News

To say that the Resident Class of 2020 experienced an unprecedented final year is an understatement. As Kentucky鈥檚 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鈥 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鈥檚 Hospital. His primary appointment is at Cincinnati Children鈥檚, 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.

@UK_Colorectal
@UKyGenSurgery
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 91小黄车
Click here for From the Dean's Desk Blog (Dean Robert S. DiPaola, MD)

In this unique year in the history of the UK 91小黄车, 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 鈥減latoon鈥 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 鈥 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.

Click link for UKnow articles and information
By Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Monday


By Josh Shepherd
The UK Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome the new class of incoming surgical residents and fellows for the 2020-21 academic year. In addition to this most welcome news, Surgery faculty and staff were also pleased to note that 14 senior medical students from the UK 91小黄车 matched to several surgery programs throughout the United States, including five to the University of Kentucky.

Link to Wednesday Press Conference
Managing our elective surgeries differentlyAs you know, we have been actively working for the past several days with the Kentucky Hospital Association, other health care and hospital leaders in the state and our UK HealthCare clinical leadership team to be responsive to the governor's directive to cease elective procedures.


The Cleft Palate service at UK HealthCare was recognized by The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) as a fully approved Cleft Palate Team in late January.


Dr. Melissa Newcomb, associate professor of surgery, accepted appointment as Assistant Dean for Assessment and Evaluation, a new position within the UK Graduate Medical Education (GME) office, in late February. The position will begin officially on July 1, 2020.
The assistant dean position will work with UK鈥檚 residency program committees to develop of processes and systems of measures to document the progress of medical residents from first year learners to competent providers in their chosen field.

Link to UKnow.
By Mark Newman, Tom Miller, William B. Inabnet III, and Kelly M. McMasters