As we reflect on the past year and look ahead, I am once again heartened and buoyed by the dedication, partnership and impact of our entire team here in the Department of Surgery. Working together, my colleagues have leveraged remarkable expertise, ingenuity and resolve to advance the practice and science of surgery in important ways — and ultimately, to make a real difference to the patients we serve.
I am excited to share detailed updates in the pages that follow, and to begin here below with some additional snapshots about our progress.
First, an example of our international reach. Dr. Gregory Jurkovich, Distinguished Professor of Surgery and the Lloyd F. & Rosemargaret Donant Chair in Trauma Medicine, recently achieved a significant academic milestone when his scientific publications garnered more than 36,000 citations, yielding a Google Scholar h-index of 105. A high h-index is evidence of a prolific and impactful research career that continues to inspire study; an h-index over 100 puts Dr. Jurkovich in the truly exceptional category. He is one of the world’s most highly cited professors in trauma and acute care surgery, and has had a major impact on research and education.
In another example of impactful research activities, pediatric surgeon Erin Brown was one of ten scientists to receive the Hartwell Foundation’s 2024 Individual Biomedical Research Award. She will develop a stem cell treatment to target neuroblastoma, the leading cause of cancer death under age five.
We have added talented clinician-scientists in several areas, such as Dr. Sean Judge, focused on novel therapies for complex GI malignancies; Drs. Scott Zakaluzny and Rachel Russo, experienced, double-boarded military trauma clinicians; Dr. Alfred Yoon, fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity at Mayo Clinic and Drs. Caitlin
Loseth and Yvonne Kelly who bring their expertise in abdominal organ transplantation. Our biomedical and surgical engineering programs welcomed researchers such as Jinhwan Kim, who combines nanotechnology and novel bioimaging to monitor cellular function and health; and Dake Hao, who studies areas such as integrin molecules and tissue regeneration.
These new colleagues join prominent recent additions to our faculty such as Drs. Sophoclis Alexopoulos and Lea Matsuoka, who led the successful launch of our liver transplant program, and Dr. Ankit Sarin, whose colorectal division has expanded volume and treatment options.
We also continue to play leadership roles in advancing equity. For example, Dr. David Tom Cooke, founding chief of our Division of General Thoracic Surgery and physician-in-chief for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as among 231 Black healthcare leaders to know in 2024. Dr. Cooke is also stepping into associate directorship of the Cancer Center’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility.
Working together, my colleagues have leveraged remarkable expertise, ingenuity and resolve to advance the practice and science of surgery in important ways — and ultimately, to make a real difference to the patients we serve.
Thank you for your continued interest in these successes and in our department.
Diana Farmer, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.
Distinguished Professor and Pearl Stamps Stewart Endowed Chair Chair, Department of Surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine
Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus, UC Davis Children’s Hospital Founder and Co-Director, Center for Surgical Bioengineering
“Over the past 50 years, the Burn Center has progressed from providing great care to defining the best care in burns nationally and internationally through research and advocacy.”
Division of Burn Surgery
The Division of Burn Surgery is proud to have received its fifth reverification from the American Burn Association (ABA) for meeting the highest standards of care, recognizing it as one of the nation’s top programs for burn care, research and training.
This year, the UC Davis Firefighters’ Burn Institute Regional Burn Center celebrated 50 years of dedicated service of compassionate recovery care for burn survivors.
“Over the past 50 years, the Burn Center has progressed from providing great care to defining the best care in burns nationally and internationally through research and advocacy,” said Division Chief Tina Palmieri. “We hope to continue our leadership and further develop patient-centered research designed to improve quality of life after burn injury.”
The facility’s ICU bed capacity is anticipated to nearly triple by 2030, which will greatly increase its ability to provide care to survivors of California’s most severe wildfires. The division’s faculty hold prominent leadership roles in the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), the largest nonprofit medical organization dedicated to promoting excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care.
Division of Cardiac Surgery
This year Dr. Gary Raff stepped in as new Interim Division Chief of Cardiac Surgery, succeeding Dr. Bob Kiaii’s years of dedicated service.
“Dr. Kiaii brought the division into the minimally invasive cardiac surgical space moving up our rankings in the National Society of Thoracic Surgery Star Ranking System. We are grateful for his contribution to advance the care of our patients,” said Raff.
The division has continued its growth into clinically important areas including minimally invasive procedures and expanding their heart failure programs.
The division completed their first pediatric thoracic duct bypass this year on a complex cardiac presenting newborn. They collaborated with experts in pediatric specialties, plastic surgery and radiology to make it happen.
Surgeons are currently involved in helping reduce risk of complex cyanotic heart disease in newborns and improving surgical outcomes through the placement of flow-limiting devices following birth.
Tina Palmieri, M.D., F.A.C.S. Chief, Burn Surgery
Director, Firefighters Burn Institute Burn Center at the University of California, Davis
Professor In-Residence
DIVISION
Gary Raff, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Interim Chief, Cardiac Surgery
Surgical Director, Pediatric Heart Center Professor
Division of Colorectal Surgery
In the first year following its restoration, the Division of Colorectal Surgery doubled its operative volumes while maintaining excellence in patient outcomes, aligning clinical pathways and developing dedicated clinical programs.
The division was named “high performing,” the highest rating possible, for colon cancer surgery in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals survey and was recognized as a Surgical Quality Partner by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
“It is an honor to be nationally recognized for our division’s excellence in saving lives and providing integrative highest quality care. Increasing our volume has allowed us to serve a larger population in our community while contributing to the education and scholarly mission of the institution,” said Division Chief Ankit Sarin.
Operating one of the highest-volume robotic colorectal programs for minimally invasive surgery in Northern California, the division introduced transanal robotic surgery, sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence and single-port robotic surgery and a high-resolution anoscopy program pioneered by Dr. Robert Kucejko and Ana Perez, P.A.-C.
The division’s surgeons were appointed to national committees of leading colorectal organizations, including the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
Ankit Sarin, M.D. M.H.A., M.B.S., F.A.C.S. Chief, Colorectal Surgery
Vice Chair of Robotics & New Technologies Associate Professor
Division of Foregut, Metabolic and General Surgery
The Division of Foregut, Metabolic and General Surgery had a year of research success and clinical recognition.
“Our division has continued to exemplify strong clinical expansion of robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques, coupled with investigations into basic understanding of human metabolism,” noted Division Chief Mohamed Ali.
A team headed by Bethany Cummings, D.V.M., Ph.D., received an NIH/NIDDK R01 grant to study a new pathway involved in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor regulation of islet function. Graduate student Rahaf Shishani also received an NIH/NIDDK F31 grant to study the role of 14-3-3zeta as a novel downstream regulator of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor signaling, as well as the Richard C. Woodard Diabetes Research Award in recognition of her innovative studies.
Shishani published research showing that bariatric surgery in mice decreases markers of gut bacterial bile acid metabolism. Melanie Reuter, another graduate student of Cumming’s, published and presented work on the increase in gut bacterial bile acid metabolism with dietary resistant starch supplementation in mice.
Dr. Shushmita Ahmed, who was appointed surgical director of the Simulation Center, is developing several novel simulations for the general surgery residency program.
Mohamed Ali, M.D., F.A.C.S. Chief, Foregut, Metabolic and General Surgery
Senior Associate Medical Officer of UC Davis Health
Executive Director of the Center for Ailmentary and Metabolic Science Professor
Division of General Thoracic Surgery
In 2024, the Division of General Thoracic Surgery celebrated its collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine’s Interventional Pulmonology Program, surpassing 1,000 robotic surgeries to diagnose and treat lung cancer cases with state-of-the-art Intuitive da Vinci XI and Ion systems.
The division’s enhanced outcomes in lung cancer treatment, including early-stage treatment rates and survival outcomes, surpassed those of other American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accredited centers.
UC Davis Medical Center was named “high performing,” the highest rating possible, for lung cancer surgery by U.S. News & World Repor t for 2024-2025.
“Our interdisciplinary team-based approach to the care of patients with thoracic disease brings unmatched value to patients who recover with less pain and fewer complications. Our surgeon-led team is proud to restore the health of our California, western Nevada and southern Oregon communities,” said Dr. David Tom Cooke, founding division chief.
Dr. David Tom Cooke was named physician-in-chief for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. He has also been recognized by Cancer Health Magazine as one of the top 25 leaders breaking down racial barriers to better cancer care.
David Tom Cooke, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Chief, General Thoracic Surgery
Vice Chair for Faculty Development & Wellness
Director, General Thoracic Surgery Robotics Program
Physician-in-Chief- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Program Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Task-Force Chair, Comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program
Associate Physician Lead, Lung Cancer Integrated Service Line
Professor
Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery
In 2024, the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery experienced vast programmatic growth and continues to be the first level I Children’s Surgery Center on the West Coast.
“Our division’s growth this year has allowed us to continue to provide the best care for children in our region and beyond,” said Division Chief Shinjiro Hirose.
The division expanded the nationally recognized Pediatric Colorectal Center, revitalized the stem cell transplant program for childhood cancer and added new pediatric surgery trauma clinics.
Also introduced was the Fetoscopic Endotracheal Occlusion Program to care for the most severely affected fetuses with underdeveloped lungs. The program improves survival rate by nurturing proper lung development through surgical intervention.
Key projects this year included a landmark study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy in fetal spina bifida surgery; animal studies for fetal gastroschisis surgery; and vascular rehabilitation for children with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Research remains underway to examine sociodemographic disparities in fetal surgery as a means to improve health outcomes. The division continues to pave the way for the treatment of several fetal diseases through stem cell and tissue engineering.
Shinjiro Hirose, M.D., F.A.C.S. Chief, Pediatric, General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery
Vice-Chair, Department of Surgery, Director of Pediatric Surgery, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma Professor
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery celebrated another successful year and incorporation of the profunda artery perforator technique, a rarely performed complex breast reconstruction utilizing thigh tissue.
“The ability to offer this surgery has allowed us to expand the post-mastectomy natural breast reconstruction options for patients who otherwise would not have been candidates for this type of procedure,” said Dr. Ara Salibian.
Salibian also served as the director for the Center for Lymphatic Diseases which was distinguished as a Lymphatic Center of Excellence (LE&RN) this year, making the center one of 20 in the world with this distinction. They are currently working to decrease the risk of certain patients developing lymphedema in the future through lymphatic reconstruction.
The division also began offering a new comprehensive hand and upper extremity trauma service led by Dr. Ravi Sood. It utilizes microsurgical techniques to perform extremity trauma care, limb loss and amputee care, peripheral nerve decompression, replantation and treatment for chronic and congenital conditions.
“Over this past year, our division has continued to expand and innovate in all areas of plastic surgery, thus providing the most sophisticated and contemporary care to our patients,” said Division Chief Granger Wong.
Division of Surgical Oncology
The Division of Surgical Oncology made exceptional advances to their clinical offerings and research this year including the introduction of the Pediatric and Adolescent Breast Clinic led by Drs. Erin Brown and Candice Sauder.
“Opening this center means young women in our catchment area will have access to the least invasive, most evidence-based surgery within the region. Many young females develop breast disease and operating inappropriately can negatively impact their development,” said Sauder.
The Center for Interventional Thyroidology, co-directed by Dr. Claire Graves, increased its offerings to include a minimally invasive Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure to treat benign thyroid nodules. The center also introduced thyroid robotic surgery.
Receiving a $100,000 OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant for his comparative oncology research, Division Chief Dr. Robert Canter evaluated novel immunotherapy approaches for osteosarcoma in canines.
“Osteosarcoma is a terrible disease for both dogs and people. Our goal is to pilot novel therapies in dogs to speed the translational pipeline and improve outcomes for both dogs and humans,” Canter said.
Robert Canter, M.D.
Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology Professor
Granger Wong, M.D., D.M.D., F.A.C.S.
Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program Director, Plastic Surgery Residency Professor
Division of Transplant Surgery
The Division of Transplant Surgery celebrated the reopening of the UC Davis Health Liver Transplant Program. Under the leadership of Dr. Lea Matsuoka, 41 liver transplants were performed within the first 12 months with 100% patient and graft survival.
“The CMS-certified liver transplant program provides a critical life-saving service within our local communities for patients with end-stage liver disease and embodies the outstanding complex care at the heart of UC Davis Health,” said Division Chief Sophoclis Alexopoulos.
UC Davis Health’s nationally recognized kidney transplant program has performed over 5,000 kidney transplants and remains one of the busiest in the nation.
“The incorporation of minimally invasive robotic-assisted donor nephrectomy, led by Drs. Junichiro Sageshima and Naeem Goussous, represents our commitment to innovation and living donation. Lifesaving living donor kidney transplantation can allow a person with end-stage kidney failure to completely avoid or dramatically decrease exposure to dialysis,” said Alexopoulos.
Two new outstanding faculty members joined the division to support the continued growth in abdominal organ transplantation, Dr. Yvonne Kelly and Dr. Caitlin Loseth.
The division is currently involved in multiple ongoing research investigations, including determining how to increase marginal organ utilization while maintaining outstanding outcomes through donor and recipient matching.
Sophoclis Alexopoulos, M.D., F.A.C.S. Chief, Division of Transplantation Medical Director, Transplant Center Surgical Director, Adult Kidney Transplant Program Professor
Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care
The Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care has added three double board-certified faculty members this year.
Dr. Scott Zakaluzny joined the division after his distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force. He will play an active role in the division’s clinical services and will focus on posttraumatic chest wall reconstruction.
Dr. Rachel Russo also joined the division after serving in the U.S. Air Force and will focus on growing the division’s basic and translational research program. Dr. Emily Tibbits is currently on active duty in the Air Force and will be supporting the division’s integrated military residency program and contributing to the clinical team.
Dr. Rachel Hight, was appointed Interim General Surgery Residency Program Director and Dr. Anamaria Robles, was named the Surgical Critical Care Program Director and Surgical ICU Director. Robles is joined by Dr. Sawyer Smith on a national committee developing the next generation of teaching tools in surgical critical care.
Other members serve in national, regional and institutional roles and have produced numerous research papers, 85% of which appeared in peer-reviewed publications during the past two years. The division collectively oversees 90 active research studies.
M.D. , F.A.C.S. Chief, Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Vice Chair, Clinical Science Associate Dean, Data Science and Innovation
UC
Davis health Chief Research Information Officer (CRIO)
Professor
Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
The Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery remains at the forefront of adopting new surgical techniques and is the first hospital in the Sacramento region authorized to perform TAMBE, a minimally invasive procedure to treat complex aortic aneurysms, having performed six procedures to date.
The vascular laboratory received the Gold Award from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for its 30 years of high-quality patient care, and is the only IAC-accredited lab in Sacramento to offer all four specialties: extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral arterial testing, peripheral venous testing and visceral vascular testing.
For the fifth consecutive year, the division received the highest star rating for participation in the Society of Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative. “This award demonstrates our dedication and commitment to improving patient outcomes through accurate and complete data,” said Interim Division Chief Misty Humphries.
The division’s integrated vascular residency program remains among the top in the nation and remains the only with a Department of Defense medical treatment facility as an affiliated teaching site.
Misty Humphries, M.D., M.A.S., R.P.V.I., F.A.C.S.
Interim Chief, Vascular Surgery
Director, Vascular Center and UC Davis Wound Care Center
Program Director, Vascular Integrated Residency Program
Program Director, Research Experience in Surgery (RESURG)
Professor
Rachael Callcut,
Second baby graduates from CuRe Trial
Tobi Maginnis, the second CuRe trial participant, celebrated his 30-month follow up after receiving prenatal repair for myelomeningocele spina bifida. This follow up marks his graduation from the most intensive monitoring stage postoperatively for participants in the stage 2 clinical CuRe trial.
Led by Dr. Diana Farmer and bioengineer Aijun Wang, Ph.D., the CuRe trial (Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele) tests the first in-human treatment that uses placenta-derived stem cells to improve outcomes for children with myelomeningocele spina bifida. Clinically overseen by the director of the UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center, Dr. Shinjiro Hirose, the stem cell treatment is delivered directly to the spinal cord defect of the fetus while still developing in the mother’s womb.
Parents Michelle Johnson and Jeff Maginnis were told Tobi may be born paralyzed from the waist down.
“He was born with his legs kicking and his toes wiggling,” said Johnson. “The MRI showed no brain inflammation, no hydrocephalus, which was a miracle for us.”
“We are excited that our second patient has reached the 30-month mark,” said Farmer.
The clinical trial team is almost one third of the way through, with 11 out of the 35 total procedures completed, and an additional four expected by February 2025.
The Maginnis family celebrates Tobi’s graduation with Co-PIs Dr. Diana Farmer and Aijun Wang.
Liver Transplant Program’s One Year Impact
After traveling nearly 300 miles for care, Juan Velasco received a second chance at life through liver transplantation.
Humboldt County resident Velasco and his family came to UC Davis Health to treat his liver cirrhosis after his local hospital lacked the resources for his care.
“Social support is an integral part of a successful liver transplant,” said Dr. Lea Matsuoka, section chief for liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery.
“The new UC Davis Liver Transplant Program gave Mr. Velasco access to a life-saving operation where he could recover with the help of his family.”
The UC Davis Liver Transplant Program, launched in July 2023, is the only program north of San Francisco, spanning a 65,000-square-mile region which can lack adequate access to health care services. Increasing liver transplant access across 33 counties, the program provides care to the largest healthcare desert in the state.
Healthcare deserts, or areas where most people lack adequate access to preventative and acute care services affect 73% of Northen California counties — causing patients like Velasco to drive 300 or more miles to receive treatment.
After arriving at UC Davis, Velasco and his family waited just one week at the hospital until receiving the news that they had received a liver offer for
him. “I was shocked that I was able to receive a liver so fast,” said Velasco. “It brought me tears of joy.”
Receiving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification in April of this year, the program expands access to liver transplant patients insured by Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), and closed out its first year with 100% patient survival rate and graft survival rate.
In its first year, the program completed 41 liver transplants.
“We are excited to meet the health care needs of our community and expand our ability to care for adults with liver disease,” said Dr. Sophoclis Alexopoulos, medical director of the UC Davis Transplant Center.
Velasco is now enjoying a new chapter of his life in Rio Dell, Northern California.
RESEARCH
“This remarkable achievement underscores our commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation across various specialties.”
Aijun Wang, Ph.D. Vice Chair for Translational Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Co-Director, Surgical Bioengineering Laboratory Chancellor’s Fellow Professor
The Center for Surgical Bioengineering
In fiscal year 2024, CSB research activities experienced significant growth, marked by a 55% increase in total funding, which exceeded $22 million. This remarkable achievement underscores our commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation across various specialties. Faculty professional development awards totaled $135,000, with the majority allocated from a K12 program initiative designed to build interdisciplinary research careers in women’s health at UC Davis.
Our students received a total of $127,000 from the T32 Fellowship Training Program. This program is vital for nurturing the next generation of researchers, providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to excel. Our commitment to medical evolution was further demonstrated through $160,000 in innovation and development awards, which focus on advancing human-health technology toward commercialization.
Collaborative efforts with Shriners Children’s Northern California hospital played a crucial role in our funding growth, with several faculty members receiving financial support totaling $8 million. These developmental awards are instrumental in supporting faculty at various stages of their research, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
Strategic recruitment efforts, including the addition of distinguished scholars, such as Jinhwan Kim, Ph.D., and Dake Hao, Ph.D., have also contributed significantly to the expansion of our research portfolio.
The Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science
The focus of the Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science (CAMS) is to research the interconnection between nutrition, metabolism, gut microbes, endocrine systems, and health function and obesity-associated conditions. Producing groundbreaking discoveries with research funding of over $25 million since the center’s launch four years ago, CAMS investigators, clinicians, staff and trainees have achieved groundbreaking discoveries. Most recently, the center conducted research that identifies new dietary fiber supplementation pathways that improve gut microbial function and enhance host health.
Other experiments have uncovered new pathways in the pancreas that control production of hormones such as insulin, which is critical for blood sugar regulation and prevention of diabetes. CAMS scientists also have led in discovery and characterization of “xenometabolites,” the natural molecules produced by gut bacteria metabolism that can regulate host health and function through
receptor signaling and other mechanisms. They constitute at least 20% of the roughly 40,000 or more metabolites in the blood.
CAMS surgeons have recently published studies on the clinical algorithms they developed to characterize metabolic disease status with unprecedented detail. Current studies are applying these algorithms to evaluate the influence of sex on metabolism and body weight regulation in bariatric surgery. This research provides novel insights to help predict person-to-person variability in magnitude and longevity of the positive outcomes associated with bariatric surgery.
The CAMS team is initiating additional programs intended to bridge “discovery science” and clinical practice, including studies to determine the mechanisms by which nutritional status and food-derived components influence clinical and surgical outcomes.
Sean Adams, Ph.D. Vice Chair, Basic Science Scientific Director, Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science Professor
Dr. Victoria Lyo and her team including Mayra Contreras, Judy Tsururani and Katie Christensen. Dr. Lyo is the Associate Director of Clinical Research for the Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science.
Translational Research
■ Remote Burn Care: Burn Surgery
Division Chief Tina Palmieri, recipient of the Military Burn Research Program Idea Development Award, is conducting research that responds to a mounting need for burn intervention care in remote environments. She is developing a portable long-acting lyophilized nanoparticle anesthetic tilapia-derived dressing that will help close the critical gap in burn care interventions in non-sterile conditions.
■ Scaffold for Deep Burns: A team of UC Davis researchers led by bioengineer Aijun Wang, Ph.D., has designed and tested a supportive structure, called a scaffold, that can help large deep burn wounds heal faster. The promising new treatment was found to promote the formation of new blood vessels and reduce complications linked to open burn wounds. It also may reduce the
need for skin grafting in patients with significant burns over their body.
■ Fetal Surgery for Gastroschisis Using a Fetal Sheep Model: Pediatric surgeon Dr. Shinjiro Hirose is collaborating with neonatologist Dr. Geoanna Bautista to determine if prenatal repair of gastroschisis leads to better outcomes and improved intestinal function in newborns. Gastroschisis is a congenital defect in which the abdominal wall fails to close and the bowel is herniated into the amniotic cavity. This herniation leads to poor bowel function after delivery, and occasionally can lead to intestinal atresia or even catastrophic loss of intestinal function. The team’s goal is to demonstrate that repair of this defect through relocation of the bowel into the fetal abdomen will result in normal or near normal bowel function.
■ Reimagining Diversity and EquityBased Care in Colorectal Surgery: Dr. Sean Flynn has developed an Equity Dashboard that analyzes the relationship between socioeconomic factors and patient recovery following colorectal surgery. This comparative database will help structure an innovative system of care-cultivating improvements in patient equity. He is also developing a Textbook Colectomy Dashboard to measure recovery through positive outcomes. “Health care has historically measured success through avoidance of negative outcomes such as infections and readmission. We want to focus on shifting the conversation toward positive outcomes to ensure that we are working toward enhancing care and recovery, not just avoiding problems,” said Division of Colorectal Surgery Chief Ankit Sarin.
Dr. Erin Brown is the recipient of the 2024 Hartwell Individual Biomedical
■ Assessing Image-Defined Risk Factors in Children with Neuroblastoma: Dr. Erin Brown is investigating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that can carry and deliver microRNAs (miRs) to targeted tumor cells. The miRs are small RNAs that can help reduce tumor size and boost tumor sensitivity to therapies. “Our research in a mouse model has shown that MSCs travel to neuroblastoma tumors. This means MSCs have great promise as a highly effective new treatment,” Brown said. This foundational grant is designed to support innovative approaches to collaborative research for pediatric cancer. The major goal of this multi-institutional project is to advance the understanding of imaging features on treatment and outcomes for children with neuroblastoma.
■ Immunotherapy for Osteosarcoma: Awarded a grant for $100,000 from the nonprofit organization MIB Agents, Dr. Robert Canter is examining the effect of immunotherapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma. At this phase, nearly a dozen pet dogs will be given inhaled dosages of Interleukin 15, an immunotherapy protein that the body naturally produces. Canter’s hope is to see if the drug’s effectiveness can be extended by administering it for six months instead of two weeks, as in the previous trial conducted at UC Davis.
Clinical Trials
■ The CuRe Trial: Drs. Diana Farmer and Shinjiro Hirose and bioengineer Aijun Wang, Ph.D., have been awarded nearly $15 million for groundbreaking work on a spina
bifida treatment using placental mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs). The funding will allow the team to carry out phase 2 of a clinical trial that investigates the extent to which adding stem cells during fetal MMC repair can help improve the ability of children to walk and control their bowel movements and urination. See related story p. 8.
■ A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Transdermal Compress Devices in Participants With Transfemoral Amputations: Drs. Andrew Li, Robert Randall and Chris Shin are co-leading a multisite, multidisciplinary clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transdermal compress devices in participants with transfemoral amputations. UC Davis Health is one of 10 academic medical centers across the country participating in this 100-patient
Canine cancer patient Tyson receiving inhaled immunotherapy for osteosarcoma.
study that aims to create a more integrated prosthetic experience by completely eliminating the need for a prosthetic socket.
■ Performance Evaluation of the DeepView AI-Burns for Assessment of Thermal Burn Healing Potential: Drs. Kathleen Romanowski and Jeanne Lee are conducting a multisite clinical trial to validate the Spectral MD DeepView device algorithm as a means to assess burn healing potential. With the goal of determining which burns will require skin grafting, the trial will allow physicians to give more precise predictions to patients upon admission.
■ Sparking Gut Bacteria Production of Bioactive Xenolipids in situ: Sean Adams, Scientific Director for UC Davis Center for Alimentary and Metabolic Science and postdoctoral research fellow Jean Debédat are investigating the role of gut bacteria-derived cyclopropane fatty acids (CpFAs) in signaling within body tissues to regulate cardiometabolic heath. This clinical trial will determine if a novel intervention can promote production of CpFAs in response to specific foods. If successful, this study may precipitate a new approach for management of blood sugar, blood and liver lipids and overall
metabolic health by leveraging the metabolic potential of the gut microbiome.
“[The study] aims to create a more integrated prosthetic experience by completely eliminating the need for a prosthetic socket.”
Dr. Andrew Li evaluates an arm during surgery. Li is also a co-PI evaluating safety and effectiveness of transdermal compress devices.
EDUCATION
The UC Davis Department of Surgery is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of surgeon leaders with innovative educational technology, strategic professional training and a wellness-informed approach.
We believe that the next generation should be learning with the latest technology. Incorporating simulation and robotic surgery, we empower residents to refine their technical skills required for the evolving demands of modern surgical care.
Our assessment process prepares residents to perform with quality and excellence. We use entrustable professional activities (EPAs) to refine our simulation-based assessments and incorporate real-time feedback, offering comprehensive evaluations of clinical competence.
Robust leadership training equips residents to innovate within the healthcare system. With guidance provided from world-class surgeon-leaders, residents will gain an intimate understanding of health care systems, managing teams, and leading with confidence in highstress environments.
Supporting balance, we host quarterly activities, surgeon wellness lectures, and off-site events like our annual camping trip.
We are proud to recruit a diverse body of residents that represent, innovate, and inform culturally specific care.
Through these initiatives, we prepare the next generation of surgeons to define exceptional care and innovation.
Edgardo Salcedo, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Program Director, Surgical Education and Simulation Fellowship
Surgical Director, Center for Simulation and Education Enhancement
Interim Vice Chair of Education
PGY-4 Resident Ella Gibson operates with Dr. Ara Salibian on a lymphedema patient.
Major new outpatient surgery center takes shape
We are excited to announce that the largest operating and procedure room construction project of its kind in the U.S. is underway at UC Davis Health. The four-story, 268,000-square-foot 48X Complex will support 14 operating rooms; 59 pre- and post-operative recovery bays; 14 single-occupant 23-hour recovery rooms; 96 clinical exam rooms and 19 clinical treatment rooms.
Opening in 2025, 48X emphasizes patient experience by increasing access to acute and outpatient specialty procedures. Embracing the latest adaptable design advancements in the healthcare setting, the 48X Complex offers an unprecedented level of accessibility to patient care.
Learn more: health.ucdavis.edu/facilities
UC Davis Department of Surgery 2335 Stockton Blvd.
North Addition Office Building, 6th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95817
916-734-3528
health.ucdavis.edu/surgery
surgerynews@ucdavis.edu
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