Faculty Teaching Award Recipients

The UK Department of Surgery concluded the 2023-24 academic year in June with the presentation of its annual teaching awards. 

Dr. Matthia Loebe and Dr. Naureen Narula

Shortly after joining the UK Department of Surgery faculty, Matthias Loebe, MD, performed a successful double lung transplant.

The patient, a Kentucky resident in his 60s, had been diagnosed with coalminer lung/black lung disease. The transplant was performed over the course of an evening in early May.

Dr. Margaret Griffen with the family of Marley Curry, a trauma survivor

Families and UK trauma team members came together in mid-May for the second annual Trauma Survivor’s Celebration, sponsored by the UK HealthCare branch of the Trauma Survivor’s Network. The event paid tribute to patients who not only survived life-threatening trauma through treatment from UK’s Level 1 Trauma Center, but also overcame life-altering obstacles during their recovery.

The 2024 Graduating Residents

Preparing for their last weeks as residents and fellows, the 2024 Department of Surgery class shared their post-graduate plans. The majority of residents have matched into leading advanced surgery fellowships. Of those choosing to enter private practice, two have opted to stay and serve patients in the Lexington, Kentucky area.

Dr. Hannah McDonald, General Surgery Resident in Research year

Hannah McDonald, MD, a general surgery resident, earned her doctorate in clinical and translational science after a successful dissertation defense on May 15.

Dr. Mautin Barry-Hundeyin (left) and Kathleen O'Connor, PhD (right), are 2024 recipients of Markey Women Strong research grants

Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, MD, assistant professor in the division of surgical oncology, is one of two cancer researchers at the University of Kentucky selected as a recipient of the 2024 Markey Women Strong Distinguished Researcher Award.

Brooke Skaggs, PA-C is selected as new Director of APPs in Surgery

The UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery is pleased to announce that Brooke Skaggs, PA-C, has been named director of advanced practice providers (APPs), a new position within the department. Skaggs, who has served six years as an APP for the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, will officially assume her new job duties on May 5.

In the "Dear Donor" Project, organ recipients express their gratitude to their donors and their families. Jeff Walker | UK HealthCare Brand Strategy

“We may not have walked the same path before, but today you walk with me...” 

Thus begins one of the anonymous letters written by an organ transplant recipient to their donor. The author goes on to celebrate their donor’s life legacy and express immense gratitude for the gift of a new life. 

Pulito and Pandalai

Prakash Pandalai, MD, advanced development director for the department surgery, presented both the Francis Massie Award and the Andrew Pulito Award at the annual College of Medicine Awards banquet to celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2024. 

Andrew Pulito, MD Award

Dr. Philip Kern presents Dr. Sibu Saha with a CCTS Mentor Recognition Award

Sibu Saha, MD, division of cardiothoracic surgery, and Jennifer Castle, MD, a PGY-4 general surgery resident, were among those given special recognition at the 19th annual Spring Conference of the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

Dr. Wheelock of UK Surgery and Dr. Kabet of UTH mentor first-year surgery residents in laparascopic surgery fundamentals

After years of virtual meetings and long-distance conversation, faculty members from the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery were finally able to meet face-to-face with colleagues from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia last January as part of the American College of Surgeons’ Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.).

Maggie Griffen headshot

Margaret Griffen, MD, has long called the UK College of Medicine home. Her father, Ward Griffen, MD, led the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery as chair between 1968 – 1984. Like her father, Dr. Griffen was drawn to medicine and surgery.

Kentucky Sen. Reginald Thomas and Dr. Pat McGrath during reading of a resolution honoring his career in surgical oncology

The Kentucky Senate passed a special resolution honoring Patrick McGrath, MD, professor emeritus of surgical oncology, on the Senate floor in celebration of the surgeon’s 38 years of dedicated care to the people of the Commonwealth at UK HealthCare. Following a reading of the resolution, the entire Senate gave Dr. McGrath a much-deserved standing ovation.

UK Department of Surgery welcomes new residents for 2024

Surgery All New Interns 2024-25.pdf

Cardiothoracic Surgery Integrated Residency

Mohammad Malik, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Matthias Loebe, MD, PhD, FACC, FCCP

The University of Kentucky Department of Surgery welcomed a new cardiothoracic transplant specialist, Matthias Loebe, MD, PhD, to its faculty in the division of cardiothoracic surgery.

Jacob Whitt

By Hilary Brown

Click here for the article in UKnow

When Jacob Whitt rolled through the drive-thru with friends one night in November 2023, he had no idea that the cheesy, saucy goodness he ordered would lead to a 38-day stay in the hospital.

Dr. Hannah McDonald, General Surgery Resident in Research year

Hannah McDonald, MD, a UK general surgery resident currently serving an elective research year, was selected as a recipient of a 2024 Travel Award from the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation (ACPMP). 

Dr. Abi Recktenwald presented the Bostwick Award at the Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium

E. Abi Recktenwald, MD, third year resident in the Integrated plastic surgery residency program at the University of Kentucky, is the recipient of the 2024 Bostwick Award, which recognizes excellence in resident research at the 39th Annual Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium sponsored by the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS).

Dr. Dongfang Wang, Surgery Research and head of the Wang Lab

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced a new R01 research grant of $2.6 million over five years. The grant was awarded to Dr. Dongfang Wang and the Wang Lab at the University of Kentucky Department of Surgery. 

Dr. David Drake, The William S. Farish Endowed Chair of Plastic Surgery at UK HealthCare

David Drake, MD, the William S. Farish Endowed Chair of plastic surgery at UK HealthCare, has been named as one of the official visiting professors for the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS) for 2024.