Surgeon Among Inaugural Cohort of SASH Scholars
September 20, 2024
One of the inaugural Stanford African Scholars in Global Health (SASH) scholars is a surgeon from the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA). Dr. Kimutai Sylvester, chief of surgery of Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, will visit Stanford in January and February for six weeks.
Dr. Cara Liebert, a clinical assistant professor in the Division of General Surgery, will serve as his mentor in surgical education during his visit and over the course of the ensuing year where he will implement his proposed project in Kenya.
Dr. Sylvester is interested is developing additional expertise in surgical education, simulation, education innovation, and further expanding and implementing the ENTRUST Learning Platform longitudinally in the COSECSA region to improve surgical training.
SASH launched in the fall of 2023 to address a deficit of bilateral global exchange programs in the US and improve health outcomes on the African continent. Open to mid-career physicians in senior leadership roles in low- or middle-income countries, SASH seeks to promote health equity, capacity-strengthening, and shared learning between African medical institutions and Stanford. Throughout 2025, SASH will host 24 African medical scholars over four cohorts at Stanford.
The program is run by CIGH and supported by the Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education and an independent educational grant from Pfizer.
Media Contact
Bio
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
The Latest
- Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Stanford Vascular Surgery Celebrates Research and Innovation at 2026 Paul Baszucki Biobank Research Day
The Stanford Division of Vascular Surgery hosted the Paul Baszucki Vascular Surgery Biobank Research Day on September 21–22, 2026, bringing together faculty, trainees, researchers, and collaborators to highlight ongoing advances in vascular disease research and celebrate the continued growth of the Paul Baszucki Biobank.
- Abdominal Transplantation
Stanford Transplant Research Symposium Highlights Innovation in Transplantation
Stanford researchers and clinicians gathered on September 18, 2026, for the Stanford Transplant Research Symposium, an afternoon of research presentations, discussion, and collaboration focused on emerging challenges and innovations in transplantation.
- stanfordgensurg on Instagram
Dr. Wren Named Alum of the Year by Stritch School of Medicine
Congratulations to Dr. Sherry Wren, who has been named an Alum of the Year by Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Wren, who received her MD at Stritch in 1986, is being recognized for “Excellence in Community Service.” The award will be presented at the Stritch Reunion Weekend in October.
- Surgery
A Smaller Incision Offers a New Approach to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Stanford surgeon Dr. Jean Bao introduces endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy, a minimally invasive approach that uses a smaller lateral incision while preserving the breast skin and nipple. The technique may improve surgical visualization, reduce tissue retraction, and support an easier recovery for appropriately selected patients undergoing cancer treatment or risk-reducing surgery.
- Surgery
Postdoc Spotlight: Ken Neiser, PhD
Ken Nieser, an investigator with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Stanford's S-SPIRE Center, applies statistical models to health data to study and improve healthcare quality, focusing on colorectal cancer screening disparities among veterans by combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative research involving patient and provider interviews.
- Surgery
Improving Cancer Immunotherapy with Dr. Alma Cepika
Dr. Alma Cepika explains how TR1 cells regulate immune responses and how tumors may exploit these cells to suppress antitumor immunity. Could targeting TR1 cells help improve cancer immunotherapy?
- Surgery
HTTC: Dr. Derrick Wan, 72nd PSRC Chair
Dr. Derrick Wan has been elected the 72nd President of the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He shares his journey to the presidency and his goals for the society.
- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
A Career of Compassion and Connection: Celebrating Elena Hopkins
Longtime nurse practitioner and program coordinator Elena Hopkins reflects on a career devoted to children with craniofacial conditions and their families.
- Abdominal Transplantation
Marc Melcher Receives 2026 John Levin Excellence in Leadership Award
Marc L. Melcher, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Abdominal Transplantation and professor of surgery at Stanford Medicine, has received the 2026 John Levin Excellence in Leadership Award from the Stanford Health Care Board of Directors.
- Surgery
Samantha Ratanavipupong wins Inaugural StanfordMed Spark Tank
Samantha Ratanavipupong won Stanford Medicine’s inaugural Spark Tank for a clinical operations dashboard that combines billing data to help leaders identify coding and productivity gaps and better support faculty in meeting wRVU targets. The competition invited staff across the School of Medicine to pitch practical, innovative ideas, with organizers planning to build on the event’s success in 2027. Our own Cyrus Press took third.