News from the Department of Surgery

Miniaturized assist devices providing hope for South Texas heart failure patients too ill for transplant: Jay D. Pal, MD, PhD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, is specialty-trained in heart transplantation and has extensive experience with mechanical circulatory support, such as the HeartMate II™, which significantly improves survival for extremely ill heart failure patients. In January 2010, the FDA approved use of the HeartMate II™, which provides a continuous flow left ventricular assist system, powered by an electrical cable that passes through the skin to a controller worn around the waist.
New implanted heart pumps give hope to more heart failure patients — KENS-5 News Story
Read HSC Press Release | More about Dr. Pal | Cardiothoracic Surgery (3-4-10)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the South Texas Poison Center, whose abstract, 'The Comparative Clinical Effects of Cocaine and Amphetamines', has been accepted for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in Bordeaux, France. The abstract will be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. | More about Dr. Fernández | South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)

Congratulations to Miguel Fernández, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the South Texas Poison Center, and Lizette Villarreal, MA, Assistant Director, South Texas Poison Center, whose abstracts, 'Health Care Disparities in Delivering Poison Center Services to Spanish Speakers in Texas' and 'Poison Center Data: Complete or Completely Inaccurate? How to Improve Accuracy in Data Recording' have been selected for presentation at the May 2010 XXX International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT), in Bordeaux, France. The abstracts will also be published in the peer-reviewed journal entitled Clinical Toxicology. | More about Dr. Fernández | More about Ms. Villarreal | South Texas Poison Center (3-3-10)

Body from scratch: Regenerative medical breakthroughs allowing doctors to regrow body parts: CNN International's World's Untold Stories', interviews Steven Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research and Professor of Surgery, as part of an in-depth story on regenerative medicine. Ushering in a new age of medicine, scientists are using regenerative medicine research to 'build' body parts. This research will allow a patient's own cells to harness the body's ability to regrow, and, in the not-so-distant future, will provide organs for the hundreds of thousands waiting for transplants worldwide.
View CNN Intl video report | More about Dr. Wolf (2-26-10)

Becky Doran, MD, Emergency Medicine, putting kids on the ER fast track: Pediatric emergency specialist Dr. Becky Doran has been on the job at University Hospital for just over a month, and she's embraced a new mission: to get the youngest patients in and out as quickly as possible. "We've instituted new protocols so that our pediatric patients are flagged the moment they walk in the door," explained Doran, director of pediatric emergency medicine at University Hospital. "They are treated and triaged completely differently than our adult population. When children are sick and time is of the essence, we want parents to think of our hospital as a good option for quality care." KENS-5 story & video | More about Dr. Doran | Division of Emergency Medicine (2-5-10)

Doctors are not paid more (or less) for minimally invasive surgery: In an interview with the San Antonio Business Journal, V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, UT Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon, states that, whether the patient is undergoing traditional open cardiac surgery or one of the newer minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) — where a surgeon goes in through the patient's side using robotic equipment — payment for the procedure is fixed. Although cost is no different, the patient benefits with a significantly reduced recovery period after an MIS procedure. Read more in the San Antonio Business Journal | More about Dr. Reddy | UT Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery (2-3-10)

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard T. Wang, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as Chief of the division. Dr. Wang is board certified in plastic surgery, and has served as Interim Chief of the division for two years. He also serves as director of the plastic surgery residency program. Dr. Wang received his medical training at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, earning his MD in 1995, and has also completed a general surgery residency, a plastic surgery residency, a postdoctoral research fellowship, and a postdoctoral hand surgery fellowship. He has extensive training in microvascular reconstruction of the lower extremities, head, neck and breast. More about Dr. Wang | More about the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1-28-10)

Congratulations to Charles R. Bauer, MD, CPE, Professor of Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, who has received the prestigious Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award. Dr. Bauer's years of work in disaster planning and response has led to countless lives being saved, and has ensured a much safer future for generations of Texans to come. Dr. Bauer was presented the award on December 9, 2009, by Texas First Lady, Anita Perry. The Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding service of an individual who has enhanced the delivery of social services in Texas — rare individuals who see impossible dreams and make them realities. More about the Governor's Volunteer Awards | More about Dr. Bauer (12-17-09)

SA doctor knows the true trauma of war: Working at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, John Bini, MD, trauma surgeon and critical care specialist, is in the center of everything connected with caring for our soldiers, as well as the Afghans who arrive as urgent cases and require immediate aid. Dr. Bini is the only trauma doc there, so he must scrub in on all urgent cases — a job that seems impossibly large. Read SA Express-News story | More about Dr. Bini (12-14-09)

Beloved academic pediatrician celebrates lifesaving kidney transplant: After enduring a year of kidney dialysis, John Mangos, MD, pediatrician at the UT School of Medicine in San Antonio, asked Glenn Halff, MD, interim dean of the school and Professor and Director of the Transplant Center, why his team did not transplants older patients. Dr. Halff replied, 'We do," and explained that the prospect of a successful outcome — not age — was the determining factor. With Dr. Mangos' son-in-law's match for a living kidney donation, the transplant journey was underway. Read the complete HSC News story about Dr. Mangos' lifesaving kidney transplant. | The Transplant Center (12-9-09)

Steve Wolf, MD, Vice Chair for Research, interviewed by CBS 60 Minutes' Morley Safer. A few weeks ago, Dr. Wolf was interviewed regarding the AFIRM (Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine) Muscle ECM (extracellular matrix) study at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Dr. Wolf's interview aired on CBS December 13, 2009. View CBS 60 Minutes segment - 'Growing Body Parts' | Read CBS News article | More about Dr. Wolf (12-14-09)

Congratulations to A.J. Carpenter, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who was recently elected to a three-year term on the Council of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association at their 2009 annual meeting. Southern Thoracic Surgical Association | More about Dr. Carpenter (11-30-09)

Living legend, Dr. Red Duke, Visiting Lecturer for General Surgery's November 16, 2009, Grand Rounds: The Department of Surgery was recently privileged to have Dr. Duke join us for Grand Rounds on the subject of 'The inevitability of Change.' For those who missed his talk, it is available on the internet: View Dr. Duke's Nov 2009 General Surgery Grand Rounds (11-20-09)

Congratulations to John H. Calhoon, MD, Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who has been named Vice Chairman and Chairman-Elect of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. From 2011 to 2013 he will lead the board, which certifies cardiothoracic surgeons nationwide and protects the public by establishing and maintaining high standards in the field. Dr. Calhoon, who joined the Health Science Center faculty in 1989, was mentored by South Texas transplant surgery pioneers J. Kent Trinkle, MD, and Frederick Grover, MD. Dr. Calhoon was named head of cardiothoracic surgery in 1994, succeeding Dr. Trinkle. He occupies the Calhoon President's Council Chair for Excellence in Surgery, which was established in his family's honor by Health Science Center supporters who are members of the President's Council. Read HSC Press Release | 18 Nov 2009 HSC News article | More about Dr. Calhoon | More about the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (11-18-09)

Jeffrey McNeil, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, performs first open heart surgery at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in New Braunfels: In a newly-renovated operating room, Dr. Jeffrey McNeil and his team performed the four hour operation. It was a success. The New Braunfels interventional cardiology program is prepared to perform one or two cardiac surgery cases per week, offering New Braunfels patients a first-class alternative to traveling for their heart disease care. Read Wendy Rigby - KENS-5 blog article | More about Dr. McNeil | Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (11-17-09)

The Department of Surgery is very pleased to announce that Ismail Jatoi, MD, will join our faculty on December 1, 2009, as professor and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jatoi comes to us from the Breast Care Center at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda where he served as the department head. He will lead the Division of Surgical Oncology and establish a surgical oncology practice at the CTRC and University Hospital focused on the management of breast diseases. Please join us in welcoming him to UTHSCSA and San Antonio. More about Dr. Jatoi | More about the Division of Surgical Oncology (11-13-09)

The Department of Surgery offers our condolences to the family of Javier J. Marcos, MD, who passed away Monday, November 9, 2009 in San Antonio. Dr. Marcos graduated medical school in 1965 from Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. He was a captain in the US Army during the Vietnam War, then finished his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at University Hospital here in San Antonio in 1975. Dr. Marcos pioneered a very successful practice as a heart surgeon for over three decades. His skills as a surgeon were exemplary, and his life touched many people in profound ways. (11-13-09)

Scene in SA Magazine publishes the 2009 Top Docs in San Antonio: 4000 local physicians were asked to list the physicians they would select to treat their own family members. We're extremely proud to announce our Department of Surgery 'best of the best' Top Docs in San Antonio:
Emergency Medicine: Charles Bauer, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery: Luis Angel, MD; John Calhoon, MD; Daniel DeArmond, MD; Scott Johnson, MD; Jeffrey McNeil, MD; V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA; Edward Y. Sako, MD, PhD
General Surgery: Kenneth R. Sirinek, MD, PhD; Kent Van Sickle, MD
Transplant: Glenn Halff, MD
Trauma Surgery: Daniel Dent, MD; Deborah Mueller, MD; John Myers, MD; Ronald M. Stewart, MD Vascular Surgery: Boulos Toursarkissian, MD (11-5-09)

Congratulations to Stephen M. Cohn, MD, Professor of Surgery, whose textbook, 'Acute Care Surgery and Trauma: Evidence-Based Practice,' was published in September 2009: The 586-page text focuses on important surgical management issues where one or more problems are addressed using scientific evidence from the published literature and, predominantly cites Level I and Level II evidence from the Oxford Scale. (11-4-09)

Loving nephew helps uncle with lifesaving liver transplant: Thanks to his nephew, James Steffanic, Joe Steffanic has recently celebrated his 60th birthday. In late August, James donated a portion of his liver to his uncle. Transplant surgeons Drs. Glenn Halff, Kenneth Washburn and Vincent Speeg performed an advanced type of liver transplant surgery at the University Transplant Center. This was the first living donor liver transplant performed in the past two years because of the extremely selective matching procedures used. Joseph is healing and getting stronger every day. "What my nephew did is a beautiful thing. I'm very proud of him for stepping up to help save my life," he said. "The surgeons are wonderful, too. I feel like everything is going to be OK." Read HSC News story (11-4-09)

Medical Arts & Research Center opens to patients: The newest attraction at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a striking, eight-story building filled with the latest technology and featuring the medical practices of the same doctors who teach and conduct world-class research in the School of Medicine. Read HSC News Story (11-4-09)

UTHSC opens towering new clinic in the medical center: UT Medicine's brand new 8-story building houses more than 200 doctors in 60 specialties. After several years and more than $100 million in development, planning and construction costs, the Medical Arts and Research Center is now a reality. "UT Medicine wants to create a one-stop shopping place for patients, "so that you don't have to go from doctor to doctor to doctor and travel around town to see this specialist or that specialist," explained Dr. William Henrich, president of UTHSC. Read / view KENS-5 story (10-22-09)

UTHSC opens towering new clinic in the medical center: UT Medicine's brand new 8-story building houses more than 200 doctors in 60 specialties. After several years and more than $100 million in development, planning and construction costs, the Medical Arts and Research Center is now a reality. "UT Medicine wants to create a one-stop shopping place for patients, "so that you don�t have to go from doctor to doctor to doctor and travel around town to see this specialist or that specialist," explained Dr. William Henrich, president of UTHSC. Read / view KENS-5 story (10-22-09)

Minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery performed by cardiothoracic surgeons V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, and Jeffrey McNeil, MD: After a heart catheterization test to rule out artery blockages, nurses had a sandwich and cold soft drink ready for their patient as the cardiologist delivered the news that an infection had damaged the patient's valve, and he would need heart valve replacement surgery as soon as possible. Drs. Reddy and McNeil performed the intricate three-hour minimally-invasive operation at University Hospital. The procedure required only a small four-inch incision on the patient's chest. Read Mission article | More about Dr. Reddy | More about Dr. McNeil (10-22-09)

'Keyhole' minimally invasive heart surgery leads to faster recoveries - V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, interviewed on KENS-5: Dr. Reddy, cardiothoracic surgeon, discusses the benefits of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. With only one small incision in the right chest and without dividing any bone, Dr. Reddy is able to use catheters to perform procedures that, in the past, have required a much more invasive approach. With the minimally invasive procedure, patients experience less pain and are able to return to work in a short period of time, as opposed to the traditional open heart surgery which requires a much longer recovery period for the patient.
Read KENS-5 story and view video | Cardiothoracic Surgery | More about Dr. Reddy (9-30-09)

Claire Escamilla, MD, interviewed on KENS-5 regarding this year's flu season: 'Just stay home' As ER waiting rooms fill with feverish South Texans, Dr. Escamilla, Medical Director of University Hospital Emergency Room and interim chief of Surgery's Division of Emergency Medicine, advises people to just stay home, treat the symptoms, and allow the flu to just run its course. "If you have a flu-like illness, fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, profound fatigue - you can safely assume that you have the flu," says Dr. Escamilla. She advises that a trip to the ER is not necessary unless you are having trouble breathing or are experiencing other strange symptoms, such as seizures or fever with a rash. Read and view the KENS-5 story
View Dr. Escamilla's interview video for some excellent advice on dealing with the flu season.
Emergency Medicine | More about Dr. Escamilla (9-25-09)

HSC physician Charles Bauer, MD, Emergency Medicine, commands joint medical training exercise: Led by Dr. Bauer, the Texas State Guard provided nearly 13,500 residents in South Texas with free medical and dental care during Operation Lone Star July 27-August 5, 2009. The annual event is a collaborative training exercise of the Texas State Guard Medical Brigade, the Army National Guard Medical Command, and the Air National Guard's 136th Airlift Wing, as well as state health and human services agencies, county health departments, local service groups, and civilian volunteers. Read HSC News story (9-10-09)

Congratulations to Paula K. Shireman, MD, Vascular Surgery, who has been selected as Chairman of the Research Committee of the American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. Dr. Shireman is also on the Board for the American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate. The South Central Affiliate of the American Heart Association is based in Austin, and includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. American Heart Association | More about Dr. Shireman (9-10-09)

Congratulations to Surgery faculty who received promotions as of September 1, 2009: (pictured, left to right)
•  Gregory Abrahamian, MD, Transplant, promoted to Associate Professor / Clinical
•  Andrea Carpenter, MD, PhD, Cardiothoracic Surgery, promoted to Professor / Clinical
•  V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, promoted to Associate Professor
•  Kent Van Sickle, MD, promoted to Associate Professor / Clinical   (9-9-09)

Matthew Sideman, MD, Vascular Surgery (pictured right); Patrick Nguyen, MD, General Surgery; and Ross Willis, PhD, Director of Surgery Education, assume leadership of Surgery Student Clerkship: Due to his new role as Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Bob Esterl will no longer be able to serve as Director of the Surgery Clerkship program; his outstanding service in this role will be missed by medical students as well as the Surgery faculty, staff, and residents. Dr. Sideman, who will serve as clerkship director, served in a similar capacity at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa, OK, and will be assisted by Drs. Nguyen and Willis. (9-9-09)

Craig Manifold, DO, AirLIFE medical director and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine: as the city's growth moves north, so does AirLIFE's home base. AirLIFE is shifting its homebase from downtown at Baptist Medical Center to Stone Oak at North Central Baptist Hospital. "It gives us the opportunity to be able to provide services here in the northern corridor and decrease our response times and hopefully be able to save lives by being able to reach more people in a shorter amount of time," said Dr. Manifold. KENS-5 news item and video clip | More about Emergency Medicine (9-02-09)

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