2011-2012 Annual - MCCG General Surgery Residency

Department of Surgery
ANNUAL REPORT
2011 - 2012
Mercer University School of Medicine
Medical Center of Central Georgia
June 2011

Message from the Chair
Stephen Dunn, M.D., a pediatric surgeon in Wilmington, Del., and not part of the Macon medical community,
touched the hearts of many in our town recently with an extraordinary gift of life for the baby of a foreign student at
one of the local colleges. Federal regulations prohibit sharing her name or the condition of her child. Just know it was
advanced, fatal, and the baby, a girl, was rapidly losing ground.
We routinely deal with “Self-Pay” patients – those because of social circumstance cannot begin to pay for health care
and barely scrape by for the basics. Most doctors focus on the patient’s illness and deal with payment issues later.
This case was different: not a citizen, self pay, and a condition that we could not treat here. She would require advanced
surgery, prolonged hospitalization, and costs into the very strong six figures.
I asked my colleagues whether any would take the case on, knowing that social and economic constraints would make
“no” the inevitable response. A few offered to see the mother and child, but no guarantees, you understand.
One suggested that I contact Dr Dunn. Sure, he said, here’s the number of my patient coordinator, send her on up.
Mother connected with his office, and that’s the last I heard of it.
While cleaning old email files I came across the messages that brought the mother to my attention, the queries with
surgeons offering help, and finally the correspondence with Dr Dunn. I emailed him. Here’s his response:
We [treated her] on March 21. She left the hospital 16 days later and is doing well. [The child had a major complication just before
surgery.] Thankfully, it could be dealt with during the larger operation. She literally ran out of time just in time.
Thanks for making us aware of this child. The hospital incurred actual costs of about $150,000…. We won’t be able to do many of
these. No one could. Still, how much is one life worth. A lot
is the right answer. Thanks again for letting us know.
Speechless, I tried to convey my thanks.
Thank you for giving this mother and child a chance. I could
say I owe you one, but to do so would trivialize your contribution.
Dr Dunn responded.
Thanks for your kind remarks. I am fortunate to work for a
pretty wealthy and compassionate institution. Best regards.
Dr Dunn thanked me three times to my one wholly
inadequate attempt. In Japan when people speak to
physicians they use the honorific term, sensei. Most
often it is translated as “teacher” but the term conveys
a strong feeling of respect beyond the mere act
of teaching. Sensei Dunn has earned the title.
Don K. Nakayama, M.D.
Milford B. Hatcher Professor and Chair
Department of Surgery
Mercer University School of Medicine
About the cover: William Jacob Fromm, 13, star pitcher and slugger from Little League hotbed Warner Robins, needed an
assist from Children’s Hospital physicians, surgeons and nurses a couple of years ago. What started as a nasty cough and fever
turned into a complicated case of pneumonia that required intensive care and surgery. Once he recovered he returned to the
diamond. Last summer he was “Fromm the Bomb,” one of the “10 U.S. players to watch at the Little League World Series” by
the Williamsport, Pa., Sun Gazette. His team was undefeated in the regional playoffs and Fromm batted .476 for the season.
2

Department of Surgery
The Residency in Surgery had its start under its founding Program Director, Milford B. Hatcher, M.D., in 1958. Internationally
famous for arrhythmia surgery, Will C. Sealy, M.D., succeeded him in 1984. In 1991, Martin Dalton,
M.D., followed Dr. Sealy as Professor and Chair. The academic growth of the Department continued with important
clinical programs in trauma and
critical care and surgical research.
The Residency grew to four from
two chief resident positions. Don
Nakayama, M.D., a pediatric surgeon,
was named the Milford B.
Hatcher Professor and Chair of the
Department of Surgery in 2007.
The program is fully accredited by
the Residency Review Committee
in Surgery of the Accreditation
Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Residents regularly finish
with more than 1,000 operations
Left to right: Milford B. Hatcher, Will C. Sealy, Martin L. Dalton.
during the five year training program, with extensive experience in all areas of general surgery. Residents enter fellowships
in all major surgical specialties. The Surgery Department has third year clerkships providing a broad experience
in trauma, vascular, general and pediatric surgery. Fourth year clerkships are available in general surgery and all surgical
specialties.
Mercer University School of Medicine
The School of Medicine was organized in 1982, part of a thirteen-year
effort by city and community groups, the Bibb
County Medical Society, and the Georgia State Legislature to
educate physicians and other health professionals to meet the
primary and ancillary healthcare needs of rural and medically
underserved areas of Georgia. Currently there are 60 students
per year. Programs have been offered by Mercer University
School of Medicine in collaboration with the Medical Center
of Central Georgia since 1984. A second four-year school was
opened in 2008 in Savannah, and in this year announced another
clinical training site in Columbus, Ga.
Medical Center of Central Georgia
MCCG has a 100-year history of serving the central and south Georgia regions. At 603 beds, it is the second largest
hospital in the state, the largest in a region of a 1.2 million population bounded by Atlanta, Augusta, Jacksonville,
and Birmingham. Accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, MCCG
has been named one of the top one hundred hospitals in the nation with top programs in cardiac services, orthopaedics,
and neurosurgery. The hospital has 28 operating rooms with the full range of advanced surgical technology,
including robotics, neuroimaging, and endovascular and minimally invasive surgery. It is certified by the Georgia
Division of Public Health and the Office of Trauma as a Level 1 Trauma Center, with more than 1,500 admissions.
MCCG supports residency training programs in family practice, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and
gynecology and pediatrics. Specialty fellowships in surgical critical care and geriatrics are also available. MCCG
graduate medical education programs have more than 100 trainees.
3

Mercer University
Mercer University, founded in 1833, today is a dynamic and comprehensive
center of 7,300 undergraduate, graduate and professional students
in business, education, engineering, liberal arts, music and nursing,
as well as professional programs in medicine, law, pharmacy,
health sciences and theology. Its 11 schools and colleges are on two
major campuses in Macon and Atlanta and four regional academic
centers across the state.
Central to the Mercer experience is an education that uniquely prepares
students to lead virtuous, meaningful and responsible lives and
encourages a thoughtful examination of ethical and moral choices.
Princeton Review recognizes Mercer as a “College with a Conscience.”
Leading college guides
consistently rank Mercer
as one of the top private
universities in the South
and one of the best educational
values in the
country.
City of Macon
Macon, population 95,000, has a metropolitan area of nearly 250,000 located near the geographic center of the state,
about 80 miles south of Atlanta. Located on the border between the hilly uplands and the coastal plain, it has hot,
humid summers, mild winters, and long, temperate springs and autumns. Legend has it that the town was spared
much of the destruction of Sherman’s March, so local architecture includes many examples of fine antebellum
houses, churches, and civic buildings. The city is a combination of small town atmosphere with attractions, shopping
and dining typical of larger cities. Macon has a rich cultural heritage
dating back to Native American burial mounds. Its musical
history is particularly notable. Otis Redding, “Little Richard”
Pennimon, and the Allman Brothers all got their start here. Each
year the city celebrates the blossoming of its 300,000 Yoshino
cherry trees with a ten day International Cherry Blossom Festival,
named one of the
100 top events in
North America. Other
museums and attractions
include the Harriet
Tubman African
American Museum and
the Georgia Sports Hall
of Fame.
4

Amy Christie, Danny Vaughn to join faculty, start projects
News
Amy Christie, M.D. (left), and Danny Vaughn, M.D. (right), both graduates of MUSM and the Residency in Surgery
at MCCG, will join the fulltime faculty in August. Dr Christie, currently
completing her fellowship in surgical critical care, will cover the
surgical-trauma intensive care unit while helping to extend coverage to
surgically underserved areas in central Georgia. Married to assistant professor
Benjie Christie, they have three children Griffin, 6, Blair, 2, and
newcomer Amelia, 4 months.
This summer Dr Vaughn will complete a fellowship in minimally invasive
surgery (MIS) at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. He will help organize
programs in advanced MIS, including bariatric surgery, at MCCG. He is a
native of Eastman, Ga. On April 14 Danny married Jinu (nee Thomas).
Chief residents announce plans for training and practice
Three 2012 chief residents will continue postgraduate training in surgical
specialties, and one will set up practice. Each has an MCCG surgeon.
Geary Bush will start practice in general surgery in Donalsonville,
Ga. His senior partner is Homer Breckenridge, a graduate of the
MCCG Residency in Surgery. Jason Chapman will train in vascular
surgery at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the program where
Billy Mix, Assistant Professor, trained. Eric Long will begin a twoyear
fellowship in pediatric surgery research at Vanderbilt University,
the program where Josh Glenn, Assistant Professor, attended. Vincent
Scoglietti will move to Dallas to train in breast surgery at University
of Texas, Southwestern University, where Kim Thompson, Associate
Professor, did his residency.
Their success reflects both the quality of their work and the support
they received from the faculty and their fellow residents. Today more
than 70 percent of U.S. surgery residents continue training in a surgical
specialty, a competitive process similar to the residency match.
Clockwise, from top left: Geary Bush, Eric Long, Vincent Scoglietti,
Jason Chapman.
Craig Wengler participates in
rare three-way renal transplant
Craig Wengler (center) assists Miguel Tan (right).
Craig Wengler, PGY3, participated in a rare serial transplant
where three recipients received kidney transplants
from three unrelated donors. One patient has a donor, but
the donor actually is a better match for another patient.
The second patient in turn has a different donor who is
better for a third patient. And the third patient’s donor is
more suitable for the first. Miguel Tan, M.D., Clinical
Assistant Professor of Surgery and transplant surgeon at
Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, led the team.
5

News
Ahmed, Amy Christie complete fellowship
Mustafa Ahmed (right) and Amy Christie will complete their training in surgical critical care in
June. Dr Ahmed will enter a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the Northwest Hospital
in Baltimore. Amy Christie will join the faculty in August. The MCCG surgical critical care
fellowship began operations in 2008, and last year won a 5-year accreditation without citations.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation for apnea,
ventricular assist device for heart failure
Matthew L. Jerles, Clinical Professor and Chief of Otorhinolaryngology (left, top), is part of a
multicenter FDA clinical trial for hypoglossal nerve stimulation to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.
An implanted peripheral nerve stimulator sends impulses to the nerve to contract pharyngeal
muscles to maintain an open airway. The first procedure at MCCG was done in February.
Richard Harvey, Clinical Associate Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery (left, bottom),
introduced a completely implantable ventricular assist device to increase cardiac output in patients
with intractable heart failure. The first case at MCCG was in March.
MUSM students
enter general
surgery training
Six MUSM senior medical
students learned where they
will be training in surgery on
“Match Day,” March 16, the highlight of the
senior year (photos at right, clockwise from top
left): Michael Cray at the Spartanburg (S.C.)
Regional Hospital; James Davis, Greenville
(S.C.) Hospital System; Lindsey Karavites, Univ.
of Illinois, Chicago, Mt Sinai Hospital; Katherine
Zamperini, Madigan Army Medical Center in Ft.
Lewis, Wa.; Heather Short, Emory Univ.,
Atlanta; and Rett Reeve, Wake Forest Univ.,
Winston-Salem, N.C. Six meets the goal of 10%
of the class of 60 set by the Department for
medical students entering our field.
Department featured in The American
Surgeon
A profile of the Department of Surgery appeared in the May issue of The American
Surgeon, the official publication of the Southeastern Surgical Congress. The article,
authored by Don Nakayama and Martin Dalton, appeared as an “Institutional
Profile,” an occasional feature of the journal that describes various medical centers
and departments of surgery in the Southeast. Included were descriptions of the city,
university, history of the medical school, and some of the programs and
publications of the Department.
6

Incoming Residents, 2012 - 2013
The Medical Center of Central Georgia Residency in Surgery welcomes its new class of residents entering July 2012.
Please welcome them to Macon and make them at home in the MCCG and Mercer communities.
Michael (Mike) Fitzgerald will graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina
in May. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he was an undergraduate at Clemson University where
he majored in biological sciences. He was captain of their varsity rugby team and earned
All American honors his senior year. At MUSC he assisted with research both in trauma
and pediatric burn care. He says in his personal statement that trips to the E.R. for athletic
injuries and boyhood scrapes and breaks shaped his desire to be a surgeon.
The director of the intensive care unit wrote that Mike was “by far, the best medical
student that I have had the pleasure of working with this year.” He is an avid sports
enthusiast and continues to play rugby for an independent team
in Charleston.
Brett Howard will graduate from the Florida State University
School of Medicine this spring. A native of Miami, he was also
attended FSU as an undergraduate in biology earning magna cum laude honors. In medical
school he received the Gold Humanism in Medicine award and was voted by his peers as
classmate of the year. He completed a research project testing the use of superficial X-ray
therapy in skin cancer. An amateur artist, he says that he looks forward to applying his
talent to learning surgery.
The medical director of the trauma service in Tallahassee noted Brett is “certainly one of
the top students who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past ten years.” He
paints with acrylics, in addition to running, golf, and tennis.
Joey Jarrard will receive his degree from the Georgia Health Sciences University. A
Waycross, Ga., native, he attended Valdosta State University and earned a dual degree in
biology and chemistry. He was in the first group of GHSU students to spend his clinical
clerkships in Albany. He got a 264 on Step 2 of his USMLE exam. As an undergraduate he
was able to shadow a surgeon, inspiring his interest in the field. He is looking forward to his
internship and finally learning the difference in cutting suture “too long” and “too short.”
One of the senior surgeons at GHSU said, “He will be one of those residents we all love to
train and are proud of upon completion of the residency.” His fiancée Laurie teaches school
in Warner-Robins. Besides hunting and fishing he enjoys old English literature and guitar.
Heather Nolan will complete her M.D. degree at the University of Kentucky College of
Medicine. Born in Dayton her family settled near Atlanta where she received dual college
and high school credit at Kennesaw State University. She completed her undergraduate
coursework in communications and English at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City,
Tenn., earning summa cum laude. She worked fulltime in broadcasting as a producer in
Cincinnati before completing premedical requirements for medical school in Lexington.
She has two first-authored publications on the effect of body mass index on post-trauma
outcomes. A senior surgeon says, “Heather is thoughtful, energetic and organized….Her
constant positive attitude is infectious.” She has a wide range of interests, including home
renovation, running, fishing, dancing, and baking.
7

Chair’s Report
This report is a five-year review of my tenure as Chair. All achievements are testaments to the productive and supportive
environment found in both institutions.
The overall goal of the Department was to provide surgical services and leadership to MUSM and MCCG where academics
informed clinical services in a shared mission of clinical practice, education, and research.
To develop a pediatric surgical service.
Georgia Pediatric Surgery Associates has three fulltime pediatric surgeons, Bryan Weidner, Joshua Glenn, and Dr Nakayama and
is the market leader in central and South Georgia. A number of ‘firsts’ have occurred in the past year, with an ex-partum in utero
treatment for a life-threatening airway obstruction in a term fetus, laparoscopic repair of intestinal atresia, newborn treatment for
Hirschsprung’s disease and imperforate anus, and minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy. The pediatric surgery service line has led
medical center surgical quality improvement, with two publications based upon MCCG projects.
To develop a research department with a unifying goal and hypothesis.
Clinical research. Notable is a study from the trauma service (Dennis Ashley, Leon Sykes, Benjie Christie, and resident Jacob
Moremen and Tracy Nolan) on high cervical cord injuries with near-elimination of life-threatening cardiovascular events. Quality
improvement and safety. An important area of Departmental research is improvement in hospital processes and mitigation of hazards
associated with nursing and resident hand-offs in inpatient care. Education. Departmental studies include the value of surgical
education for medical student who chose a non-surgical discipline, and issues that surround the quality of care under duty hour
restrictions. Medical economics and social issues. The Department has been part of multi-institutional studies regarding physician
workforce issues, specifically in pediatric surgery. Joe Sam Robinson, Jr., has edited a book addressing resource stewardship. Medical
humanism and history. The Department has a long-standing interest in medical history. Dr Nakayama has added to this tradition with a
number of contributions on stories of physicians of Japanese and Asian heritage.
To develop a unified educational resource that addresses undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education
priorities.
Residency in surgery.The residency in surgery won full accreditation by the Residency Review Committee in Surgery (RRC-S) of the
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACMGE), in July 2011. There was one citation. Residents regularly finish
with more than 1,000 to 1,200 operations, with extensive experience in all areas of general surgery. Major changes include the Center
for Innovative Learning, a $1.2 million, 2,800 square foot simulation center, strengthened experiences in pediatric and vascular
surgery, and a new rotation in rural surgery in Cordele, Ga. Pass rates for certifying examinations (CE, written board exams) of the
American Board of Surgery (ABS), has improved to 93%, an increase from 79% for the 5 years ending 2006.
Residents have entered top fellowships in all major surgical specialties after training, including pediatric surgery (Arkansas Children’s
Hospital and Vanderbilt University), surgical critical care (MCCG and Vanderbilt University), minimally invasive surgery (Baton
Rouge and Kansas City), and plastic and hand surgery (Medical University of South Carolina and University of Virginia).
Two entered general practices in Jackson, Tenn., and Greenville, S.C., and one will start in July at Donalsonville, Ga. One rising chief
resident plans a career in Americus, Ga., and one graduate plans to return to the state in minimally invasive surgery.
Undergraduate medical education. Over the past two years 16 of 120 Mercer graduates (13%) went on to residencies in general surgery.
Some have stayed to train at MCCG, and several have won positions at residency programs in general surgery at leading programs
such as East Virginia, Emory, Ohio State University, University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, University of Virginia, Virginia
Commonwealth University, and Wake Forest University.
Surgical critical care. The fellowship training program in surgical critical care at MCCG will complete its fourth year in 2012. It won a
five year full accreditation in 2011 with no citations from RRC-S and ACGME. Dr Ashley is program director of the fellowship.
Continuing education programs in surgery. Continuing medical education (CME) is organized around year long programs that address a
specific topic of interest that will improve quality of surgical care at MCCG. Topics include surgical site infections and venous
thromboembolism. Nationally known experts Donald Fry and Lazar Greenfield have been featured speakers. The Trauma
Symposium is in its 11 th year. The annual Milford Hatcher Lecture, given by a nationally prominent surgeon, has featured Selwyn
Vickers, John Cameron, Kirby Bland, James O’Neill, George Sheldon, and Anthony Meyer. Wayne Frederick and Lynn Weaver have
given the Harriet Tubman lecture that addresses racial disparities in surgical care. The History of Medicine symposium features both
academic and community speakers. Lamar McGinnis, Donald Trunkey, and Hardy Hendren have been keynote speakers. New to
the event schedule is the Cherry Blossom Grand Rounds, held in conjunction with the community’s Cherry Blossom festival in late
March. The lecture features a topic of interest to Asian American medical audiences.
8

To develop an administrative partnership with MUSM and MCCG that will strengthen, change, or eliminate existing
programs and develop new initiatives in response to changing economic and marketplace opportunities and threats.
Organizational leadership. Members of the Department actively provide leadership in all operational areas of the medical center.
Macram Ayoub sits on the medical executive committee. Dennis Ashley provides leadership in trauma and surgical critical care,
respiratory therapy, and has recently been named surgical medical director of the operating room. Kim Thompson leads the surgical
site infection committee, and has been designated surgical champion for NSQIP.
Strategic plans and market analyses. The Department has introduced plans, proposed policies, and performed market analyses in the
multiple areas. They include pediatric surgery, general surgery, minimally invasive surgery, quality improvement, simulation education,
venous access services, Health Systems of Central Georgia organization, continuing medical education, vascular surgery, product
introduction and training, and strategies for regional organization and expansion.
Trauma services. The Department has a long tradition of leadership in trauma care and regionalization of trauma resources. As chair of
the state trauma commission Dr Ashley leads regionalization projects. Macon and MCCG is a test site for the state for a network of
trauma communications that monitors critical care bed and surgical specialist availability in medical centers in a region, allowing
injured patients to be directed to hospitals with ready resources and personnel. MCCG also holds telemedicine consultations for
injured patients arriving in non-trauma center area hospitals.
The Georgia Trauma Commission (GTC), the advisory body to the state on trauma care and chaired by Dr Ashley, announced in
August a $1 million grant to MCCG to support trauma center operations.
Acute care surgery. Dr Ashley led the organization of an acute care surgery service at MCCG, allowing coordination of emergency
surgical admissions and consultations under a single core group, facilitating patient movement within the medical center.
Surgical-trauma intensive care coverage. Dr Ashley also brought all patients in the ST-ICU under the care of a team of critical care
physicians and surgeons, all board-certified in critical care, to improve and coordinate services in the unit.
National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). MCCG joined NSQIP in November 2011. The medical center will join existing
programs in the state to form a statewide surgical quality improvement program organized by John Sweeney, M.D., Emory
University, using NSQIP as its backbone.
To run clinical operations in a financially responsible, transparent manner at moderate expense.
Departmental has had consistent growth, with 9.7% growth in clinical operations from last year (net revenue $11.6M to $10.6M).
Surgical Associates had the highest growth rate (27.5%, to $1.9M frm $1.5M); trauma services least (4.6%, to $6.1M from $5.9M).
Pediatric surgery had 17.8% growth in revenue (to $2.5 from $2.1M). On the expense side FY2011 showed a 23.3% increase in non
salary expenses ($9.29M from $7.54M). Revenue ($11.63M) over expenses was $2.33M in FY2011.
The core faculty has grown to nine fulltime surgeons today from four fulltime surgeons in FY2007 with total clinical revenues
increasing to $11.6 from $3.8M. HSCG surgeons now include nine additional surgeons in orthopaedic surgery, vascular surgery, and
cardiothoracic surgery. With three active emeritus surgeons, the organization today has 22 surgeons.
MCCG adopts acute care surgery, dedicated intensivist models
Dennis Ashley, Professor (far right, with resident Preston Morehead and physician assistant Anita Watson), led the
adoption of two models for surgical care designed to assure fulltime coverage for emergencies and critically ill patients at
MCCG. In February an acute care surgery service was organized,
a group of surgeons providing in-house nighttime and weekend
coverage for trauma and emergencies that come through the
emergency department and from consultations in the hospital.
This will assure immediate evaluation and treatment by a senior
attending surgeon, who will also provide continuity of care.
In March James Cunningham, Associate Professor and Senior
Vice-President for Medical Affairs, and Dr Ashley announced that
patients in the surgical trauma intensive care units would be
covered by a fulltime surgical intensivist. Thus a board-certified
specialist is available to coordinate the care, and be on hand
should crises occur. Communication and teamwork are facilitated
in having a dedicated surgical intensivist in the unit who is familiar
with all patients and their plans of care.
9

Faculty
Don K. Nakayama, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Milford B. Hatcher Professor & Chair
Program Director, Residency in Surgery
Residency: University of California, San Francisco
Fellowship: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Macram M. Ayoub, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Vice-Chair
Residencies: Medical College of Ohio; Medical Center of Central Georgia
Dennis W. Ashley, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Chief of Trauma Services
Program Director, Surgical Critical Care
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
Fellowships: Trauma Surgery, Grady Hospital, Atlanta;
Surgical Critical Care, University of Pittsburgh
Juan Ayerdi, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Residencies: University of Massachusetts; Guthrie Clinic (Sayre, Penna.)
James M. Cunningham, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor
Senior Vice-President for Medical Affairs, Medical Center of Central Georgia
Residency: University of Tennessee Hospital, Knoxville
Fellowships: Cardiac Surgery, St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles;
Thoracic Surgery, Los Angeles Co.-USC; Surg Critical Care, Univ of Pittsburgh
D. Benjamin Christie, III, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
Fellowship: Surgical Critical Care, Medical Center of Central Georgia
Martin L. Dalton, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Dean Emeritus, MUSM
Associate Program Director
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Fellowship: Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Mississippi
10

John C. Floyd, M.D.
Assistant Professor (Orthopaedics)
Residency: Stony Brook University (Orthopaedics)
Fellowship: R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center (Baltimore)
Joshua Glenn, M.D.
Assistant Professor; Associate Chief, Pediatric Surgery
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina
Fellowship: Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University
Bruce J. Innes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor, (Emeritus)
Residency: Montreal General Hospital (Canada)
Fellowship: Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Montreal General Hospital
J. William (Billy) Mix, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
Fellowship: Vascular Surgery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Joe Sam Robinson, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor
Chief, Neurosurgery; Georgia Neurosurgical Institute
Residencies: Emory University, (General Surgery)
Northwestern University, (Neurosurgery)
Maurice M. Solis, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Clinical Associate Professor; Chief, Vascular Surgery
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
Fellowships: Peripheral Vascular Surgery, University of Arkansas;
Endovascular Surgery, Southern Illinois University
J. Allen Stevick, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Medical Center of Central Georgia
11

Leon N. Sykes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor
Associate Program Director, Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care
Residency: Mercy Hospital (Pittsburgh)
Fellowships: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Michigan;
Surgical Critical Care, Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center
William M. (Kim) Thompson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor
Assistant Chair, Quality and Education
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Joseph M. Van De Water, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor (Emeritus); Assistant Dean for Research, MUSM
Residency: General and Thoracic Surgery UCLA
Fellowships: Critical Care/Surgical Research, Harvard Medical School;
Cardiac Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
Zhongbiao Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director Surgical Laboratories
Residency: Internal Medicine, Fujian Provincial People’s Hospital, China
Fellowship: Huashan Hospital Shanghai Medical University, Cardiology
Ph.D.: Shanghai Medical University, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lawrence X. Webb, M.D.
Professor (Orthopaedics)
Chief, Georgia Orthopaedic Trauma Institute
Bryan Weidner, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor; Chief, Pediatric Surgery
Surgery Clerkship Director
Residency: Duke University
Fellowships: Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington
General, Vascular, and Pediatric Surgery
Frank Arnold, M.D. Asst Professor
Arnold Conforti, M.D. Asst Professor & Chief,
Surgical Oncology
Vincent Culpepper, M.D. Asst Professsor
Douglas Brewer, M.D. Prof & Chief,
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Brown N. Ekeledo, M.D. Asst Professor
Ellis Evans, M.D. Professor
Lisa Farmer, M.D. Asst Professor
Robert Holl-Allen, M.D. Professor
Keith Martin, M.D. Asst Professor
Earl Mullis, M.D. Assoc Professor
William Pannell, M.D. Assoc Professor
Robert Parel, M.D. Asst Professor
Issam Shaker, M.D., Professor
Michael Thompson, M.D. Asst Professor
John Whelchel, M.D., Professor
John Williams, IV, M.D. Asst Professor
Thomas Woodyard, M.D. Asst Professor
Macon Cardiovascular Institute
Richard L. Harvey, M.D., Chief, Assoc Prof
Joe H. Johnson, M.D., Asst Prof
Randall B. Brown, M.D., Asst Prof
James L. Foster, Jr., M.D., Asst Prof
Clinical Chiefs of Services
Joshua Perkel, M.D. Asst Prof, Urology
Howard Perofsky, M.D. Asst Prof, Plastics
Waldo Floyd, III, M.D. Prof, Hand Surgery
Matthew Jerles, M.D. Asst Prof, Otolaryngology
12

Residents in Surgery
Post Graduate Year 5
Geary Bush, MCG
Jason Chapman, MUSM
Eric Long, MCG
Vince Scoglietti, MCG
Post Graduate Year 4
Kristin Collier, MCG
Heidi Haun, Univ South Florida
Homer ‘Trey’ Keadle, MUSM
Jacob Moremen, Univ Kentucky
Post Graduate Year 3
Candice Chipman, Morehouse
Drea Long, Missouri
Jose Villareal, Univ Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston
Craig Wengler, Univ South Florida
Post Graduate Year 2
Cecil Brown, MUSM
Preston Morehead, Univ Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston
Princess Nelson, Meharry
Tracy Nolan, MUSM
Post Graduate Year 1
Elizabeth Almon, MUSM
Robert “Mike” Baskin, Wake Forest
Jonathan Cudnik, MCG
Tonya Johnson, East Carolina
13

Visiting Professors 2011 - 2012
Selwyn Vickers, 2012 Hatcher Lecture
Selwyn Vickers, M.D., gave the 2012 Milford Hatcher Lecture of the MUSM
Department of Surgery, the academic highlight of the year. Dr Vickers is the
Jay Phillips Chair of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. Dr Vickers is a
leading pancreatic surgeon and researcher
At the Milford Hatcher Lecture dinner Dr Vickers recounted the storied history
of the department of surgery at the University of Minnesota, known for
many ‘firsts’ in the field, including the use of cardiopulmonary bypass for
heart surgery. His Milford Hatcher Lecture reviewed his own work on gene
therapy of pancreatic cancer.
Thromboembolism prevention: Elliott Haut
Elliott Haut, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins, visited the Macon Surgical Society and
the Department in January as part of the quality improvement – continuing medical education
program on venous thromboembolism. Dr Haut’s federally funded research focuses
on the prevention of VTE, a leading cause of death among hospitalized patients in the
U.S.
Dr Haut’s work resulted in the federal standard that VTE without pharmacological or mechanical
prophylaxis should “never” occur. He reviewed computerized provider order entry
approaches at Johns Hopkins Hospital to improve compliance with VTE prophylaxis.
A trauma critical care specialist, Dr Haut also heard case presentations with residents.
LaMar McGinnis, keynote speaker at History of Medicine event
LaMar S. McGinnis, M.D., past president of the American College of Surgeons and the American Cancer Society,
gave the keynote presentation at the History of Medicine symposium at Eversole Auditorium in February. In his address
titled, “Mighty Oaks from Small Acorns Grow,” he went over the two organizations’ modest beginnings and the
evolution into their present positions of prominence.
The History of Medicine was started in 2000 by Martin Dalton, emeritus Dean and Professor, and Bruce Innis,
emeritus Professor. Always a success, it is a wellattended
event with wide representation from the
hospital and general medical communities. It features
topics on medical and surgical history presented
by medical students, faculty, and community
physicians interested in medical history. This
year Jacob Moremen, PGY4, spoke on the first
appendectomy; Kristen Collier, PGY4, reviewed
the career of Nina Braunwald, the first woman
cardiac surgeon; Jesus Villareal, PGY3, presented
the biography of Anson Jones, frontier physician
and the last president of the Republic of Texas;
and Charles Burton, Clinical Professor, who reviewed
the history of surgery in Macon.
From left: Craig Wengler, Mike Baskin, Kristin Collier,
Dr McGinnis, Tracy Nolan, Vincent Scoglietti, Jonathan
Cudnik, Dr Dalton.
14

Wayne Frederick, Howard University
Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D., spoke at this year’s lecture at the Harriet Tubman Museum
in February. Dr Frederick is Professor of Surgery, Howard University School of
Medicine, Washington, D.C., and the Deputy Provost for Health Affairs for the university.
This is the third year of an annual community event celebrating Black History
Month in the Department and at MCCG.
Dr Frederick spoke on the racial bias among racial minorities in the U.S., and tracing
its effects in medical education. The following morning he discussed cases at the
MCCG tumor board. At surgery grand rounds he reviewed his research into triple
negative breast cancer among African American women, explored its increased prevalence
among the group and its adverse effect on prognosis. He later discussed cases
presented by surgery residents.
Quality initiatives, PGY4 project featured at 39 th Day of Surgery
John F. Sweeney, M.D., and John S. Kennedy, M.D., were featured speakers at the 39th Day of Surgery in April. The
Day of Surgery, established by Ellis Evans, Clinical Professor of Surgery, is the centerpiece continuing education
activity of the Department. Don Nakayama, was the faculty
speaker. Dr Sweeney spoke on his use of decision algorithms to
support clinical planning and decrease surgical complications,
such as re-admissions. The principal investigator of a $1.2 million
federal grant to study such problems, he is the W. Dean Warren
Distinguished Chair in Surgery at the Emory University in Atlanta.
Dr Kennedy spoke on the use of the Rapid Quality Response
System of the American College of Surgeons to improve
cancer care of the individual patient. Dr Kennedy is private practice
with DeKalb Surgical Associates in Decatur. Dr Nakayama
spoke on quality improvement projects in pediatric surgery.
From left: Drs Kennedy, Keadle, Haun, Moremen,
Collier, and Sweeney.
The PGY4 residents presented the results of their problem-based
learning and improvement project on the diagnosis and treatment
of Clostridium difficile colitis, a highly fatal complication of hospitalized
patients. Heidi Haun reviewed the diagnosis and pathogenesis
of the condition, including bacteriology and the importance
of soap and water hand-washing in the control of disease transmission. Kristin Collier presented depictions of
C. difficile infections in the media and on-line, and distortions of fact and misrepresentations that can result. Trey
Keadle reviewed loop ileostomy and antegrade colonic irrigations in the early treatment for the condition, and the
promise the intervention holds as a real improvement in care. Jacob Moremen reviewed
the results of C. difficile infections on patients hospitalized at MCCG, and the
effect of early surgical consultation on outcome.
Robinson prescribes a cure for health care
Joe Sam Robinson, Jr, Professor and chief of the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute
in Macon, presented his ideas on healthcare reform in a wide-ranging discourse on
the health care crisis of today. In departmental grand rounds in December he drew
on his study of government philosophy, the development of government welfare
programs, and his experience, and that of his father, also a physician, on federal
medical insurance programs and their effects on practice and medical professionalism.
Dr Robinson and M.S. Walid, also of GNI, recently co-edited a book that summarizes
his concepts on health care, titled Toward Healthcare Resource Stewardship
(Hauppauge, N.Y., Nova Science Publishers, 2011.
15

Visiting Professors 2012 - 2013
2013 Hatcher Lecture: Fabrizio Michelazzi
Fabrizio Michelassi (right) will be the 2013 Milford B. Hatcher Professor and will visit
Macon in May. He is the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor and Chairman of the Department
of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Surgeon-in-Chief at New York-
Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is recognized as a leader in colon
and rectal surgery. He is past president of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), the premier
national and international professional organization for the field, as well as leadership
positions in the American Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons, and
directorship in the American Board of Surgery.
Dr Michelazzi is known as an innovator in the surgical treatment for inflammatory bowel
disease and rectal cancer. He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery,
Annals of Surgery, Surgery, and Nature Clinical Practice.
Derrick Beech: 2013 Harriet Tubman lecture
Derrick J. Beech (left), is program director of the residency in surgery at the Atlanta
Medical Center. He was formerly chair of the department of surgery at Meharry Medical
College in Nashville, and Senior Associate Dean at the Morehouse School of Medicine
in Atlanta. A highly regarded surgical oncologist, he has published on risk factors and
cancer screening for cancer among African Americans. He will speak on racial disparities
in surgery at the Harriet Tubman Museum on Wednesday evening February 27, and
give grand rounds the next morning February 28.
This will be the fourth Tubman lecture, jointly sponsored by MCCG, MUSM, the
Macon Surgical Society, and the Harriet Tubman Museum in Macon.
Mary Hawn, UAB: MIS gastrointestinal surgery
Mary T. Hawn (right), is program director of the fellowship in minimally invasive surgery
and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is recognized both in MIS,
surgical education, and clinical research. She is director of the Birmingham Center for Surgical
and Medical Acute Care Research and Transitions that focuses on surgical outcomes and
safety in surgery. The center focuses on transitions to palliative care, rural health, and the
homeless. She will speak to the Macon Surgical Society Wednesday August 22 and give grand
rounds Thursday morning.
Her visit is part of an new partnership between MCCG and the UAB Clinical Cancer Center
to help enhance cancer programs here.
Corriere: Gender disparities in vascular disease
Matthew A. Corriere, Assistant Professor at Emory and staff surgeon at the Atlanta Veterans
Administration hospital, will explore gender disparities in peripheral vascular disease and
their effects on clinical outcomes at his grand rounds lecture July 12. He will be the guest of
the Macon Cardiovascular Institute. An MUSM alumnus and Will C. Sealy award recipient,
he trained in general surgery at Vanderbilt and vascular surgery at Wake Forest, where he
received additional training in health sciences research. Widely published, he has explored
important clinical issues such as the effects of resident participation on carotid endarterctomy
outcomes, the differences between specialty and multiple specialty OR teams in vascular
surgery, and preoperative hospitalization and risk of surgical site infections.
16

Conferences 2012 - 2013
2012-2013 Quality - CME theme: Biomaterials in surgery
Daniel J. Vargo and Brent D. Matthews will
be the featured visiting professors for next
year’s quality improvement - continuing
medical education program focusing on
biomaterials in surgery. Dr Vargo (right) is
Associate Professor of Surgery at the
University of Utah and Program Director
for their Residency in Surgery. He has
special expertise in complex abdominal wall
defects, and has published his research on
the use of prosthetic material in hernia
repair. He will visit Macon October 10 and
11 .
Brent Matthews (left, photo at left) is Professor of Surgery at Washington University, where he is head of the
division of general surgery and chief of minimally invasive surgery. A leader in the field , he is a leader in advanced
MIS and endoscopic approaches to Barrett’s esophagus. He also has a research interest in the use of prosthetic mesh
in hernia repair. He is scheduled to visit on January 23 and 24, also with the Macon Surgical Society.
The QI - CME program will be entering its third year in October. Over a year a specific problem is reviewed, and
includes lectures by visiting professors, literature review, and reviews of operative caseload by surgeon and by the
institution. Previous years have covered surgical site infections and venous thromboembolism.
22nd Trauma Symposium: Chest and abdominal trauma
Juan A. Asensio and David Feliciano, will speak at the
annual Trauma symposium in November. The theme
will center on complex chest and abdominal trauma. Dr
Asensio (left) is director of trauma clinical research at
the University of Miami and was featured on a recent
Discovery Health Channel program (an excerpt is
available on YouTube). Dr Feliciano (right) joined the
faculty as Professor of Surgery last fall. He is noted as
the leading authority on trauma care in the U.S. The
new edition of Trauma, the foremost text in the field of
which he is the lead editor, will come out this fall. This
year’s conference will be Thursday November 8 .
14th History of Medicine : Robert Nesbit
Robert R. Nesbit (right, bottom), emeritus professor of surgery at the Georgia Health
Sciences University in Augusta, will give the keynote address at the History of Medicine
symposium on February 7 2013. Retired from active practice, Dr Nesbit continues to be
active in medical education, particularly in GHSU’s virtual patient projects. He is Secretary
-Treasurer of the Southern Association for the History of Medicine and Science.
The History of Medicine, a well-attended and much-loved event, will enter its 13th year. It
was initiated by Martin Dalton and Bruce Innes. It features talks from staff, community
physicians, residents and medical students. It is a non-CME event.
17

Honors and Awards
Alumni Andy Bozeman, Amy Christie, and Brad Dennis passed their Certifying Examinations of
the American Board of Surgery in March and April, thus becoming board certified in the practice of
surgery. In their success on their “first take” of both the Qualifying (written) and Certifying (oral) exams,
they reached the highest standard of training. Josh Glenn, Assistant Professor, passed both exams
for specialty certification in pediatric surgery by the ABS, also on his first attempt.
Bryan Weidner, Associate Professor, and Craig Wengler, PGY3, were inducted to the Alpha Omega
Alpha medical honor society in May. AOA is a professional medical organization that recognizes and
advocates for excellence in scholarship, teaching, humanism and service.
At Senior Awards day in May Dr Weidner was also selected outstanding teacher in surgery by the
graduating class, and best clerkship director. Cecil Brown, PGY2, was selected outstanding resident in
surgery and was also named intern of the year for 2010-2011.
Darla Rich, R.N., and Dr Wengler were chosen as employees of the quarter for the Medical Center in 2012. Darla was cited for
her contributions to pediatric surgery at MCCG, leading the service and providing outstanding care for the patients on the service.
Dr Wengler’s was recognized for his work on the residency website and leadership in organizing off hour venous access.
Vincent Scoglietti, PGY5, had the highest inservice training score among all residents on the 2012 ABSITE examination, with
a 98th percentile. Eric Long, PGY5, had the second highest score at 84th percentile. Jacob Moremen, PGY4, had the most
improved score, increasing his score to the 82nd percentile. Six residents increased their percentile scores by more than 5 points.
The nursing staff for Surgical Associates had the highest patient
satisfaction score for any outpatient area at MCCG. Pictured at
left, clockwise from top left, are Donna Farmer, Angela Veal,
Tracie Wright, Paula Kleckley, Geraldine Queen.
Drea Long, PGY3, and Heidi Haun, PGY4, showed their photography
at the Bibb County Medical Society photography show
May 3. William Haun, Heidi’s husband, was featured speaker at
the event.
Graduating medical students received awards in Surgery at the
annual MUSM awards ceremony in May. Justin Barrett (right,
top photo) was the Joe Sam Robinson awardee as the best medical
student entering a surgical specialty. Rett Reeve was given the
Will C. Sealy award as top student in general surgery .
Katherine Zamperini, MS4, had a podium presentation at the
34 th Wratten Surgical Symposium at the Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in May.
Michael Cray, James Davis, and Lindsey Karavites, MUSM graduating seniors, won scholarships to attend the Southeastern
Surgical Congress meeting in Chattanooga in February. Rett Reeve and Heather Short, also senior MUSM students, won scholarships
to attend the Clinical Congress of the ACS in San Francisco in October as the school’s representatives to the medical
student programs at the national meeting.
Geneva Joiner, RN-BC, pediatric surgery, was named to the Standards Setting
Panel of the Credentialing Board of the American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC), a national organization responsible for setting credentialing
standards for nursing.
Debra Kitchens-Allen, RN EMT-P, trauma coordinator, was appointed
vice chair of the Georgia Committee for Trauma Excellence. Debra Kitchens-Allen
She also had a big event this year, marrying Kevin Allen January
27. The happy couple is pictured at right with their German shepherd Dixie.
Not certain whether the condition is contagious Dennis Ashley and Mike
Baskin are keeping their distance.
Dennis Ashley, Professor, was named surgical medical director for the
MCCG operating rooms.
18

Event Calendar
Matthew A. Corriere, M.D., Emory Univeristy
Thursday, July 12 Macon Cardiovascular Institute Eversole Auditorium
Gender and peripheral arterial disease: disparities, evidence gaps,
and opportunities
Mary T. Hawn, M.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Wednesday, August 22 Macon Surgical Society Hilton Garden Inn
Thursday, August 23 MCCG-UAB CCC clinical cancer program Eversole Auditorium
TBA
Daniel J. Vargo, M.D., University of Utah
Wednesday, August 22 Macon Surgical Society Hilton Garden Inn
Thursday, August 23 MCCG CME-QI program, biomaterial project Eversole Auditorium
TBA
22nd Trauma Symposium
Thursday, November 8
Juan A. Asensio, M.D. University of Miami
Eversole Auditorium
David V. Feliciano, M.D., Mercer University
Management of complex chest and abdominal trauma
Brent D. Matthews, M.D., Washington University
Wednesday, January 23 2013 Macon Surgical Society Trice Auditorium
Thursday, January 24 2013 MCCG CME-QI program, biomaterial project Eversole Auditorium
TBA
14th History of Medicine
Thursday, February 9 2013
Robert R. Nesbit, M.D., Georgia Health Sciences University
Eversole Auditorium
4th Harriet Tubman Lecture
Derrick J. Beech, M.D., Morehouse University, Atlanta Medical Center
Wednesday, February 27 2013 Macon Surgical Society Harriet Tubman Museum
Thursday, February 28 2013 Grand Rounds Eversole Auditorium
TBA
3rd Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Rounds
Don K. Nakayama, M.D., Mercer University
Thursday, March 2013 Grand Rounds Eversole Auditorium
TBA
2013 Milford B. Hatcher Lecture
Fabrizio Michelassi, M.D., Cornell University
Wednesday, May 8 2013 Macon Surgical Society Hilton Garden Inn
Thursday, May 9 2013 2013 Hatcher Lecture Eversole Auditorium
TBA
19

Publications, 2011 - 2012
Peer viewed articles.
1. Nakayama DK. Asian Americans in leadership positions in academic surgery. Ann Surg 2012;255:583-8.
2. Nakayama DK, Lester SS, Rich DR, Weidner BC, Glenn JB, Shaker IJ. Quality improvement and patient care checklists
in intra-hospital transfers involving pediatric
surgery patients. J Pediatr Surg 2012;47:112-8.
3. Vercruysse GA, Ingram WL, Feliciano DV. The demographics of modern burn care: should most burns be cared for by
non-burn surgeons? Am J Surg 201:91-96, 2011.
4. Ball CG, Wyrzykowski AD, Nicholas JM, Rozycki GS, Feliciano DV. A decade’s experience with balloon catheter tamponade
for the emergency control of hemorrhage. J Trauma 70:330-333, 2011.
5. Ball CG, Salomone, JP, Shaz B, Dente CH, Tallah C, Anderson K, Rozycki, GS, Feliciano DV. Uncrossmatched blood
transfusions for trauma patients in the emergency department: incidence, outcomes and recommendations. Can J Surg
54:111-115, 2011.
6. Feliciano DV, Lyons JD: Thyroidectomy is optimal treatment for Graves’ disease. J Am Coll Surg 212:714-721, 2011.
7. Feliciano DV, Moore FA, Moore EE, West MA, Davis JW, Cocanour CS, Kozar RA, McIntyre RC Jr: Evaluation and
management of peripheral vascular trauma. Part I. Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions in Trauma. J Trauma
70:1551-1556, 2011.
8. Kozar RA, Feliciano DV, Moore EE, Moore FA, Cocanour CS, West MA, Davis JW, McIntyre RC Jr: Western Trauma
Association/Critical Decisions in Trauma: Operative management of adult blunt hepatic trauma. J Trauma 71:1-5, 2011.
9. Morse BC, Dente CE, Hodgman EI, Shaz BH, Nicholas JM, Wyrzykowski AS, Salomone JO, Vercruysse GA, Rozycki GS,
Feliciano DV.: The effects of protocolized use of recombinant factor VIIa within a massive transfusion protocol in a civilian
level I trauma center. Am Surg 77:1043-1049, 2011.
10. Bernard AC, Moore EE, Moore FA, Hides GA, Guthrie BJ, Omert LA, Gould SA, Rodman GH Jr; PolyHeme Study
Group (Ashley DW, Investigator, MCCG). Postinjury resuscitation with human polymerized hemoglobin prolongs early
survival: A post hoc analysis. J Trauma 2011 May; 70(5 Suppl): S34-7.
11. Nakayama DK. Hideyo Noguchi: Controversial microbe hunter. The Pharos 2011 (Autumn):26-33.
12. Scoglietti VC, Bozeman AP, Nakayama DK. Team-based resident handoff improves identification of patient complications.
J Amer Coll Surg 2011;213:S121.
13. Wang Z, Kong L, Kang J, Vaughn DM, Bush GD, Walding AL, Grigorian AA, Robinson JS Jr, Nakayama DK. Interleukin-lb
induces migration of rat arterial smooth muscle cells involving matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity. J Surg Res
2011;169, 328–336. Electronic publication online 2010 Jan 5 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss. 2009.12.010)].
14. Wells KM. Social media in medical school education. Surgery 2011;150:2-4.
15. Moremen JR, Christie DB III, Sykes LN, Vogel RL, Nolan TL, Ashley DW. Early cardiac pacemaker placement for
life-threatening bradycardia in traumatic spinal cord injury. J Trauma. 2011;70: 1485-8.
16. Chapman JR, Weidner BC, Nakayama DK. How medical alumni now see their junior clerkships in surgery. Am Surg
2011;77:1161-7.
17. Nakayama DK. The first pediatric operation performed under anesthesia. Am Surg, in press.
18. Moremen JR, Christie DB III. Thymic carcinoma: Incidence, classification and treatment strategies of a rare tumor. Am
Surg, in press.
19. Bozeman AP, Van De Water JM, Smith-Weaver B, Rogriquez M, Vogel RL, Ho BS, Nakayama DK. Nonivnasive measurement
of cardiac output in neonates by electrical cardiometry. J Perinatol, under review.
Textbooks, chapters, invited papers.
1. Feliciano DV. Chapter: Pancreatic and duodenal injuries. In JL Cameron, AM Cameron Eds: Current Surgical Therapy,10th
Ed.; Philadelphia, Elsevier Saunders, 2011, pp 944-949.
2. Feliciano DV. Chapter 135: Operative management of pancreatic trauma. In JE Fischer, et al, Eds: Fischer’s Mastery of Surgery,
6th Ed.; Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2012, pp 1480-1485.
3. Nakayama DK, Dalton ML. Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, and the Medical Center of
Central Georgia. Am Surg 2012;78:505-10.
20

Presentations.
National
1. Long E, Walker B, Rodriguez M, Van De Water J, Nakayama DK. Noninvasive measurements of cardiac, hemodynamic,
and tissue perfusion indices in normal infants. American Pediatric Surgical Association, May 20 - 23, 2012.
2. Zamperini K, Lehmann R, Causey W, McVay D, Casey L, Martin M. A simplified trauma triage system safely reduces overtriage
and improves provider satisfaction: a prospective study. 34 th Wratten Surgical Symposium at the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., May 2 - 4 2012.
3. Weidner, BC, Dennis BM, Ayoub MM, Hutchinson MB, Nakayama DK. A dedicated residents’ advocacy committee
improves satisfaction responses on the ACGME annual residents’ questionnaire.”Association of Program Directors in Surgery
annual meeting, San Diego, March 21 2012.
4. Bush GD, Dalton ML, Nakayama DK. Resident rural surgery rotations with endoscopy and laparoscopy: Is more residency
training needed in these areas to prepare rural surgeons? Society of American Gastroendoscopic Surgeons, March 7 -
10, 2012, San Diego.
Presentations at the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons, San Francisco, October 23 - 27 2011.
1. Ashley, DW. Coordinator and presiding officer, video-based education. Trauma.
2. Feliciano, DV. Post graduate course, trauma and acute care surgery update. Gastroduodenal ulcers: Still there, still need a
surgeon. Meet the expert session. Complex abdominal trauma. Panelist, surgical emergencies: When to call in the ‘grey hair.’
Other national presentations.
1. Kitchens-Allen D. Trauma on demand: the use of a telemedicine consultation system to enhance rural trauma care. Society
of Trauma Nurses meeting, San Antonio, March 2011.
Regional
Presentations at the Southeastern Surgical Congress, Birmingham, Ala., February 5 - 8, 2012.
1. Moremen JR, Christie DB. Thymic carcinoma: Review of a rare neoplasm and treatment strategies.
2. Moremen, JR, Wengler C, Brewer D. Endorectal ultrasound-directed drainage of complicated perirectal abscess in
Crohn’s disease.
3. Chapman JR, Keadle HH, Ayerdi J, Mix W, Solis M. A novel approach to the management of iliofemoral deep vein
thrombosis.
4. Keadle HH, Chapman JR, Ayerdi J, Mix W, Solis M. Acute thrombosis of the abdominal aorta following laparoscopy:
A rare complication of minimally invasive surgery.
5. Villareal, J, Christie DB, Katner H, Hudspeth LJ. Herpes simplex virus necrotizing pneumonia in a trauma patient.
6. Long E. Emergent foreign body retrieval in acute airway obstruction: A novel use of the meconium aspirator.
7. Scoglietti VC, Nolan TL, Long EL, Sykes LN. Traumatic abdominal wall hernia caused by bicycle handlebar: A case
report.
Presentations at the South Florida Society for Vascular Surgery, Islamorada, Fla., October 21 2011.
1. Ayerdi J, Chapman JR, Mix JM. A novel approach to the management of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis with popliteal
access and placement of inferior vena cava filter.
2. Ayerdi J, Keadle HH III, Mix, JM. Initial experience with catheter directed treatment for pulmonary embolus.
State and local
Presentations at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Ga., October 18 - 20, 2011.
1. Ashley DW. To be or not to be a trauma center. Regionalization of trauma care.
Presentations at the annual meeting, Georgia Surgical Society, Greensboro, Ga., September 16 - 18, 2011.
1. Ashley DW. Panelist, trauma cases that make me nervous.
2. Weidner BC. Malrotation – where pediatric surgery and pop music collide.
Other presentations.
1. Kitchens-Allen D. Moderator. Society of Trauma Nurses conference, April 2012.
2. Ashley DW. Tales of our cities: Planning for interdisciplinary response to terrorist use of explosives. Meeting, local and
regional planning for a statewide response, Atlanta, November 9, 2011.
3. Kitchens-Allen D. Implementing a statewide trauma system and career move. ABAC College, Tifton, November 8 2011.
4. Ashley DW. The Georgia trauma system: Past, present, and future. American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Macon,
September 6, 2011.
5. Ashley DW. Pilot project for Georgia trauma system regionalization. Region 5 Regional Trauma Advisory Committee,
Macon, August 15, 2011.
6. Ashley, DW. Trauma system development in Georgia. Governor’s “Every Life Counts” Highway Safety Conference, Savannah,
August 1, 2011.
21

Invited lectures.
Feliciano DV.
1. The 10 th Annual Roy Preshaw Lecture. University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, January 19, 2012.
2. John A. Waldhausen Lecture. Penn State University, Hershey, Penn., October 13, 2011.
3. Keynote Address: East Oriens Presentation and Job Fair, 24 th EAST Scientific Assembly, Naples, Fla, January 27, 2011.
4. Edwin P. Lehman Lecture. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., September 28, 2011.
5. Inaugural Peter Mucha, Jr. Visiting Professor of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., August 5,
2011.
6. Grady Healthcare Hero—“Senior Sage.” Inaugural “White Coat Grady Gala,” Grady Health Foundation, Atlanta, March
19, 2011.
Nakayama DK.
1. Professionalism behind barbed wire: Health care in WWII Japanese-American concentration camps. University of Pittsburgh,
May 3, 2012.
2. Albert Wilkinson Lecture. The contributions of pediatric surgery to medicine. University of Florida, Jacksonville, April 18,
2012.
3. 14 th Annual William Whitaker Lecture. The contributions of pediatric surgery to medicine. Georgia Surgical Society,
Greensboro, Ga., September 15, 2011.
Weidner BC. Vomiting in infancy: It’s not easy being green. Pediatric grand rounds, Columbus (Ga.) Regional Health System,
May 17 2012.
Benjie Christie and Blair
Ginny Land, daughter Chrissy, new granddaughter Ava, 6 mo
Christopher “Topher” Almon, 6 mo
Grace Keadle (6 mo), Belle Wengler (8 mo), Abigail Cudnik (10 mo)
22

Darla Rich (left)
and Cheryl Strange
Dedication
The Macon community is blessed to have an extraordinary group of professional nurses working at MCCG. Here are
only a few of them. Their hands provide the healing touch; their eyes convey the concern to the sick and suffering.
Without them surgery would be brutal. To those in the nursing profession at MCCG we dedicate our annual report.
Arlene Wingo
(left) and
Carolyn
Campbell
Lauren
Crow (left)
with Kristin Collier
Gordy Joris
Katie Walker
Darrell Hunter (left) , with
Cecil Brown
Torri Boney and
Dwayne Taylor
Linda Martinez (left)
and Rhonda Findley
Barbara
Weaver
Marie Johnson with Vince
Scoglietti
Anna Hunley (left) and Teresa Wilder
Carter Jones
and Holly Posey
Jason and
Allison
Chapman
23

Acknowledgements
Front row (left to right) Martin Dalton, Amy Christie, Kristin Collier, Tracy Nolan, Macram Ayoub, Tonya Johnson, Drea Long, Eric
Long, David Feliciano, Joseph Van De Water. Middle row: Dennis Ashley, Kim Thompson, Trey Keadle, Cecil Brown; lower tier: Leon
Sykes, Candice Chipman, Elizabeth Almon, Geary Bush, Heidi Haun; upper tier: Mike Baskin, Jesus Villareal, Craig Wengler, Princess
Nelson, Don Nakayama. Top row: Joshua Glenn, Juan Ayerdi, Bryan Weidner, Jacob Moremen, Benjie Christie, Jason Chapman, Preston
Morehead, Vincent Scoglietti, Jonathan Cudnik .
Irma Miranda, Residency Coordinator, Liz Jennings, Quality and Education Coordinator, and Carletta Grace,
Department Secretary provide invaluable administrative support. Debra Kitchens is manager of the trauma and critical care
services, and she is assisted by Inez Jordan, Senesta Corbin, and Virginia “Ginny” Land.
The Department of Surgery recognizes our partners in surgical education, the Medical Center of Central Georgia and the
Mercer University School of Medicine. The following people and organizations provide financial and organizational support
that allows us to achieve our goals of excellence in resident education and patient care. Most importantly we recognize our
partners in nursing, whose devotion to our patients both inspire and humble us.
Mercer University School of Medicine: William F. Bina, M.D.; Dean, Krista Ward, M.B.A., Director of Finance.
Medical Center of Central Georgia: A. Donald Faulk, Jr., FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer; Joe Lavelle,
Executive Vice President; James Cunningham, M.D., Senior V.P. and Chief Medical Officer; Marcia Hutchinson, M.D., Chief
Academic Officer and Designated Institutional Official; Judy Paull, R.N., Senior V.P. and Chief Nursing Officer; Ethel A.
Cullinan, Ph.D., FACHE, FAHP, President and CEO, MedCen Foundation.
Health Services of Central Georgia: Vincent Manoogian, acting Chief Executive Officer; Penny Windham and Sandra
Higgison, Practice Administrators. Clinical practices: Surgical Associates: Patricia Stitcher, R.N.; Tracie Wright, L.P.N.; Angela
Veal. Georgia Pediatric Surgical Associates: Darla Rich, R.N., F.N.P.; Geneva Joiner, R.N.; Jennifer Wood; Jessica Williams.
Anderson Clinic: Katherine Watkins, R.N.; Arlene Wingo, R.N.; Mary Howell; Tamara Mosley; Carolyn Campbell.