"ON THE CUTTING EDGE" - NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
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SEP T EMBER , 2018
“ON THE CUTTING EDGE”
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY
Feature Stories:
DR. JONATHAN KEITH:
First Phalloplasty
in New Jersey
DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:
Preventing Gun
Violence is Personal
DR. JAMES GUARRERA:
Liver Transplant DR. ANNE MOSENTHAL:
Program Exceeds Progress Toward
Expectations Strategic Vision
1
Contents
Honors & Awards Welcome Highlights
GOLDEN APPLE AWARD DR. ASHLEY IGNATIUK DR. HOSSEIN SADEGHI-NEHAD
AOA HONORS DR. GORE DR. DUSTIN CUMMINGS DR. ADAM FOX
PROMOTIONS DR. JOSEPH OLIVER DR. JESSICA ROUAN
GRADUATES NEW RESIDENTS DR. ADAM FOX &
JONATHAN BATISTA DR. FRANK PADBERG
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
RETIREMENTS
On the Scene Speakers On a Personal Note
WASHINGTON ADVOCACY NATIONAL SPEAKERS AT
RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM GRAND ROUNDS
Have a great story to tell?
SHARE IT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES:
CONTACT DONNA SHORE, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CHAIR,
DSHORE@NJMS.RUTGERS.EDU
SEP T EMBER , 2018
Inside this issue:
People doing
DR. JONATHAN KEITH: DR. ANNE MOSENTHAL: DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:
First Phalloplasty Progress Toward Intervening with
in New Jersey Strategic Vision gunshot victims in
Page 16 Page 4 “teachable moments”
Page 18
People doing
ALIKAH GREEN: DR. JAMES GUARRERA: Welcome New
“Big Sister” Helps Liver Transplant Surgeons
Gun Victims To Program Exceeds Page 6
New Path Expectations
Page 20 Page 28
U.S. Senator Cory
Booker Visits NJMS
U.S. Senator Cory Booker, D- New
Jersey, receives a “Gun Violence is a
Public Health Issue” T-shirt from Dr.
Stephanie Bonne during a visit to
Rutgers NJMS.
SEP T EMBER , 2018
OUR STRATEGIC VISION:
To Raise the Rutgers
NJMS Surgery Profile
in the Region Through
Research, Education,
and Specialty Care
4
SURGICAL NOTES FROM THE CHAIR:
Progress Toward Strategic Vision
By Anne Mosenthal, MD, FACS, Chair, Department of Surgery
I hope you share my excitement at the ongoing results of our journey to raise the
regional profile of the Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery as you will see in
this newsletter.
As we expand the reach of our specialty practices out into We had many distinguished visiting professors
the region, the department is seeing the impact of our efforts conduct Grand Rounds lectures this year, including
to recruit more people who bring research and innovation an important talk on gun violence in The Dr. Eric
such as Dr. James Guarrera. Since his arrival in February Muñoz Memorial Lecture given by Dr. Rochelle
as Chief of Abdominal, Liver and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Dr. Dicker from UCLA and attended by New Jersey
Guarrera has reinvigorated the Transplant program, Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, wife of the late
performing 20 liver transplants. Read more of the interview Dr. Muñoz.
with Dr. Guarrera in this issue.
We are excited to announce new physicians who
The Rutgers Center for Transgender Health has performed are joining our team: hand surgeon Dr. Ashley
gender affirming surgery on its first two patients, including Ignatiuk in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dustin Cummings,
the first phalloplasty in New Jersey. This is an exciting a minimally invasive surgeon and Dr. Joseph
program for us, a collaborative center that will provide a full Oliver, one of our former graduates, in general
spectrum of medical, psychiatric and surgical care for the surgery.
transgender person. Read more in the story with program
co-founder Dr. Jonathan Keith, assistant professor in We celebrated retirements of two longtime, stalwart
the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. members of our faculty and wish farewell to Dr. Paul
Bolanowski, and Dr. Anne Sheffet.
As surgeons, especially in Trauma, we seek hope in efforts
to reduce the impact of the epidemic of gun violence. Many I am extremely proud of our residents and they are
of our colleagues participated in The Student Walkout featured throughout our newsletter. We graduated
for Gun Violence Awareness in March. A new program another cohort of spectacular residents and you can
within Trauma, led by Dr. Stephanie Bonne, is making see the amazing places where they are going next.
gains in helping victims of gun violence find a new path. At the same time, we welcomed in the new class
Read more about Dr. Bonne’s work and collaboration with —one of our most diverse groups and you can meet
caseworker Alikah Green. them here.
Within the past year, we have begun work on integrating our I appreciate hearing story ideas from several of
practices with University Hospital as an opportunity to focus you who reached out after the first issue of “On the
on delivering a consistently high-quality experience with more Cutting Edge,” which you will see published.
patient-centered care. To further enhance our capabilities, we
are also launching a new performance improvement initiative.
5
Welcome New Surgery
Department Physicians
Dr. Ashley Ignatiuk Brings
“Wide Awake Hand Surgery”
Ashley Ignatiuk, MD, MSc, FRCSC Dr. Ignatiuk said he is excited about
looks forward to bringing new capability “Wide awake hand the opportunities “to join a great group”
in “wide awake” hand surgery and a surgery is more like as part of the Division of Plastic and
brachial plexus clinic to the Division of Reconstructive Surgery. “They are
going to the dentist
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as doing fantastic stuff with trauma, cancer
a primary specialist in hand and wrist using local anesthesia and burn reconstruction. I look forward
surgery. He is an Assistant Professor for treatment of to test my skills with the type of cases
of Plastic Surgery and an Attending at that come in.”
carpal tunnel and
University Hospital.
trigger finger.” In addition to hand surgery for carpal
Dr. Ignatiuk comes to Rutgers NJMS tunnel and trigger fingers, Dr. Ignatiuk
Surgery from the University of Colorado “It is better for the patients and for will perform breast reconstruction, head
Hospital in Denver. Board-certified me, they can participate and talk and neck reconstruction, and treat
in Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, with me during the surgery. It is more Raynaud’s Syndrome and Spasticity.
he completed a Fellowship at the cost effective and has better patient
University of Texas Southwestern outcomes,” Dr. Ignatiuk said.
Medical School. He completed his
residency in Orthopedic Surgery at In partnership with orthopedist Dr.
the University of Western Ontario Michael Vosbikian, Dr. Ignatiuk said
and earned his medical degree at the they will launch a brachial plexus and
University of Saskatchewan College peripheral nerve clinic. “It will be a big
of Medicine. part of limb restoration and limb salvage
programs for high energy injuries such
as in motorcycle crashes.”
6
Dustin Cummings, MD, M.P.H., Joseph Oliver, MD, M.P.H Asst.
Bariatric Surgeon Professor, General Surgery
Dr. Dustin Cummings has joined the Former Administrative Chief
Department of Surgery as Assistant Resident Dr. Joseph Oliver returns
Professor, General Surgery. With to Rutgers NJMS Surgery after
experience in bariatric surgery, Dr. a Fellowship at the University of
Cummings will predominately provide Southern California.
clinical services at New Bridge
Medical Center, NBMC. Dr. Oliver, an Assistant Professor,
General Surgery, will practice
Dr. Cummings comes to Rutgers predominately at New Bridge Medical
NJMS Department of Surgery from Center, NBMC.
a fellowship in minimally invasive
foregut/bariatric surgery at the Prior to completing his residency in
University of Washington in Seattle. General Surgery at Rutgers, NJMS,
He completed a residency in general Dr. Oliver was a Research Fellow in
surgery at Icahn School of Medicine the Department of Surgery, Division
at Mount Sinai Health System. of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary
Surgery at Rutgers NJMS.
Dr. Cummings earned his medical
degree and a Master of Public Health A graduate of Rutgers New Jersey
in epidemiology at the University of Medical School, Dr. Oliver earned an
Michigan Medical School. MPH in Quantitative Methods,
Biostatistics at Rutgers School of
Public Health, and his undergraduate
degree from Lafayette College.
Introducing New Finance Manager
JONATHAN BATISTA, MBA, MPA
Jonathan Batista, MBA, MPA joins the Department of Batista said, “I was attracted to this opportunity in that it
Surgery as the new Finance Manager. is a new position, Rutgers’ reputation, its leadership in the
community, and the accomplishments of the Department
Batista comes to Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery from and faculty.”
the Science Division of City College of New York where his
nine years of service included roles as Finance Manager, Sr. Batista, who started July 2 said he will be interviewing all the
Budget Advisor to the Provost and Administrative Executive division chiefs and their staff members to understand their
Coordinator. Previously Jonathan was a Senior Analyst at JP needs for financial reporting for day-to-day decisions, and
Morgan Chase. with the UPA staff, about their financial needs. Consolidating
financial reporting efforts from others who have done the
Batista earned an MPA, Masters’ in Public Management work for their own divisions will be important, Batista said.
& Public Policy at Baruch College, an MBA in Accounting,
and is pursuing his CPA. “My goal is to bring experience and best practices to this role
to make sure we have enough resources for capital purposes,
This is a new position for the Department of student aid and facilities’ needs,” Batista said.
Surgery, reporting to Larry Gold, Interim Vice Chair,
Administration. Batista will be responsible for overseeing the Little known fact: At CCNY Jonathan frequently saw
financial management of the department, supporting and renowned theoretical physicist and professor Dr. Michio Kaku
developing the annual operating budget, financial planning, in the halls or the elevator. “I noticed how often we got the
reporting, analysis and forecasting. Financial oversight of same ‘M&Ms’ out of the vending machine.”
sponsored and non-sponsored funds and representing the
department to the school administration are also part of
Batista’s responsibilities.
SEP T EMBER , 2018
Welcome New Residents
In June we hosted a welcome reception for our newest residents.
We look forward to all their accomplishments.
FRONT ROW: Rachel Berger, Parvin-Nejad Parnian, Mario Figueroa, Najib Allababbi, Elgamma Fatima, Laura Bloom,
Sofia Gilels. BACK ROW: Karen Mann, Thomas Bachman, Eddie Ndichie, Posada Erazo, Rawan Sharma, Yu Yasong,
Edwin Suarez, Steven Cai, Thomas Hwang, Maya Jackson, Abigail Morris.
SEP T EMBER , 2018
9
Prominent
National Speakers In the first half of 2018, the
Highlight Grand Department of Surgery Grand
Rounds hosted outstanding external
Rounds Presentations speakers of national prominence.
SPE A K E R S
The Eric Muñoz, MD, Memorial Lecture
Andre Muñoz, Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Dr. Anne
Mosenthal, Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, Dr. Rochelle
Dicker, and Dr. David Livingston gather for The Eric Muñoz,
MD, Memorial Lecture. The event honors the former Rutgers
Trauma surgeon, administrator and assemblyman. His wife, In January, Dr. Carla Pugh, Professor of Surgery from
Nancy Muñoz, assumed the legislative seat upon his death Stanford, spoke to a full house regarding the use of sensor
and then won re-election. Their son, Andre Muñoz, is a NJMS technology to assess technical skills
medical student.
In March Dr. Julie Freischlag, the Dean, Wake Forest School
of Medicine, CEO of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center,
and a nationally sought-after speaker discussed aspects of
leadership and lunched with residents.SEP T EMBER , 2018
Dr. Gregory Jurkovich, Professor of Surgery, Lloyd F.
and Rosemargaret Donant Chair in Trauma Medicine
and Trauma Research, University of Callifornia, Davis
presented on Surgical M&Ms.
Our Transplant team had a great day planned in May Dr. Rochelle Dicker, Chief of Surgical Critical Care,
for Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, Chair, Department of Surgery at Associate Chief of Trauma and Emergency General Surgery
University of Chicago. Dr. Matthews spoke on HPB topics at UCLA was the featured speaker at The Eric Muñoz, MD
of Pancreatitis and complimented the resident presentations Memorial Lecture, discussing Hospital Violence
given the night before. Prevention. Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, wife of the former
Trauma Surgeon and Assemblyman attended.
Planning is underway for an equally exciting
Grand Rounds schedule for 2018-2019.Highlights
Dr. Sadeghi-Nejad
Serving On Urology Exam Board
Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad, MD, FACS, the main affiliate of the American Urological
Professor of Surgery/Urology has been Association, with a focus on male and female
selected to serve on the national examination sexual health.
committee of the American Board of Urology.
He is the Chief of Urology at VA New Jersey
In May, Dr. Sadeghi-Nejad became the Health Care System.
President of the Sexual Medicine Society
of North America. This organization is
12Dr. Adam Fox Interim Director
New Jersey Trauma Center, Section Chief
Dr. Adam Fox has been appointed Interim after practicing in the divisions of Trauma/
Director of the New Jersey Trauma Center Critical Care and Emergency Surgery at the
at University Hospital and Section Chief of University of Pennsylvania and Penn State
Trauma, effective July 1 according to an University.
announcement from Dr. Anne Mosenthal,
Chair, Department of Surgery. He is an instructor and course director for
multiple trauma and critical care related
Dr. Fox will oversee all clinical, operational, courses. He is an active member of The
quality and regulatory aspects of the International Medical Surgical Response
NJ Trauma Center. Team (IMSuRT) and Mobile Acute Care
Strike Team (MAC-ST) of the National
Dr. David Livingston will continue to be Disaster Medical System (NDMS). He has
the Division Chief of Trauma/Critical Care also provided surgical care on multiple
and Acute Care Surgery and represent the medical missions around the world.
Trauma Center on the state level as Vice Additionally, he provides medical care and
President of the State Trauma Systems education to the Newark FBI SWAT Team.
Council.
Dr. Fox sits on the editorial board of several
Dr. Fox is an Assistant Professor in the journals and is the author of multiple journal
Department of Surgery at Rutgers New articles and has presented at conferences
Jersey Medical School and faculty in the both nationally and internationally. His
Division of Trauma Surgery and Critical interests include leadership in trauma,
Care. Dr. Fox joined the faculty in 2011 education, and global trauma and disaster
response.
13Resident Jessica Rouan, MD,
Poster Presentation, 2018 Vascular
Annual Meeting in Boston
“Side Branch Ligation Improves Function of Arteriovenous Fistula”
“We looked at non-maturing
AVF with evidence of side
branches presumed to be
diverting flow and took
them for ligation. Ligation
was performed as either an
open procedure or via coil
embolization. We reviewed
pre- and post-ligation vein
diameter and flow volumes
using duplex ultrasound
and found that post-ligation
values were statistically
significantly increased for
both. Additionally, functional
patency was improved
post-ligation possibly due
to increased vein diameter
and flow volumes.”
Pictured Left:
Frank Padberg, MD, Jessica Rouan, MD,
Michael Curi, MD, Frank Caputo, MD, a
recent NJMS residency graduate, currently
Vascular Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.SEP T EMBER , 2018
DR. ADAM FOX AND DR. FRANK PADBERG
Department of Surgery physicians
Attended Surgical Lecture Series NJ-ACS Pilgrimage to Bologna, Italy
The event was held in a renaissance building, The Rizzoli Institute, decorated with ceiling frescos from its previous
life as a monastery. Dr. Fox spoke on Disaster Management and the US and Italian Surgeons discussed comparative
training for surgical residents.
15An Epicenter
for Transgender
Care and Surgery
DR. JONATHAN KEITH
Now that Dr. Jonathan The mission of the Rutgers Center
for Transgender Health “is to
Keith has performed establish an epicenter in New Jersey
New Jersey’s first that will improve the health and
well-being of transgender people
successful female to
through evidence-based clinical
male gender affirmation care, research and education.” The
vision is to “create fellowships in
surgery, a phalloplasty,
transgender medicine and surgery.”
he continues to study
the progress of patient While Dr. Keith spent three years
planning the phalloplasty for patient
Elijah Stephens as he Elijah Stephens his interest and
plans similar surgeries, training in gender affirmation surgery
is some 13 years in the making.
academic research and
“teaching others how to In 2005 Dr. Keith witnessed his first
vaginoplasty in Pittsburgh and wrote
perform the operation.”
in a recent Op-Ed article published in
USA Today, that after the surgery, “I
Dr. Keith is Assistant Professor
came to understand that the
in the Division of Plastic and
transformative power of the gender
Reconstructive Surgery at Rutgers,
affirming surgery was much more
NJMS and co-founder, co-
than physical, the patient could finally
director of The Rutgers Center for
live as she felt inside.”
Transgender Health along with Dr.
Mark Einstein, Chair of Obstetrics,
In May, Dr. Keith performed the first
Gynecology and Women’s Health at
vaginoplasty in northern New Jersey.
Rutgers, NJMSA team of surgeons led by Dr. Jonathan Keith, Assistant
Professor, Divsion of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
performs gender affirmation surgery for Elijah Stephens
at St. Barnabas Hospital.
“I had never experienced such a demonstrable need for urgent medical intervention
outside the Trauma Bay. My patients were at death’s door and needed someone to act.”
He wrote, “the patient told me that and vaginectomy, leaving only the Dr. Keith joined the Division of
she would now celebrate her birthday labia and urethra, in preparation for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
on the anniversary of her surgery.” the phalloplasty. at Rutgers NJMS in 2012 following
a seven-year residency in the plastic
The 14-hour phalloplasty operation To create the penis, Dr. Keith surgery training program at the
at St. Barnabas Hospital involved removed skin and tissue from the University of Pittsburgh.
urologist Dr. Nitin Patel and plastic patient’s left forearm. He used the
surgeon Dr. Edward Lee among 7 tissue to create a “tube within a His training included the 2012
physicians and 8 residents. tube,” to extend the urethra to carry Stephen S. Kroll Fellowship in
urine to the tip of the penis. microsurgery at the University
Dr. Keith told NorthJersey.com that Hospital of Gent, Belgium where
Elijah Stephens recovered quickly Dr. Keith told NewJersey.com that he gained expertise in microsurgery
after the surgery and is able to stand he grafted nerves from Elijah’s and gender affirmation surgery.
to urinate and achieve orgasm. forearm to a nerve in the clitoris to
The phalloplasty followed hormone create feeling in the new phallus. Dr. Keith wrote in his USA Today
therapy, testosterone, for Stephens He transferred arteries and veins op-ed that he views his work
beginning 10 years ago. Then “top from the forearm, attaching the as “life-saving” for people with
surgery,” a double mastectomy in them to the femoral artery for blood gender dysphoria for whom the
2016 at University Hospital. circulation to the penis. He used psychological distress has driven
labial tissue to create a scrotum. An nearly 40 percent of the trans
Last August, Dr. Keith performed operation will implant an inflatable population to attempt suicide.
“bottom surgery,” a hysterectomy pump to create an erection.
17DR. STEPHANIE BONNE:
Preventing Gun Violence is Personal
“I have seen a lot of firearm
injury and death since medical
student days and as a trauma
surgeon. Then as a mother myself,
the impact of having to tell another
mother that her child had died,
that really changed it for me. I
got so fed up, I felt I had to do
something, so I don’t have to have
these conversations with mothers,
anymore. It really is the most awful
thing we have to do as physicians.”
Participating in the national school In the Trauma Center at University caseworker to help mitigate risk and
walkout with her colleagues to bring Hospital, Dr. Bonne and navigate community resources, after
attention to gun violence is just one caseworker Alikah Green (see hospital discharge.
of many proactive initiatives story below) engage one-on-
Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Assistant one with gunshot victims “in that “This is a ‘warm handoff’ for the
Professor Division of Trauma teachable moment after trauma when victims to talk with someone what are
and Surgical Critical Care, has individuals are more receptive to the risk factors in their life that may
undertaken to get beyond what she discussion about prevention, lead to an increased risk of becoming
calls “secondary prevention,” of a and maybe willing to discuss the risk a victim of violence,” Dr. Bonne said.
public health epidemic. “It was a factors,” related to the shooting,
positive time to reflect and raise Dr. Bonne said. More than sixty people have been
awareness, to come together as a enrolled in the program and positive
university, to recognize that this is a She obtained a pilot foundation outcomes are already taking place.
problem everybody cares about,” grant from the Healthcare “People are getting counseling
Dr. Bonne said. Foundation of New Jersey to that otherwise would not. People
establish a Hospital-Based Violence in wheelchairs from their injuries
Intervention Program, HVIP, that are getting support and learning
matches the gunshot victims and about self-care. One person finished“If you help people with other social outcomes in their
life, they will be less at risk and have better
post-discharge outcomes,”
a GED, one enrolled in college. Two patients received Now, Dr. Bonne is interested in research funding to
probation from a judge instead of jail time since investigate the impact of stress biomarkers, cortisol levels,
our caseworker went to court and advocated for them,” TNF alpha, testosterone, interferon gamma and other
Dr. Bonne said. things related to stress and depression and social and
psychological problems.
As part of her research on best practices to establish HVIPs,
Dr. Bonne received the American College of Surgeons, ”Can we reduce the levels of the
Claude H. Organ, J. MD, FACS Traveling Fellowship and
visited “The Wraparound Project” at the University of
biomarkers when we give people a
San Francisco, UCSF, San Francisco General Hospital. positive social network with their
She spent one week meeting case managers who work prevention and health outcomes?”
with gunshot victims, and met with community-based
organizations that provide assistance to clients needing She is encouraged that the New Jersey legislature passed
follow-up social services. funding for a gun violence research center to be based at
Rutgers, although details are not finalized.
“I learned it would be important to develop relationships
with Newark organizations that offer job training, Dr. Bonne said, “I think it is great that the Governor has
employment and mental health services.” insight into the problems of gun violence research. Of the
- Dr. Stephanie Bonne 2600 trauma patients we see each year, 40 percent are the
result of interpersonal violence. Among the root causes,
In an article published in “The Bulletin” of the American domestic violence, poverty, child access to guns, the gun is
College of Surgeons, “Trauma Surgeon uses Traveling a vector that is highly lethal.”
Fellowship to Learn about HVIPs” Dr. Bonne wrote:
“I began to recognize my own implicit bias, that clouded On a personal level, Dr. Bonne still feels saddened and
the way I defined ‘recovery’ for victims of violence… As motivated by a school shooting 20 years ago that killed her
surgeons we see patients for a few postoperative visits, chemistry lab partner at Kalamazoo College.
but we may have an incomplete understanding of how long
it takes someone to heal from the psychosocial trauma “Maggie Wardle was a friend of mine, and she was killed by
of being a victim of violence and how that affects their her boyfriend in the dorm with a shotgun and then he killed
recovery.” himself. It really deeply affected everybody. I have always
carried that with me. I’m still mad about it.”
Data from other HVIPs in the National Network of Hospital
Violence Intervention Programs, suggests recidivism is She channels her personal experience with firearm injury to
reduced, that fewer repeat gunshot victims are seen as look for public health-based solutions to firearm injury and
a result of the intervention. “If you help people with other death in the United States.
social outcomes in their life, they will be less at risk and have
better post-discharge outcomes,” Dr. Bonne said.
19ALIKAH GREEN:
“Big Sister” Helps Gun
Victims To New Path
Every morning caseworker Alikah Green checks in
with the Trauma Center at University Hospital “and
they give me a list of guys who have been shot,” so
she can help create a pathway to protect them from
further violence.
A “civilian” working in the Hospital Violence Intervention Program under
the direction of Dr. Stephanie Bonne, (see story above) Green relies on her
experience in the community to create trusting relationships with the gun
violence victims.
“When I was in high school, lots of my friends were passing away. I wanted
to know, where are the people who can help these guys? I was tired of all
the violence, and then I heard about this job opening. I know I can’t stop
gun violence all by myself, but I’m trying my best to help one person at a
time.” Alikah Green
“I walk the community. Everybody knows me from working for the city of
Newark. I engage with the victims, one on one, to help them find jobs, school,
housing, mental health services.”
Green said her involvement extends beyond meeting the clients in the
hospital. She provides six months of follow up.
20“I just talk and help them
open up and be more
comfortable in my presence.
After a while they see that
I really care. I’m like a big
sister, like a mom figure.”
She recalls a client who was “standoffish
to me. I’m a stranger. A couple days went
by, I kept making him feel comfortable, and
then he tells me he wants to go to school
and to work. I went with him on the search
and found a school that would pay him to get
a GED. He’s been there ever since, getting
a paycheck every two weeks and he will
graduate. It is a big impact on my life that I
could help and make a difference.”
Green said that when clients get
discharged, “they leave here with
appointments. I call, I check in on them, I grab
lunch. I help clients get a state ID card, social
services, mental health care. I go out to make
connections to help these people. I do the
footwork, we build relationships to help find
jobs. I teach them there are lots of positive
ways to make lots of money, go to school and
get the knowledge.”
A client who wanted to build elevators is
getting assistance from Green to go to a
technical school.
Progress and outcomes are a series of
small steps.
“It can be very discouraging to see new
clients every day, but I’m here to help.”
21PRO M OTI O NS
Honors and Awards
Dr. Anthony Scholer AOA NJ Honors
Wins Golden Apple Dr. Amy Gore
Teaching Award
Administrative Chief Resident Amy Dr. Ravi Chokshi, to
Gore, MD, a recent 2018 graduate,
Anthony Scholer, M.D., recent
was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, Associate Professor,
residency graduate, is presented
NJ Beta Chapter. She was inducted Surgical Oncology
the Golden Apple Teaching Award
on April 17. From Left to Right
by Asmi Panigrahi, MD from the 2019
are: Dr. Frank Padberg, Dr. Augustine
NJMS students. Anastasia Kunac,
Tawadros, President AOA; Dr. Amy
M.D. FACS, Program Director,
Gore, Dr. Amy Weiss, Vice-President
General Surgery Residency, said,
AOA and Dr. Michael Shapiro.
“We had so many resident nominees
and I am proud that so many of our
surgical residents were honored with
nominations. Teachers affect eternity;
no one can tell where their influence
stops. Each of you is shaping the future Dr. Edward Lee, to
of our profession. Thank you for your Associate Professor,
Plastic Surgery
commitment to our students and for
being excellent surgical educators.”Pictured Left
Dr. Anthony Scholer, M.D., recent
residency graduate, is presented The
Golden Apple Teaching Award by Dr. Asmi
Panigrahi, from the 2019 NJMS students.
Amy Gore, MS, Former Administrative Chief Resident, a 2018 graduate, was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, NJ Beta Chapter,
Attending are: Dr. Frank Padberg, Dr. Augustine Tawadros, President AOA; Dr. Amy Gore, Dr. Amy Weiss, Vice-President AOA
and Dr. Michael Shapiro.
23Congratulations 2018 NJMS
Surgery Graduates Celebrating
their residency graduation,
from left to right :
Congratulations Christopher McGreevy, MD;
NJMS SURGERY GRADUATES! Anthony Scholer, MD;
Amy Gore, MD;
Anne Mosenthal, MD, Chair;
Anastasia Kunac, MD, Program Director;
Edward Andraos, MD;
Dhaval Chauhan, MD;
Neil King, MD.
Not pictured: Vijayaumar Tanjavur, MDJUNE 2018 RESIDENCY GRADS:
Where are they Going?
Division of General Surgery
Edward Andraos, MD - Houston Medthodist for
Vascular Surgery
Dhaval Chauhan, MD - Montefiore Medical Center in NYC for
Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Amy Gore, MD - University of Colorado for
Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship
Neil King, MD - Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC for
Laparoscopic and Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellowship
Christopher McGreevy, MD - University of Pennsylvania for
Breast Oncology Fellowship
Anthony Scholer, MD, MBS - John Wayne Cancer Institute in California for
Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Vijayaumar Tanjavur, MD - Staten Island University Hospital for
Vascular Surgery Fellowship
SEP T EMBER , 2018 252018
Retirements
Ceremonies Honor Long-Time Retiring Doctors
DR. PAUL BOLANOWSKI, MD DR. ALICE SHEFFET, PH.D.SEP T EMBER , 2018
Ceremonies Honor “There are not many here Lecturer at University of New Mexico,
Brandeis Institute in California,
Long-Time who have not had the
University of Albuquerque, Drew
Retiring Doctors pleasure of learning and University and NYU.
working with him.”
At Rutgers Dr. Sheffet was among
Paul Bolanowski, MD, Dr. Mosenthal said, “Paul received the principal designers of Carotid
Cardiothoracic Surgeon his MD degree at this institution, Revascularization Endarterectomy
and after his surgery residency, he vs. Stenting Trial, CREST, working
came back to New Jersey for his with the initial PI, former chief of
Ceremonies marking the retirements
cardiothoracic residency and loved vascular surgery Dr. Robert Hobson.
of Paul Bolanowski, M.D. and Alice
it so much he decided to never
Sheffet, Ph.D. highlighted their
leave.” He was a specialist in thoracic She supervised the $21 million NIH-
significant contributions to Rutgers
oncology, tracheal reconstruction funded CREST study conducted
NJMS as faculty members in the
and chest wall reconstruction. at 117 clinical sites involving 2,522
Department of Surgery.
patients in the U.S. and Canada from
Dr. Bolanowski served two years as 2000 to 2017.
Dr. Bolanowski, a cardiothoracic
a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical
surgeon and Professor of Surgery,
Corps in Viet Nam and received the Dr. Sheffet published 33 research
devoted 48 years of his medical
Army Commendation Medal and a works as a result of the study and co-
career to Rutgers, NJMS and
Bronze Star. authored papers in the New England
received many awards including
Journal of Medicine and other
“Top Docs in New Jersey,” “Best
“As an avid member and President leading medical journals. The FDA
Doctors in New York” and “Best
of the Alumni Association, Paul approved the Acculink and Accunet
Doctors in America.”
continues to serve the Rutgers stent systems in 2012 based on data
NJMS community,” Dr. Mosenthal reported from the CREST study.
Dr. Sheffet, an Associate Professor
said. “Paul’s expertise and skills
of Surgery, worked 29 years at
are carried on for future generations
Rutgers NJMS, highlighted by her Dr. Mosenthal said, “Dr.
of surgeons.”
service as Director of the multi-
Sheffet’s leadership of this
million-dollar CREST grant. (Carotid
Revascularization Endarterectomy Alice Sheffet, Ph.D. research changed the delivery
vs. Stenting Trial) of treatment for carotid
Dr. Sheffet earned her Ph.D in artery disease worldwide.”
“Paul is an icon here at NJMS,” said Education at New York University
Anne Mosenthal, M.D., Chair of the and came to Rutgers NJMS in 1989
Department of Surgery. after work as an Instructor and
27The Liver Transplant Team has performed 20 liver transplants since the
arrival of Dr. James Guarrera in February.DR. JAMES GUARRERA:
Liver Transplant Program
Exceeds Expectations
In February Dr. James Guarrera joined Rutgers NJMS led to the completion of a fully portable perfusion device
and University Hospital as Program Director of Liver that can be brought to the donor hospital via ground or air
Transplantation “with a lot of confidence that there would be transport. Organ Recovery Systems will be sponsoring the
great potential.” Since performing his first liver transplant at upcoming trial under Dr. Guarrera’s leadership. As part of
University Hospital March 20, by mid-July the program has the clinical trial sample tissue and blood will all be analyzed
already completed 20 transplants. here in our lab, and biopsies studied by the department of
pathology here, Dr. Guarrera said.
“There is a great referral base of liver
Dr. Guarrera has also proposed starting a living donor
disease patients and also many organ transplant program at University Hospital “which may allow
donors in New Jersey and we projected more people to get better access to transplants, before they
get too sick,” he said.
doing about 30 cases in the first year and
now we are on target to do over 50 Liver There are currently no living donor transplant programs in
Transplants.” Dr. James Guarrera New Jersey, Dr. Guarrera said.
Dr. Guarrera, Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of Liver “Due to upcoming policy changes in organ distribution, we
Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery, previously Surgical may in the near future have to go further for donor organs
Director of Adult Liver Transplantation at Columbia University and be a little more creative about what donor organs we
Hospital, said “I’m excited to continue my research in new can obtain; these initiatives may help protect and position
strategies to expand access to transplantation by working on us to be successful,” Dr. Guarrera said.
organ preservation, and living donor transplantation.”
The program has recruited another surgeon to join the
The holder of seven patents from his research and transplant and hepatobiliary team. Dr. Flavio Paterno from
development, including “Machine Perfusion for Liver University of Cincinnati Health will be joining in October.
Preservation,” Dr. Guarrera said he will be the Principal “In addition to his being an experienced transplant surgeon,
Investigator for an upcoming multicenter clinical trial of 10 Dr. Paterno has an MPH and is an accomplished outcomes
centers that will study use of his portable perfusion device researcher who will help us grow our research endeavors”
to extend the life of livers for potential transplant. Dr. Guarrera said.
He was previously federally funded and ran two clinical trials Recruitment is also underway to add additional staff such
to develop the device and more recently has partnered with as Physician Assistants, transplant coordinators and an
Organ Recovery Systems, the industry leader experienced transplant administrator as the program
in Organ Preservation technology. This collaboration has continues to grow.
SEP T EMBER , 2018
29Research Symposium Scenes
In late February, the Department of Surgery conducted its fourth annual
Research Symposium, highlighting the accomplishments of nearly 30
faculty, researchers, residents and students.
3031
Rutgers NJMS Surgery Staff Conduct
Advocacy Visits to Washington, DC
Members of the Rutgers NJMS Surgery Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ 7th District) met
with delegates to discuss the issues. Dr. Frank
Department visited Congressional Padberg, ACS Governor, Professor of Vascular Surgery,
Leaders in Washington during the NJMS; Dr. Stephanie Bonne, Assistant Professor,
Trauma, Critical Care, Young Surgeons Association;
American College of Surgeons (ACS)
Representative Leonard Lance; Dr. Joseph Cauda,
Governor’s Meetings and Leadership Vice-President NJ-ACS, Dr. Diana Arellano, 4th year
Surgery Resident NJMS; Dr. Justin Sambol, President NJ
and Advocacy Summit, held May 18-22.
ACS, Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, NJMS.
An enthusiastic leadership session on Sunday included
Chapter Success stories and motivational talks. Monday
presented several sessions on the state of health care
in the country and how ACS Advocacy may be most
beneficial. Tuesday was reserved for visits to Capitol Hill.
Each Congressional Office--Senators, Congressmen, and
Congresswomen--was visited. In most offices, physicians
met with the Health Care Assistant but two congressmen
personally hosted the delegation.
32On a Personal Note
Congratulations and best wishes to Residents
Dr. Young Mee Choi and Dr. Dhaval Chauhan
CONGR ATULATIONS
on their recent wedding.
BEST WISHES
Former Vascular Surgery Instructor, Dr. Ben Chandler,
Dr. Laurel Karian, Plastic Surgery Residency graduate,
welcomed their baby girl in March!
C o py r i g ht 2 018 Ru t g e r s , T h e S t ate U n i ve r s i t y o f N ew J e r s ey,
a n e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t y, a f f i r m at i ve a c t i o n i n s t i t u t i o n. A l l r i g ht s r e s e r ve d
33Vol. 1, No.2 | Summer 2018
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