Monthly news roundup

Alumni Profile: Pediatric Surgeon Patrick B. Thomas, M.D.

Dr. Patrick Thomas is a proud graduate of the MUSC College of Medicine and the MUSC General Surgery residency program, where he holds the distinction of being the first Black graduate. He completed his Pediatric Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Following fellowship, he spent twelve years at Cook Children’s Health Care System in Fort Worth, Texas, as the first Black pediatric surgeon delivering compassionate care for some of the region’s most fragile children. A life-long learner and an early adopter of new and innovative technologies to aid in delivering optimal care to young patients and their families, Dr. Thomas recently completed a Master of Management in Clinical Informatics from Duke University School of Medicine. He currently serves as Director of Digital Innovation in Pediatric Surgery at The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine. Read more about Dr. Thomas in our alumni section. 

Tracy Rice, M.D. Joins the Department of Surgery

Teresa “Tracy” Rice, M.D. joins the MUSC Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Transplant Surgery on March 1.Dr. Rice completed her Abdominal Transplant and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Fellowship at Washington University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital. During her fellowship training, she held the academic appointment of Clinical Instructor in Surgery She completed her General Surgery Residency at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2012.“Dr. Rice comes to us exceedingly well trained, with a unique skill set in robotic donor nephrectomy and normothermic deceased donor liver machine perfusion experience,” said Dr. Derek DuBay, Chief of Transplant Surgery. “Women are underrepresented in the field of Transplant surgery, and we are excited to have recruited such a well-trained, high-character individual as Dr. Rice from a field of nearly 50 applicants.”

 

Cynthia Talley, M.D. Named to New Leadership Role

Cynthia Talley, M.D., Vice Chair of Education, has been appointed to serve as Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME) for the College of Medicine. She will assume this role on March 1, reporting to Dr. Ben Clyburn, Senior Associate Dean for GME and CME/ Designated Institutional Official. In this role, Dr. Talley will direct the Annual Program Evaluation (APE) process, reviewing all necessary items with regard to programs’ submission of the APE, responding to program or ACGME concerns, and assisting programs with missions, AIMS, action plans and recommended strategies. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Talley to her new role!

Sanford Zeigler, M.D. Awarded the Thoracic Surgery Foundation Nicholas Kouchoukos Award

Sanford Zeigler, M.D., assistant professor of Surgery and Medical Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, received the 2022 Nicholas Kouchoukos Fellowship from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Zeigler will use the $7000 traveling fellowship award to learn novel techniques, adopt innovative technology, and foster collaboration between surgical investigators to enhance patient care at MUSC Health.

From Team USA Skater to Standout Surgeon

As a colorectal surgeon, Colleen Donahue, M.D. stands out in a field traditionally dominated by men. But she’s used to being in the spotlight. Donahue is a former synchronized ice skater with Team USA.“I think it completely shaped everything I am today. Being an athlete, especially at that level, at that caliber and the time commitment that went into it — the whole idea of working with the same girls, the practicing, the hours, constantly on end, having a common goal,” she said. Read the full story in the Catalyst. 

Keith Smalls Invited to Present at TEDxCharleston

Keith Smalls, MUSC Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Client Advocate, is an invited presenter at TEDx Charleston. The only formerly incarcerated member of Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Keith’s 19 years in prison’s punishment and rehabilitation process taught him what doesn’t work. His talk will focus on criminal justice reform.

Tarnicia Smith Recognized with the Department's WOW Award

Congratulations to Tarnicia Smith, the Department's newest WOW Awardee. The WOW award is given quarterly to a staff member. This quarter, Tarnicia received multiple nominations, recognizing her for her "can do" attitude, seamlessly assuming additional responsibilities due to short-term staffing shortages, and her genuine kindness to patients and colleagues.

Faculty & Staff Recognitions:

Thomas Curran, M.D. MPH research entitled Surgical Outcomes Improvement and Health Inequity in a Regional Quality Collaborative was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Keith Smalls, Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Client Advocate, was named to the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Governance Committee, where he serves as the Community Representative for the Crime Survivor Community.

Entrepreneurship: Heartbeat Technologies Advances in SAGES Shark Tank Competition

Heartbeat Technologies CEO Kristen Quinn, M.D. PGY-Research received notification of acceptance into the finalist round at the SAGES Shark Tank pitch competition, held March 18. Heartbeat Technologies is one of three finalists selected in the international pitch competition. Dr. Quinn will compete in the Finals at the annual SAGES Conference in Denver on March 18 for the first prize award of $30,000 and opportunity for investment from SINC (up to $2.5 M).