VCU Surgery Newsletter, September 2023

Volume 60 | September 2023

Surgical Notes

A Newsletter from the VCU Department of Surgery

VCU Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Receive National Award

The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) recently designated VCU Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) a Gold Level Center of Excellence for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

ELSO is an international nonprofit that maintains a registry of centers providing excellent care for ECMO. The award recognizes those centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction and ongoing clinical care. The Gold Level Center of Excellence designation is good for three years.

Above: The multidisciplinary team made up of respiratory therapists, physicians, perfusionists, nurse practitioners, nurses and administrators focusing on neonatal, pediatric and adult care.

Rotation 2 Teaching Awards

For Block 2, the Student's Choice Award for Surgical Teaching Excellence for an ATTENDING is:

DR. SAYURI JINADASA (Trauma/EGS)

Student Quotes:

"While working a 12 hour call shift, Dr. Jinadasa was proactive in encouraging students to get involved and integrating students in cases"

"Took a student on a tour of the abdomen and taught the students anatomy. She worked well with colleagues and residents."

"On July 4th, recorded an interesting procedure that she sent to the students" - students were off service for the holiday

" Did a great job at keeping the students engaged during operations and taught students how to use the bovie and proper techniques."

Honorable Mentions/Runners Up

Dr. William Timmerman (VA Surgery)

Dr. Francisco Albuquerque (Vascular)

Dr. Lance Hampton (Urology)

Dr. Mark Levy (Vascular)

Dr. Paul Perdue (Ortho)

Dr. Kelley Dodson (ENT)

For Block 2, the Student's Choice Award for Surgical Teaching Excellence for a RESIDENT is:

DR. RENEE CHOLYWAY (General Surgery)

Student Quotes:

"Easy to approach"

"Dr. Cholyway was always eager to teach students and taught students on their level. She reviewed ties and suturing and made everything shelf-specific. She never made it hard for students to ask questions."

"very patient"

"set clear expectations"

Honorable Mentions/Runners Up

Dr. Tiffany Wong (Urology)

Dr. Christopher Bednarz (Urology)

Dr. Arunima Punjala (General Surgery)

Dr. Alyssa Habermann (General Surgery)

Congratulations to Dr. Jinadasa and Dr. Cholyway and all the honorable mentions. THANK YOU to everyone for your dedication in teaching.

ACCS Welcomes Two New Attendings

Patrick Melmer, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Omar Rokayak, DO, FACS

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Please Welcome our 2023-2024 Surgery Fellows!

Click here to enlarge

Advanced Practice Provider Appreciation Week

From Dr. Kasirajan to our APPs:

Colleagues,

I would like to take this time to thank you all as Advanced Practice Providers, for your dedication to excellence. Some of you have been doing this work for decades and some of you are just starting on your journey. Each of you are an invaluable part of the Department of Surgery’s excellent team of health care professionals. The entirety of this department appreciates the impact you have had on the lives of our patients with your commitment to excellence, and value how you lift and support each other.

We recognize that you work hard daily, to move the mission of the Department of Surgery forward. Supporting our department’s core values of patient-centered care, educating the future generation of health care, staying on the forefront of research, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, being a national leader in surgical quality and safety, and maintaining high performance. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Vigneshwar Kasirajan, MD

Stuart McGuire Professor and Chair

Department of Surgery

Sharon Ancheta-Hecht

Associate Administrator

Bariatric & GI; Transplant Surgery

How long have you been with Surgery?

I started working with the Department of Surgery on September 5, 2023

Describe your role in your own words.

As the Associate Administrator for Department of Surgery for the Divisions of Bariatrics & GI, Community General at Tappahannock, and Transplant surgery, I work directly and in collaboration with the Division Chiefs to support their shared vision, lead and inspire the teams to take collective action, and execute the plans for growth for the Divisions, while ensuring our day-to day work is mobilizing the long-term vision of the Department.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting and greatest satisfaction of my job is that I am part of the bigger picture in helping people. I know the work that I am tasked to do will help support our surgeons so they can be in the OR to continue the great work that they do! There is a ramp up period of learning when joining a new Department, but I am ready to roll my sleeves up to lead and implement in any way that I can.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and our two Doberman Pinschers – our babies. We’re a foodie family, so we like to explore all the wonderful cuisine the Richmond area has to offer. When we’re not out exploring, I love to curl up with a good book or movie.