Investing in the Future
Annual Report 2021
Investing in the Future
Annual Report 2021
Letter from the Chair
“Our surgical ecosystem has proven to be nimble, adaptable, and remarkably resilient as we continue to evolve and adapt to sustain our mission. As we continue to weather these turbulent times (and perhaps even see clearer skies ahead as the current pandemic, we hope, enters its final phase) our collective successes have enabled us as the Department of Surgery to turn our attention to the ways we will continue to invest in the future.”
At the Forefront
Total cases
Total RVUs
Total visits
Data collection, sample collection, non-interventional trials
Clinical trials
$ in total clinical trial funding (direct/indirect)
Total active grants
Total active research protocols
$ in total grant funding (direct/indirect)
Sections
The stories below feature profiles of some of our newest surgeons and faculty members. Get to know them and what influenced them to choose their surgical specialty and UChicago Medicine’s Department of Surgery.
Cardiac Surgery
When a 50-year-old patient needed a heart transplant, but his faith required surgery without the use of blood products or transfusions—he turned to the Cardiac surgical team led by Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam.
Colon & Rectal Surgery
Dr. Kinga Skowron Olortegui performs minimally invasive surgery to minimize postoperative pain and is committed to offering each patient a custom-made treatment plan. Learn how she came to choose this specialty and UChicago Medicine.
General Surgery
When Dr. Yalini Vigneswaran was an undergraduate studying chemical engineering, she became intrigued by the field of medicine. Find out more about the work she’s doing today and what it’s like to be part of a collaborative team working toward a common goal.
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Dr. Brandon Baird is a dedicated laryngeal surgeon whose specialty covers a broad spectrum of laryngeal diseases and surgical management of voice and swallowing disorders. Read how he combined his love of music and medicine to treat professional vocal artists for voice conditions.
Pediatric Surgery
An accomplished pediatric surgeon, Dr. Carmelle Romain provides care to children of all ages who suffer from a wide spectrum of conditions. Hear about her experiences working with these small but mighty patients, who continually inspire her with their resilience.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Summer Hanson specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery, treating a wide range of conditions from complex breast reconstruction to skin cancer treatment. Learn how she combined her interest in art and architecture with her passion for medicine.
Thoracic Surgery
An expert thoracic surgeon, Dr. Maria Lucia Madariaga knew she wanted to be a surgeon from an early age. Learn about her journey to get here—from dissecting her pet goldfish when they died to becoming a renowned surgeon at UChicago Medicine.
Transplant Surgery
Dr. R. Angelica Perez Gutierrez is a highly skilled transplant surgeon whose research explores ways to expand the donor pool. Read about how she came to be at UChicago Medicine and is improving quality of life for transplant patients.
Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
Meet Lt. Col. Timothy Plackett, DO, MPH, a trauma surgeon and Kenneth L. Wilson, MD, medical director of UChicago Medicine’s trauma center and a military surgeon in the U.S. Army Reserve. Learn how UChicago Medicine will become the latest premier trauma training site for Army physicians, nurses, and medics ahead of their deployments.
Urology
After rotating through the various specialties in his third year of medical school, Dr. Parth Modi chose urological surgery, because, like many of our surgeons, he liked being able to use his hands to fix a problem and see a real-time benefit from an intervention.
Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy
Dr. Luka Pocivavsek is an expert vascular surgeon and a devoted researcher who improves vascular care by investigating innovative treatments and techniques. Find out how his love of research led him down a path toward surgery.
in recognition
The continued success of the University of Chicago Department of Surgery is due in part to the generous support and contributions of alumni, friends, foundations, corporations and other institutions. The Department of Surgery gives a heartfelt thank you to the following individuals and organizations for contributing $10,000 or more in 2020–21.
A.S.C.R.S. Research Foundation
Be Brave for Life Foundation
Suzan B. Bernhard
Estate of Victor Bernhard
Stephan Blandin
Cancer Research Foundation
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Marc Copland
David Scott Evans
Joan Evans
Brenda H. Feis
Lawrence Feis
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Geraldine K. Fiedler
John Fiedler
Michael J. Fine
Stephanie Fine
Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation
Jill Giglio
Ozzie Giglio
Stanford J. Goldblatt
Goldman Sachs Gives
The Irving Harris Foundation
Peggy Heim
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Paul H. Jordan
Jacob Kiferbaum
Kovler Family Foundation
Jonathan Kovler
Sally Meyers Kovler
Lumiere Investments
Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation
Christine Woldt Manno
Michael Manno
Medtronic, Inc.
Robert M. Naclerio
Sharon Naclerio
NANETS
National Organization For Rare Disorders
National Philanthropic Trust DAF
Erik G. Nelson
Alexandra G. Nikitas
Sharon Ouwenga
Warren Ouwenga
Overdeck Family Foundation
Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago
Ryan Salvador
Eric Schmidt
Schmidt Futures
Wendy Schmidt
Schwab Charitable Fund
Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust
Estate of Sam P. Serio
Alexis Conner Strongin MD
Steven H. Strongin
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Thomas Wehmeier
Elliot M. Weiner
Weiner-Marc Foundation
John Zavislak
past reports
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