Professor of cardiothoracic surgery Robert Meguid, MD, MPH, FACS, was recently CU Medicine's featured provider, highlighted for his clinical work and focus on individualized patient care. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBs0NRsa53k

If you're experiencing concerning symptoms like heart palpitations or swelling in the neck, a thyroid condition might be to blame. Maria Albuja-Cruz, MD, explains four common thyroid diseases and why it's important to speak to your primary care physician. Learn more ▶️ https://bit.ly/49AADyX

History Highlight 💡 From 1950–61, Dr. Henry Swan led the CU Department of Surgery into an era of innovation and global recognition. He pioneered open-heart surgery using induced hypothermia, enabling safe operations at extremely low body temps. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Join us next Monday for a Grand Rounds presentation given by visiting professor Stephanie Downs-Canner, MD, director of the breast surgical fellowship program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center! Learn more here: https://adobe.ly/4qwuUQK

The At-risk Intervention and Mentoring (AIM) program helps to connect patients with mental health, educational, and legal support after they leave the hospital. Ginny McCarthy, DrPH, and Catherine Velopulos, MD, dive into the recent initiatives of AIM. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pObC8m

Christodoulos Kaoutzanis, MD, associate professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, conducted research that suggests that an overnight hospital stay may not be necessary for many patients who had an implant-based breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pB1LTf

From discovery in Denver to worldwide recognition, our department has shaped medicine through bold innovation, rigorous research, and unwavering care. We’re sharing weekly History Highlights that showcase the milestones, people, and ideas that continue to inspire the future. https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Jon D. Vogel, MD, Colorectal Surgery Section Head, is corresponding author of a research article that was published by Annals of Surgical Oncology. Vogel and his team researched whether rectal cancer watch-and-wait management is acceptable for certain patients. Learn more: bit.ly/49n0cDx

Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024, pancreatic cancer awareness and prevention activist, and founder of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, visited the University of Colorado Anschutz campus last week.

Thank you to everyone who attended today's excellent research seminar featuring Vik Bebarta, MD, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Director of the CU Center for COMBAT Research, and Michael Cripps, MD, Director of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery! #ImproveEveryLife

The CU Anschutz Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome Robert Cina, MD, as the new Division Head of Pediatric Surgery! We are looking forward to the continued growth of the division under Dr. Cina's expertise and patient-focused mission. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4sMfsBA

Dry January is a chance to reset and refresh for the new year - but have you ever wondered exactly why it's so good for your health? Elizabeth Kovacs, PhD, discusses long-term effects of alcohol consumption and the positive impacts of abstaining from drinking. #DryJanuary

We are thrilled to congratulate Jessica Rove, MD, on her appointment as Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery in the division of cardiothoracic surgery! Dr. Rove has developed a nationally recognized robotic adult cardiac surgery program within the past 3 years at the CU Anschutz Medical Center.

Join us this Friday for our Research Seminar Series, with director of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Michael Cripps, MD, and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine Vik Bebarta, MD! Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/499dOSO

We had a full house for this morning's Grand Rounds presented by Chair of Surgery Richard Schulick, MD. Thank you Dr. Schulick for sharing your expertise on being both mentor and mentee in the surgical field! #ImproveEveryLife

Meet Madeline Higgins, MD, a third-year resident of general surgery! 🥼 Higgins attended undergrad at CU Boulder, and completed her MD here at the University of Colorado Anschutz. After her residency, she plans to pursue a career specializing in breast surgery.

That's a wrap on 2025! It's been an extraordinary year of innovation, research, and community, and we're looking forward to what 2026 has in store 🎊 Wishing you a happy new year!

Top Story #1 ⭐ A random NFL drug test led to a diagnosis of testicular cancer for Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton. To spread awareness of the condition affecting the 31-year old player, Nicholas Cost, MD, discussed diagnosis and treatment of the cancer. Read the Q&A 🔽 https://bit.ly/3MBsHV6

Chair of Surgery Richard Schulick, MD, will be presenting the first Grand Rounds of 2026! We hope you'll join us on January 5th to hear Dr. Schulick speak on mentorship and surgical careers. Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/4jfD9xO

Top Story #2 ⭐ University of Colorado football coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his bladder. Director of urologic oncology Janet Kukreja, MD, performed a successful robotic bladder removal and reconstruction on Sanders. Read on: https://bit.ly/45oRDGa

Top Story #3 ⭐ Christopher Raeburn, MD, associate professor of GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery, sat down for a Q&A about thyroid conditions, cancer, and thyroid removal surgery. Find out all about thyroid health here: https://bit.ly/3XWQXTX

Top Story #4 ⭐ Associate professor of surgery Jessica Rove, MD, discusses the Colorado Chest Tube, a technology that uses nanoparticles encapsulated in a hydrogel to deliver targeted, durable pain control, decreasing the need for opioid use after surgery. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4qgLO5n

Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season! 🎊

Congratulations to Matthew Stone, MD, who was awarded the Meg F. Rady and Family Chair in Congenital Cardiac Surgery. Stone serves as associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical director of the pediatric heart transplantation program at Children’s Hospital CO. https://bit.ly/48MiAFF

Assistant professor of pediatric surgery Chris Derderian, MD, was recently featured on 9News, discussing a pioneering fetal surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado that helped a local couple's son after he was diagnosed with spina bifida in utero. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4oWvgP2

Congratulations to our Advanced Practice Providers Ashley Arkema, FNP-BC, MS, Nicole Becker, FNP-BC, MSN, and Rebecca Daly, PA-C, who were all recently promoted to senior instructors! #ImproveEveryLife

Top Story #5 ⭐ Muhammad Aftab, MD, and Neel Butala, MD, spearheaded a collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center to approve their use of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with aortic stenosis. Read on 🔽 https://bit.ly/4mJRDGr

From groundbreaking research to inspiring patient success stories, our department has had an incredible year in news. To celebrate, we're covering our Top 10 most-read articles of 2025! Check out fellow and resident accomplishments, a cutting-edge surgical device, and more 🔽 https://bit.ly/4sg7BvV

Michael Cripps, MD, MSCS, FACS, has been appointed Interim Division Chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery (GITES). We look forward to the continued growth and excellence of the division under his guidance. Congratulations! #ImproveEveryLife

Please join us on Monday, December 15 for our next Grand Rounds presentation with Aimee Gardner, PhD, discussing the science of intraoperative teaching. Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/48xYwXn

Congratulations to Robert Meguid, MD, MPH, who was recently nominated as Treasurer of the Surgical Outcomes Club! ⭐ Check out the full SOC leadership team here: https://surgicaloutcomesclub.com/board-of-directors/

Our Winter Potluck and Treat Exchange was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! Thank you to all our administrators and teams who work hard to make our department successful - and such a special place to work 🍬💚

Last month, the Department of Surgery hit a major milestone - performing its 100th robotic kidney transplant. Thomas Pshak, MD, and Phillipe Abreu, MD, MBA, walk us through the details of present and future robotic procedures. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/48tFod3

Keith Neeves, PhD, and Kenneth Meza-Monge, MD, will be presenting at our next Research Seminar this Friday, December 12. We hope to see you there! Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/4oJkqM9

We had a fantastic time at this morning's Medical Student Research Symposium! The day began with Grand Rounds featuring Pasithorn Amy Suwanabol, MD. Student presentations and posters covered forward-looking research on topics from robotic kidney transplants to surgical fires. #ImproveEveryLife

Associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery Muhammad Aftab, MD, was recently nominated as Secretary of the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society (ECTSS). Congratulations on this honor Dr. Aftab! See the full ECTSS executive council here: https://bit.ly/4ppas3E

Congratulations to general surgery resident Varun Bansal, MD, for receiving the 2026 Michael Patrick Chapman Award! The award, honoring the late CU radiology resident, will support Bansal's clinical and research endeavors. #ImproveEveryLife

Did you know that carbonated beverages can impact your bladder health? Urologic oncologist and senior instructor of surgery Austin DeRosa, MD, was recently featured by MSN discussing how soda consumption can affect the health of the bladder. Check out the full story here: https://bit.ly/48f8Sv1

Next Monday, join us for Grand Rounds followed by the Medical Student Research Symposium! After a lecture given by visiting professor Pasithorn Amy Suwanabol, MD, there will be presentations and poster sessions from students in our Medical Student Summer Research Program.

Watch: Marco Del Chiaro, MD, a CU Cancer Center member and division chief of surgical oncology @cudeptsurg.bsky.social, shares why pancreatic cancer patients should come to CU for care ⬇️

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! ✨

Professor of surgery Jon Vogel, MD, and former resident Janet Lee, MD, are leading the effort to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use for patients with acute diverticulitis. Their plan includes education for providers on antibiotic guidelines. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4ioVVCq

On Nov 17, we proudly hosted the 20th Annual Alan R. Hopeman Lectureship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. The day included Grand Rounds presented by Joseph Woo, MD, from Stanford University’s Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, case presentations, and dinner at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in children aged 1-14. Determined to understand how and where these injuries occur, Shannon Acker, MD, led a study on how the Area Deprivation Index can predict levels and outcomes of traumatic pediatric injuries. Learn more 🔽 https://bit.ly/49DVfXo

Cameron Gibson, MD, assistant professor of surgery, was recently featured in People for his treatment of Garan Shaw, a Colorado mechanic who was left with severe burns after an accident at work. Learn more about Shaw's story and Gibson's insights on burn care here: https://bit.ly/3XFJPet

We’re proud to share that Robert McIntyre, Jr., MD, has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Surgery, effective January 1, 2026. Our department is honored to support Dr. McIntyre’s leadership as we continue advancing surgical excellence and innovation. https://bit.ly/4a8udaJ

For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery Alison Mungo, MD, walks us through what patients might expect when undergoing surgical treatment for lung cancer. #ImproveEveryLife #LungCancerAwareness

We are excited to announce our new surgical oncology APP leads, Jenna Kesh, PA-C, and Reed Weiss, DNP, ARNP! Kesh and Weiss bring years of skill and experience to their leadership roles. Please join us in congratulating our excellent new leads 🌟

Robert Meguid, MD, MPH, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the CU School of Medicine, performed a robotic wedge resection to remove a cancerous nodule from Sherry Wardlaw's lung. Now, Wardlaw is advocating for better lung cancer screening guidelines. Read more 🔽 https://bit.ly/3M4YU6G

Thank you to everyone who attended our Research Seminar Series on Friday! We had a great turnout to see Anna Malykhina, PhD, discuss stretch-activated ion channels and Anthony Saviola, PhD, present on proteomic approaches to snakebite envenomation.