This morning Walter Biffl, MD, gave a Grand Rounds presentation as the 8th Moore Visiting Professor. Dr. Biffl is a graduate of the University of Colorado General Surgery Residency and presented a wonderful talk on research. Thanks to all who attended!

We're so excited to welcome our incredible new residents who matched with our divisions! Congratulations ✉️ #MatchDay2026

March is National Kidney Month! Urologist Heiko Yang, MD, PhD, discusses the research and treatment of kidney diseases at CU Anschutz, as well as advice for checking on your kidney health. #ImproveEveryLife Learn more about the work of Dr. Yang's lab here: https://bit.ly/4sZZm6H

Join us Monday for the 8th Annual Sarah Van Duzer & Ernest E. Moore Trauma Lectureship with visiting professor Walter L. Biffl, MD, FACS! You can find more information and the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/41fc2ug

Congratulations to Alison Mungo, MD, on receiving the Carolyn E. Reed Traveling Fellowship Award from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)! Dr. Mungo was honored at the STS Annual Meeting—a national recognition that reflects her outstanding contributions to the field. 🌟

The 21st Annual Academic Surgical Congress brought together more than 2,000 attendees to share cutting-edge research and celebrate the impact of academic surgery across the country. Our department was well represented with a wide range of presentations and contributions!

March 14th is Celebrate Scientist's Day! Today we recognized the research done by our team at our monthly Research Seminar. Jacob Basak, MD, PhD, presented on targeting neuroinflammation after a cardiac arrest, and Sean Colgan, PhD, discussed microbial metabolites and wound healing in the mucosa.

Join us next Monday for Grand Rounds presentations by Brooke French, MD, and Nicholas R. Teman, MD! Find more information and the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/410dj8q

For National Blood Clot Awareness Month, assistant professor of vascular surgery Margaret Smith, MD, discusses risks, diagnosis, and treatment of the common, but dangerous, condition. Read on here: https://bit.ly/4unU8ms #BloodClotAwareness

Professor of vascular surgery Rafael Malgor, MD, received a Presidential Citation from the American Venous Forum (AVF) for his work on the AVF Practice Guidelines for Upper Extremity DVT. Dr. Malgor was a primary writer of the guidelines and presented them at the AVF annual meeting. Congratulations!

Our next Research Seminar this Friday features presentations by Jacob Basak, MD, PhD, and Sean Colgan, PhD! We hope you'll join us. Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/4suFfgA

This World Lymphedema Day, we acknowledge the incredible work of our team in the Department of Surgery and UCHealth, who have received a Comprehensive Network of Excellence for Lymphedema Treatment designation from the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.

History Highlight 💡 With a fearless approach to complex cases, Dr. William Waddell spearheaded the launch of Colorado’s transplant program and set the stage for bold new directions in emergency care and academic excellence. Learn more about Dr. Waddell's tenure here: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Please join us for our next Grand Rounds on Monday, featuring presentations by Elizabeth David, MD, MAS, Zachary Asher, MHS, PA-C, and Kelly Harris, MD! Find more information and the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/4rJP1vb

Congratulations to our Vice Chair of Research Elizabeth Kovacs, PhD, who was named a 2026 Distinguished Fellow of The American Association of Immunologists! Learn more about this honor here: https://bit.ly/4u5V3b2

Associate professor of GI, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery Lauren Steward, MD, was elected as a new at-large member to the University of Colorado Hospital Medical Executive Committee. Congratulations Dr. Steward! #ImproveEveryLife

After 34-year old Ben Takes was diagnosed with heart failure, he received a life-saving heart transplant from CU cardiothoracic surgeon Jordan Hoffman, MD. Now, he has a new vision for his career path: nursing school. Read more about Ben's journey here: https://bit.ly/4cPE4Ui #AmericanHeartMonth

Congratulations to Jason Breithaupt, Branson Taheri, Chase Corvin, Rafael Malgor, T. Brett Reece, & senior author Muhammad Aftab, MD on winning 3rd place in the CTSNet International Resident Video Competition, an achievement that highlights the exceptional teaching and innovation in our department.

History Highlight 💡 Dr. Henry Swan brought surgical precision beyond the operating table by revolutionizing the space itself. His three-zone system impressed architects so much that they adopted it widely, setting a new standard for hospital design. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Next Monday, Chief Medical Information Officer at UCHealth CT Lin, MD, will present a faculty health and engagement Grand Rounds. We hope you'll join us for his talk "Patients and Bots in My Medical Record." Find more information and the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/3ORRUvl

Congratulations to the 7 department faculty members honored at the University of Colorado Hospital Medical Staff Awards: Thomas Robinson, MD, Daniel Adams, PA, Steven Ahrendt, MD, Elisa Birnbaum, MD, Shane McNevin, MD, Amber Moyer, MD, and Gregory Gleckler, PA! Read on: https://bit.ly/46K6qvm

Researchers at CU Anschutz have developed a way to predict how trauma patients will recover, days before complications come to fruition, by analyzing the molecules in their blood. This research lays the foundation for personalized trauma care. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4rJ4v2R

Robert Meguid, MD, MPH, FACS, was recently featured on Denver7 discussing how pafolacianine binds to cancer cells and lights them up with fluorescent markers, helping to flag unseen tumors during lung surgeries. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3MfwebW

History Highlight 💡 In the 1950s, Dr. Henry Swan’s operating room nurse Phyllis Horst, RN, reshaped surgical practice with the invention of grooved needles. Her innovation helped usher in a new era of efficiency and safety in the operating room. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

On Monday, join us at UCHealth for a panel on ambulation on the day of surgery presented by Tom Robinson, MD, MS, Robert Meguid, MD, MPH, Carrie Chiappetta, MSW, BSN, RN, and Kyle Ridgeway, PT, DPT, CCS! Find more information and the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/46ChPx5

We're excited to welcome Atsushi Oba, MD, PhD, to the robotic pancreatic surgery program! Oba was a research associate in our department from 2019-2020, working with Marco Del Chiaro, MD, PhD. He brings over 15 years of surgical experience in Japan. Read on: https://bit.ly/46BJnTo

Last call! Nominations for the Top Doctors of 2026, selected by 5280 Magazine and Castle Connolly, are due February 15. We encourage all licensed MDs and DOs to submit their nominations. Nominees who are selected will have a listing on the Castle Connolly website. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rFqTti

To celebrate American Heart Month, we're spotlighting a Colorado couple who both received open heart surgery from Muhammad Aftab, MD, just one year apart. Read about their journey here: https://bit.ly/4ay1pay

As a mom to 3 kids, Aimee Gardner, PhD, knows how important it is to have childcare available at a conference like the Association of Surgical Education meeting. Gardner and Nicole Christian, MD, discuss the ways that our department supports parents and parents-to-be. Read on: https://bit.ly/4acIHGw

History Highlight 💡 By 1960, the department of surgery was making global waves. Dr. Henry Swan launched an international exchange program for residents in their 4th year of training, offering year-long training in Sweden or Scotland. Check out more of our international impact: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Our next research seminar this Friday will feature Ellen L. Burnham, MD, MSc, and Susan Ingram, PhD, presenting on delirium in patients with respiratory failure and the endocannabinoid system. Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/4r1SS6x

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons recently awarded Joseph Cleveland, MD, Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, a Chair Appreciation Award and Certificate of Appreciation for his service as Chair for the Council on Health Policy and Relationships from 2022-2026. Congratulations Dr. Cleveland!

The Pediatric Surgical Advanced Practice Fellowship is now accepting applications! Join Children's Hospital Colorado and the Division of Pediatric Surgery at a virtual information session on February 18 to learn about this meaningful opportunity. Find the Zoom link here: https://adobe.ly/3NImMOE

This week we celebrated the 1000th heart transplant completed by the incredible transplant team at UCHealth! We are so proud of our diligent and talented surgeons and the entire program that helped hit this milestone. #ImproveEveryLife

Join us on Monday for our next Grand Rounds presentation, featuring Vice Chair of Education and Program Director of the General Surgery Program Mark Nehler, MD, and associate professor of GI, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery Maria B. Albuja Cruz, MD, FACS. Find more info here: https://adobe.ly/4bE4JCZ

Lung surgeons in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery are utilizing advanced imaging technologies to enhance surgical procedures and patient care. “This is really cutting-edge technology, and we are early, early adopters.” says Robert Meguid, MD, MPH. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Ob18m9

In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, Amber Kohler, NP, highlights the exceptional team at our burn center. Their commitment to treatment, research, and education supports patients across Colorado and the surrounding region. #ImproveEveryLife

History Highlight 💡 Dr. Swan’s mentorship helped train a generation of surgical leaders. Dr. John Wilson, Dr. Guillermo Aragón, Dr. Gerald Rainer, Dr. David Roos, Dr. Henry Cleveland, & Dr. Rodrigo Altman made many incredible contributions to the field of surgery. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Happy Housestaff Appreciation Week! 🫶 Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery Robert McIntyre, MD, shared a message of gratitude for the amazing residents and fellows who make our department shine.

Last week, Dean John Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, held the annual State of the School of Medicine, showcasing the amazing work from the past year. Among the highlights were accomplishments from our dedicated faculty in the Department of Surgery. Here's to another year of surgical innovation!

Today we celebrated the incredible legacy of Richard Schulick, MD, MBA, as he prepares to move on to a new opportunity. Dr. Schulick served as the Chair of our Department of Surgery and the Director of the CU Cancer Center, and he will be missed greatly. Thank you Rich! 🎊

We're looking forward to a special Grand Rounds panel on Monday with Robert McIntyre, MD, Ella Echavez, MBA, RN, CNOR, Kristin Mekeel, MD, MS, FACS, and Christopher Lace, MD, MBA, discussing surgery quality and safety! Find more information here: https://adobe.ly/3LF2rsU

Please join us at the farewell celebration for Richard Schulick, MD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Cancer Center Director, tomorrow at noon! We look forward to honoring Dr. Schulick's tenure at CU and wishing him well on his next endeavor. #ImproveEveryLife

It wouldn’t be a CU event without a nod to Coach Prime! When a mass on his bladder was found, he was treated by Janet Kukreja, MD, director of urologic oncology @cucancercenter.bsky.social and UCHealth, and associate professor of urology @cudeptsurg.bsky.social. Read this story: bit.ly/45oRDGa

History Highlight 💡 Under Dr. Henry Swan’s leadership, the Department forged a powerful partnership with the Veterans Administration, expanding surgical training and care. Dr. Ben Eiseman was appointed by Swan to lead the new VA Hospital’s surgical program in 1950. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jBO84P

Nicole Christian, MD, associate professor of surgical oncology and CU Cancer Center member, contributed to new guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4pYEXN6

Meet Demis Varvoglis, MD, a first-year resident of general surgery! 🥼 Varvoglis attended undergraduate and medical school at the University of Thessaly in Greece. #ImproveEveryLife #ResidentSpotlight #surgery

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