INSIDE: NCCACS26

Dr. Ahn takes Second in Surgical Trainee Research Competition

May 18, 2026

The Northern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (NCCACS) held its annual meeting this past week in San Francisco. 

General Surgery resident Dr. Daniel Ahn took second place in the Thomas Russell Surgical Trainee Research Competition for his presentation “High Rate of Transplantation Prior to Review of Status Exception Requests among Adult Heart Transplant Candidates.” Fellow General Surgery Resident Dr. Dong Hur also competed. His abstract was titled “Standardizing Night Shift Resident-Nurse Communication.”

Two Stanford faculty members also lent their expertise to the scientific program. Assistant Professor Dr. Yulia Zak spoke about management of esophageal leaks during the “Treating Esophageal and Upper Gastrointestinal Injury” session, and Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Cheyenne “Cassie” Sonntag was a panelist during “ACS Resources for Advocacy: Why Surgeons Should Let Our Voices Be Heard.”

Media Contact

Rachel Baker
Rachel Baker
Director of Communications
(650) 723-2301
rebaker@stanford.edu

Bio

As the Director of Communications for Stanford Surgery, Rachel Baker tells the stories of her department's faculty, staff, and trainees. With the help of an amazing team of content creators, she produces and curates original articles, photos, videos, graphics, and podcasts. She works with each division, center, program, and lab within her purview to define their audience and reach their goals while maintaining a consistent brand voice. She also offers both 1:1 and group education on a variety of topics including media training, using social media to advantage, and presentation refinement. Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a focus on photography from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Maryland.

About Stanford Surgery

The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:

• pioneering cutting-edge research, 
• developing the next generation of leaders, and 
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion. 

To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu

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