Monthly News Update

Message from the Chair

Colleagues,   

‌‌I hope you are all warm and safe during the rare winter storm that brought snow, sleet, and ice to the Charleston area! Thank you for your continued commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, education, and research, especially during challenging times. ‌‌I want to especially thank our care team members who served our patients during the storm and our administrative support teams who worked diligently to reschedule our patients' elective surgeries as soon as possible.   ‌‌ 

‌Sincerely,  ‌ ‌

‌Baliga

 

MUSC Health Video: Developing Breakthroughs Proving Innovation Can Save Lives

Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D., (pictured in video) and Brian Hess, M.D., talk about their collaboration and innovation that brought the life-changing CAR T-cell therapy from the lab to the clinic.

MUSC's unique combination of academic research, clinical expertise, and collaborative innovation paves the way for safer, more effective cancer therapies, representing a monumental step forward in cancer care. The newly released MUSC Health video highlights the researchers and clinicians who brought life-changing CAR T-cell therapy from lab to clinic, demonstrating MUSC's commitment to collaboration and innovation. Watch the Video

• Rana Pullatt, M.D., was honored by the Obesity Surgery Society of India with the Honorary Life Membership of the Society in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of obesity surgery and his unwavering commitment to advancing the mission and values of the Obesity Surgery Society of India.
• Mike M. Mallah, M.D., was honored by the College of Medicine's Class of 2025 with the request to deliver the College of Medicine Pearls Lecture during graduation week. ‌‌The Pearls Lecture is one of the most significant and meaningful events of Graduation Week. The Lecture will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m.
• Adam Lobbestael, M.D., CT Surgery Resident, was selected as the GME Resident of the Month for December 2024. ‌‌He was recognized for going above and beyond for both his patients and team members.  

• Natalie Wapner - Administrative Assistant, CT Surgery‌
• Carol Jones - Surgical Assistant, CT Surgery‌
• Chris Webb, NP - Advanced Practice Provider, CT Surgery‌
• Heather Bunch, PA - Advanced Practice Provider, Foregut Surgery‌
• Allie Wade, PA - Advanced Practice Provider, Vascular  Surgery ‌
• Tori Marks,  PA - Advanced Practice Provider, Foregut Surgery

December / January News Round Up

MUSC Health first in US to implant new device for the heart disease TR Nicolas Pope, M.D. (January 14MUSC Catalyst News)‌

‌Robotics power new weight loss surgery option for adolescents at MUSC Health Aaron Lesher, M.D., MSCR (January 13MUSC Catalyst News)

‌MUSC Board of Trustees greenlights integrated center for cellular therapy project co-leaders: Hongjun Wang, Ph.D., and Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D.(December MUSC Press Releases)‌

‌Officials encourage use of fireworks, offer safety tips on New Year’s Eve Steven Kahn, M.D. (December 31 News2)‌

Researcher offers hope at pancreatic cancer awareness reception William Hawkins, M.D. (Dec. 3 Hollings Cancer Center News)‌

‌Newsweek names MUSC bariatric team one of America's Best Weight Loss Clinics and Centers Rana Pullatt, M.D. (December 2 MUSC Catalyst News)