News
It is with great sorrow that I share with you the passing of two vital members of the UK College of Medicine’s history, both of whom were former chairs.
Ward O. Griffen, MD, PhD, former chair of the department of surgery, passed away Tuesday, July 21, at the age of 92, and Jacqueline Noonan, MD, former chair of the department of pediatrics, died on July 23 at the age of 91. The College of Medicine community will miss both deeply.
Ward O. Griffen, MD, PhD
The UK Department of Surgery mourns the passing of Ward O. Griffen, MD, PhD, 92, chair of the department from 1968 – 1984 and one of the giants in the world of American surgery. He died on Tuesday morning, July 21.
The UK Department of Surgery will welcome eight new faculty members for the 2020 academic year. The first, Dr. Carl Backer, a national leader in pediatric heart transplants and cardiac surgery, began his practice and leadership role at UK HealthCare in June. The remaining faculty members will begin practicing in August, September, and October.
By Josh Shepherd
With the beginning of a new academic year this July, Dr. William B. Inabnet III, The Johnston-Wright Endowed Professor and Chair of Surgery implemented a re-organization of the UK Department of Surgery that expands its divisional structure, reflecting the significant growth the department has experienced over the last decade.
The first recipients of the Zwischenberger-Rounsavall Fund for Innovation in Surgical Research and Education were announced during the annual presentation of the Department of Surgery Teaching Awards on Wednesday morning, June 10. Dr. William B. Inabnet III, Department Chair, and Dr. Jay Zwischenberger, former department chair and the fund’s sponsor, were co-presenters of the fund’s inaugural year.
Three UK Department of Surgery researchers, Dr. Hiroshi Saito, Dr. Marlene Starr, and Dr. Dongfang Wang, were again named Wethington Award recipients for 2020.
Wethington Awards, administered and funded by the College of Medicine’s Dean’s Office, annually recognizes the achievements of UK research faculty in securing major grants and support for their clinical and scientific research endeavors.
All three researchers have been multiple year recipients of Wethington Awards.
CLICK HERE FOR STORY AND VIDEO COVERAGE FROM THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER
By Josh Shepherd
The University of Kentucky Department of Surgery is committed to treat every individual with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate racism or discrimination in any form by faculty, residents, patients, families, or staff; whether it is in the form of an action, words, or attitudes. We do not tolerate harassment, subjugation, suppression, or discrimination based on a person’s ethnicity, race, social-economic status, sex, creed, or religion. We affirm that every person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Racism and discrimination are deeply rooted in our society.
To say that the Resident Class of 2020 experienced an unprecedented final year is an understatement. As Kentucky’s efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 at the end of the winter forced hospitals to suspend elective surgery, residents found themselves on the front line of defense against the novel coronavirus. They began training in new ways to serve patients’ needs and to take on leadership roles alongside their UK faculty mentors.
We would like to officially welcome Dr. Carl Lewis Backer as new chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at UK Kentucky Children’s Hospital. His primary appointment is at Cincinnati Children’s, but he will be based here in Lexington.
By Josh Shepherd
Four members of the Surgery faculty were surprised at Surgery Grand Rounds Wednesday morning, May 13, when department chair Dr. William B. Inabnet III proudly announced that they were approved for promotion. The honors came nearly six months earlier than usual, said Dr. Inabnet.
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By Josh Shepherd
The Division of General Surgery received approval from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in May to expand their class of General Surgery residents from seven to eight and to establish a new Colon and Rectal Surgery (CRS) Fellowship program beginning in the 2020-21 academic year.
By the UK College of Medicine
Click here for From the Dean's Desk Blog (Dean Robert S. DiPaola, MD)
In this unique year in the history of the UK College of Medicine, the Department of Surgery is proud to announce the names of two exceptional senior medical students for the 2020 Dr. Andrew R. Pulito and Dr. Francis Massie awards.
By Josh Shepherd
Chief residents in General Surgery at the University of Kentucky are being trained to assume key leadership roles as part of an overall strategy to manage an anticipated spike in COVID-19 inpatients at UK Chandler Hospital. Dr. William B. Inabnet III, Chair of the UK Department of Surgery, described the “platoon” approach to Surgery faculty and residents during a special surgery grand rounds presentation on a Wednesday morning in April.
Dr. John Draus, division chief of Pediatric Surgery, shares a special letter of support for those care providers on the front line of the fight against COVID-19.
https://youtu.be/phhHy_xiQXU
By Josh Shepherd
*NOTE: Not long after UK HealthCare received FLS Testing Center approval, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) temporarily closed all testing centers from March 27 – April 30 as a preventative measure in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Notification will be sent to residents and departments when the UK Center re-commences FLS Testing.
Click this link for original Health Matters article and other related information on patient health.
By Dr. Malay Shah, MD, FACS
The UK Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David B. Drake as the new Division Chief of Plastic Surgery, effective April 1, 2020. The Department would like to thank Dr. Kant Lin for his service; at the end of May, Dr. Lin will be moving on to the Medical College of Wisconsin to pursue another opportunity.
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By Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Monday