News from the Department of Surgery
Congratulations to Basil Pruitt, MD, Clinical Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, who has been invited to
become an honorary member of the International Society of Surgery:
In April 2013, the Executive Committee of the Swiss-based International Society of Surgery (ISS) voted
unanimously to award a prestigious honorary membership in the ISS to Dr. Pruitt.
In August 2013, an award ceremony will be held during the ISS
International Surgical Week in Helsinki, Finland.
The ISS represents five integrated surgical societies, as well as surgeons from more than 100 countries, with a goal of
international surgical education in developed and developing countries throughout the world.
More about Dr. Pruitt |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery |
Learn more about ISS
(5-15-13)
Surgical Oncology chief Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, discusses Angelina Jolie's preventive mastectomy and the BRAC1 and BRAC2
genetic predisposition for breast and ovarian cancer with KSAT-12:
In an effort to lower her risk of breast cancer, actress & celebrity Angelina Jolie underwent a double
mastectomy and breast reconstruction in February. What might sound quite radical actually is not – Dr. Jatoi
explains the role of genetic testing in preventing breast and ovarian cancer, and presents some of the treatment options available
to women who have one or both of the genetic predisposition markers.
Dr. Jatoi's interview |
Angelina Jolie - In her words |
More about Dr. Jatoi |
UT Surgical Oncology website
(5-15-13)
Fox News - Pediatric trauma surgeons pulling double duty to help prevent more teen car crash deaths:
In the past four months alone, more than ten local teens have died in preventable car crashes. Lillian Liao, MD,
Pediatric Trauma Medical Director, and Brian Eastridge, MD, University Hospital Trauma Director, say
these wrecks are hard even for the surgeons and nurses. Trauma surgeons and emergency medicine physicians are
now working to help prevent more senseless teen accidents through safety programs such as University Health Systems'
'Drive Now, Text L8R'.
Click here to learn more
about this program. |
Read Fox News story, watch video |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(5-14-13)
Congratulations to Bruce Adams, MD, and the faculty and staff of what
is now the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Established as a division of the Department of Surgery in 1993, Emergency Medicine
became a Center in the fall of 2012, and has now met all the UTHSCSA, UT System, and
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reviews, requirements and approvals required to
become a free-standing department.
More about the Department of Emergency Medicine
(5-14-13)
Congratulations to Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
who has been named President-Elect of the Southwestern Surgical Congress. SWSC elections were held
during their recent 2013 annual meeting
held in Santa Barbara, CA. Founded in 1948, the Southwestern Surgical Conference
offers educational programs to stimulate and promote the progress of surgery to
general and specialty surgeons in member states.
Read HSC Express news article |
More about Dr. Stewart |
More about Southwestern Surgical Congress
(4-2-13)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, in KSAT-12
story on synthetic marijuana: There is a growing concern among San Antonio
law enforcement and physicians about the use of synthetic marijuana, also known
as 'spice'.
"We've seen people have seizures and go completely comatose after smoking some of this stuff,"
said Dr. Miguel Fernández.
Click
here for complete story. |
Visit South Texas Poison Center website
(4-2-13)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, interviewed
on WOAI Radio regarding Texas poison centers closures:
Slashed budgets in both the state and federal governments are targeting poison
centers across Texas. In order to supplement, there has been talk of closing two
of the six within the state.
"It would have a tremendous impact on the quality of education in South Texas,"
Dr. Fernández said. "It's not just the service over the phone it's also the
service of educating future health care practitioners."
Click
here to read article or listen to interview. |
Visit South Texas Poison Center website
(4-2-13)
Spring Breakers treated for seizures: State health officials were looking into reports Tuesday of what
could be an unusual number of people having drug-related seizures and hospitalizations during Spring
Break last week, including four people who had to be put on ventilation. South Texas Poison Control
Center Director Miguel Fernández, MD, confirmed that hospitals reported more than 100 people
transported for treatment. Dr. Fernández, MD, said local toxicology tests showed the substance contained
alcohol and cocaine, but more advanced tests are needed to show other drugs. Even so, bath salts and
Ecstasy may not show up on a drug test, he added.
View
Dr. Fernández's interview on KENS5 |
Read MySA.com article |
WOAI Radio interview, article |
Visit South Texas Poison Center website
(3-20-13)
Basil Pruitt, MD, Clinical Professor of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, in recent New York Times article:
In October 1973, a 4-year-old
Brooklyn boy was terribly burnt when a man threw acid on his face. At the time,
Dr. Pruitt was head of the US Army Institute for Surgical Research, affiliated with BAMC – the only military hospital dedicated to treating
burn victims. And only the military could deal with this kind of injury. Dr. Pruitt sent a team to pick up the child in New York, and bring him to San
Antonio. He knew immediately that the boy's vision could not be saved, and they began the long and extremely
painful process of rebuilding the child's face.
Even after 40 years, the memories are vivid for Dr. Pruitt.
It's an amazing story and well worth a few minutes of your time! —
please
click here to read NY Times article
More about Dr. Pruitt |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(3-5-13)
Congratulations to Lillian Liao, MD, Assistant Professor, Trauma & Emergency Surgery: In February 2013, Dr. Liao
was honored with University Health System's top award for their staff - The Commitment to Excellence award, given to one
staff member who is the best of the best. (Pictured right:
Dr. Liao and General Surgery Resident Pedro Pablo Gomez, MD.)
More about Dr. Liao |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(2-27-13)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center, quoted in
Texas Tribune article: The agency that oversees the state's 911 system and our
poison control centers has too much money — and not enough. The Commission
on State Emergency Communications provides poison control services for the entire
state and 911 services for primarily rural areas; funds are provided by fees paid
by every Texas cell phone owner and wireless service user.
Click here to read the
article in the Texas Tribune.
(2-26-13)
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, invited
speaker at international breast cancer conference: Dr. Jatoi spoke on
'Breast conserving therapy - Indications, margins and modern aspects,' at
the American University of Beirut Breast Cancer Conference in Beirut,
Lebanon in February. The conference was held in collaboratiojn with the Lebanese
Society of General Surgery, the American College of Surgeons - Lebanese Chapter, and the
Lebanese Society of Radiation Oncology.
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website |
More about Dr. Jatoi
(12-19-12)
Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD, attends ACGME site visit:
Dr. Oliver, Professor of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, attended
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) visit
on February 11, 2013. ACGME site visits are intended to be collegial and education
experiences for programs and sponsoring institutions, as well as to be
helpful to program directors.
More about Dr. Oliver |
(12-19-12)
Congratulations to Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of
Endodontics, Dental School and Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology and Surgery in the School of
Medicine, and cross-appointed in surgery research: Dr. Hargreaves has been chosen as this year's
Presidential Award Distinguished Senior Research Scholar. Among other projects, Dr. Hargreaves and
his research team have discovered pain-causing compounds and are developing a new class of
nonaddictive painkillers.
More about Dr. Hargreaves and
his research
(2-12-13)
Congratulations to Bob Esterl, MD, Transplant, who has returned to the
School of Medicine Dean's Office as Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Medical Education:
Dr. Esterl's initial focus will be leadership
and direction of the School of Medicine's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
accreditation response and ensuring SACS compliance. He will also take a lead role in
crafting the Medical Student Performance Evaluation and shepherding graduating students through the Match.
More about Dr. Esterl (1-22-13)
Carmen Jiminez, South Texas Poison Center Educator, passed away Monday, December 31, 2012 after a difficult
battle with cancer. Services for Carmen were held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
in San Antonio.
Carmen's years of superior knowledge and invaluable experience in the
implementation of education programs for school age children, adults and the
elderly were invaluable. Her organizational skills and bilingual communication
abilities enabled her to work with a wide variety of audiences, and she
will be missed not only here at the Health Science Center but also in the
communities she served in San Antonio and South Texas. Please keep her family
in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
(1-8-13)
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
interviewed by BreastCancerAnswers.com: Jay K. Harness, MD medical director of BreastCancerAnswers.com, interviewed
Dr. Jatoi December 6, 2012, regarding the use of pre-operative breast MRI in patients with
newly diagnosed breast cancers.
View interview on BreastCancerAnswers.com |
View more San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium interviews on YouTube |
Visit UT Surgical Oncology website |
More about Dr. Jatoi
(12-11-12)
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and Chief, UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and
Metabolic Surgery, was interviewed December 1, 2012, on San Antonio's KLUP News Talk radio for the Movers and Shakers broadcast.
Dr. Peterson is also the Medical Director of CHRISTUS Weight Loss Institute - Westover Hills.
UT Weight Loss |
More about Dr. Peterson
(12-5-12)
Ismail Jatoi, MD, PhD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
interviewed on Texas Public Radio: Dr. Jatoi discussed pre-surgical MRI for a report on the San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium, held in December 2012. Dr. Jatoi moderated a panel on 'Controversies
in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer', which included topics 'Sentinel
node biopsy in breast cancer - before or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy',
Evolving trends in implant breast reconstruction', and Dr. Jatoi's topic, 'The
role of MRI in management of primary breast cancer'.
More on the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
More about Dr. Jatoi |
Division of Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery
(12-11-12)
Congratulations to Surgery faculty recently awarded tenure: Newly tenured faculty include Brian Eastridge, MD, Professor /
Clinical, Trauma and Emergency Surgery and Trauma Medical Director, University Hospital; Lori L. Pounds, MD, Associate Professor /
Clinical, Vascular / Endovascular Surgery and Chief of the Vascular Service at the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital; and
Maureen K. Sheehan, Associate Professor, Vascular / Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery Medical Director at the MARC, and as Associate
Program Director for the Department of Surgery General Surgery Residency Program.
Click here to see list of honorees |
More about Dr. Eastridge |
More about Dr. Pounds |
More about Dr. Sheehan
(12-5-12)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
awarded prestigious trauma award:
Dr. Stewart was presented the 2012 GETAC (Governor's EMS & Trauma Advisory Council) Journey of Excellence Award at
this year's Texas EMS Conference in Austin. The award winner is selected by the GETAC in recognition
of their dedication and contributions to the state EMS / Trauma System. Jane Guerrero, RN, of the
Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Coordination at the Texas Department of State Health Services, says,
"For years, Dr. Stewart has been and continues to be, a tireless advocate for our trauma system in
Texas. Texans, all 26+ million of them, are better off because of him."
More about Dr. Stewart (11-19-12)
Boyce Oliver, Jr., MD, appointed to Commission on Cancer position: The
American College of Surgeons has announced the 3-year appointment of Dr. Oliver,
Professor of Surgical Oncology in the Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery, as Cancer Liaison Physician for the cancer program at
University Health System. Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of
cancer programs accredited by the ACS Commission on Cancer. Dr. Oliver is a
member of the multidisciplinary cancer committee at University Health System,
and has a significant interest in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with
malignant diseases.
More about Dr. Oliver |
More info on FACS Commission on Cancer |
Read FACS press release
(11-14-12)
University Hospital earns Pediatric Level II Trauma Center designation:
For many years, University Hospital, as the lead Level I trauma center
for South Texas, has been the primary destination for the treatment of
life-threatening injuries in both adults and children.
University Hospital is now the first in South Texas to be recognized for its
expertise in treating serious injuries in children.
This designation is awarded by the American College of Surgeons Committee on
Trauma, Verification / Consultation Program for Hospitals. Established by the ACS
Committee on Trauma in 1987, the Consultation / Verification Program is designed
to promote the development of trauma centers in which participants
provide the hospital resources necessary to address the trauma needs of
all injured patients.
Read more
(11-6-12)
New Emergency Medicine residency program announced:
Bruce Adams, MD, Director of the Center for Emergency Medicine, said beginning a residency in emergency medicine is
critical because of the shortage of emergency doctors in the United States, and
especially in South Texas. This is the first civilian emergency medicine residency program in South
Texas. The Center for Emergency Medicine (formerly known as the Division
of Emergency Medicine in the Department of Surgery) in the university's School of Medicine, has
partnered with University Health System (UHS) for this new residency
program.
Read HSC News story |
View
KENS5 story |
Learn more about the Emergency Medicine
Residency Program | Center for Emergency Medicine
(10-3-12)
The Department of Surgery and Professor & Chairman, Ronald M. Stewart, MD,
are very pleased to announce Dr. Brian Eastridge has joined the Division of
Trauma and Emergency Surgery in the Department of Surgery in full time capacity
as Professor / Clinical and the new Trauma Medical Director at University
Hospital. Dr. Eastridge earned his MD in 1989 from the University of Maryland
School of Medicine, and completed his general surgery residency there in 1996. He
completed a surgical critical care and trauma fellowship at UT Southwestern in 1997,
and served on their faculty from 1997 until 2005. In 2005, Dr. Eastridge joined
the US Army fulltime, serving in many key roles, including Division Chief of the US Army
Institute for Surgical Research.
Read Dr. Stewart's complete welcome letter |
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
(9-25-12)
UT Surgery trauma surgeon Jayson Aydelotte, MD, called on Army surgical experience to treat injured man:
San Antonio's south side late in the evening of Monday September 17, 2012, when a plant
worker's leg became lodged between two rollers. The San Antonio Fire Department's Technical
Rescue Team, an ambulance, and AirLife were called — along with a trauma surgeon. During Dr. Aydelotte's
Army career, he performed about 100 amputations, but this was the first field amputation. With the assistance of
a medical student, the surgery was performed, and the man was immediately airlifted to University Hospital.
Read MySA article |
More about Dr. Aydelotte |
More about UT Trauma & Emergency Surgery (9-19-12)
The School of Medicine, the Department of Surgery and Division of
Emergency Medicine are delighted to announce the transition of the
Division of Emergency Medicine to the Center
for Emergency Medicine effective September 1, 2012. As announced in March, Bruce D. Adams, M.D.
was recruited as Chief Designate of the Division of Emergency Medicine effective 9/1/2012.
With the creation of this new Center, Dr. Adams will become the inaugural Center Director.
His extensive leadership experience will serve him well as he takes the reins of Emergency
Medicine at the School of Medicine and develops this extremely important academic and
clinical endeavor.
Please join us in both welcoming Dr. Adams to the School of Medicine and congratulating him
on his expanded role as a Center Director.
Read complete announcement
(8-22-12)
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the resurgence of our Business Leadership seminars for our
faculty, residents and fellows:
The seminars will be presented on a monthly basis – it is hoped that all faculty, residents and fellows will
make every effort to attend these valuable eductional opportunities.
Personal finance – What all surgery residents need to know
Presenter: Clinton E. Baisden, MD, FACS (pictured, left)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm, Room 209L (please note date change!)
Everything you always wanted to know about coding – But were afraid to ask...
Presenter: Matthew J. Sideman, MD, Vascular / Endovascular Surgery (pictured, right)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 6:30-8:30 pm, Room 209L
(8-14-12)
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and Chief, UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, discusses
obesity "vaccine" – KENS5 interview:
A new experimental vaccine targets a hormone known to slow metabolism and cause
weight gain. When tested on obese mice, studies showed they lost about 10
percent of their weight in just four days. "Right now, the most durable
treatment for obesity is a surgical approach," said Dr. Peterson.
"If we were able to get something like that to work, this obesity epidemic that
we see in the United States and the world frankly would be abated."
Peterson said obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, and many
people just want that one quick option to help them obtain a slimmer physique.
View KENS5 interview |
UT Weight Loss |
More about Dr. Peterson
(7-17-12)
KENS5 interviews Lillian Liao, MD, Trauma, in support of the
Trauma Toy Chest for pediatric burn and trauma patients: In an interview with
Wendy Rigby, KENS5 health reporter, Dr. Liao explains how sometimes, it's the smallest
things that can make a big difference for a pediatric trauma or burn patient.
The Trauma Toy Chest, started in 2008 by surgery residents, provides soft fuzzy new stuffed animals for our smallest
patients, providing a distraction from the frequently unpleasant
medical procedures they must go through.
View
KENS5 story |
En Español |
New! Online donation site for Trauma Toy Chest! |
More about Dr. Liao
(7-11-12)
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and Chief, UT Medicine Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, discusses increased
risk of alcoholism following gastric bypass surgery – KENS5 interview:
According to Dr. Peterson and other experts on the subject, the surgical procedure
changes the way the body metabolizes and digests alcohol, and can lead to an increased risk of alcoholism.
Another issue involved is the possibility that the patient's food addiction can transfer itself to an
alcohol addiction after surgery. These possible problems, and others, are discussed in detail with
the patient prior to undergoing surgery.
View KENS5 interview |
UT Weight Loss |
More about Dr. Peterson
(7-2-12)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center interviewed by Brownsville Herald
regarding synthetic marijuana: Concerned with the recent increase in synthetic marijuana use, Brownsville police
are anticipating an increase in arrests for possession. According to Dr. Fernández, "It's the dose that
makes the poison. The more you get the worse it is." STPC data about the drug – which is sometimes called
synthetic marijuana, K2 or Spice – only goes back to 2010, the first year calls about exposure to the drug were tallied.
Since then, the center has received just seven calls from Cameron County,
according Fernández, who has more than 20 years working in emergency rooms. This interview was also reported in the Valley Star.
Read Brownsville Herald article |
Read Valley Star article |
More about Dr. Fernandez |
South Texas Poison Center
(6-19-12)
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery,
presents tort reform study at 2012 Digestive Disease Week: In an interview
published in the 21 May 2012 online Internal Medicine News, Dr. Stewart explains
the beneficial impact the 2003 tort reform has had on Texans, including a
growing number of physicians per patients served. "Tort reform, as implemented
in Texas, was associated with an increase in practicing physicians with
resultant improved access to care," Dr. Stewart concluded.
Read article |
More about Dr. Stewart
(5-22-12)
UT Weight Loss now offering free information seminars in New Braunfels:
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, Director of UT Weight Loss and the UT Medicine Center for
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, is pleased to announce that they will be offering free information
seminars on upcoming Saturdays at the New Braunfels McKenna Events Center. If you're considering weight loss
surgery, please give them a call at 210-438-8446 and register for one of the upcoming info seminars. For a complete
list of dates, times, and locations for free information seminars and support groups, please click here to visit the
UT Weight Loss website.
(5-9-12)
Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, podcast on KGNB radio, New Braunfels: If you are considering weight loss surgery, please take a few minutes to listen to Dr. Peterson's recent interview podcast from KGNB radio in New Braunfels. Highly informative and interesting, the podcast answers many of the general questions you might have about bariatric surgery — does insurance cover this? what is the recovery time involved? how do you get started on the approval process? when is the free information seminar? Listen to KGNB podcast | Free information seminars (5-15-12)
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons help revolutionize the repair of
unstable breastbones: Aided by digital imaging, and in collaboration with radiologists and
cardiothoracic surgeons, Howard Wang, MD, and Luis Jaramillo, MD, Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery, are part of the team who are successfully working together on
a new breakthrough in treatment for patients with unstable breastbones. In about 3 percent of
heart bypass patients, the divided breastbone does not heal properly, leading to a poorer outcome, chronic pain,
and a significantly reduced quality of
life for these patients.
Read this article in the Mission magazine |
More about Dr. Wang | More about Dr. Jaramillo
(5-9-12)
If you have reflux, you may be interested in the TIF® procedure, a new incisionless surgical treatment
option for reflux disease: Please join us on Wednesday,
May 9, 6 p.m. at the MARC, Conference Room B, for an informational seminar, presented by Kent Van Sickle, MD,
Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the Johnson Center for
Surgical Innovation. The TIF® procedure — Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication — is used
to treat the underlying anatomical cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The procedure can reconstruct the antireflux
valve at the entrance to your stomach with no incisions, which means no scars and a much faster recovery period.
(5-8-12)
South Texas Poison Center Seminar — Emergency Treatment of Toxic Exposure to be held Saturday, June 23, 2012,
at the CTRC in the Mabee Conference Room, 7:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Registered nurses and interprofessional
healthcare providers in South Texas who treat the poisoned patient are encouraged to attend, but space is limited
so please register early by calling 450-5107 or 450-5100.
Click here for flyer and brochure downloads.
(5-1-12)
Thelma Hurd, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine
Surgery, presented 'Hispanic Women, Screening and Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Where Access and Biology
Collide' at the inaugural Surgical Healthcare Disparities meeting in Baltimore Md. Co-sponsored by the Society of
Black Academic Surgeons, Johns Hopkins and Howard University, this is the first healthcare disparities symposium
focused on surgical issues in underserved populations held in the United States.
More about Dr. Hurd (4-18-12)
Founding faculty video interviews now available:
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the UT Health Science Center Libraries, the School of
Medicine, the Alumni Association, and the Office of Development, you can now watch video interviews
of the founding faculty, including Surgery's Tony Cruz, MD; Iris McFee and Arthur McFee, MD; Carlos Pestana, MD;
and Harlan Root, MD.
View interviews |
View presentation of Surgery's history |
More about Surgery's 40 years at the Health Science Center
(4-5-12)
School of Medicine's Winter 2011 FUTURE magazine features our military partnership: The relationship between
the School of Medicine and the Department of Surgery with San Antonio's military presence began more than 40 years ago. The
article focuses on the ongoing contributions and collaborations between our healthcare training and patient care, and the
members of the military who continue to contribute. Several Department of Surgery faculty are featured – Basil Pruitt, MD,
Division of Trauma and Emergency Surgery; Ismail Jatoi, MD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery; Richard M.
Peterson, MD, MPH, FACS, Chief of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Anatolio Cruz, MD, Division of Surgical Oncology and
Endocrine Surgery; and Craig Manifold, MD, Division of Emergency Medicine.
Read/download FUTURE Winter 2012
(4-5-12)
The Department of Surgery and the Division of Emergency Medicine are extremely pleased to announce the Chief
Designate of Emergency Medicine, Bruce D. Adams, MD. Dr. Adams will take the position in September 2012.
Currently he serves as Deputy Commander for Clinical Services and
Chief of the Medical Staff at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, overseeing
medical care provided to over 90,000 soldiers, family
members and veterans on Fort Bliss - the fastest growing and most expansive US military base
in the world. Prior to moving to Fort Bliss, he performed a wide range of military duties that included serving
on special operations tours and combat deployments and acting as the Chief of the Emergency
Medicine Service at Brooke Army Medical Center. The author of many publications, he has
been honored in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science and Engineering and the Guide
to America's Top Emergency Medicine Physicians on numerous occasions. He has also been
awarded frequent Faculty of the Year Awards. We are grateful to Dr. Justin Williams for his superb efforts in leading the Division during this transition.
He has moved the Division forward and has developed a strong foundation for a future
Department of Emergency Medicine.
Division of Emergency Medicine
(3-20-12)
Congratulations to Department of Surgery faculty presenting poster and paper sessions at the 2012
Annual Surgical Education Week in San Diego, California:
Poster — 'Assessing the Impact of an Undergraduate Surgical Internship Readiness
Elective on Surgery Internship Performance'. Surgery faculty Patrick Nguyen, MD, Joseph Love, DO,
Robert M. Esterl, Jr., MD, and Matthew Sideman, MD, and Bret Simon, PhD, Educational Development Specialist, UTHSCSA.
Paper session — 'Utility of the American College of Surgeons Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum
as Knowledge Preparatory Tool for Incoming Surgery Interns'. Surgery faculty Ross E. Willis,
PhD, and Richard M. Peterson, MD.
More about the General Surgery Residency Program |
More about Surgery Education Week
(3-7-12)
UT Medicine Vascular / Endovascular Surgery now offering services in Stone Oak:
On March 19, 2012, Maureen Sheehan, MD, and Matthew Sideman, MD, will begin providing complete vascular and endovascular surgical
services at the Methodist Stone Oak Medical Pavilion, located at 1139 East Sonterra Blvd., Suite 565.
Drs. Sheehan and Sideman will provide services for the treatment of vascular diseases,
as well as additional related services including dialysis access and spider and varicose vein treatment. UT Medicine Vascular /
Endovascular Surgery will no longer provide clinical services at the Baptist Atrium location. For patient appointments or referrals at
any of our locations, please call 210-567-5715.
More about Dr. Sheehan |
More about Dr. Sideman |
More Vascular clinics info |
More information about the Division of Vascular /
Endovascular Surgery (3-6-12)
Miguel Fernández, MD, Director, South Texas Poison Center discusses potential hazards of household
chemicals: After a recent incident in which children at a Gonzales daycare facility were
mistakenly given diluted bleach to drink, South Texas Poison Center Director
Miguel Fernández, MD, discussed
facts about the hazards of bleach and other household chemicals, and how they are stored.
Read HSC News article |
UTHSCSA Press Release |
South Texas Poison Center website |
(2-28-12)
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 (Transplant), 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)
