Latest Surgery News & Announcements

Michael Lerner, MD, and Ryan Rimmer, MD, were inducted into The Triological Society in Phoenix, Ariz. Lerner was recognized for research on quality-of-life outcomes after botulinum toxin treatment, and Rimmer for developing an imaging-based algorithm to improve skull base reconstruction planning. Their induction reflects contributions to advancing clinical and translational research in otolaryngology.

Caroline Richburg, MD, a general surgery research resident, has received the 2026 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for Veteran Cancer from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). She was recognized for her project evaluating how sociobehavioral comorbidities and resource referral influence surgical outcomes in veterans with cancer.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has named John Morton, MD, MPH, MHA, as a recipient of its 2026 Distinguished Service Award, one of the society’s highest honors. The award recognizes members for significant contributions to the metabolic and bariatric field, with an emphasis on excellence in service, leadership, and advancing multidisciplinary care.

David Stitelman, MD, has received funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute to advance his collaborative research on a novel fetal therapy approach for cystic fibrosis. Working with colleagues across pediatric pulmonology, biomedical engineering, and gene editing, his team is developing nanoparticle-based strategies to deliver gene therapies before birth—aimed at preventing organ damage that begins in utero. By combining mRNA delivery and high-fidelity gene editing, this work has the potential to move toward a one-time treatment for cystic fibrosis and establish a new paradigm for treating genetic diseases before birth.

Winston Trope (Yale School of Medicine, Class of 2027) received a 2026 Sustainability Award from the Yale Office of Sustainability for advancing green surgery practices at Yale New Haven Hospital. Over the past academic year, he partnered with perioperative teams at YNHH to reduce operating room waste—diverting thousands of sutures, gloves, and instruments from disposal—while also advancing trainee education in environmentally responsible surgical practices.

Chin Siang Ong, MBBS, PhD, MPH, has received an NVIDIA grant to advance AI-enabled aortic imaging and outcomes research. The funding supports development of AortaPlot, an AI platform that automates analysis of aortic CT scans by generating standardized measurements, 3D visualization, and structured reports. Developed with faculty across the department's cardiac, vascular, and outcomes research teams, the tool aims to improve speed and consistency in longitudinal aortic assessment, beginning with thoracic aortic disease at the Yale Aortic Institute.

Karen E. Gibbs, MD, MBA, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Physician Leadership Award from the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association (GBMA), which recognizes physicians whose leadership has advanced patient care, clinical excellence, and service to the regional medical community.

Over the past 15 years, John Albis has built a remarkable career across Yale’s financial enterprise, growing from a research accountant in Pediatrics to a key leadership role within the Integrated Business Office (IBO) supporting Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Anesthesiology as director of finance. Along the way, he has helped guide the organization through major institutional transitions—from systems changes and new compensation models to the evolution of funds flow and the phased development of the IBO itself. As he celebrates this milestone, John reflects on the changes that have shaped his career, the teams that have inspired him, and the work that continues to motivate him.

Alyssa Gillego, MD, was recently honored by YWCA Greenwich with a Women Who Inspire Award, established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional, and volunteer pursuits, and who have enriched the lives of many in the Greenwich community.