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Surgical Notes
A Newsletter from the VCU Department of Surgery
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Congratulations to Our 'Top Docs'! | |
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Congratulations to our team members named as Richmond Magazine's 'Top Docs'!
Over 40 providers in the department were recognized for their exceptional patient-focused care provided to patients in the Richmond region, and beyond.
See the full list of VCU providers...
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Dr. Thomson Named One of Three Medical Marvels | |
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Among the 'Top Docs' featured was Dr. Nicholos Thomson, who was one of three highlighted as part of the 'Medical Marvels' section: "Forensic psychologist Nicholas Thomson, director of research for the Injury & Violence Prevention Program at VCU Health Trauma Center, remembers how a group of 8-year-olds reacted years ago when they were given virtual reality headsets to simulate a roller coaster ride. “They were so excited; it was the talk of the school for a long time,” he says.
Now, Thomson is relying on the appeal of virtual reality to help people at high risk of gun violence learn ways to avoid further harm. He was recently awarded a nearly $2 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and evaluate a program that will feature a 25-minute experience with a virtual reality headset that will create realistic situations to allow participants to role-play nonviolent alternatives to gun violence, showing how they could defuse a situation or disengage safely.
Read more...
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IVPP Postdoc Fellow Interviewed by the BBC | |
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Dr. Sophie Kjaervik, postdoctoral scholar with the Injury & Violence Prevention Program, was recently interviewed by the BBC about the effectiveness of venting when upset or angry. In the interview, she explains the science behind venting and also offers more useful techniques for addressing anger
View interview here...
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Finding New (Educational) Uses for the Cottrell Surgical Innovation Suites | |
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Dr. Kirsty Dixon is working with Amanda Jabri to spearhead the development of new Surgical Skills Training Workshops using animal models in the newly renovated Cottrell Surgical Innovation Suites in Sanger 9. Historically, VCU has never had these types of training workshops so these will be a first-of-their-kind here in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Dixon is working with the various clinical faculty across the different Surgery subdivisions to develop the curriculum for each workshop.
The idea is that after the trainee surgeons finish their modules working with synthetic models, the trainee surgeons will attend these new workshops which to get more of a hands-on experience prior to working with patients for the first time. According to Dr. Daniel Newton “This training model will allow residents to learn what is otherwise impossible to effectively teach hands on experience responding to catastrophic intraoperative events. This is a unique opportunity for our trainees and helps us stand out among vascular surgery training programs”.
Workshops are currently being developed for trainees in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Dixon is also working with faculty in the Department of Neurosurgery to help develop workshops for Neurosurgery trainees, and are expected to start in the second half of 2024.
Additionally, Dr. Dixon wants to discuss with all clinical faculty how they may be able to take advantage of these workshops for themselves to train on any new surgical devices, as appropriate. It’s time for some ‘Surgical Innovation’!!
For more information, please contact Dr. Kirsty Dixon: kirsty.dixon@vcuhealth.org
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True love’s sacrifice: Living liver donor saves her fiancé's life
Christ Harris was living in constant pain. The pain was ultimately linked to an extremely rare liver cancer.
Despite treatment involving a liver resection, the cancer returned, and doctors in his home-state of Georgia told him his only viable option was a transplant from a living liver donor. Christ’s fiancée, Jess Garrett, stepped up to be his living donor.
Due to the complexity of the surgery, they were referred to VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center several hours away in Richmond, Virginia.
Read more...
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Rare dual transplant gives longtime VCU Health patient newfound freedom
Strong collaboration between Hume-Lee Transplant Center and Pauley Heart Center highlights the undeniable proof that team members are pursuing innovative methods to improve patient care at VCU Health.
Read more...
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VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center completes 100th rare procedure to treat chronic pancreatitis
VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center is one of few national transplant centers performing total pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation, in coordination with a lab that is gaining support from national and international researchers.
Read more...
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VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center studies safe use of HIV and hepatitis C co-infected donor kidneys for transplant
Building on research and successful patient outcomes, the center works to further expand organ access for a traditionally disadvantaged patient population.
Read more...
| 2024 Department of Surgery Research Day | The Department of Surgery Research Day showcased the outstanding basic and clinical research work being performed by our residents, medical students, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. It also provided a unique opportunity for our trainees, faculty and researchers to learn from pioneers and world leaders in xenotransplantation, namely Dr.’s Kazuhiko Yamada and Bartley Griffith. Congratulations to all who presented and contributed to such an impressive display of scholarship. | |
Department Admins Recognized for their Service | | |
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Congratulations to our HR Administrator, Jessica Carey (left), for earning "The Danny Woodward President’s Service Excellence Award"!
Noted from colleagues:
"Jessica Carey is the department of surgery's true north. She has a unique skill in navigating often complex, emotional, and sensitive situations for our faculty and staff and she does it with just the right amount of directness and empathy."
"Jessica consistently goes above and beyond, exceeding expectations in every facet of her job. Her service to the Department of Surgery and its colleagues is nothing short of remarkable."
Learn more...
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Congratulations to our Administrative Coordinator, Janelle Fortes, on being nominated for the "Dorris Douglas Budd Award"
"This award recognizes a full-time administrative support staff who is reliable, able to evaluate and solve problems, is innovative in their jobs, knows where to find answers within internal and external 'connections', is service-oriented, shows pride in both VCU/VCU Health and their job, and has demonstrated professional growth."
Colleagues noted:
"Janelle is resourceful, able to pivot priorities when needed, and is a servant leader exemplifying professional stewardship, caring about her work and others, and personal & professional integrity."
"Janelle is dependable, reliable, and precise in her work and always operates with a sense of quiet confidence, never seeming to get riled up or stressed over anything, which is invaluable in the chaotic clinical environment we live in"
Learn more...
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Cardiothoracic Surgery APP Appointed to Board of Directors for AACN Certification Corporation | |
Stephen Holman, NP (Cardiothoracic Surgery), was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Corporation. The term will be for 3 years, where he will be representing VCU on a national level advocating for both bedside nurses, as well as advanced practice nurses: "The AACN Board of Directors unites our community of exceptional nurses, to shape the future of nursing practice. These leaders help to further our mission of a patient- and family-driven healthcare system where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution."
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Dr. Kandace McGuire Published in the NEJM | |
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Dr. McGuire has published an article Titled “Axillary Dissection – The Bell Tolls for Thee” in the April 2024 New England Journal of Medicine.
To read, click here...
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Dr. Victoria Findlay Among Those Recognized at Massey | |
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Dr. Victoria Findlay was recently recognized for her role in the Massey Cancer Center, achieving comprehensive status along with the rest of the Massey Leadership. A family-friendly Carnival was held to celebrate this achievement: “We couldn’t have earned this comprehensive status without the partnership of our community members, who help us perform more targeted research to better meet our population’s specific needs,” said Robert A. Winn, M.D., Massey director and Lipman Chair in Oncology. “This carnival is our way of saying thank you, celebrating and looking ahead to what accomplishments we can achieve together next.”
Congratulations to Dr. Findlay and everyone else involved in this achievement!
Read more...
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VCU Robotic Whipple Program Highlighted | |
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The robotic whipple program at VCU was highlighted at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, which is the largest national stage for endoscopic and minimally invasive surgeries.
Our second-year fellow in Complex General Surgical Oncology, Dr. Brian Sparkman, presented three cases of young females with a relatively rare pancreatic tumor. The youngest was 11 years old. They underwent a complex pancreatic surgery involving the removal of the head of the pancreas, portion of the small bowel, portion of the stomach, bile duct and gallbladder. The remaining pancreas, bile duct, and stomach were all reconnected to the bowel again.
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Noah Clough, BS
Lab Manager
VCU Department of Surgery
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How long have you been with Surgery?
I have been with the Department of Surgery since January of 2024. I worked with Orthopedic Surgical Research (MI3 lab) from 2022-2024.
Describe your role in your own words.
I would describe my role as a taking on a wide spectrum of opportunities all working towards a common goal. This role allows me to learn new things every single day as well as improving on existing conditions set in place in regards to continuing education, research experiments, and overall promoting the presence of our incredible Innovation Suite.
Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position? What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job?
The most exciting part of my job is the diversity of research I get to assist with, learn, and help coordinate. With the numerous labs incorporated into the department I am able to see and participate in various innovations that will ultimately benefit the advancement of medicine.
One of the most satisfying things about my job is being able to problem solve and take something and make it even better from a management standpoint.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy going to concerts, travelling, and finding new hobbies to learn. I have recently earned my certification to be a nationally registered EMT which I plan on volunteering at my local rescue squad to help support and provide care for my community in my free time!
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Shining Knight Gala - Saturday, May 18, 2024
The 15th Annual Shining Knight Gala will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. followed by program and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Dancing to follow the program. Formal Attire (long gowns and suits).
Click for more details and to purchase tickets...
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The Isaac A. Bigger Dinner - Saturday, June 22nd from 6 – 9pm
The Marriott in downtown Richmond
The Isaac A. Bigger Dinner for graduating General Surgery Residents and Surgical Fellows will be held on Saturday, June 22nd from 6 – 9pm at The Marriott in downtown Richmond (500 E. Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219).
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Named Lecture Series Schedule | |
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Theogaraj Lecture – June 13, 2024
Bruce A. Mast, MD, FACS
Associate Dean of Regional Programs
Maurice J. Jurkiewicz Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
University of Florida College of Medicine
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Department of Surgery | Virginia Commonwealth University | (804) 828-7874 surgweb@vcu.edu | | | | |
