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Full Issue: Volume 21, Issue 1 - Winter 2025

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

A publication for friends and colleagues of Jefferson’s Department of Surgery

In This Issue

Cover Story Intensive ‘Boot Camp’ Prepares Fourth-Year Medical Students for Surgical Residency - Page 1

Overview In Memoriam: Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) and James Watson (the double helix) - Page 2

In the Spotlight Dr. Geno Merli Honored at Gala - Page 2

On the Job Lauren Burr, MS - Page 2

Changing Lives Through Research International Collaboration Explores Pancreatic Cancer, Metabolic Disease Connection - Page 3

Please Welcome New Faculty - Page 3

Those Who Give Small Family Gift Supports Lifesaving Transplant Team - …

Small Family Gift Supports Lifesaving Transplant Team

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

For Paul Small, the gift of life came from someone he’s loved since the day she was born: his daughter, Meredith Small Hibbard. In September 2017, Meredith donated a kidney to her father, restoring his health and ending his yearlong reliance on dialysis. Paul and his wife, Audrey, are now paying that gift forward with a contribution to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

For Paul, kidney failure had a genetic component, with his grandfather, father, uncle, and male cousins all experiencing kidney disease. Despite years of careful management with medication and lifestyle changes, Paul’s kidneys stopped functioning in October 2016. He …

New Faculty

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

Michael Cline, MD, has joined the Division of Acute Care Surgery. Dr. Cline is a graduate of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and the general surgery residency at Temple University Hospital. He then went on to complete a surgical critical care fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He is double board-certified in Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and cares for patients at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.

James Guarrera, MD, FACS, has joined the Division of Transplant Surgery as the Nicoletti Family Professor of Transplantation Surgery and Executive Director of the Jefferson Transplant …

International Collaboration Explores Pancreatic Cancer, Metabolic Disease Connection

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

Just a year ago, Hien Dang, PhD, and Elda Grabocka, PhD, sketched out their ambitious vision on a notepad. Since then, that vision has rapidly evolved into a research initiative spanning four countries and three continents. The Consortium for MASLDassociated PDAC (COMPaC) now connects researchers from the United States, Thailand, Germany, and Albania in a unified mission to understand how metabolic liver disease influences pancreatic cancer development and progression.

The project is addressing a critical gap in cancer research: the connection between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease) and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). “The …

Dr. Geno Merli Honored At Gala

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

Geno J. Merli, MD, ’75, MACP, FHM, FSVM, received the Achievement Award in Medicine at the 23rd Annual Jefferson Gala on November 18, 2025. The award recognizes Dr. Merli’s extraordinary contributions to medical education and vascular medicine over a distinguished five-decade career.

Now Senior Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Dr. Merli has been a cornerstone of Jefferson’s medical community since completing residencies in rehabilitation medicine and internal medicine. He served as Chief Resident in Rehabilitation Medicine in 1978. In the decades since, he has trained generations of physicians and pioneered approaches to managing …

In Memoriam: Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) And James Watson (The Double Helix), Charles J. Yeo, Md, Facs

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

We mourn our life heroes and their contributions. Those that provided comfort and joy, and those that provided scientific direction – for me, The Beach Boys and the double helix. Brian Wilson, raised in Hawthorne, CA, was the leader of America’s answer to the British musical invasion. He recently passed at the age of 82. He was the creative (yet tortured) musical genius of the band that gave us early simple songs like “California Girls,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Surfer Girl,” and “I Get Around.” Songs of cars, rolling waves (turn the double helix on its side) and summer. Later, he …

For Neurodivergent Marxism: Between Materialist Analysis And Escape From The Empire Of Normality And Capitalism, Arianna Introna Dr

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

Robert Chapman’s Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism (2023) possesses extraordinary import for the emancipatory thinking and praxis of neurodivergent folk, but also of those of us who identify as disabled, chronically ill, crip, mad or even neurotypical. This is not only because Chapman’s work offers a fundamental contribution to debates initiated by recent Marxist engagements with the relationship between capitalism and health. It is also thanks to the intense theoretical innovation, historical analysis and inclusive politics that the book radiates. By dissecting the harms wrought by the Empire of Normality, Chapman’s Neurodivergent Marxism is an updated type of Marxism …

Response To Panos Tsoukalis, James K. Galbraith

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

No abstract provided.

Review Of James K. Galbraith And Jing Chen, Entropy Economics: The Living Basis Of Value And Production (The University Of Chicago Press, 2025), Panos Tsoukalis

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

No abstract provided.

Discussion Of Living Through Capitalism, By James A. Chamberlain, James Chamberlain

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

A discussion of Chamberlain's recent book, Living Through Capitalism: Resisting Devastation Through Communities of Life .

(En)Gendering Capacity: Neoliberalism, Empowerment, And Responsibility For Women In The Un’S Capacity Building Agenda, Sabrina K. Harris

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

This article analyzes how the UN constructs capacity building as an element of its development agenda. It theorizes that the UN operates as a governmental actor, adopting and pursuing a political rationality of good governance, while also navigating structural limitations to its organizational authority in implementing this agenda imposed by the liberal international order. As such, this article argues capacity building emerges as a valuable technology of development for several reasons: firstly, it operates as an individual-level intervention, circumventing UN limitations on authority in mandating state action, and secondly, it is framed as demand-driven and empowering while delivering on the …

Factors Associated With Tooth Loss In Periodontal Maintenance Patients: A Retrospective Study, Nicholas D. Stolze, Randin A. Rawlings, W. Edward Hardy, Kaeli K. Samson, Laura E. Ruiz, Bobbie J. Fowler, Kavya Shankar Muttanahally, Jeffrey B. Payne

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Tooth retention is related to overall health and quality of life. Thus, it is important to understand factors associated with tooth loss. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate associations between systemic and oral factors with tooth loss in a retrospective study of periodontal maintenance patients.

Methods. Periodontal maintenance patients seen in both 2013 and 2019 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry were included. Demographic data, smoking status, diabetes status, periodontitis stage and extent, medication use, alveolar bone height, probing depths, and tooth mobility were recorded from the electronic dental record. Adjusted odds …

Maximizing Online Intersession Enrollment Through Targeted Course Offerings, Heather S. Mcmillan, Charles D. Mcallister

Journal of the North American Management Society

Abstract

Online winter intersession courses have become an increasingly important strategy for universities seeking to support accelerated student progression while generating incremental tuition revenue. This study examines ten years of winter intersession enrollment data from a public, master’s-level comprehensive university in the Midwestern United States to identify course characteristics associated with higher student enrollment. Using 12,520 individual enrollment records, the analysis focuses on course type (general education versus major requirement), course classification (lower level, upper level, blended undergraduate/graduate, and graduate), and course discipline. A series of ANOVAs and Bonferroni post-hoc tests reveal significant differences in enrollment across these dimensions, with …

Pluralism And Critique In A Renewed Environmental Anthropology, Helen Kopnina

Journal of Ecological Anthropology

Environmental anthropology has evolved from early ethnographic traditions that emphasized the interplay between culture and ecology to a field increasingly influenced by ideological perspectives across the political spectrum. Traditionally, anthropologists examined how human societies adapted to their environments through cultural practices, laying the groundwork for ecological anthropology. However, in recent decades, the field has increasingly been shaped by political and theoretical shifts that prioritize critiques of capitalism, colonialism, and environmental injustice—sometimes at the cost of empirical diversity and democratic debate. There are critiques of the broader trend in academia where intellectual discourse becomes dominated by elite-driven ideological conformity. Critics warn …

The Top Twenty-Five Most Influential Articles In Surgery For Colorectal Cancer, Dana Poloni, Andrew Anklowitz, Fred Kobylarz, Christina Monaco Poloni, Ankit Dhiman, Pamela Burgess, Andrew Schlussel

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

This article provides surgical trainees with a ranked list of the foundational literature that guides the contemporary surgical management of colorectal cancer and shows the evolution of surgical techniques in the field.

Methods

We assessed the surgical literature using the Web of Science and other ranking systems to create a ranked list of published articles on colorectal cancer surgery.

Results

We compiled a ranked list of the top 25 articles in the surgical management of colorectal cancer, based on the citation density score (mean number of citations per year) and the individual author H-index. The mean density score of …

Harmonizing Hope: An Idea Of Music Therapy Interventions For Schizophrenia, Dominikus David Biondi Situmorang

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Schizophrenia is typified by a wide range of symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, cognitive decline, and social disengagement. Even with improvements in pharmaceutical and psychosocial therapy, many people with schizophrenia still require supplementary treatment methods due to their chronic symptoms and functional limitations. Utilizing music's therapeutic capacity to address a variety of symptoms and enhance general well-being, music therapy has emerged as a possible supplementary intervention for schizophrenia. In this study, the author used a literature review with a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT); this research is a summary of the best available evidence regarding the focused aims. This CAT looks …

Prevalence And Risk Factors And Efforts To Reduce Dengue Fever And Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Infections At Pku Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital, Yogyakarta, Kusbaryanto Kusbaryanto, Abdurrasyid Bin Abdurrahman, Ekorini Listiowati, Yusuf Alam Romadhon, Aisyah Rosyida

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

The incidence of Dengue Fever (DF) and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) has increased sharply in recent decades, making these infections endemic in several parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence, risk factors, and efforts to reduce DF and DHF infections at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital, Yogyakarta. This study employed an observational cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of patients diagnosed with DF or DHF at general hospitals in Yogyakarta between January 2019 and December 2023 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients with a DF or DHF diagnosis but incomplete data were …

Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Injection Of Platelet-Rich Plasma For The Management Of “Peyronie’S Disease” And Erectile Dysfunction, Marwan Abdulaziz Ibrahim

Al-Qadisiyah Medical Journal

Abstract: This study evaluates and determines the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma injection for the management of Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction. Patients & Methods: From March 2021 until March 2022, a prospective study was conducted on 50 patients with Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction, and penile curvature less than 60 degrees (mild to moderate penile curvature). All participants were subjected to 8 repeated injections of PRP weekly in the dominant penile plaque, with follow-up over 6 months of collected data that included orientation of curvature, injection technique, and the results in both quantitative (i.e., curvature estimations) and qualitative (erectile state …

Biofilm-Associated Infections: Mechanisms Of Formation, Resistance, And Emerging Therapeutic Strategies With Special Focus On Biofilm Inhibitors, Karem Ibrahem

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Biofilms are complex, structured microbial communities enclosed within a self-produced extracellular matrix. This matrix allows them to adhere to a variety of surfaces, including medical devices and human tissues. The formation of biofilms poses a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their inherent resistance to antibiotics and to host immune defenses, thereby contributing to the persistence and chronicity of infections. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed towards the development of biofilm inhibitors as a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent biofilm formation, disrupt established biofilms, and enhance the susceptibility of biofilm-embedded bacteria to conventional antibiotics. The aim of …

Korelasi Kadar Serum Vegf-A Dengan Rasio Albumin-Kreatinin Urin Pada Pasien Penyakit Ginjal Diabetik, Hannie Q. Syaiful, Drajad Priyono, Harnavi Harun, Arina W. Murni, Akmal M. Hanif, Eifel Faheri, Arnelis Arnelis, Vesri Yoga

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by persistent albuminuria and a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), making it a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is implicated in the pathogenesis of DKD, being overexpressed in the kidneys and contributing to increased vascular permeability, inflammation, and fibrosis. Albuminuria, an early indicator of renal damage in DKD, is a strong predictor of CKD progression and cardiovascular events. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is the recommended test for detecting and monitoring albuminuria. …

Faktor Prediktif Post Dialysis Fatigue Sedang Pada Pasien Yang Menjalani Hemodialisis Reguler, Ivan Virnanda Amu, Maruhum Bonar H Marbun, Pringgodigdo Nugroho, Ikhwan Rinaldi, Hamzah Shatri, Nunuk Mardiana, Rudy Hidayat, Endang Susalit, Evy Yunihastuti, Dyah Purnamasari, Elizabeth Y. Wardoyo

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Fatigue is often found in patients with CKD-HD. Fatigue serves as an indicator of mortality and may be a viable target in a treatment strategy. Current research has not established the determinants of moderate PDF in individuals with CKD who are undergoing HD. Therefore, this study was conducted to prove the predictor factors of moderate PDF.

Methods. A retrospective cohort study in CKD-HD patients at Fatmawati Central General Hospital during the period of November-December 2024. The independent variables of this study are comorbidities, MIS, depression, intradialytic SBPV, dialysis vintage, UFG, IDWG, and anemia status. Primary data from …

Going Nuclear: Exploring Mtor’S Transcriptional Role In Regulating Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer, Alek S. Torres

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Global changes in gene expression are orchestrated by an array of transcription factors regulated by both extracellular and intracellular signals. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that ubiquitously mediates signaling networks across every cell type, in two active complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. By phosphorylating its downstream targets, these classically cytosolic complexes regulate protein homeostasis, metabolism, cell growth, proliferation and survival. However, evidence from prostate cancer studies reveals mTOR and its partners can occupy the nucleus, where its interaction with chromatin (in complex with transcription factors) has been shown to regulate gene expression at the level of …

Green Connectivity In Metropolitan Jabodetabek: Climate Change And The Challenge Of Urban Forest, Safira Maharani Putri, Hendricus Andy Simarmata

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Urban areas in Indonesia, particularly the Greater Jakarta metropolitan region (Jabodetabek), are increasingly experiencing the adverse effects of climate change, such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. Rapid urbanization has contributed significantly to rising greenhouse gas emissions and deteriorating environmental quality. Urban forests are one of the key solutions to mitigate these impacts; however, their spatial distribution in Jabodetabek remains suboptimal and poorly connected. This study uses NDVI as a proxy for urban forest density, where “urban forest” refers to vegetated areas within cities as defined by Presidential Regulation No. 60/2020. The research addresses the following question: How has …

Enhancing Health And Safety Practices In Construction Site In Developing Nations Through Technology Advancement In South Western Nigeria, Mubaraq Lawal, Abba Mahmud, Ismail Gbolahan Dere, Thankgod Agbo Owoicho

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The construction sector plays a critical role in urban development and economic growth, yet it continues to face major challenges that threaten worker health and safety. Traditional safety measures are not always sufficient for the complex conditions found on construction sites, which creates a need for technology‑based solutions. This study investigates the relationship between technology adoption and health and safety practices in the construction industry in Lagos, Nigeria. The study identifies the major causes of site accidents, examines the level of technology use on construction sites, and reviews existing literature through both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected …

Adoption Law In Indiana, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held November 18, 2025.

Cme Update For Civil Mediators, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held October 10, 2025.

Midwest I.P. Summit, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held November 7, 2025.

2025 Worker's Compensation Institute, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held November 6, 2025.

2025 Advanced Corporate Counsel, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held October 9-10, 2025.

2025 Year In Review, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Iclef)

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2025

Meeting proceedings of a seminar by the same name, held December 11-12, 2025.