August News Update

‌Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues,‌

As Labor Day weekend approaches, I want to thank each of you for the incredible work you do every day across our department. This holiday is a chance to pause, catch your breath, and enjoy time with family and friends. For those who will be working over the weekend to care for our patients and keep things running smoothly—thank you. Your dedication is deeply appreciated.

‌With the new academic year just beginning, it's a great time to refocus and move forward with fresh energy and purpose. I’m excited for what lies ahead and grateful to be starting this new chapter alongside all of you.

‌Wishing you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break.

‌‌Baliga

New status confirms SC Burn Center meets 'highest standards of care'

Just five years after opening, the MUSC Health South Carolina Burn Center has earned verification status from the American Burn Association. That puts it among 40 other burn centers in the U.S. and Canada that have verification for both pediatric and adult burn care. Steven Kahn, M.D., medical director of the Burn Center, emphasized the significance of the recent verification. He called it a testament to his team’s dedication to delivering the highest-quality, patient-centered burn care. Read More.

‘It’s huge’: Innovation heals nerves in people with abdominal injuries

A surgical team at MUSC Health has become the first in the country to test for and repair nerve damage in people with rib injuries and/or abdominal wall trauma before it’s too late. The nerves are important because they tell the stomach muscle to contract, which keeps abdominal organs from causing the belly to bulge. “The procedure itself is a culmination of multiple specialists getting together and talking about a condition that's been forgotten,” said Evert Eriksson, M.D., the trauma and critical care surgeon leading the effort. “It’s huge.” Read More

US News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News and World Report unveiled its 36th edition of the Best Hospitals rankings online. These rankings are designed to help patients with life-threatening or rare conditions to identify hospitals that excel in treating the most difficult cases. Congratulations to the following teams within the MUSC Department of Surgery for earning “High Performing” ratings in the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings for specific procedures and conditions:‌

• Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery – Aortic Valve Surgery
• Cardiac Surgery – Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure
• Thoracic Surgery – Lung Cancer Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery – Colon Cancer Surgery 

These recognition's reflect the exceptional skill, dedication, and patient care delivered by our multidisciplinary teams.

We're excited to announce the addition of four new faculty members to the Department of Surgery! Some are familiar faces who trained right here at our institution, while others are joining us for the first time. Each brings unique strengths, experience, and energy to our team. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome as they begin this new chapter with us:‌

• ‌Ryan King, M.D., Assistant Professor, Vascular Surgery
• ‌‌Timothy Legare, M.D., Assistant Professor, Vascular Surgery
• ‌Donna Mullner, M.D., Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• ‌Marissa Mayor, M.D., Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery

MUSC Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program Update

MUSC’s Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program has served patients, families, the community, and MUSC Health care team members and trainees since July 2021. With critical funding support obtained, innovative partnerships within our health system and throughout the community, and an unwavering dedication to our patients and families, we are proud to be turning the tide against community violence in the greater Charleston area and serving as the only evidence-based hospital violence intervention program (HVIP) in SC.

Read the latest TTVIP newsletter to learn more about how the Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program is Changing What's Possible.

• David Mahvi, M.D. has been awarded the title of Distinguished University Professor by MUSC. This is one of the highest honors bestowed by our institution, recognizing sustained excellence in scholarship, education, and service to the university and the broader academic community.
• The MUSC Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Arman Kilic, M.D. to the Fred A. Crawford, Jr., M.D., Endowed Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, effective August 8, 2025. Endowed Chairs are one of the highest academic awards that a University can bestow on a faculty member.
• Congratulations to Bruce Crookes, M.D., Mark Lockett, M.D., Lee Leddy, M.D. and the Peri-operative Surgical Quality Team!  MUSC Health received notification of the  American College of Surgeons Quality Verification Program -- Focused Verification Approval. MUSC Health is the first (and only) hospital in South Carolina to achieve this recognition.
• Nancy Klauber-DeMore, M.D., received the Hollings Entrepreneurial Sciences in Cancer Award (ESICA) to fund her project, "Reprogramming the tumor microenvironment in TNBC: Synergistic potential of IVT-8086 and TAM-modulating agents."
• The American Association for Thoracic Surgery honors Dr. Fred A. Crawford, 83rd AATS President and recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, by announcing the inaugural AATS Dr. Fred A. Crawford Leadership Academy Lectureship. 
• Patterson Allen, M.D., PGY-5, has been named College of Medicine Resident of the Month.