<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=799546403794687&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Blogs

Department of Surgery News and Stories

Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Liver Cancer    Public Health    Pediatrics    Equity Diversity and Inclusion    Pediatric surgery

Spotlighting Disparities in Pediatric Liver Cancer Treatment

Jonathan Hills-Dunlap, MD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatric surgery at the University of Colorado Department of Surgery, has long been interested in health care disparities, in particular how racial and socioeconomic differences affect the surgical care that children receive.


Author Greg Glasgow | Publish Date May 21, 2024
Full Story

Research    Diversity    Urology    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Unraveling Disparities in Pediatric Urology

Learning through a prenatal ultrasound that your baby may or may not need surgery can be scary. Learning the surgeon may have directed the decision based on race and socioeconomic status? Not ideal.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Department of Surgery are taking a deep dive into the decision-making process associated with a condition called ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction after learning the decision to have surgery was largely based on surgeon perceptions.


Author Carie Behounek | Publish Date December 15, 2023
Full Story

Research    Education    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Eliminating Biases Through a Holistic Review Process for Residency Candidates 

Though many medical residency programs have begun using holistic review to evaluate candidates — a process that looks at qualities such as leadership, research aptitude, and volunteerism to get a more well-rounded view of an applicant than grades and test scores can provide — some administrators are still wary that a holistic process may not result in a qualified candidate pool.  


Author Greg Glasgow | Publish Date October 06, 2023
Full Story

Community    Transplant Surgery    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Program Works to Close Racial Gaps in Kidney Transplantation

Kidney disease is sometimes called the “silent disease” because it can be symptomless in its early stages. An estimated 90% of Americans who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) may not even know they have it until it is advanced.


Author Rachel Sauer | Publish Date March 30, 2023
Full Story

Community    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Caring for Patients on the Business Side

For Stephanie Farmer, MHA, an "a-ha!" moment in her career happened as an undergraduate working in the University of Colorado Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In that role, she began to see how the business and administration aspect of health care can play a significant part in patient care, and how she could have a role in that care.

In honor of Women's History Month, Leah Lleras, MS, director of finance for the Department of Surgery, interviews Farmer, vice chair of administration for the Department of Surgery and the CU Cancer Center, about the path her career has taken since that a-ha moment.


Author Rachel Sauer | Publish Date March 17, 2023
Full Story

Community    Faculty    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Sharing a Surgical Legacy 

In honor of Women’s History Month, Whitney Herter, PA-C, BS, a senior instructor in surgical oncology at the University of Colorado Department of Surgery,  talked with Elisa Birnbaum, MD, professor of GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery, about her illustrious career.  


Author Greg Glasgow | Publish Date March 10, 2023
Full Story

Community    GITES    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Thriving in the Complexity and Immediacy of Trauma Surgery

When Lauren Steward, MD, was 5, her parents presented her with three career options: doctor, lawyer, or engineer.


Author Rachel Sauer | Publish Date February 23, 2023
Full Story

Community    Cardiothoracic Surgery    Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Christian Scott Using His Sports Training as Administrative Director for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery 

Christian Scott’s dream of working in the sports industry never materialized, but as administrative director for the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the University of Colorado School of Medicine, he still gets to work with an all-star team dedicated to being the best in its field. 


Author Greg Glasgow | Publish Date February 01, 2023
Full Story

Department of Surgery In the News

Denver 7

Children’s Hospital Colorado’s New Spanish-Speaking Pediatric Surgery Clinic Is Breaking down Barriers

news outletDenver 7
Publish DateApril 13, 2024

Jose Diaz-Miron, MD, assistant professor of pediatric surgery has made it his mission to make healthcare more approachable for families in Colorado by launching a Spanish-speaking pediatric surgery clinic. It's the first of its kind in Colorado.

Full Story
American College of Surgeons

New Technologies, Approaches Help Surgeons Maximize the Use of Transplant Organs

news outletAmerican College of Surgeons
Publish DateApril 10, 2024

“Being more aggressive with donor offers and looking at marginal donors can help get people organs more quickly and reduce death on the waitlist,” said Jordan Hoffman, MD, FACS, associate professor of surgery and surgical director of heart and lung transplantation at the University of Colorado.

Full Story
UCHealth

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Recommended for Men Over Age 65, Especially for Men Who Have Smoked

news outletUCHealth
Publish DateFebruary 28, 2024
A one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm for men over 65 has been shown to reduce the risk of rupture by about half.
Full Story
UCHealth

Colorado School of Mines Student Returns To Wrestling Team After Car Accident Forced Devastating Leg Amputation

news outletUCHealth
Publish DateFebruary 22, 2024

“Wrestling is a difficult sport. It’s both a team and a one-on-one sport that requires endurance, strength, and mental toughness,” said Matthew Lorio, MD, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Full Story