ian Thompson, MD, Director of the Cancer Therapy & Research Center, presented information on prostate cancer. More about Dr. Santillan | Visit UT Surgical Oncology website | KGNS-TV, Laredo, TX - Video Article in La Mañana (en español) (11-1-11)

Richard Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, on KENS-5 Great Day SA: A failed diet doesn't mean a failed you — Dr. Peterson, Director of the UT Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Chief of the Division of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, and Medical Director of the CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute - Westover Hills, discusses surgical weight loss options as a solution to the patient's unsuccessful battle with obesity. View video | More about Dr. Peterson | UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery | CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills (10-27-11)

Using donated human skin for mastectomy patients – Howard T. Wang, MD, interviewed by CBS News: Texas doctors are using an innovative tissue implant product called "Alloderm" for women undergoing reconstruction after a mastectomy. The 'skin' is used to shape new breasts and keeps them in place, acting like a sling, of sorts. It is made out of the dermis of donated skin from a cadaver. Dr. Howard Wang, with UT Medicine plastic and reconstructive surgery says, "The Alloderm does provide better coverage for the implant. But really also it allows me to define the shape of the implant and where the implant's going to stay."
View video, read story | More about Dr. Wang | UT Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | (10-14-11)

Mercury poisonings linked to cosmetic cream from Mexico: The South Texas Poison Center is warning against use of a cosmetic cream from Mexico that is linked to an outbreak of inorganic mercury exposures and poisonings, mostly in towns along the Texas-Mexico border. Miguel Fernández, MD, Director of the South Texas Poison Center, was interviewed on local national affiliates KENS-5 and KSAT-12 to discuss poisoning cases resulting from use of the cosmetic cream. HSC News article KENS-5 interview | More about Dr. Fernández | South Texas Poison Center (9-6-11)

Ken and Peggy Sirinek establish endowed scholarship: Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs and Professional Development in the Department of Surgery, and his wife, Peggy, have established an endowed scholarship in General Surgery to recognize the academic achievement of top students, encourage them to pursue a career in general surgery, and to provide them with financial relief at the same time. (Photo – pictured, l to r, Connie Aust, wife of the late J. Bradley Aust, MD, PhD, founding faculty member; Katie Wiggins-Dolvik, MD, first recipient of the endowed scholarship; and Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD) Read Mission magazine story | More about Dr. Sirinek (8-19-11)

Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, and Medical Director, CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills, co-authors study on bioabsorbable tissue reinforcement in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies, published in Obesity Surgery. Read article: Integrated Bioabsorbable Tissue Reinforcement in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy | More about Dr. Peterson | UT Center for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery | CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute – Westover Hills (8-16-11)

Alfredo Santillan, MD, MPH, Surgical Oncology (pictured left), and Raul Ramos, MD, General Surgery (pictured right), participate in CTRC Hispanic Cancer Risk free public information seminar: Drs. Santillan and Ramos will join this month's CTRC presentation from 6-7:30pm, Thursday August 11, 2011. One of a series of free, monthly public information presentations hosted by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, this month's presentation will focus on the special cancer risks faced by Hispanics. The presentation is open to the public; please call 210-450-1152 for additional information.
Story links: NowCastSA | WOAI.com | HSC News story | More about Dr. Santillan and UT Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery
More about Dr. Ramos and Division of General & Laparoendoscopic Surgery (8-5-11)

Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, quoted in Reuters story on disparities in cancer treatment: Researchers at Walter Reed found that, in spite of equal access to health care through military health insurance, disparities still exist between the treatment of black women and white women with breast cancer. "I think it's important to understand why we're seeing these sorts of variations," said Jatoi, who was not involved in this study. Read Reuters article | More about Dr. Jatoi | Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery (8-1-11)

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News from the Department of Surgery