Colorectal Surgery

Faculty Listing:

Larissa K.F. Temple, M.D., M.Sc., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Professor of Surgery and Chief, Division of Colorectal Surgery; Director of the Colorectal Fellowship; Vice Chair, Care Transformation

Lisa Cannon, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Associate Professor of Surgery; Director, Surgical IBD Program

Christina Cellini, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology; Director of Surgical Endoscopy; Physician Director of Surgery Billing Integrity

Fergal J. Fleming, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.S.-I., F.A.C.S.,

Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology; Co-Director of the Rectal Cancer Program

Rabih M. Salloum, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Professor of Surgery and Oncology

Jenny R. Speranza, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology; Director of Adult Pelvic Health and Continence Center

Gabriela Poles, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Assistant Professor of Surgery; Associate Colorectal Fellowship Director

Zhaomin (Tim) Xu, M.D., M.P.H.,

Assistant Professor of Surgery; Director of Anal Dysplasia Clinic

The UR Medicine Division of Colorectal Surgery constantly strives to raise the bar for excellence – and 2020 was no exception. Our colorectal surgeons and advanced practice providers (APPs) played active roles in Strong Memorial Hospital’s response to COVID-19 during the year. This outstanding team became even stronger as we navigated the pandemic together.

The past two years have been definitely a learning experience for all of us. Speaking of education, our Division had an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship site visit and was granted full accreditation with no citations. We also recruited our fifth colorectal surgery fellow and several trainees with interest in colorectal, mentored many medical students and supported applications to general surgery. In addition, our Division participated in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) inaugural Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) Program, which is designed for rising second-year, underrepresented minority students who attend host medical schools.

As the year progressed, clinic visits, surgeries and inpatient volumes increased, all with improved clinical outcomes during COVID-19. Our efficiency with endoscopy also became more fine-tuned. We continue to have active growth in our colorectal cancer programs, as well as in our Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) program by working in unison with colleagues within our system. Our APPs continue expanding independent clinics for stoma care, anorectal disease and dysplasia.

Over at Highland Hospital, we now have two full-time colorectal surgeons who perform procedures in the Operating Room and Endoscopy Unit, as well as a new inpatient ward. Our Division expanded our reach beyond Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals with ongoing efforts to increase collaboration with regional surgery, medical oncology and GI colleagues, resulting in more streamlined care for patients.

Throughout 2020 and into 2022, our Division continued to grow. Our faculty participate and conduct research targeting new therapeutic options, decreasing toxicity and improving education for our trainees. We have shared our extensive knowledge by authoring over 20 papers, participating in research studies and have had many as senior/first author in high-impact journals. We recruited Dr. Zhaomin (Tim) Xu, a University of Rochester Medical Center trained general surgeon and a Cleveland Clinic fellow in colorectal surgery. Dr. Xu returns to us as an Assistant Professor and will serve as medical director of dysplasia, in addition to being an active participant in Surgical Health Outcomes & Research Enterprise (SHORE).

I am also pleased to announce some outstanding faculty highlights: Gabriela Poles, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S. was awarded the Zinner Fellowship and has been accepted into the Geriatric Faculty Scholarship Program. Fergal Fleming, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.S.-I, F.A.C.S. was appointed to the Editorial Board of Annals of Surgical Oncology, Colorectal Section, while Christina Cellini M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S. was the British Journal Lecturer at the Swiss Surgical Society. Plus, Quarnisha White, N.P. was named to the Department of Surgery Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and represents Sovie Center for Advanced Practice Providers in DEI. Finally, I was honored to present at the American Surgical, Premier Surgical Society and was appointed to the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors. I am continuing my positions in the Commission of Cancer and its subcommittees and Editorial Board of Colorectal Diseases.

In the coming year, our colorectal team looks forward to ongoing programmatic growth with increased volumes, multidisciplinary collaborative efforts, and continued regional expansion. Exciting times are ahead for our Division and patients.

Larissa K. F. Temple, M.D., M.Sc., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.,

Professor of Surgery and Oncology and Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery