July Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,‌

As we enter the new fiscal year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work we’ve accomplished together. This past year brought new challenges, innovations, and continued growth across all areas of our department—from patient care to research and education. I remain deeply proud of our collective commitment to excellence and our shared mission. With July, we turn the page to a new academic year—an exciting time filled with energy and possibility. We are thrilled to welcome our newest class of surgical interns and fellows. Their arrival reminds us of the responsibility we carry as educators and role models, and the vital importance of mentorship and support as they begin their journey in surgery. ‌

Thank you for all you do to make our department a place of excellence, compassion, and forward-thinking leadership. Let’s move into this new year with renewed purpose and momentum.‌

‌Baliga

Daniel Helena, M.D. Named Division Chief in Acute Care Trauma and Burn Surgery

The MUSC Department of Surgery is pleased to announce that Daniel Holena, M.D., MSCE, has been named the new Chief of the Division of Trauma, Acute Care, and Burn Surgery, effective October 1, 2025. A nationally recognized trauma and acute care surgeon, Dr. Holena brings to MUSC a deep commitment to clinical excellence, academic leadership, and mentorship. Read More.Arman Kilic, M.D. Named Division Chief Cardiothoracic Surgery

The MUSC Department of Surgery is excited to announce the appointment of Arman Kilic, M.D., as the new Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Kilic will also serve as the new Chief of the MUSC Health Heart and Vascular Integrated Center for Clinical Excellence. These dual leadership roles will help MUSC expand its national recognition as a leader in cardiothoracic surgery and foster closer collaboration with vascular surgery and cardiology. Read More.Walker Blanding, M.D., Joins the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

We are excited to have Walker Blanding, M.D., join our Cardiothoracic Surgery team as an Assistant Professor, effective July 1!  Dr. Blanding is a lifelong resident of South Carolina, growing up outside of Sumter, SC. He earned his Medical Degree and completed his surgical training as part of the Integrated Cardiothoracic Residency Program at the Medical University of South Carolina where he gained extensive experience in the fields of cardiac surgery, heart and lung transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support.  Development Director Jenna Brown Joins MUSC

The MUSC Department of Surgery is extremely pleased to welcome Jenna Brown, a nationally-recognized development director, to the MUSC Department of Surgery. A seasoned development professional, Jenna brings a track record of advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic fundraising, community partnerships, and donor engagement. Before joining MUSC, she served as the National Director of Development for the Spina Bifida Association of America, where she led nationwide fundraising initiatives to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Spina Bifida. Read More.

• Nationally recognized transplant surgeon and health care entrepreneur Joseph Scalea, M.D., has achieved a significant milestone. His TEDx talk, “Four Reasons to Live,” delivered this past April at TEDxCharleston, has been selected as an Editor’s Pick – a distinction awarded to less than 0.1% of all TEDx talks. The talk premieres on TED.com and TED’s national YouTube platform on July 26.
• Chris Streck, M.D., Chief,  Division of Pediatric Surgery was elected by the UMA Membership to serve a 4-year term as one of two At-Large Member Directors on the MUSCP Board effective as of July 1, 2025.‌
• Kevin Hughes, M.D., Director of Cancer Genetics, was the invited speaker at the June 12 Charleston Data Science Meetup. His talk was "From If-The to GPT: AI's evolution in Cancer Genetic Testing. ‌
• Listen to Dr. Thomas Curran’s podcast on SC Public Radio’s Health Focus, where he talks with Bobbi Conner on the new research that sheds light on how structured exercise programs improve cancer survival following colorectal cancer surgery. ‌
• Congratulations to Virgilio George, M.D. and the Colorectal Team! The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has been awarded full accreditation as a Center of Excellence from the ACS National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer. ‌
• Lucas Witer, M.D., named Surgical Director, Heart Failure and Heart Transplant,  effective July 15, 2025.
• Morgan Overstreet, MSc, was accepted into the MUSC Advanced Leadership Program, 2025-26 cohort.
• Congratulations to Allison Frederick, M.D. and Arjun Patel, M.D., for their awards during the 2025 South Carolina & North Carolina ACS Annual Meeting. Dr. Frederick won first for the General Surgery Competition and second for the Trauma Competition. Dr. Patel won third for the Trauma Competition.

• Hollings researchers selected for entrepreneurship boot camp (HCC News --Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D.)‌
• Special delivery: A new set of lungs (MUSC Catalyst -- Barry Gibney, D.O.) Inside the fight to save an SC teenager impaled by a fence during a horrific accident  (Post and Courier --  Mike M. Mallah, M.D.)
• ‘Unreal’: Lowcountry teen’s recovery after being impaled in chest (LIVE5 News --Mike M. Mallah, M.D.)
• Exercise extends life for colon cancer survivors (SC Public Radio Health Focus -- Thomas Curran, M.D., MPH)‌We asked area experts how to navigate these 5 storm concerns (Post and Courier -- Steven Kahn, M.D. )‌
• Lowcountry hospitals see increased burns, ER visits on the Fourth of July (LIVE 5 News -- Steven Kahn, M.D.) ‌

• Stephany Kim, M.D., Reflection – Pilot survey for developing a resident global surgery clinical and research rotation in Cuenca, Ecuador  (MUSC Global Health News Post)MUSC Surgery Sessions Podcast Series Newest Release

MUSC Surgery Sessions Podcast Series is our latest endeavor to celebrate and recognize our esteemed faculty whose expertise and innovative spirit helped shape the MUSC Department of Surgery and their respective fields. Please join us in our efforts to capture our rich history through the voices of some of the giants in the field by listening to the fourth episode with a leader in transplant surgery, P.R. Rajagopalan, M.D., Professor Emeritus.Celebrating Our Graduates!

The graduation dinner, hosted by Dr. Baliga and coordinated by the Department of Surgery’s Education Team, was a heartfelt celebration of achievement, resilience, and the enduring spirit of mentorship. From the opening remarks to the closing moments, the ceremony radiated pride, gratitude, and joy. Graduates were introduced one by one, with faculty members offering personal tributes that highlighted not only academic and clinical accomplishments but also each graduate’s unique character, work ethic, and growth. The 2025 Department of Surgery Graduation Ceremony was not just an end—it was a launchpad. These 17 new graduates now step confidently into their futures, bolstered by years of dedication, the mentorship of faculty, and the unshakable support of loved ones.