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Fall 2020 | Volume 10, No. 2 HOME >
News from the Roberta and Stephen R. Weiner Department of Surgery
at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
INSIDE SURGERY
TAKING ON
A PANDEMIC
Treated for COVID-19,
BIDMC Surgeon is
Grateful for His Care
page 8
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IN THIS ISSUE
3 HMS Appointments 12
Alumni Spotlight:
Geoffrey Dunn, MD
4 New Faculty
14 News Briefs
5
Otolaryngology/Head and
Neck Surgery Residency 20 Teaching Awards
6
Transplant Surgery Chief: 22 Selected Publications
Devin Eckhoff, MD Fall 2020
25 Graduation 2020 Volume 10, No. 2
7 Lymphatic Center
26 Laryngology
8 Taking on a Pandemic Inside Surgery is published by the
27
Welcome New Trainees Office of the Chairman of the
Roberta and Stephen R. Weiner
Department of Surgery at Beth Israel
Message from the Chair Deaconess Medical Center for
faculty, trainees, staff, alumni,
W hen our previous issue was published, we were at
the apex of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time we were hopeful, although not overly optimistic,
affiliates, and friends.
The mission of the
that by Fall much of this would be behind us. While that is Department of Surgery:
unfortunately not the case, here in Massachusetts we were • Provide care of the very
able to flatten the curve enough to ensure that BIDMC was highest quality
able to meet the needs of all of our patients—those infected with COVID-19 • Improve health through
innovation and discovery
as well as those with other conditions—while still continuing our training and
• Prepare future leaders in
research programs. American surgery
In this issue you will read about the measures our department and BIDMC • Serve our communities with
took to achieve these goals, relying on ingenuity, teamwork, and—perhaps most sensitivity and compassion
importantly—an unwavering determination. I am proud of the courage and
compassion shown by all members of our department who, despite the risk to Surgery Chair
themselves and their families, selflessly went about their work. Elliot Chaikof, MD, PhD
Among its many effects, this pandemic has brought to the forefront Editor/Writer
longtime inequities in our society, including disparities in health care, which Hilary Bennett
disproportionately impact people of color. The Black Lives Matter movement
Photography
has further shone a light on systemic racism and the need for fundamental Danielle Duffey/BIDMC
change in our nation. James Dwyer/BIDMC
Our department has a long history of addressing inequities in care and
fostering diversity and inclusion, but we must do more. In our next issue, we will Please forward comments, news
describe our journey from our earliest days, address where we are today and items, and requests to be added to
our new initiatives, and share our plans for the future. or removed from the mailing list to:
Editor, Inside Surgery, Beth Israel
Meaningful change takes time, but we feel a sense of urgency that is
Deaconess Medical Center,
perhaps best conveyed in this poem, I Have Only Just a Minute, by the late Department of Surgery, LMOB-9C,
Dr. Benjamin Mays, a Black American civil rights leader and former president 110 Francis St., Boston, MA 02215.
of Morehouse College in Atlanta.
E-mail: surgerycommunications@
I have only just a minute, bidmc.harvard.edu
Only sixty seconds in it. Tel: 617-632-9581
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. bidmc.org/surgery
But it’s up to me to use it.
Cover photo of Scharukh Jalisi, MD,
I must suffer if I lose it. Chief of Otolaryngology/Head and
Give account if I abuse it. Neck Surgery, by James Dwyer/BIDMC.
Just a tiny little minute, Dr. Jalisi was treated at BIDMC for
COVID-19 in April.
but eternity is in it.
Follow us on Twitter
@BIDMCSurgery
Elliot Chaikof, MD, PhD
#NeverWaver
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 2
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Harvard Medical School Appointments
APPOINTED AS: WILLIAM V. McDERMOTT PROFESSOR OF SURGERY
Mark P. Callery, MD (2005, 2016). Dr. Callery has had more than 160 peer-
Dr. Callery, Chief of the Division reviewed papers published and for 10 years served as
of General Surgery and Chair an editor of HPB, the global specialty journal in his field.
of the Department of Surgery’s Dr. Callery has been elected to key leadership roles
Leadership Council, is an in many national and international professional societies,
internationally recognized including the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary
expert in complex pancreatic Association (IHPBA). He is past President of the Americas
and hepatobiliary surgery. After Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), the
being recruited to BIDMC in 2001, prestigious Boston Surgical Society, and is currently
Dr. Callery built the Division of President of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
General Surgery into a world-class service that, among (SSAT). This year Dr. Callery will receive Fellowship ad
other achievements, established it as a pioneer in hominem by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
advancing minimally invasive methods to treat a range William V. McDermott, MD (1917-2001), the Cheever
of gastrointestinal conditions. Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, was
Dr. Callery’s clinical research focuses on outcomes Director of the Fifth (Harvard) Surgical Service, the
in high-acuity pancreatico-biliary surgery. A dedicated predecessor of the BIDMC General Surgery Residency
teacher and mentor, he has received numerous awards Program, which he relocated from Boston City Hospital to
for teaching including the S. Robert Stone Award for New England Deaconess Hospital in 1973. Dr. McDermott
Excellence in Teaching from Harvard Medical School served as Chief of Surgery at New England Deaconess
(2013) and the George W. Starkey Award for Excellence Hospital from 1973 to 1986.
in Teaching from the BIDMC Department of Surgery
APPOINTED AS: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROSURGERY
Justin Moore, MD, PhD, MPH completed a fellowship in skull base neuro-oncology
Dr. Moore is Director of Skull Base and radiosurgery at Stanford Medical Center. Prior
Neuro-oncology in the Department to joining the BIDMC Department of Surgery in 2019,
of Surgery and Director of Dr. Moore, who also earned an MPH from the Harvard
Research, Innovation, and T. H. Chan School of Public Health, was on the faculty of
Radiosurgery in the BIDMC Brain Boston Medical Center.
Aneurysm Institute. With expertise in skull base neuro-oncology
Dr. Moore received his and cerebrovascular surgery, Dr. Moore is among a
medical degree and a law small group of cerebrovascular neurosurgeons with
degree from Monash University in experience in both neuro-interventional procedures
Melbourne, Australia. He completed his surgical training and open methods. He is engaged in clinical research
at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne while obtaining in cerebrovascular neurosurgery and is also involved
a postgraduate degree in surgical anatomy from in the development and use of new techniques for the
Melbourne University. He subsequently completed a PhD treatment of complex aneurysms, particularly flow-
in neuro-genomics from the University of Oxford in the diversion devices.
United Kingdom. Dr. Moore teaches trainees at all levels, and has had
After completing his neurosurgery residency his research published in more than 75 peer-reviewed
through the national Royal College of Surgeons publications. He also is a reviewer for several journals
in Australia, Dr. Moore pursued a fellowship in including the Journal of Neurology.
cerebrovascular neurosurgery at BIDMC and later
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bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 3
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New Faculty
For more information about our new faculty, including their clinical and research interests, practice sites,
and contact information, please visit the “Find-A-Doctor” section on the BIDMC website.
Kristen T. Crowell, MD Sonali V. Pandya, MD, MS
Division: Colon and Rectal Surgery Director, BreastCare Center at
BID-Needham
Medical School: University of Texas
Medical Branch Division: Surgical Oncology
Residency: General Surgery, Medical School: Saint George’s
Penn State Milton S. Hershey University
Medical Center Residency: General Surgery,
Clinical Fellowship: Colorectal Albany Medical Center
Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Clinical Fellowship: Women’s
Foundation Oncology, Women and Infants
Hospital/Brown University
Sina Iranmanesh, MD Amy H. Parminder, MD
Division: Vascular and Division: Ophthalmology
Endovascular Surgery Medical School: Dalhousie
Medical School: University of South University Medical School
Florida College of Medicine Residency: Ophthalmology,
Residency: General Surgery, Mt. Sinai Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Clinical Fellowships: Cornea and
Clinical Fellowship: Vascular Refractive Surgery, Manhattan Eye,
Surgery, MedStar Georgetown Ear and Throat Hospital;
University Hospital/MedStar Glaucoma, Tufts University/New
Washington Hospital Center England Eye Center
Justin L. Massengale, MD Amy D. Wyrzykowski, MD
Division: Neurosurgery Division: Acute Care Surgery,
Medical School: Stanford Trauma, and Surgical Critical Care
University School of Medicine Medical School: University of
Residency: Neurosurgery, Stanford Pittsburgh School of Medicine
University Medical Center Residency: General Surgery,
Clinical Fellowship: Spine Emory University
Neurosurgery, Stanford University Clinical Fellowships: Surgical
Medical Center Critical Care, Grady Memorial
Hospital/Emory University; Trauma
Surgery, Grady Memorial Hospital/
Emory University
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 4
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Residency Program Launches
I n April, the Department of Surgery received
approval from the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for its
five-year Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Residency at BIDMC/Harvard Medical School. The
Program Director is Scharukh Jalisi, MD, Chief of the
Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery;
the Associate Program Directors are James Naples,
MD, and David Caradonna, MD, DMD.
“Our goal is to foster the development of
highly skilled, confident otolaryngologists
with a solid academic foundation who will
become the future leaders in our field.”
— Scharukh Jalisi, MD
According to Dr. Jalisi, this is the first entirely new
Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Residency
Program to be established in Boston since 1952.
“We were thrilled to learn of the approval of our
program and to admit our inaugural class of truly
outstanding residents,” he says.
In June, the program, which was approved to
matriculate two residents a year, welcomed the
members of its inaugural class: Victoria Huang,
MD, a graduate of the Case Western Reserve
University School of Medicine, and Peter Nagy, MD, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program
Director Dr. Scharukh Jalisi (far right) with Associate Program
a graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Directors (from left) Drs. James Naples and David Caradonna
Science Center College of Medicine. and residents Drs. Peter Nagy and Victoria Huang.
The program offers a robust curriculum and
comprehensive clinical experience with rotations • Laryngology, including the professional voice,
at BIDMC and Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). In swallowing, and airway
addition, residents will have significant dedicated • Rhinology
time to participate in research projects. • Skull base surgery
The program’s faculty includes all members of • Otology/neuro-otology
the BIDMC Division of Otolaryngology/Head and • Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
Neck Surgery as well as pediatric otolaryngologists • Pediatric otolaryngology
at BCH. Residents will train in all aspects of “Our goal is to foster the development of highly
otolaryngology, including: skilled, confident otolaryngologists with a solid
• Head and neck surgical oncology academic foundation who will become the future
• Microvascular reconstruction leaders in our field,” says Dr. Jalisi.
➔ For more information about the Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Residency at BIDMC/Harvard Medical
School, please visit the Training and Education section of our website: bidmc.org/surgery.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 5
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New Chief of Transplant Surgery:
Dr. Devin E. Eckhoff
T he Department of Surgery and BIDMC are
pleased to welcome Devin E. Eckhoff, MD,
as Chief of Transplant Surgery and Director of the
Transplant Institute at BIDMC. Dr. Eckhoff joined
the faculty in August.
Dr. Eckhoff was recruited to BIDMC from
the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham,
where he was Professor of Surgery and held the
Arnold G. Diethelm Endowed Chair in Transplantation
Surgery. Among many other leadership roles at
UAB, Dr. Eckhoff was Director of the Division of
Transplantation for 17 years. The UAB transplant
program, one of the nation’s largest, is known for its
clinical excellence and accomplishments in basic,
translational, and clinical research.
During Dr. Eckhoff’s tenure at UAB, several major
initiatives were launched, including the Comprehensive
Transplant Institute, the Alabama Organ Recovery
Center, and the Xenotransplant Research Center.
Dr. Eckhoff also initiated a multi-organ transplant
fellowship, approved by the American Society of
Transplant Surgeons, which has trained more than
a dozen fellows.
In addition, several new clinical programs were
launched under his leadership, including a paired
kidney exchange, a desensitization and ABO-
incompatible kidney transplant program, and a humans. Dr. Eckhoff’s research has been supported
hepatobiliary service. New transplant programs were by grants from the National Institutes of Health and
also established at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama industry, and is reflected in more than 150 published
and the Veterans Hospital of Birmingham, and three peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters.
new liver satellite clinics were created. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons,
Dr. Eckhoff received his undergraduate degree the American Surgical Association, and the American
from the University of Michigan and his medical degree Society of Transplantation, Dr. Eckhoff is an active
from the University of Minnesota, graduating Alpha member of numerous professional societies. He is
Omega Alpha. Following the completion of his residency frequently invited to speak nationally and internationally,
in general surgery at the University of Wisconsin- and is a longtime member of the editorial boards of
Madison, Dr. Eckhoff pursued a research fellowship in several leading journals.
transplantation and subsequently a clinical/research Dr. Eckhoff is leading a division that has long been
fellowship in transplantation, also at the University of at the forefront of transplant surgery. The work of
Wisconsin-Madison. He is board certified in Surgery luminaries in the field such as Anthony Monaco, MD,
and Surgical Critical Care. formerly Chief of Transplant Surgery at New England
Among Dr. Eckhoff’s major research interests is Deaconess Hospital and later at BIDMC, and the late
xenotransplantation, which is considered a promising Fritz Bach, MD, led to key advances that improved
way to address the shortage of donor organs. He the outcomes of organ recipients. New England’s first
is currently the principal investigator of two major, liver transplant was performed in 1983 at New England
ongoing preclinical trials with the goal of transplanting Deaconess Hospital, and New England’s first living-
genetically modified kidneys from pig models to donor liver transplant was conducted at BIDMC in 1998.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 6
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Lymphatic Center Designated as
Comprehensive Center of Excellence
Only Center on the East Coast
T he Lymphatic
Center at Beth
Israel Deaconess
an institution provides
the highest standards
of multidisciplinary
Medical Center/Boston care for individuals with
Children’s Hospital was lymphatic diseases (LD),
recently designated such as lymphedema,
by the Lymphatic lipedema, and lymphatic
Education & Research malformation, with explicit
Network (LE&RN) as a standards for five distinct
Comprehensive Center of categories of care.
Excellence in Lymphatic There are five
Disease. The center’s Centers of Excellence
co-directors are Dhruv designations: designation Dhruv Singhal, MD Arin Greene, MD
Singhal, MD, Plastic and as “comprehensive”—the
Reconstructive Surgery, highest level— signifies
founder and Director of that a center provides improve the lives of those is Vascular Anomalies
the BIDMC Lymphatic and coordinates affected by LD and their and Pediatric Plastic
Center, and Arin Greene, specific services on families. Since 2017, the Surgery Endowed Chair
MD, Director of the site. These services BIDMC Lymphatic Center at Boston Children’s
Lymphatic Program include comprehensive, has hosted an annual Hospital. Under the
at Boston Children’s multidisciplinary LD- Lymphatic Symposium direction of Dr. Greene,
Hospital. The LE&RN is an specific clinics; the full that attracts health care the Lymphatic Program at
internationally recognized breadth of treatment professionals and patients Boston Children’s Hospital
non-profit organization options; genetic testing/ from around the world. provides treatment for
dedicated to fighting counseling; ancillary Dr. Singhal, one pediatric lymphedema
lymphatic diseases and services such as physical of the world’s leading and obesity-induced
lymphedema through or occupational therapy; experts in lymphedema lymphedema, and
education, research, nutrition counseling, prevention and treatment, conducts research in
and advocacy. and more. is a pioneer in preventive these areas.
lymphovenous bypass “Our designation as
surgery at the time of a Comprehensive Center
axillary node dissection for of Excellence reassures
breast cancer patients at patients and their families
high risk of lymphedema. who are affected by
He also performs lymphatic disease that
vascularized lymph node when they come to us for
transfer for the treatment evaluation and treatment
Designation In addition, all of patients with chronic they will receive the
by the LE&RN as a Centers of Excellence lymphedema and highest standard of care
Comprehensive Center provide professional conducts lymphedema in a well-coordinated
of Excellence followed a and lay education, are research. manner from experts who
rigorous review by a team engaged in LD clinical Dr. Greene, an are laser-focused on their
of international leaders in research, and work with alumnus of the BIDMC condition and dedicated
lymphatic medicine. This the LE&RN locally and General Surgery to their ongoing well-
designation indicates that nationally in its efforts to Residency Program, being,” says Dr. Singhal.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 7
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Illustration by BIDMC
General Surgery
intern Stephanie
Cohen, MD. Dr.
Cohen’s illustrations
have been published
in numerous journals
and displayed at the
National Academy
of Medicine in
Washington, D.C.
Taking on a Pandemic
Department Never Wavers in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
O ne week after quarantining
himself in his home following a
positive test for COVID-19, which he
felt fine. But by day eight, all that
changed: Dr. Jalisi developed body
aches, chills, and fatigue that left
the bathroom 10 feet from his bed.
Exhausted and with no sense of
taste, he was unable to eat and lost
contracted from an infected patient, him unable to do anything but 15 pounds.
Scharukh Jalisi, MD, thought he was sleep around the clock. Though he When Dr. Jalisi tested his blood
out of the woods. never spiked a fever, by day 13 he oxygen level, he realized he was
For seven days in early April, experienced shortness of breath so getting progressively worse and
his symptoms were mild and he profound he could barely walk to asked his wife, who also tested
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 8
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positive but was faring better, to Department of Surgery. points out Dr. Cook, considering
take him to BIDMC, where he is The department’s the unique space and equipment
Chief of Otolaryngology/Head and responsibilities were not limited to requirements of an ICU.
Neck Surgery. “I would not go to ensuring that COVID-19 patients, On one floor, for example,
any other hospital,” says Dr. Jalisi, many of whom were critically ill, windows had to be quickly installed
who was so short of breath he had would have adequately equipped on the doors of patients’ rooms
to be transported from his car into ICUs staffed by experienced, so clinicians could view patients
the Emergency Department in a properly protected critical care on ventilators around the clock.
Accomplishing this transformation
in such a short period required the
“We prepared for the worst, believing it was better participation and coordination of
personnel throughout the medical
to be overprepared than underprepared.” center, from Information Technology
—Charles Cook, MD and Environmental Health and
Safety staff to pharmacists and
wheelchair, after which he was doctors and staff. The department biomedical engineers.
admitted to a unit for COVID-19 also needed to provide care for all
patients only. other surgical patients, including Disaster-management
Participating in a clinical trial those needing emergency surgery, approaches
being conducted at BIDMC, Dr. Jalisi evaluation, or follow-up care; Another challenge was determining
was administered the investigational continue its educational and training how to staff these new ICUs with
antiviral drug remdesivir, which he programs for residents and fellows; clinicians experienced in caring
credits with keeping him out of the and pivot some of its research for critically ill patients, even as the
ICU and off a ventilator. “Within toward challenges posed by the possibility loomed that some of
24 hours of receiving the infusion, novel coronavirus. them could become infected and be
I started feeling better,” says Dr. unavailable for weeks.
Jalisi, who remained hospitalized ‘Better to be overprepared’ Because all elective surgical
for five days. After recovering Creating sufficient ICUs with procedures had been cancelled
further at home and following two adequate equipment and and there was fortunately a steep
negative COVID-19 tests, Dr. Jalisi experienced critical care staff was decline in trauma cases due to the
enthusiastically returned to his a top priority. It was unknown how state’s shelter-in-place orders, the
job in early May. “I received such many ICU beds would be needed, decision was made to redeploy
compassionate, excellent care but having seen how hard hit New general surgeons, led by chief
from everyone at BIDMC,” says York City was “We prepared for the Mark Callery, MD, to handle
Dr. Jalisi. “It made me very proud worst, believing it was better to be emergency operations and trauma
to work here.” overprepared than underprepared,” patients. This freed Dr. Cook and
Dr. Jalisi was wise to have says Charles Cook, MD, Chief of his colleagues in the division, in
chosen BIDMC for his care, as Acute Care Surgery, Trauma, and coordination with intensivists in the
the medical center was extremely Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Cook Departments of Anesthesiology
well-prepared to meet the needs of worked closely with Surgery Chair and Medicine, to help cover the
COVID-19 patients, even during the Elliot Chaikof, MD, PhD, and other expanded ICU capacity.
peak of the surge when the hospital medical center personnel in the Using established disaster-
was caring for some 350 infected Hospital Incident Command System management approaches, Dr. Cook,
patients, many in intensive care. on this vital effort. in collaboration with Dr. Chaikof,
This preparedness was the result In just a matter of weeks, the Richard Whyte, MD, MBA, and
of weeks of teamwork, strategic number of ICU beds nearly doubled, others, developed a departmental
planning, hard work, and creative from 77 to 130. This was achieved plan to pair experienced critical
thinking on the part of virtually by transforming non-critical care care staff with staff from other
everyone in the medical center and areas, including medical/surgical divisions more removed from
the Beth Israel Lahey Health system units and a Post Anesthesia Care critical care, should the crisis
of which it is a part, with a major Unit, into COVID ICUs, all equipped demand. “Thankfully Boston did
role played by members of the with ventilators—no simple task,
Continued on page 10 >
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not reach that tipping point,” says for patients who needed to connect having to return to his office, which
Dr. Cook. Still, nearly 90 OR staff with a surgeon for evaluation or would have required the lengthy
were redeployed to help care for follow-up care. process of removing and donning
COVID-19 patients, according to Dr. With help from Harvard his personal protective equipment.
Whyte, Vice Chair of Quality, Safety, Medical Faculty Physician (HMFP) Dr. Gangadharan’s enthusiasm
and Clinical Affairs. “Everyone— leadership, many divisions within for telehealth was mirrored by
nurses, faculty, and staff—was the department quickly began others in the department. “Faculty
remarkably resilient,” says Dr. Whyte. offering telehealth visits to patients embraced this as they wanted
The last COVID ICU at BIDMC via video or phone. Chief of Thoracic to continue to provide excellent
was closed down in early June, an Surgery/Interventional Pulmonology care to their patients,” says Dr.
event that marked the beginning of Sidhu Gangadharan, MD, MHCM, Gangadharan. While there are
a slow return to normalcy coupled who was involved in this effort logistical issues that need to be
with the hope that re-opening and conducted virtual visits with addressed, Dr. Gangadharan
them will not be necessary. “We his patients for weeks, says, “So believes that telehealth is here to
are all deeply saddened by the much of what we do as doctors is stay and will enable the department
loss of life due to this pandemic,” communicating with patients, which to offer care that is even more
says Dr. Cook. “I am grateful to does not necessarily require an in- convenient and accessible for
my colleagues in the department person appointment. We found that patients going forward.
and the entire hospital for coming most patients seemed happy and
together in a crisis, despite the risk relieved to have this option.” Teaching and training
to themselves and their families, to Dr. Gangadharan also Teaching and training residents
take the best possible care of all of discovered that telehealth and fellows in the midst of such
our patients.” appointments allowed him to be extraordinary circumstances also
more productive and available to required resourcefulness and
Telehealth: ‘Here to stay’ patients. On days when he was resilience. “Suddenly we had to stop
The department also had to quickly operating he could conduct virtual all in-person gatherings: weekly
develop a strategy to provide care patient visits between cases without meetings, classes, journal clubs,
and Grand Rounds,” says Tara
Kent, MD, MS, Program Director
of the General Surgery Residency
and Vice Chair of Education in the
Department of Surgery.
Didactic teaching that was
formerly done in person was quickly
replaced with virtual sessions.
The department even gained
widespread national attention
on social media for its virtual
video happy hours, which helped
foster trainees’ wellness during an
especially stressful time.
Other changes that were
quickly implemented involved
modifying clinical work
environments to maintain social
distancing as much as possible. For
example, residents did “sign outs” at
the end of their shifts virtually rather
than in person, and laparoscopic
skills training in the BIDMC
Simulation and Skills Center was
limited to smaller groups.
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Still, not all teaching can be (SARS-CoV-2) interacts with human Michael Yaffe, MD, PhD, who is
done virtually. Cadaver labs and cells to achieve efficient infection. also a professor at Massachusetts
the endoscopy rotation had to Specifically, Dr. Cummings is Institute of Technology, gained
cease due to the high risk. Because focusing on the glycan receptor national attention when they
there were no elective surgeries, specificity of SARS-CoV-2 and and colleagues at BIDMC, the
residents also participated in fewer other coronaviruses, exploring the University of Colorado at Denver,
surgical cases (as adjusted by the possibility that the virus achieves and elsewhere published several
American Board of Surgery due to infection via a multi-step process case reports suggesting that the
the pandemic), but this was partly
offset by the additional critical care
experience they acquired. “Our department could not have responded the
Fortunately, the department’s way it did to this unprecedented crisis without our
residents (who could opt out of trainees, who were critical to our efforts and went
direct care of COVID-19 patients
above and beyond in every conceivable way.”
for health reasons and were not
permitted to perform certain —Tara Kent, MD, MS
high-risk procedures) were able
to stay within the department involving its glycans and interactions drug tissue plasminogen activator
rather than being deployed to with glycans. (tPA) might reduce deaths among
other departments, which enabled This research builds on his lab’s patients with COVID-19-induced
them to continue to work and learn recent success in deciphering the ARDS. Long used to treat patients
alongside Surgery faculty. glycans of the human lung and with stroke and heart attack, tPA
“We were able to change creating a lung glycan library and was approved by the FDA in 1996.
course and our residents adapted glycan microarray to test for virus Based on this work, in May the
quickly and admirably. In fact, binding. This work, which is being group received FDA approval for a
our department could not have conducted in collaboration with multi-center, phase 2a clinical trial
responded the way it did to this researchers at Emory University and that will enroll 50 COVID-19 patients
unprecedented crisis without our the national Centers of Excellence who will be randomly assigned
trainees, who were critical to our for Influenza Research and to receive the drug or a placebo.
efforts and went above and beyond Surveillance program, is funded by Findings from this study (the STARS
in every conceivable way,” says a grant from the National Institute of Trial) will provide timely information
Dr. Kent. She adds that while some Allergy and Infectious Diseases. on the safety, efficacy, and optimal
aspects of the training program In the clinical realm, BIDMC dosing of tPA to treat moderate to
were not feasible due to the surgeon-investigators are looking severe COVID-19-induced ARDS,
pandemic, “I believe that in the at whether a readily available which can be rapidly adapted to a
long arc of a surgeon’s career this fibrinolytic (“clot busting”) drug phase 3 trial.
unique learning experience will could be repurposed to save the These unprecedented times
more than compensate.” lives of gravely ill COVID-19 patients. have tested the limits of hospitals
These patients often succumb to and health care workers around
COVID-focused research acute respiratory distress syndrome the world, including BIDMC and
Many members of the department’s (ARDS), a severe lung injury the Department of Surgery. But
research community also redirected common in critically ill patients that through a combination of thoughtful
their focus to address challenges has no treatment beyond supportive planning, rapid execution,
posed by the novel coronavirus care. It was reported in the New teamwork, and determination, the
(see publications, page 22). England Journal of Medicine and members of the Department of
In the laboratory, Richard D. other leading journals that the Surgery did what they always do in
Cummings, PhD, Director of the overwhelming majority of patients times of crisis—focused on finding
National Center for Functional with ARDS induced by COVID-19 innovative solutions to challenging
Glycomics and the Harvard Medical experience abnormal blood clotting problems and worked together to
School Center for Glycoscience, is in the lungs and blood vessels. fulfill their mission.
now investigating how the novel Resident Christopher Barrett,
coronavirus that causes COVID-19 MD, and acute care/trauma
surgeon and surgeon-scientist
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 11HOME >
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Geoffrey P. Dunn, MD, 1984
Surgeon and Medical Director, Palliative Care
Consultation Service, UPMC Hamot Medical
Center, Erie, Pennsylvania (Retired)
A s a young man, Geoffrey Dunn, MD, planned on
becoming a professional artist. While attending
Haverford College, he took time off to study art in
Germany, only to soon realize that he really wanted
to follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather,
and great grandfather, all of whom were surgeons
in Erie, Pennsylvania. When he informed his father
of his new plans, the senior Dr. Dunn replied, “You
are now a public servant.”
Dr. Dunn, who retired in 2018, took his father’s
words to heart. “As a fourth-generation surgeon,
I inherited a strong tradition of service,” he says— Now happily retired, Dr. Geoffrey Dunn played a leadership role
in transforming surgical palliative care from an outlier to a fully
service that led him to advocate for palliative care integrated part of surgical practice and training.
in surgery and become one of the world’s foremost
authorities on surgical palliative care. met in Europe while serving on the front lines
After graduating from Jefferson Medical College during WWII.
at Thomas Jefferson University (now Sidney Kimmel
Medical College), Dr. Dunn was excited to match to A moral imperative
the Fifth (Harvard) Surgical Service, the predecessor Dr. Dunn credits Dr. McDermott and many other
to the BIDMC General Surgery Residency Program. mentors in the Fifth Surgical Service for helping
“During my interviews, everyone I met was very shape his thinking as a young doctor and, ultimately,
cordial and I felt the program was a good fit for his career choice. One was Blake Cady, MD, a
me,” says Dr. Dunn. He was especially pleased to be “master surgeon and urbane intellectual,” whose
in the program led by William V. McDermott, MD, philosophy was consistent with the tenets of
a “gregarious man and unflappable surgeon” who palliative care. Another was Horst Filtzer, MD, who
became a close friend of his father when the two insisted that his patients always receive adequate
treatment for pain. Still another was John Schuler,
MD, a role model who became a longtime friend.
“These surgeons, as well as my father, all of whom
had formidable technical skills, understood that
there was a moral imperative to provide palliative
care to patients, which had a lasting influence on
me,” says Dr. Dunn.
Following his graduation in 1984, Dr. Dunn
eagerly returned to Erie to be able to work closely
with his father in the Department of Surgery at
Hamot Medical Center, a large tertiary hospital
serving northwestern Pennsylvania that is now
part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
(UPMC). Dr. Dunn’s busy practice encompassed
Dr. Dunn is a longtime painter whose work has been exhibited
in juried and one-person shows. This recent painting is entitled
a wide range of adult and pediatric surgical care,
“Vanitus study.”
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 12HOME >
including trauma, burns, cancer, and endocrine
surgery. “My residency training, including my
pediatric rotations at Boston Children’s Hospital, PRINCIPLES OF PALLIATIVE CARE
prepared me extremely well for a diverse general “Palliative care aims to relieve physical
surgical practice,” says Dr. Dunn, who also served as pain and psychological, social, and spiritual
Chair of Surgery at Hamot in the mid-1990s. suffering while supporting the patient’s
treatment goals and respecting the patient’s
A transformative experience racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural values…
In 1988, Dr. Dunn had an opportunity to volunteer his Although palliative care includes hospice
services at a hospital in India, where seeing an unmet care and care near the time of death, it also
need, he helped establish a burn unit to treat mostly embraces the management of pain and
women who were victims of the horrific practice of suffering in medical and surgical conditions
“bride burning.” This was a transformative experience throughout life.”
An excerpt from the “Statement of Principles
that contributed to palliative care becoming a central
of Palliative Care” developed by the Task Force on
theme of his career going forward.
Surgical Palliative Care chaired by Geoffrey P. Dunn,
At the time Dr. Dunn began championing surgical
MD, and approved by the Board of Regents of the
palliative care, many surgeons viewed it narrowly—as
American College of Surgeons in 2005.
comfort measures provided, usually by others, only at
the end of life—rather than as an ongoing effort by a
multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, to reduce aspects of palliative care, and edited or co-edited
suffering and improve the quality of life of patients the major reference books for surgeons interested
with serious and life-limiting illness. in the field: The Surgeon and Palliative Care (2001);
“Palliative care was almost a pejorative term Surgical Palliative Care (2004); and Surgical
among surgeons back then, who tended to view an Palliative Care: Integrating Palliative Care (2019).
inability to cure patients as a failure,” says Dr. Dunn, To educate future generations of surgeons,
who in 1998 became the full-time Medical Director Dr. Dunn co-edited “Surgical Palliative Care: A
of the Palliative Care Consultation Service at UPMC Resident’s Guide” (2009), which has been used in
Hamot Medical Center, a position he held for 20 hundreds of residency programs nationwide. He was
years. He also was the Medical Director of the Great also formerly an editor for the Annals of Palliative
Lakes Hospice in Erie for a decade. Medicine and served on the editorial board of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
From outlier to integration As stated in the ACS principles of palliative care
Through his tireless efforts over many years, (see above), “The tradition and heritage of surgery
Dr. Dunn played a leadership role in transforming emphasize that the control of suffering is of equal
surgical palliative care from an outlier to a fully importance to the cure of disease.” Throughout
integrated part of surgical practice and training. his productive career, Dr. Dunn wholeheartedly
He served for 15 years as chair of the American embraced this concept and advocated for it on
College of Surgeons (ACS) Task Force on Surgical the world stage—for the benefit patients and
Palliative Care, which among other accomplishments surgeons alike.
led to a board certification in Hospice and Palliative These days, Dr. Dunn, who is married to an
Medicine by the American Board of Surgery. For obstetrician and has an adult son, is as busy as
years he was the representative of the American ever. As a longtime plein-air painter of landscapes
Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care to the whose work has been exhibited in juried and one-
ACS Commission on Cancer and also served on man shows in Erie and elsewhere, he continues to
the ACS Board of Governors. paint. He is also engaged in environmental causes
In addition, Dr. Dunn lectured on this subject and, when time permits, enjoys toiling in his garden
worldwide, authored scores of articles on various overlooking the shores of Lake Erie.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 13HOME >
NEWS BRIEFS
Resident Eve Roth, MD, who The 2020-2021
graduated from Harvard Administrative
Medical School in May, received Chief Residents
the Janee and Paul Friedmann, of the General
MD ’59 Surgery Prize for the Surgery
graduating medical student Residency
who demonstrates exceptional Program are
promise for leadership, Charity Glass,
education, and research in surgery. MD, MPP, and Nicholas Swerdlow, MD. Drs. Glass
and Swerdlow were selected for this honor by their
peers and faculty because of their dedication to the
residency, demonstrated leadership, and commitment
to the education and well-being of all residents.
Aria Olumi, MD, Chief of the
Division of Urologic Surgery,
recently received a National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
Martina Stippler, MD, Neurosurgery, assumed the and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) R01
role of Chair of Women in Neurosurgery (WINS) in grant to assess the regulation
early 2020. The mission of WINS, an international of SRD5A2—a critical enzyme
organization celebrating its 30th anniversary for prostatic development and
this year, is to promote a cooperative and growth—as a marker to identify the approximately 30%
supportive environment among women practicing of normal adult men who do not express SRD5A2. Men
neurosurgery, including those training to become who lack this enzyme may be resistant to 5α-reductase
neurosurgeons. inhibitors, such as finasteride, for the management of
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated
urinary tract symptoms, which affect 90% of elderly
Alia Qureshi, MD, MSc, General
men and negatively impact the quality of life of 210
Surgery, was invited to serve
million men globally. The findings from this research
as Chair of the Leadership and
will have broad implications for the development of
Professional Development Task
predictive biomarkers that can be used to evaluate
Force of the Society of American
resistance to BPH-related therapies and allow
Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic
clinicians to select alternate therapies for managing
Surgeons (SAGES) for 2020-
BPH, the most common proliferative disorder among
2021. The mission of the task
men worldwide.
force is to identify barriers to
creating a diverse organization
and to develop a strategic Elliot Chaikof, MD, PhD, Surgery
plan for the implementation of Chair, was selected by the
programs and opportunities graduating Harvard Medical School
that promote diversity and (HMS) Class of 2020 to receive the
inclusivity within SAGES, one of the largest surgical Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.
societies in the world. The award, which is given annually,
was presented to Dr. Chaikof during
a virtual Class Day ceremony on
May 28 and will be presented in person at a later date.
According to Class Day co-moderators David Clossey,
MD, and Eve Roth, MD, now a BIDMC Surgery intern,
students who nominated Dr. Chaikof for this honor
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 14HOME >
commended him for his “outstanding support for the
development of future surgeon-scientists” and for
“leaving an indelible mark on our personal growth.”
Resident Shahdabul (Shad) Faraz,
MD, had his article published in NPR
Health News in May: “My Bedside
Manner Got Worse During the
Pandemic: Here’s How I Improved.”
Dr. Faraz, who is currently attending
Harvard Business School during his
research elective years, has had his
The Department of Surgery was the grateful
writing published in the New York Times, CNN, and New
recipient of many expressions of support and
York’s Daily News.
generosity during the busiest weeks of the
COVID-19 pandemic, which helped make a
Mihir Parikh, MD, Thoracic Surgery challenging time a bit less stressful.
and Interventional Pulmonology, is Recent General Surgery graduate Meredith
the recipient of a Rabkin Fellowship Baker, MD, and her fiancé Martin Isabelle,
for 2020-2021. A program of the of BlanQuil™, donated 90 BlanQuil weighted
BIDMC Academy that emphasizes blankets to Surgery residents to help them relax
experiential learning, the yearlong and sleep. Above, Mr. Isabelle hands a blanket to
fellowship provides faculty with the resident Drew Sanders, MD.
opportunity to develop the expertise With the help of BIDMC friends Faith Michaels
and skills to launch or advance academic careers in and Peggy Stander, JK Automotive Design, Kids
medical education and/or academic administration. Clothes Club, and The Makery donated 300 face
Dr. Parikh is Director of Interventional Pulmonology shields for BIDMC health care workers. Recipients
at BID-Milton and Program Director of the Advanced included these members of the Division of Thoracic
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy Fellowship Program Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology in the
at BIDMC. Department of Surgery and the BIDMC Chest
Disease Center (standing, from left): Priya Patel,
MD, Adnan Majid, MD, Ammara Watkins, MD,
BIDMC’s three-year MPH, Ramsy Abdelghani, MD (seated, from left):
Podiatric Medicine Amanda Nesta, NP, and Alichia Paton, NP.
and Surgery Residency
Program, led by Podiatry
Chief John Giurini, DPM,
and Program Director Thanh Dinh, DPM, received the
maximum five-year reaccreditation from the Council
on Podiatric Medical Education of the American
Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Launched in
1972, the residency will mark its 50th anniversary in
2022, making it the longest-running podiatry residency
program at the same institution in the United States.
The program, which initially trained one resident each
year but since the early 1990s has trained two per year,
has graduated 68 residents.
Continued on page 16 >
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 15HOME >
NEWS BRIEFS
< Continued from page 15
Peter Steinberg, MD, Urologic A poster by Robert Carrasquillo,
Surgery, had an opinion piece MD, Urologic Surgery, and his
published in the Wall Street Journal collaborators received the best
in March entitled “Virtual Doctors poster award of its session at
Are Here to Stay.” Dr. Steinberg’s the 2020 American Urological
article discusses how some of Association (virtual) meeting in May.
the changes in the way medicine The poster, presented by Kenneth
is being practiced during the Softness, MD, MS, a resident in the
coronavirus pandemic, such as telemedicine, are Harvard Urology Residency Program at BIDMC, was
beneficial and should become a permanent part entitled “Access to Male Fertility Preservation Information
of the health care landscape. and Referrals at National Cancer Institute Cancer
Centers.” Other collaborators were Aaron Perecman, a
student at Quinnipiac Medical School, and Taylor Kohn,
Residents Kortney Robinson, MD, MD, a urology resident at Johns Hopkins.
MPH, and Borami (Bora) Shin,
MD, matched to Cardiothoracic
Surgery for their fellowship
training. Dr. Robinson will train at
Baylor Scott & White Dallas-Fort
Worth, and Dr. Shin will train at
Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The residents will begin their
fellowships in 2021 following their graduation from the
General Surgery Residency Program.
Resident Michelle
Fakler, MD, MPA/ID, On June 5, BIDMC surgeons and many other doctors
received her Master in and health care workers throughout the medical center
Public Administration in and the nation kneeled in silence for 8-minutes and 46
International Development seconds to recognize the public health impact of racism
from the Harvard Kennedy on Black Americans and to underscore the important
School in May. Dr. Fakler, role of doctors and hospitals in anti-racism efforts.
who plans to be involved in Pictured above is cardiac surgeon Jacques Kpodonu,
the planning and development of health systems policy MD, and the large gathering outside the Shapiro Clinical
at the international level in the future, completed the Center on the BIDMC campus. More than 900 people
two-year program during her research elective years. logged in to participate in the event online.
A poster by neuro-otologist James Nurhan Torun, MD, Chief
Naples, MD, Otolaryngology/ of Ophthalmology, was the
Head and Neck Surgery, entitled recipient of the 2020 BIDMC
“Circulatory Otologic Biomarkers in Academy Award, which is given
Meniere’s Disease and Vestibular to a member who demonstrates
Migraine” received the second the highest commitment to the
place award from the American BIDMC Academy community
Neurotology Society in May. through participation, service, and
Dr. Naples also participated in webinars hosted by engagement. According to BIDMC Academy Co-
CSurgeries, an online, peer-reviewed surgical video Directors Daniel Ricotta, MD, and Grace Huang, MD,
site, and served on an international panel via the Dr. Torun, who serves on the executive committee, “has
CSurgeries website to discuss otologic surgery during demonstrated unwavering support to the community
COVID-19. as one of its most active members.” The mission of
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 16HOME >
the BIDMC Academy is to enhance and foster the
educational development of physicians, scientists,
clinicians, and other health care professionals
throughout BIDMC.
Jim Sargent, BSN, RN, joined
BIDMC in June as Director of the Endovascular Surgery, serves on the Executive and
Trauma Program in the Department Research Advisory Committee of the SVS VQI. Vascular
of Surgery. Mr. Sargent came and Endovascular Surgery Chief Marc Schermerhorn,
to BIDMC from Wellstar Atlanta MD, MPH, formerly served on the committee and is
Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, President of the New England Society for Vascular
where he had served as Trauma Surgery, one of the vascular professional societies that
Program Manager since 2016. endorses the SVS VQI.
Previously, Mr. Sargent was Trauma Program Manager
at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital for 12 years, and prior
to that held positions as a staff and charge nurse in
emergency medicine at several Georgia hospitals. Mr.
Sargent is a graduate of the University of Alabama and
also served in the United States Navy.
Ted James, MD, MS, Chief of Breast
Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair
of Surgery (Academic and Faculty The Sandra and Richard Cummings Resident Research
Affairs), was selected to give an Fellowship in Surgery provides support for the next
oral presentation on “Predictive generation of innovative investigators. The fellowship
Factors of Discordant Response to was established with a generous gift from Richard D.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy” at Cummings, PhD, Vice Chair of Basic and Translational
the American College of Surgeons Research, and Director of the Harvard Medical School
Clinical Congress 2020 in early October. Center for Glycoscience and the National Center for
Functional Glycomics and his wife, Senior Research
Associate Sandra Cummings. The fellowship provides
Debra Leven, EdD, MBA, MPH, recipients with at least $25,000 a year, for one- or
Administrative Director of Surgical two-year periods, to support promising research
Oncology, Breast Surgery, the projects spanning an array of fields. This year’s award
Pancreas and Liver Institute (PLI), recipients are General Surgery residents Jordan
and Podiatric Surgery, recently Broekhuis, MD, Gabrielle Dombek, MD, and Lumeng
received a Doctor of Education (EdD) Jenny Yu, MD, and neurosurgery resident Anirudh
in Organizational Leadership Studies Penumaka, MD, MSc.
from Northeastern University.
Per-Olof Hasselgren, MD, PhD, is the
The Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality author of “Thyroid Cancer & Thyroid
Initiative (SVS VQI) awarded BIDMC three stars—the Nodules in 30 Minutes: A guide to
highest possible rating—for its active participation in symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, and
the Registry Participation Program. The SVS VQI is disease management.” One in a
composed of 14 registries containing demographic, series of “in 30 Minutes” guides
clinical, procedural, and outcomes data from more published by i30 Media, the book
than 670,000 vascular procedures performed in the was published in June.
U.S. and Canada. The mission of the VQI is to improve
the quality, safety, effectiveness, and cost of vascular
health care. Lars Stangenberg, MD, PhD, Vascular and Continued on page 18 >
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 17HOME >
NEWS BRIEFS
< Continued from page 17
Vascular Surgery The Division of Urologic Surgery
presented the 2019 and a group of medical students
Most Highly Cited around the country (the Urology
Article Award to Surgery Chair Elliot Chaikof, MD, Student Anki Group, or USAG)
PhD, for “The Society for Vascular Surgery Practice collaborated to create a Urology
Guidelines on the Care of Patients with an Abdominal Anki deck designed to help
Aortic Aneurysm,” published in the January 2018 medical students prepare for
Journal of Vascular Surgery. A Department of Surgery sub-internships and the first
contributing author was Marc Schermerhorn, MD, year of a Urology residency.
MPH, Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Anki is a flashcard app now popular among
medical students that uses a spaced repetition
algorithm to facilitate learning new material. The
Resident Lumeng Jenny Yu, MD, is the recipient of BIDMC Urology Anki deck covers core urologic
an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Scientific concepts across the spectrum of urologic conditions
Forum Excellence in Research Award (pediatric including urologic emergencies, benign prostatic
surgery category) for her hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, voiding dysfunction,
abstract “The VEGF Heparin- urinary tract infection, prostate cancer, and
Binding Domain Contributes nephrolithiasis.
to Proliferative Signaling and The questions were developed and peer-reviewed
Pulmonary Functional Outcomes in by members of the BIDMC Urologic Surgery faculty.
Compensatory Lung Growth.” The According to urologist Boris Gershman, MD, who
award will be highlighted during worked closely with the students, in the future the group
the ACS 2020 Clinical Congress and plans to release additional decks covering surgical
award recipients will be featured in a supplemental anatomy and an expanded set of clinical conditions.
issue of the Journal of the American College of The USAG students, all of whom will graduate
Surgeons. Dr. Yu, who is conducting her research in 2021, are: Chanan Reitblat and Varnel Antoine,
elective at Boston Children’s Hospital, is mentored Harvard Medical School; Megan Gurjar, UNC School of
by Mark Puder, MD, PhD, a BIDMC General Surgery Medicine; Jonathan Dokter, Oakland University William
alumnus. Beaumont School of Medicine; Michelle Rose Shabo,
University of Massachusetts Medical School; and
Jonathan Sussman, University of Cincinnati College
of Medicine.
Resident Omar Haque, MD, MPH,
graduated in May from the Harvard
T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Surgery residents had a strong presence at the 2020
(as a Zuckerman Fellow) with a
annual (virtual) meeting of the New England Society of
concentration in health policy.
Colon and Rectal Surgeons in June. Presentations were
Dr. Haque’s thesis was overseen
made by: Benjamin Allar, MD, Gabrielle Dombek, MD,
by Khalid Khwaja, MD, Transplant
Ana Sofia Ore, MD, MPH, Jonathan Pastrana Del Valle,
Surgery. Also, Dr. Haque gave an
MD, Michelle Fakler, MD, MPA/ID, Alessandra Storino,
oral presentation at the American Transplant Congress
MD, and Daniel Wong, MD. Dr. Wong received the
2020 on “Liver Transplant with Donation after Cardiac
third-place award for his presentation “Dose-Intensified
Death versus Donation after Brain Death Donors:
Infliximab Rescue Therapy for Acute Ulcerative Colitis:
Survival and Outcomes at 10 Years.” Dr. Khwaja was
Does It Decrease the Need for Colectomy?” The
his mentor on this project.
residents’ mentors in the Division of Colon and Rectal
Surgery are Chief Evangelos Messaris, MD, PhD,
Thomas Cataldo, MD, and Anne Fabrizio, MD.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 18HOME >
IN MEMORIAM
The Department of Surgery mourns the loss of our colleagues Khalid O. Khwaja, MD, and Russell J. Nauta, MD.
Khalid O. Khwaja, MD to lead its kidney transplantation
Dr. Khwaja, a gifted transplant program but in 2012 rejoined the
and hepatobiliary surgeon, served BIDMC Department of Surgery
in several leadership roles at as Surgical Director of Solid
BIDMC, including as Acting Chief Organ Transplantation.
and Senior Clinical Director of the Dr. Khwaja mentored scores
BIDMC Transplant Institute and of trainees, performed the
Surgical Director of Solid Organ majority of complex liver surgery
Transplantation. Dr. Khwaja at BIDMC, and was critical to
passed away on August 23. the successful re-initiation of the
Dr. Khwaja received his MD Living Related Liver Transplant
from the Aga Khan University Program. He developed teaching
Medical College in Pakistan. He modules for the surgical aspects
completed a residency in general of pancreas transplantation
surgery and a research fellowship for the American Society of
at the University of Connecticut Transplant Surgeons, which are
and subsequently pursued a now used by trainees worldwide.
fellowship in transplantation at the Dr. Khwaja’s research Organ Bank, and was an active
University of Minnesota. interests focused on post- member of the American Society
After joining BIDMC in 2003, transplant immunosuppression of Transplant Surgeons.
Dr. Khwaja re-established the and transplant outcomes. Dr. Khwaja is survived by
Pancreatic Transplantation A national leader, Dr. Khwaja his mother, Dr. Zahida Khwaja;
Program, growing it to become the served on influential committees his partner, Amanda Reid; two
largest in New England. In 2008, of the United Network for Organ children; two brothers; and many
Dr. Khwaja joined Lahey Clinic Sharing and the New England other relatives.
Russell J. Nauta, MD
Dr. Nauta was Chair of the injury and the role of the Vitamin
Department of Surgery at Mount D receptor in human cancers.
Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Over a decade, he transformed
Mass. and Vice Chair of the the Georgetown General Surgery
Department of Surgery at BIDMC. Residency into one of the dominant
A graduate of Wesleyan academic training programs in
University, Dr. Nauta received the country.
his MD from Georgetown In 1998, Harvard recruited
University School of Medicine and Dr. Nauta as Chair of the
completed his surgical residency Department of Surgery at Mount
at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Auburn Hospital and Vice Chair
Dr. Nauta began his academic of the Department of Surgery
career at Georgetown University at BIDMC. Over the ensuing 22
Hospital, where he quickly years Dr. Nauta had an enormous
ascended to Professor of Surgery impact on the careers of countless examiner for the American Board
and Director of the General Harvard Medical School students of Surgery. At Harvard Medical
Surgery Residency Program, as and BIDMC surgical residents School, he served for nearly two
well as Chief of General Surgery as an outstanding clinician decades as a member of the
and Surgical Oncology. and educator. Admissions Committee.
At Georgetown, Dr. Nauta Dr. Nauta was an important Dr. Nauta, who passed
developed a busy, diverse practice national figure, holding many away on June 12, is survived by
and conducted research on leadership roles in the American his mother; his wife, Claire; two
hepatic ischemic-reperfusion College of Surgeons, and was an children; and three grandchildren.
bidmc.org/surgery Inside Surgery | Fall 2020 — Page 19You can also read
