Author Archives: Jessica Irven

Chirag Desai, MD, FACS is the Division Chief of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Executive Medical Director for UNC Healthcare Center for Transplant Care, Surgical Director of UNC’s Liver Transplant Program and Director of Chronic Pancreatitis & Autologous-Islet Cell Transplant Program.         Dr. Desai was honored...

Members of the Cardiothoracic Surgery team were honored in a tribute delivered at the pre-game ceremony of the UNC-NC State Basketball Game on Saturday, March 2, 2024 for their care of Brian Smith, grandson of Dean Smith. Pictured from L-R:  Scott Smith (Brian’s Dad), Mike Yeung MD (Brian’s Cardiologist), Tommy...

Dr. Philip Spanheimer is an Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology whose work at UNC began in 2019. He specializes in treatment of breast cancers, complex skin cancers, sarcoma, endocrine surgery, and general oncology.  His clinical research focuses on surgical management of cancer and patient outcomes, bringing a patient centered focus to...

HJ Kim, MD, Division Chief of Surgical Oncology, has been appointed vice chair of academic affairs in the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery and associate physician-in-chief of the N.C. Basnight Cancer Hospital. In his new role at the cancer hospital, Kim will work in partnership with Ethan Basch,...

Clara Lee, MD, MPP, FACS, brings surgical and research experience with her return to UNC as Professor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.  Dr. Lee began work on an R21 NIH Grant on 2/1/24, and is progressing current work on an R01 and a sub-award on another R01.  She discussed her...

Marc Whitman brings over 30 years of medical practice experience to UNC’s Division of General Surgery. He attended medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, followed by Residency in General Surgery including certification in Trauma from Shock through  University of Maryland Medical Systems.  He comes...

Roberto Vidri, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology.  He specializes in general surgical oncology, gastrointestinal cancer, hepatobiliary surgery, liver metastases, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, endocrine cancer, complex skin cancers, melanoma, sarcoma.    Fluent in Spanish, he  attended Medical School at the Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de...

UNC Surgery is pleased to announce Booker King, MD, FACS has been elected to the Fellowship of the Southern Surgical Association.  Dr. King is the Director of UNC’s Division of Burn Surgery and Interim Director of the Division of Acute Care & Trauma.  He is also a decorated Colonel, having...