Department News

Felicia Williams, MD, FACS Selected as Southern Surgical Association Leadership Scholar

Felicia Williams, MD, FACS is the Associate Division Chief, Associate Director of the Burn Intensive Care Unit, and Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Burn Surgery. She has been selected as a Scholar in the Southern Surgical Association’s Leadership Development Program’s Class of 2023.  Learn more about Dr. Williams here  The Southern Surgical … Continued

Damitz, Stitzenberg, Wood & Gallagher Named Exceptional Women in Medicine

Congratulations to these exceptional women physicians and faculty members on the recognition of their excellence as they serve the people of North Carolina and beyond. About the Exceptional Women in Medicine Award: (Award by Castle Connolly Top Doctors):  Awardees are recognized annually, based on peer nominations and outstanding accomplishments and dedication to the field of … Continued

Akinkuotu Named UNC Simmons Scholar

The Department of Surgery is pleased to congratulate Adesola Akinkuotu, MD, MPH, named a University of North Carolina Simmons Scholar. Dr. Akinkuotu is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery. Her specialties include minimally invasive surgery, thoracic surgery, congenital anomalies, and prenatal counseling. As a Simmons Scholar, Dr. Akinkuotu will be eligible to … Continued

Melissa Chen, MD on Joining the Division of Abdominal Transplant

Melissa Chen, MD joined the Division of Abdominal Transplant as an Assistant Professor last Fall. We caught up with her to learn more about her background and goals. Dr. Chen’s medical training began with Medical School at Tulane University School of Medicine. She then conducted research as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within the Division of … Continued

Jeremiah “Jig” Deneve Joins UNC’s Division of Surgical Oncology

Jeremiah “Jig” Deneve, DO, FACS recently joined the UNC Department of Surgery as an Associate Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. Read more about his background, approach to surgery, teaching, and serving patients and loved ones. Dr. Deneve’s medical training includes a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern … Continued

Yeh recipient of the Lustgarten Foundation’s LEAD Project grant

The Lustgarten Foundation has awarded its inaugural Lustgarten Equity, Accessibility, and Diversity (LEAD) Project grant to Jen Jen Yeh, MD, in support of her PROmoting CLinicAl TrIal EngageMent for Pancreatic Cancer App Study (PROCLAIM Study).

Jesse Clement Selected for Emerging Leader Academy

  We are pleased to announce that Jesse Clement, Administrative Coordinator, has been recognized as an outstanding team member and leader in our department! As such, she has been invited to participate in the 2023 Emerging Leader Academy. This is a highly selective program designed for individuals who have been identified as outstanding team members … Continued

Blandon-Hendrix Earns Doctorate of Nursing Practice

Daniel Blandon-Hendrix, UNC Surgery’s Manager of Advanced Practice Providers, has earned his Doctorate of Nursing Practice.  Dan’s dedication as a team leader and to the Department’s mission to serve the people of North Carolina have been invaluable on many levels.  We celebrate Dan in his achievement in this significant career milestone.

Akinkuotu Selected to Receive Junior Faculty Development Award

Congratulations to Adesola Akinkuotu, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery.  She has been selected to receive a competitive Junior Faculty Development Award.   Each year, the Provost’s Office hosts a competition for $10,000 Junior Faculty Development Awards with funds provided by IBM and R.J. Reynolds Industries, Inc. Recipients are selected by the … Continued

UNC School of Medicine Selected as a 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award Winner

The UNC School of Medicine has received the 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The School of Medicine was recognized for its robust DEI infrastructure across campus, numerous efforts designed to provide education and training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, basic science researchers, health … Continued

Leadership, Excellence, and Service: Assistant Professor Maggie Hodges, MD, MPH on Joining UNC Surgery

Maggie Hodges, MD, MPH recently joined the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Specialized skills combined with a talent for putting patients and families at ease make her a wonderful addition to the team. Dr. Maggie Hodges earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and … Continued

Pascarella, Caranasos Receive Promotions

Congratulations to our faculty who recently received promotions.   Read more about these valued teammates and the depth and breadth of their work: Luigi Pascarella, MD, has been promoted to Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. Thomas Caranasos, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.  

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Gleeson on UNC’s Draw, Specialized Focus on Surgical Oncology and More

Elizabeth Gleeson, MD, MPH joined the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She discussed the draw of UNC’s cancer and epidemiologic research, as well as providing evidence-based care to the people of North Carolina. Dr. Elizabeth Gleeson received her undergraduate degree from Rice University, followed by a … Continued

Desai Guides Chronic Pancreatitis and Autologous Islet Cell Transplant Center Team to Earn National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence Designation

Chapel Hill, NC, October 27, 2022  – UNC Medical Center – Chronic Pancreatitis and Autologous Islet Cell Transplant Program has been nationally recognized as an approved NPF Center by the National Pancreas Foundation. NPF Centers are awarded after a rigorous audit review to determine that an institutions focus is on multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatitis, treating … Continued

Selfridge Joins UNC Surgery as Breast Surgical Oncologist

Julia Selfridge, MD, joined the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She joined us to discuss her path to specializing in breast surgical oncology and her goals as a physician and professor. Dr. Julia Selfridge received her undergraduate degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics along with … Continued

Dr. Booker King Speaks on 100th Annual Fire Prevention Week

Dr. Booker King, Director of the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center,  served as featured speaker as part of the ongoing partnership with  ABC11’s Operation Save a Life  to help North Carolinians prevent injuries from fire and other burns.  Dozens of North Carolinians die in a fire every year, with some years surpassing 100 fatalities, and … Continued

Akinkuotu selected to participate in Junior Underrepresented Mentorship and Promotion (JUMP) Start program

Adesola Akinkuotu, MD, MPH was selected from a highly competitive application process to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Junior Underrepresented Mentorship and Promotion (JUMP) Start program, sponsored by the Association of Academic Surgery (AAS) and the Society of University Surgeons (SUS).

Ikonomidis Receives NIH R56 Award from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Congratulations to John Ikonomidis, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery on his NIH R56 award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for “Device-Based Pathway Intervention: Mechanistic Study of Cellular Localization of Proteolytic Enzymes in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Disease”. 

Yeh and Collaborators receive 5 year NIH U01 Award

Dr. Jen Jen Yeh, in collaboration with Drs. Naim Rashid (UNC Biostatistis) and Susan Tsai (Medical College of Wisconsin) received a $4,616,009 NIH U01 award for the period 9/1/2022 – 8/31/2027 from the National Cancer Institute for the project entitled, “Integrating tumor and stroma to understand and predict treatment response”.

2022 Nathan A. Womack Research Day Celebrates Award Recipients, Keynote

The 2022 Nathan A. Research Day was a huge success! Thanks to Distinguished Visiting Professor Dr. Jayme Locke, MD, MPH. Award winners recognized: Jaclyn Portelli Tremont, MD: George F. Sheldon, MD Surgical Research Award for best oral presentation Hannah Trembath, MD: Best Clinical Science Poster Presentation Joe Kearney, MD: Best Basic Science Poster Presentation Olivia … Continued

Dr. Caprice C. Greenberg Named Next UNC Department of Surgery Chair

  Please join us in welcoming Caprice C. Greenberg, MD, MPH as the next UNC Department of Surgery Chair. She will join the Department on August 15. Dr. Greenberg is a world-renowned health services researcher and surgical oncologist, and she most recently served as chair of the Department of Surgery at the Medical College of … Continued

Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) Team Recieves Gold Designation

Please join us in congratulating the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) team as they received a Gold Designation as a Beacon Unit from the American Association of Critical-Care Nursing! The UNC SICU was one of only 30 ICUs in the nation to receive this recognition. Despite two years of the pandemic and limited resources, the … Continued

North Carolina Cancer Hospital at the UNC Medical Center Receives NAPRC Accreditation

North Carolina Cancer Hospital at the UNC Medical Center is the only organization in North Carolina accredited by the Commission on Cancer’s National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer. The story was first posted on UNC Health Newsroom January 20, 2022 North Carolina Cancer Hospital at the UNC Medical Center has received accreditation from the Commission … Continued

Dr. Mary Kate Bryant Receives the Best Clinical Paper in the Raymond Alexander Resident Paper Competition

Congratulations Dr. Mary Kate Bryant for receiving the Best Clinical Paper in the Raymond Alexander Resident Paper Competition at the 35th Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Annual Scientific Assembly! The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge to advance the care and rehabilitation of … Continued

Mody Receives K23 Grant From the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Gita Mody for receiving a K23 grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for her project entitled “Improving Thoracic Surgical Care using electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePROs)”. The grant is from 1/1/2022-12/31/2026 for a total of $1,010,785.

Jessica Phillips Invited to Participate in the 2022 Emerging Leader Academy

We are pleased to announce that Jessica Phillips has been recognized as an outstanding team member and leader in our department! As such, she has been invited to participate in the 2022 Emerging Leader Academy. This is a highly selective program designed for individuals who have been identified as outstanding team members with future leadership … Continued

Kim co-PI on $2M NIH RO1 Grant with Radiology Collaborators

UNC Department of Surgery is pleased to recognize co-PI Professor Lawrence Kim, MD, in the division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery who was awarded a four-year R01 funding ($2M) in September 2021. Along with Associate Professor of Radiology Zhanhong Wu, PhD, as co-MPI of a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases … Continued

UNC named a American College of Surgeons NSQIP Meritorious hospital for 2020

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program recognized UNC for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care for the 2020 calendar year for both ALL CASES and HIGH RISK CASES!  This award is for the Adult NSQIP Program at UNCH, Chapel Hill Campus. We were one of 90 out of 706 eligible … Continued

Katharine McGinigle Receives Award from Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation

Congratulations to Katharine McGinigle, MD, MPH, Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. Dr. McGinigle received an award from the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation (SVS) for her work entitled, “Using Precision Medicine to Define Adaptive Treatment Strategies for Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.” The award is in the amount of $25,000. The mission … Continued

Hayes Named Howard Chair of Surgery

We are incredibly excited and proud to announce that Dr. Andrea Hayes (formerly Hayes-Jordan), Professor and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief of the UNC Children’s Hospital has accepted the position of Chair of the Department of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine. This is an outstanding accomplishment for Dr. Hayes … Continued

Kapadia Promoted to Professor

Congratulations to our faculty who recently received promotions: Muneera R. Kapadia, MD, MME, has been promoted to Professor in the division of gastrointestinal surgery.

McGinigle, Williams, and Stitzenberg Receive Promotions

Congratulations to our faculty who recently received promotions: Katharine McGinigle, MD, MPH, has been promoted to Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. Felicia Williams, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor in the Division of Burn Surgery. Karyn Stitzenberg, MD, MPH, has been promoted to Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine … Continued

Charles Appointed Associate Editor of JAMA

JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association, is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Charles MD, MPH, as Associate Editor. Dr. Charles is the Oliver Rowe Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of General and Acute Care Surgery, Director of Adult ECMO, and Director of Global Surgery at the UNC Institute … Continued

Raffs Receive NC TraCS Health Equity Research Award

Announcement courtesy of Kim Morris, Department of Medicine, September 29, 2021 Lauren Raff, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, and Evan Raff, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of hospital of medicine were awarded an NC TraCS Health Equity Award to improve rapid response outcomes in patients whose primary language is … Continued

Schneider Joins UNC Surgery After Completing Critical Care Fellowship with the Department

Andrew Schneider, MD, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General, Trauma, and Acute Care Surgery. He sat down to discuss his childhood dream to become a doctor, the impact COVID-19 had on his surgical training, and the advances in medicine he hopes to see in the next … Continued

David Ollila Receives Award From the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF)

Congratulations to David Ollila, MD, James and Jesse Millis Distinguished Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery. Dr. Ollila received an Award from the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF) for the project entitled “Artificial Intelligence-Aided Digital Pathology to Improve Diagnosis in Metastatic Melanoma.” The award is for $25,000 from 8/1/2021 thru 7/31/2022. … Continued

Stem Joins Division of GI Surgery with Specialty in Colorectal Procedures

Jonathan Stem, MD, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become a doctor, forming bonds with his patients, and the advice he gives to all of his trainees. Dr. Jonathan Stem received his undergraduate degree from Princeton … Continued

Stephanie Downs-Canner Receives 2020-2021 Craver Medical Student Teaching Award

It is with great pleasure we announce that Dr. Stephanie Downs-Canner, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology has been chosen by the Academy of Educators as the recipient of the 2020-2021 Craver Medical Student Teaching Award. Joseph M. Craver, M.D. ’67, a retired Thoracic Surgeon in Atlanta, GA, gifted the Craver Medical Student … Continued

Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Awards

Vascular Resident Dr. Colby Ruiz and PGY 1 Preliminary Intern Dr. Julia Button received Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Awards at the 2021 UNC School of Medicine’s Whitehead Lecture and Awards ceremony on August 4.

Damitz Elected Vice President of ASPS/Plastic Surgery Foundation Board

Dr. Lynn Damitz has been elected Vice President of the American Society of Plastic Surgery/Plastic Surgery Foundation Board, Health Policy & Advocacy. Her 2-year term will begin on November 1, 2021. The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF) supports the research and international activities of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) members. The PSF works … Continued

Joseph Kearney, MD, receives AHPBA 2021 Steve Sotsky Award

Dr. Kearney is a recipient of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association 2021 Steve Sotsky Award. This annual award recognizes outstanding work in the field of pancreatic research by a trainee. This award was created in memory of the father of AHPBA member, Dr. Tara Sotsky Kent. Mr. Steve Sotsky died of pancreatic cancer in September 2013. … Continued

5 Years of Best Clinical Clerkship!

For the 5th year in a row, Luigi Pascarella, MD, Clerkship Director, along with Drs. Barnhouse and Klipstein won an award from the UNC School of Medicine Student Government. Their course titled “Hospital, Interventional, and Surgical Care” was selected by the Class of 2022 as this year’s recipient of the Best Clinical Clerkship. This award … Continued

Dr. Meredith Kugar Wins Cefalo House Officer Award

Congratulations to Meredith Kugar, MD, Plastics PGY5, for receiving the Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Award, which recognizes members of the Hospitals’ house staff. Dr. Kugar was selected based on her demonstrated empathy for patients and their families, effectiveness in patient communications, advocacy for patient care, and professionalism. We are proud to have her represent the … Continued

Spanheimer Receives SOM Physician-Scientist Award

Dr. Philip Spanheimer is one of six scholars who will receive support from the UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). This program is a pipeline to recruit, train and retain the most promising individuals to our clinical training programs where they will receive mentorship and support to foster their research careers. Spanheimer’s … Continued

Lux, Libertas! Letter to UNC Board of Trustees

The following letter was sent to Richard Y. Stevens, UNC Board of Trustees Chair, on June 21, 2021. Dear Mr. Stevens: We write this letter in response to the call for action of our elected Faculty Chair, Frank A. Daniels Distinguished Professor Mimi Chapman. We are unified in our faculty voice in response to the … Continued

Watch Our Graduation Video!

The Department of Surgery graduated 6 fellows and 10 residents at a ceremony on Friday evening. Our congratulations go to Dr. Staci Aubry, Dr. Lauren Daugherty, Dr. Stephanie Gray, Dr. Ronald Hardin, Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, Dr. Mia Klein, Dr. Jeffrey Lipman, Dr. Peter Marcinkowski, Dr. Anna Pavlov, Dr. Micah Pherson, Dr. Karishma Reddy, Dr. Manuel … Continued

Joshua Herb Receives Pope Clinical Trainee Award

Dr. Joshua Herb, General Surgery Resident, was honored with a prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Award, given to senior fellows who demonstrate excellence in cancer research and clinical care. Nominations for this competitive selection are voted on by all Department Chairs and Division Chiefs of cancer-related clinical and research areas. The awards are supported by the … Continued

Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, Inducts 8 Surgery Faculty and Residents

We are pleased to congratulate our department members recently inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA). This prestigious accomplishment is indicative of their scholarship, leadership, professionalism and service. Membership in the national society is a lifelong honor available to medical students, residents, fellows, faculty members, alumni, clinicians, and distinguished leaders in medicine who, based on merit, … Continued

Perez, Downs-Canner, and Pascarella Honored by UNC Academy of Educators

Three Department of Surgery faculty members were recognized for their exemplary service by the UNC Academy of Educators. Yesterday evening, Dr. Arielle Perez, Dr. Stephanie Downs-Canner, and Dr. Luigi Pascarella received awards at the Academy of Educators’ Alan W. Cross Evening of Scholarship. Arielle Perez received the Application/Individualization Phase Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award for … Continued

Analiese Lahey, Undergraduate Senior in Rossman Lab receives Fulbright Scholarship

Congratulations to Analiese Lahey, an undergraduate student in the Rossman lab. She received a Fulbright scholarship! Analiese is finishing up her senior year at UNC and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a Chemistry minor.  For her Fulbright research, she will be going to Dr. Weiland Hutner’s group at the Max … Continued

David Gerber selected for a 2021 Nursing Staff Recognition Week “Friend of Nursing” Award

Congratulations to David Gerber, MD, George F. Sheldon, MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of Abdominal Transplantation has been selected for a 2021 Nursing Staff Recognition Week “Friend of Nursing” Award. The Friend of Nursing award was established in 2009 as a way to recognize the collaborative relationship between Nursing and Medical Colleagues. Through … Continued

Jeffrey Johnson Wins Tracks 2k Pilot Award

Jeffrey Johnson, MD, receives Grant from the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute. Jeffrey Johnson, MD, is a Surgical Oncology Fellow in the Department of Surgery.  He received a TraCS $2K pilot grant for his proposal titled “Deep Learning-Aided Digital Pathology to Improve Diagnosis and Identify High-Risk Features in Melanoma Sentinel Lymph Nodes.” The … Continued

Benjamin Haithcock, MD, Honored as Healthcare Champion

UNC Health and the North Carolina Tar Heels chose Benjamin Haithcock, MD, Profession in the Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery as this month’s Healthcare Champion. Dr. Haithcock has been a non-cardiac thoracic surgeon who also performs lung transplants at UNC since 2007. His favorite part of the job is patient care and teaching residents. Hear … Continued

Stephanie Downs-Canner Awarded UNC Lineberger Development Award

Congratulations to Stephanie Downs-Canner, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery on receiving a UNC Lineberger Development Award. The UNC Lineberger Developmental Funding Program is intended to support the development of cancer research led by the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and to stimulate new … Continued

Jihane Jadi: 2021 George F. Sheldon, MD Leadership Award Recipient

Congratulations to Jihane Jadi, the 2021 George F. Sheldon, MD, Leadership Award Recipient. Since 2000, the Department of Surgery has recognized a fourth-year medical student who demonstrates outstanding academic and clinical achievement, and who possesses personal characteristics that promise a future leadership role in surgery. Originally named the Hugh Williamson Award, it was renamed in … Continued

Adam Akerman Wins Tracks 2k Pilot Award and Jr. Faculty Development Award

Adam Akerman, Ph.D, receives Grant from the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute and a Jr. Faculty Development Award Adam Akerman, Ph.D, is an Assistant Professor in the division of . He received a TraCS $2K pilot grant for his proposal titled “Development of a method for targeted gene delivery to the murine thoracic … Continued

Kristalyn Gallagher Elected for Membership in the Society of University Surgeons

Congratulations to Kristalyn Gallagher, DO, Associate Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery for being elected for membership in the Society of University Surgeons (SUS). Membership into the Society is given to persons of well-established professional position and demonstrated scholarly or creative ability that positively impacts their field. The application process is … Continued

Gita Mody Wins One of Only Four Faculty Research Fellowship Awards From the American College of Surgeons

Congratulations Gita Mody, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. The American College of Surgeons and its Scholarship Program Committee announced Dr. Mody, as one of only four Faculty Research Fellowship award recipients for 2022-2024. “Receiving the American College of Surgeons Faculty Research Fellowship Award for my project ‘Improving Thoracic … Continued

David Gerber, MD, Honored as Healthcare Champion

UNC Health and the North Carolina Tar Heels chose David Gerber, MD, Division Chief of Abdominal Transplant, and George F. Sheldon, MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery as this months Healthcare Champion.

Milestone Achieved for UNC Chronic Pancreatitis and Autologous Islet Cell Transplant Program

Three years after performing its first case, the program, created and led by Chirag Desai, MD, FACS, has performed its 50th case, making UNC one of the most significant centers for surgical therapy for this disease. The article first appeared in healthcare news on February 19, 2021. The UNC Chronic Pancreatitis and Autologous Islet Cell … Continued

Avital Yohann, MD, Receives Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Award

Congratulations to Avital (Tali) Yohann, MD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, who was offered a position in the 2020-2021 class of the UJMT Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Program. This mentored training opportunity is based in Malawi over the duration of the award, where she will gain experience and expertise in the conduct of research. The program provides … Continued

UNC Structural Heart Program in Chapel Hill was ACC Certified as a TAVR Center of Excellence

Today the UNC Structural Heart Program in Chapel Hill was ACC Certified as a TAVR Center of Excellence. This is quite a distinction as we are the first program in the state of North Carolina to be awarded this honor. Congratulations to the wonderful team on such a momentous achievement! Thank you to everyone for … Continued

McGinigle and Yi Receive Grants from NC TraCS Institute

UNC Department of Surgery Faculty members Katharine McGinigle, MD, MPH, and Xianwen Yi, MD, PhD, received grants from the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute. Katharine McGinigle, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery and the Surgical Director of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program. She, along … Continued

Hayes-Jordan, featured in USA Today About the Shortage of Black Doctors in the U.S.

America has an urgent need for Black doctors: ‘It’s hard to be what you can’t imagine’ Nada Hassanein published in USA TODAY December 26, 2020 Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan was confused when she didn’t match into a pediatric surgery training program. She had it all: research, publications, strong references. “You know why you’re not getting in?” a … Continued

Happy Holidays from UNC Surgery

We appreciate all that you do for the patients of North Carolina. Happy Holidays from all of us in the Department of Surgery.

Congratulations to Our Carolina Care Excellence Award Winning Surgical Providers

Please join us in congratulating our 13 providers who will receive the 2020 UNC Health Care and UNC Faculty Physicians Award for Carolina Care Excellence! UNC Health Care administers the CG-CAHPS (Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey to solicit feedback from our patients. We asked our patients if they would … Continued

Stephanie Lumpkin Receives One of 2020’s Prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Awards

Dr. Stephanie Lumpkin, General Surgery Resident has been selected to receive one of 2020’s prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Awards. Supported by the John William Pope Foundation, awardees are named by the University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center with nominations voted on by all Department Chairs and Division Chiefs of cancer-related clinical and research areas. The Pope … Continued

Ugwuji Maduekwe Elected AAS Councilor for Class of 2013

Congratulations to Ugwuji Maduekwe, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Maduekwe was elected as a Councilor for the Association for Academic Surgery for the Class of 2013. Each year, one Council member is elected for a two-year term for each year-of-entry group. Dr. Maduekwe’s Statement of Interest to AAS: I first … Continued

Mike Meyers Elected to the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons

Michael Meyers, MD, was elected to the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors as the Surgical Specialty Society Governor from the Southeastern Surgical Congress (SeSC). As a Specialty Society Governor, he will serve as a direct communications link between the Fellows of the College and the members of the Board of Governors. Dr. Meyers … Continued

Matthew Eckert, MD and Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Joins the General, Acute Care, and Trauma Surgery Division

Matthew Eckert, MD, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General, Acute Care, and Trauma Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become not only a doctor but a trauma surgeon and his motivation for getting up each day, saving lives on and off the … Continued

Welcome Our New Faculty Member Jacob Wood, a Vascular Surgeon!

Jacob Wood, MD, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become not only a doctor but a vascular surgeon and how he weaves his passion for art into his work. Dr. Wood received his Bachelor of Science … Continued

Ian Kratzke, MD, is the Inaugural Recipient of the Erle E. Peacock, Jr., MD Award

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce that Dr. Ian Kratzke, one of our general surgery residents, is the inaugural recipient of the Erle E. Peacock, Jr., MD Award. This annual award supports the education and career development of a resident or faculty member in the UNC Department of Surgery through a competitive process. … Continued

Trista Reid Wins FY20 Carolina Care Award

Trista Reid, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of General, Acute Care, and Trauma was selected for the Inpatient Carolina Care Multi-Level Rounding Award! Congratulations to Dr. Reid on this amazing honor.

Randal Zhou Talks About Joining UNC Surgery as the Newest Addition to the GI Division

Randal Zhou, MD, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become a surgeon, his goals while at UNC Surgery, and why he would want to pick the brain of one of UNC’s most successful alumnus, Michael Jordan. … Continued

Congratulations Stephanie Gray, MD, General Surgery Resident PGY5, Class of 2000 Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient

Stephanie Gray, MD, General Surgery Resident, has been selected by the Class of 2021 as this year’s Surgery Intern recipient of The Class of 2000 Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award. This award honors the interns and residents deemed by the third year class to be the most outstanding in each of the seven core clerkships. … Continued

David Gerber Awarded Defense Meritorious Service Medal by the Secretary of Defense

David A. Gerber, MD, George F. Sheldon, MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of Abdominal Transplant Surgery at UNC Surgery was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal by the United States Secretary of Defense. Congratulations to Dr. Gerber on this well-deserved honor. “I am deeply moved and somewhat speechless to receive this tremendous honor,” … Continued

Congratulations Audrey Khoury, MD, CT Surgery Resident, Class of 2000 Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient

Audrey Khoury, MD, CT Surgery Resident, has been selected by the Class of 2021 as this year’s Surgery Intern recipient of The Class of 2000 Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award. This award honors the interns and residents deemed by the third year class to be the most outstanding in each of the seven core clerkships. … Continued

Hayes-Jordan Elected to American Pediatric Surgical Association Board of Directors

Andrea Hayes-Jordan, MD, Byah Thomason Doxey-Sanford Doxey Distinguished Professor, Chief of the division of general pediatric surgery, has been elected a governor of the board of directors for the American Pediatric Surgical Association. Originally posted in UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine Newsroom Contact: Carleigh Gabryel, 919-864-0580, carleigh.gabryel@unchealth.unc.edu August 4, 2020 CHAPEL HILL, NC – … Continued

Shunjay Patel Talks About Joining UNC Surgery as the Newest Addition to the Podiatry Team

Shrunjay Patel, DPM, AACFAS, joins the UNC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become a podiatric surgeon, his goals while at UNC Surgery, and letting go of his dreams of one day being a professional cricket player. Dr. Patel … Continued

UNC Medical Center’s ECMO Program Wins Gold ELSO Award

The ELSO Excellence in Life Support 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. UNC’s ECMO Director is Anthony Charles, MD, MPH. Congratulations to the ECMO program at UNC Medical Center. It has received the Gold Level … Continued

Philip Spanheimer, MD Wins SUS Junior Faculty Award

Congratulations to Philip Spanheimer, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Spanheimer has been selected for the 2020-2021 SUS Junior Faculty Award, sponsored by the SUS Foundation, for his research project titled “TFAP2C Regulates Estrogen Responsive Transcriptomic States in Luminal Breast Cancer!” The Society of University Surgeons (SUS) was founded … Continued

Customized Stent-Graft to Treat Aortic Aneurysm Saved the Life of Former UNC Professor Harvey Jeffries

Who is Harvey Jeffries? A former professor in the UNC Gilling’s School of Public Health, Harvey Jeffries is no stranger to the UNC system. Born in Virginia, raised on a small farm in Fayetteville, Harvey spent his childhood days exploring the woods around his home, collecting specimens, and cataloging them with his microscope. He graduated … Continued

Community pulls together for mask donations

Motivated by the increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the CDC’s modified recommendation for individuals to wear protective face coverings, Dr. Kathleen Marulanda (PGY-5, Dept. of Surgery) quickly acknowledged the challenge this would pose for some in the community, particularly African American men.

Meet Our New Congenital Cardiac Surgeon Sandeep Sainathan, MD

Sandeep Sainathan, MD, joins UNC Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become a surgeon, why he chose to focus on the heart, and what brought him to UNC Surgery. Dr. Sainathan received his medical degree from the Bangalore Medical College in … Continued

Daniel Kindell, Kevin Chen, & Staci Aubry Nominated as Friends of the SICU

Congratulations to Daniel Kindell, MD, PGY2, Kevin Chen, MD, PGY2, along with Staci Aubry, PGY 4 General Surgery Residents. They have been nominated as Friends of the SICU at UNC Health. Daniel Kindell’s nominator remarked, “Dan has great rapport with patients, families, and staff. He has a dedicated work ethic and is smart as a … Continued

Luigi Pascarella Selected for the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

Congratulations Luigi Pascarella, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Surgery Clerkship Director. Dr. Pascarella has been selected for the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The purpose of this award program is to recognize one graduating medical student and one outstanding faculty … Continued

Xavier Baldwin, MD, Receives an American College of Surgeons Resident Research Fellowship

It is with great pleasure we announce that Xavier Baldwin, MD, General Surgery Resident, received an American College of Surgeons Resident Research Fellowship. Only six residents are chosen for this honor. Congratulations! Dr. Baldwin has received this award with support from his mentor Stephanie Downs-Canner, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and … Continued

Stephanie Downs-Canner, MD, Receives the Application/Individualization Phase Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award

It is with great pleasure we announce that Stephanie Downs-Canner, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, is the 2019-2020 recipient of the Application/Individualization Phase Clinical Preceptor Excellence in Teaching Award (for faculty at UNC Hospitals). Congratulations! This award is designated for faculty within the Application/Individualization Phase. Awards in this category … Continued

Jason Long, MD, Receives Educational Mentor/Advisor Award

It is with great pleasure we announce that Dr. Jason Long, Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery has been chosen by the Academy of Educators as one of the two 2019-2020 recipients of the Educational Mentor/Advisor Award. These awards recognize dedication and effectiveness of UME or GME faculty who are not officially part … Continued

Charles Elected as Fellow to the American Surgical Association

Congratulations to Anthony Charles, MD, MPH, Chief of the Division of General and Acute Care Surgery and the Oliver R. Rowe Distinguished Professor. Dr. Charles was elected as a Fellow to the American Surgical Association in April 2020. On behalf of the students, staff, and faculty we would like to congratulate you on this honor.

Congratulations to the New Inductees to the Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)!

On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff at the UNC Department of Surgery, we would like to congratulate the following members of our community on their recent induction into the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)! Membership is given to physicians who meet high criteria of academic achievement, leadership, professionalism, service and excellence … Continued

José Gaston Guillem, MD, MPH, MBA Joins UNC Surgery as the new Chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery

José Gaston Guillem, MD, MPH, MBA joins the Department of Surgery as the new Chief and Professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He discusses what inspired him to become a doctor, how influential mentors lead to his specialty in colorectal surgery and his goals for the GI Division. Dr. Guillem received his undergraduate degree … Continued

New GI Surgeon Muneera Kapadia Talks About Joining UNC Surgery and Shares Her Superpower

Muneera R. Kapadia, MD, MME joins UNC Surgery as an Associate Professor in the Division of GI Surgery, and Associate Vice Chair for Education. She sat down to discuss what inspired her to become a surgeon, her work with medical education and her experience in residency that continues to resonate with her and her relationships … Continued

Drs. Gallagher and Long Promoted to Associate Professors

Congratulations to Kristalyn Gallagher, DO and Jason Long, MD, MPH have been promoted to Associate Professors! Dr. Gallagher graduated with an undergraduate degree in physiology with honors from Oklahoma State University in 2004 and earned her medical degree at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008. She then completed an internship and residency … Continued

MATCH DAY 2020: Congratulations to our New Trainees!

Congratulations to all of our new trainees! General Surgery Residents | PGY1 Mustafa Abid Wake Forest University Chase Cox University of Alabama Conner Haase University of Miami Christopher “Topher” McCauley University of North Carolina           Sasha McEwan University of North Carolina Hanaan Salamah University of North Carolina Lucas Stone Oregon Health … Continued

Booker T. King, MD, Steps in as New Chief of the Burn Surgery Division

Booker T. King, MD, joins the Department of surgery as Chief and Professor, in the Division of Burn Surgery and the Director of the NC Jaycee Burn Center. He sat down to discuss what inspired him to become a doctor, the contributions he has made to science to help burn patients, and his goal to … Continued

Healing Little Hearts in Kosovo

Kosovo: a country left to rebuild after crisis. Most affected are those who have the least control. At times, this can leave some of the most vulnerable, such as children with congenital heart disease, with few options for survival.  In the wake of rebuilding a country, resources and necessary infrastructure to perform such life-saving interventions … Continued

Hayes-Jordan Honored as Triangle Business Journal 2020 Health Care Hero

The Triangle Business Journal named UNC Surgery’s Andrea Hayes-Jordan, MD, Byah Thomason Doxey-Sanford Doxey Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of General Pediatric Surgery, as one of its 2020 Health Care Heroes. She was presented with the award at a ceremony on Feb. 13. Dr. Hayes-Jordan was honored for her outstanding accomplishments as a … Continued

Sharma Honored as Triangle Business Journal 2020 Health Care Hero

The Triangle Business Journal named UNC Surgery’s Mahesh Sharma, MD, Chief of Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Co-Director of the NC Children’s Heart Center, as one of its 2020 Health Care Heroes. He was presented with the award at a ceremony on Feb. 13. Dr. Sharma was honored for his profound effect on the congenital cardiac … Continued

Tom Egan Receives New Award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Congratulations to Dr. Tom Egan, Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He received a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation award for his project entitled, “Ex-vivo lung perfusion to deliver nucleic acids to cells in human lungs”. He will receive $560,000 from 2/1/2020 to 1/31/2022.