INSIDE: Holman 2024
May 13, 2024
The 25th Annual Emile F. Holman Lecture in Surgery took place on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Stanford’s Center for Academic Medicine. The eponymous lecture was given that evening by Dr. Benjamin Levi, chief of burn, trauma, and acute care surgery at UT Southwestern and an alumnus of the Longaker Lab.
“It was incredibly inspiring to gather as a Department to celebrate the advancement of science,” said Associate Vice Chair of Research Dr. Lisa Knowlton. “Our trainees and their faculty mentors continue to elevate the research contributions of the Department of Surgery with high quality abstracts, poster and podium presentations. We are so fortunate to have wonderful support staff who organized a beautiful event that fosters a sense of community among our surgeon scientists.”
Celebrations began earlier in the week with the launch of the virtual poster session. Each of the virtual poster presenters submitted a digital copy of their poster along with a recording of their presentation.
Of the more than 90 abstracts submitted this year for consideration to the Research Oversight Committee, approximately 35 were included in the virtual poster session. 16 abstracts were invited to present their posters live to ROC leadership—Drs. Arden Morris, Olivia Martinez, and Lisa Knowlton—Department Chair Dr. Mary Hawn, and guest judge Dr. Levi the morning of May 3. The winning posters were:
- Clinical: Helene Nepomuceno, Pediatric Surgery
“Inhibiting Yes-associated protein prevents scarring and promotes regeneration in a large animal model of wound repair” - Basic: Michelle Griffin, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
“The Optimal Age for Lobectomy of Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations in Infants: An Analysis of NSQIP-P Data”
Following a buffet lunch, the event moved inside to Grand Rounds where the authors of the 8 top-scoring abstracts in each category presented to a packed room of more than 150 staff and faculty. The winning presentations were:
- Clinical Podium: Alexa Pohl, General Surgery
“Cancer Screening and Transportation Insecurity, a Neglected Social Determinant of Health” - Basic Podium: John Farag, General Surgery
“Transplanting Angiogenic Vascular Organoids to Rescue Microvascular Malperfusion in Ischemic Porcine Myocardium"
Dr. Levi closed Stanford Surgery’s annual celebration of science with a moving and inspirational spanning topics from heterotopic ossification to mental wellness.
“Dr. Levi’s presentation provided important insights on how to be a successful researcher and leader in academic surgery, while practicing gratitude, prioritizing a “team-centered” approach and empowering those around you to achieve their highest potential,” said Knowlton.
Next year’s Holman celebration will be hosted by the Division of Vascular Surgery. Dr. Kathy Gallagher from University of Michigan will present the lecture on Friday, May 9, 2025.
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