Yale Surgery Bulletin
Volume 5 • Issue 3
Chair's Corner
Shuhari: Mastery in Motion
Learn the Rules, Break the Rules, Make The Rules
In Japanese culture, the philosophy of shuhari offers a profound perspective on mastery. Translated loosely as “obey, detach, transcend,” shuhari describes a three-stage journey that begins with learning the fundamentals (shu); then, innovating by breaking from tradition (ha); and finally, achieving mastery by creating something entirely new (ri). It is not a straight path, but rather, a cyclical journey, grounded in humility, propelled by curiosity and courage.
Shuhari resonates deeply with our work in academic medicine, where no discovery is final; no expertise is absolute. As we seek to advance and share knowledge, we find ourselves simultaneously mentors and students. Our work demands not only by relentless dedication, but also an openness to begin anew—again and again.
It is in this spirit that, this year, I have chosen to describe our mission as "Mastery in Motion" — a perspective which challenges us to recommit to the dynamic process of growth, balancing tradition and transformation, so that we may continue to create, inspire, and impart lasting change.
Adapted from Dr. Nita Ahuja’s annual State of the Department address, delivered Sept. 13, 2024.
Appointments & Promotions
Yale Appoints Dr. Marc Pelletier Chief of Cardiac Surgery
Dr. Marc Pelletier has been named Division Chief of Cardiac Surgery for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Department of Surgery, Section Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), and Physician-in-Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the Heart and Vascular Center of the Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS). Dr. Pelletier is the current Chief of Cardiac Surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He joins Yale on March 1, 2025.
Dr. Adel Bassily-Marcus Appointed YNHHS Chief of Surgical Critical Care
Dr. Adel M. Bassily-Marcus has been appointed Chief of Surgical Intensive Care for the Yale New Haven Health System. A Professor at Mount Sinai with over 30 years of experience, he is recognized for his leadership in ICU management and his contributions to national guidelines and medical education program development. As a YSM faculty, he holds appointments in both Surgery and Anesthesiology, and will work closely with surgical leaders across the health system to unify ICU operations.
Dr. Paris Butler Appointed Vice Chair of Education and Inclusive Excellence
Paris Butler, MD, MPH has been named Vice Chair of Education and Inclusive Excellence for the Department of Surgery, succeeding Dr. Mehra Golshan, who generously served as interim leader for the past two years. In this role, Dr. Butler will oversee the department’s residency programs, fellowships, and undergraduate clerkship while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the missions. The role builds on his success as Vice Chair of DEI, having contributed to record diversity in the residency program and the establishment of the visiting student scholarship program.
Education
Photos: 2024 Commencement Cocktails
The departments third annual Commencement Cocktails event, brought together graduates from all five residencies and ACGME-accredited fellowships. The event, hosted by Dr. Nita Ahuja and the Vice Chairs, celebrated the graduates’ achievements and highlighted their next steps in prominent institutions across the country. Graduates from General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and various fellowship programs, including Breast Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Bariatric/Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Plastic Surgery were recognized.
You Asked, We Listened: Enhancing Call Room Conditions
In response to educator and trainee feedback, the department has collaborated with institutional leadership to improve the comfort, safety, and functionality of its house staff call rooms. Immediate solutions include expanded daily cleaning, enhanced security, and a more efficient issue-reporting process. A new card notification system helps maintain privacy and accountability, ensuring rooms remain clean and accessible. Future plans involve expanding spaces and increasing call room availability, reflecting the department’s commitment to providing a functional, respectful environment.
White Coats Launch YSM MD Class of 2028
Vice Chair of Education and Inclusive Excellence, Paris Butler, MD, MPH, delivered an impactful keynote at the White Coat Ceremony for YSM’s incoming MD Class of 2028. Drawing on Malcolm Gladwell’s concept of meaningful work, Dr. Butler shared three key lessons for students: treat medical school with commitment, progress at your own pace, and prioritize patient-centered care. He concluded by highlighting the privilege and responsibility of being a physician and the importance of kindness in patient interactions.
Dr. Vincent Mase to Lead Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
Associate Professor Vincent Mase, Jr., MD has assumed leadership for the Integrated Six-Year Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency (I6) in his new role as Program Directore, effective July 1. Dr. Mase succeeds Dr. Rita Milewski, whose leadership established the foundation of this specialty program. An accomplished educator and skilled minimally invasive thoracic surgeon, Dr. Mase brings extensive experience, including his role as Associate Program Director for Assessment in the General Surgery Residency since 2021.
Research
Mastery Grants Recipients 2024
The department is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Mastery Grants, part of its annual initiative to foster a culture of innovation and interdisciplinary research. This year, the program emphasized personal and professional mastery, with an overwhelming response leading to expanded funding and 13 exceptional proposals being awarded. The advisory committee, co-chaired by Benjamin Judson, MD, MBA, and John Morton, MD, MPH, MHA, praised the creativity and impact of the submissions, highlighting their potential to drive growth and innovation within the department. Awardees will have one year to implement their projects, with opportunities to share their findings at future forums.
SurgeryLLM: Revolutionizing Surgical Decision-Making with AI
The Department of Surgery’s Outcomes Center research team, including Chin Siang Ong, MBBS PhD, Nicholas Obey and Eric B. Schneider, PhD, has unveiled SurgeryLLM, a cutting-edge AI framework designed to transform surgical decision-making. Published in npj Digital Medicine, their work combines Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with large language models to enhance efficiency and patient safety. SurgeryLLM outperforms traditional LLMs by providing evidence-based recommendations, improving diagnostic support, and streamlining documentation. This innovation addresses workforce challenges in surgical services, offering a glimpse into an AI-empowered future with better outcomes and more efficient care.
Elevated Whole-genome Duplications in Cancers from Black Patients
A new study published in Nature by General Surgery resident, Leanne Brown, MA, and research faculty Jason Sheltzer PhD reveals that cancers in Black patients are more likely to exhibit whole-genome duplications (WGDs), a genomic event linked to aggressive disease and shorter survival. Analyzing over 1,800 cancer samples, the researchers found higher WGD frequencies across multiple cancer types, including breast, endometrial, and lung cancer. The study highlights a possible link between environmental factors and racial disparities in cancer outcomes, offering new insights into cancer biology and patient survival.
Enhancing Support for Procedural Surgeon-Scientists
Department Chair, Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, is at the helm of a new schoolwide initiative, which aims to address challenges faced by proceduralist- and surgeon-scientists. These faculty members, crucial to translational innovation, often face high clinical demands, salary disparities, and limited research time, leading to a national decline in their numbers. The Proceduralist Surgeon Scientist Task Force (PSSTF) first convened in the summer, and has worked for the past six months to identify potential solutions, such as clearer promotion benchmarks, mentorship integration, and competitive salary standards. The PSSTF plans to finalize its proposal in early 2025.
Clinical
Yale Center for Weight Management Named America’s Best for 2025
The Yale Center for Weight Management has been recognized as one of Newsweek's America’s Best Weight Loss Clinics for 2025, the only facility in Connecticut and Rhode Island to earn this honor. Chief of Bariatric Surgery, John Morton, MD, MHA, MA, is one of three physician directors for the Center, which takes a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to weight management, offering services ranging from dietary counseling and psychological support to advanced medical therapies and bariatric surgery. With over 10,000 successful procedures performed, the Center is a national leader in improving health outcomes related to obesity.
Yale Vascular Surgery Launches Same-Day Dialysis Access Program
A new same-day dialysis access program, pioneered by the Division of Vascular Surgery. ensures rapid, patient-centered care while strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration within the institution. The program streamlines referral pathways through systems like EPIC to deliver timely interventions to patients requiring dialysis access — an innovative initiative that not only addresses a pressing need in the community but also reinforces the team’s role as a trusted partner in nephrology care.
Yale Breast Surgery Launches at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital
The department's breast surgery program has expanded to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (L+M), bringing advanced, patient-centered care to the New London regionn. Led by Section Chief Rachel Greenup, MD, MPH, the program now serves multiple Connecticut communities, including Greenwich, Bridgeport, and New Haven. Ellie Proussalouglou, MD, performed the first breast surgery at L+M in early November, marking a milestone in the hospital's commitment to high-quality care. Plans include integrating advanced technologies and pursuing accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches and innovative surgical techniques.
Yale Surgeons Perform Connecticut’s First FDA-Approved TAMBE Procedure, Pioneering Minimally Invasive Aortic Aneurysm Treatment
Yale vascular surgeons successfully performed Connecticut's first GORE® EXCLUDER® Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure, offering a groundbreaking, minimally invasive solution for treating complex aortic aneurysms. Led by Dr. David Kuwayama, this innovative technique, previously limited to clinical trials, is now FDA-approved and represents a safer alternative to high-risk open surgeries, significantly reducing recovery times. TAMBE involves guiding and assembling the device within the aorta through a small groin incision, effectively neutralizing life-threatening aneurysms.
Faculty Affairs
Appointments & Promotions Reception Honors Fourteen Distinguished Yale Surgeons
Fourteen Department of Surgery faculty were honored at an evening reception held on Oct. 9, 2024 in the Sterling Hall of Medicine Rose Garden. Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs, Benjamin Judson, MD, MBA, presented the honors — among them, 12 rank promotions; and the formal appointments of Raul Guzman, MD. Donald Guthrie Professor of Vascular Surgery and Bohdan Pomahac, MD, Frank F. Kanthak Professor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
10 Dec 2024Drs. Elizabeth Berger and Jennifer Ogilvie Appointed to Faculty Advisory Council
Faculty have selected Elizabeth Berger, MD, MS, and Jennifer Ogilvie, MD, to represent the department as education and clinical representatives on the Yale School of Medicine Faculty Advisory Council (FAC). They join Isibor Arhuidese, MD, MPH, the department’s research representative, ensuring well-rounded faculty representation. The FAC provides an essential platform for communication with the Dean’s Office. Representatives serve two-year terms.
11 Dec 2024Slideshow: Yale Surgery Faculty Retreat 2024
On Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, the Yale Department of Surgery hosted its seventh annual faculty retreat at the New Haven Lawn Club. Themed "Mastery in Motion," the retreat built on the Chair’s State of the Department message, encouraging faculty to view mastery as a continuous journey, aligning with the Japanese philosophy of "Shuhari." Keynote speakers included Robin Stern, PhD, co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and Howard Forman, MD, MBA, of the Yale School of Management. Engaging faculty panels shared personal stories, practical takeaways, and led an interactive Q&A.
4 Oct 2024Coffee Chats: Building Connection Through Open Dialogue
The launch of a new Coffee Chats initiative introduces structured time for candid, one-on-one conversations between department faculty and the chair. These informal 20-minute meetings aim to provide a space for faculty to share feedback, celebrate successes, and propose ideas for improving the department’s culture and operations. The initiative prioritizes fostering a sense of connection and inclusivity, especially for new members of the department.
12 Dec 2024
Notable
Michael Caty, MD, Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, received the Arnold Salzberg Mentorship Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Surgery (SOSu). The award honors Dr. Caty’s outstanding mentorship and contributions to academic excellence. He was recognized formally at the annual SOSu meeting in September.
Kimberly Davis, MD, MBA has been named president-elect of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), the premier scholarly organization for trauma and critical care. Dr. Davis is the Chief of Trauma, General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care at Yale, the Past President of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and the current Secretary of the Western Trauma Association. She will serve as AAST president-elect until September 2025, then as president through October 2026.
Raul Guzman, MD, is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Dr. Walter E. Longo MD Award. Established in 2019, the Yale Surgery Citizenship Award honors faculty members who exemplify leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative environment. Dr. Guzman is the Donald Guthrie Professor of Vascular Surgery and Division Chief of Vascular Surgery, and was nominated by his peers for his exceptional dedication to advancing surgical care and inspiring excellence across the Department of Surgery.
2024 Mastery Grant Recipients
- Justin Bader, MD General Surgery Resident
The Implementation of a Generative AI Platform to Improve Educational Quality of Surgical Morbidity and Mortality Conferences - Robert Becher, MD, MS Associate Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care)
Mastering Clinical and Research Excellence in Geriatric Surgery - Jane Cowan, MD, MPH Assistant Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care)
Sleep, Scheduling, and Optimum Surgeon Performance - Courtney Gibson, MD, MS Associate Professor of Surgery (Endocrine)
EMR-Driven Referral Pathways Leveraging Automated Screening for Enhanced Detection of Primary Aldosteronism and Specialty Care Integration - Tyler Jones, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care)
Curbside Consults - Michelle Kim, MD, MS Clinical Instructor
WHOOP for Wellness: Quantifying Recovery Patterns in Surgical Interns During 24-Hour Call Shifts - Donovan Lockwood, MD Otolaryngology Resident
Enhancing Surgical Ergonomics with Nekspine Using a Cervical Spine Orthotic for Surgeons - Samuel Miller, MD Chief Resident, General Surgery
Increasing Utilization of Care Signature Pathways by Yale Surgery Providers - Suresh Mohan, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology)
Yale Surgical Coaching Program Pilot Towards Skill Mastery, Burnout Reduction - Olivier F. Noel, MD, PhD Plastic Surgery Resident
Leveraging Novel Technologies to Establish a Microsurgery Simulation Tool for the Surgical Trainee - Lucy Ruangvoravat, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care)
Second Victim Syndrome in Surgical and Emergency Medicine Trainees after Trauma Resuscitations - Cecelia Smith Chief of Staff
Yale Surgery Library and Book Club - Lee Ying, MD, PhD, MS, MPhil Chief Resident, General Surgery
Preventing Future Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders through Micro-Workout Training in Surgical Residency
Yale Surgery Citizenship
The 3rd Annual Yale Surgery Citizens BBQ brought together faculty, staff, and residents for an afternoon of camaraderie, good food, and recognition. With the biggest turnout yet, the event highlighted the outstanding contributions of this year's Extra Mile and Helping Hand awardees, while showcasing the vibrant spirit of our department.
A perfect summer scene: attendees savor classic BBQ eats at the Harkness lawn.
A perfect summer scene: attendees savor classic BBQ eats at the Harkness lawn.
A moment of camaraderie as the Surgical Oncology Administrative Staff gather at the BBQ.
A moment of camaraderie as the Surgical Oncology Administrative Staff gather at the BBQ.
Helping Hand Award recipients receive applause alongside Dr. Mehra Golshan, Claudia Chujoy, and Dr. Nita Ahuja.
Helping Hand Award recipients receive applause alongside Dr. Mehra Golshan, Claudia Chujoy, and Dr. Nita Ahuja.
Chief of Staff Cecelia Smith and Division Administrator Alfonsina Fraschilla.
Chief of Staff Cecelia Smith and Division Administrator Alfonsina Fraschilla.
Fun and functional: a tower of branded tic-tac-toe, a favorite swag item from 2024.
Research staff cool down with refreshing beverages on a 90-degree day.
Research staff cool down with refreshing beverages on a 90-degree day.
General Surgery Residents take a break from their rigorous schedules to enjoy the BBQ together.
General Surgery Residents take a break from their rigorous schedules to enjoy the BBQ together.
Extra Mile Award recipients proudly hold their certificates with Dr. Nita Ahuja, Dr. Mehra Golshan, and Claudia Chujoy.
Extra Mile Award recipients proudly hold their certificates with Dr. Nita Ahuja, Dr. Mehra Golshan, and Claudia Chujoy.
The biggest turnout yet! A lively crowd enjoyed the day—so much so, we ran out of plates!
The biggest turnout yet! A lively crowd enjoyed the day—so much so, we ran out of plates!
One of the highly coveted 2024 branded swag giveaways—a sleek Yale Surgery backpack!
One of the highly coveted 2024 branded swag giveaways—a sleek Yale Surgery backpack!
A serene start: beautifully decorated picnic tables with checked tablecloths and sunflower centerpieces await the crowds.
A serene start: beautifully decorated picnic tables with checked tablecloths and sunflower centerpieces await the crowds.
Wendy Folsom, Rachel Agosto, Michelle Armellino, and Liz Reitman stand ready to greet attendees with a smile.
Wendy Folsom, Rachel Agosto, Michelle Armellino, and Liz Reitman stand ready to greet attendees with a smile.