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SJ General Hospital

GME

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Graduate Medical Education

Rv 9.06.23



GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Academic Productivity


As a community residency program there are fewer opportunities for scholarly activity at SJGH than at most university programs. And, unlike most academic programs, our residents do not have the flexibility to take one to two years off residency for dedicated academic development time (aka “lab years”). Despite these limitations, many of our residents are academically productive. This takes the form of patient safety and quality improvement work in the hospital, research projects focused on our unusually large and diverse trauma population, case reports that take advantage of the unusually advanced surgical and trauma pathology we often see, and analyses of national databases. Statistical and study design support is available from our research coordinator, Dr. Abdul Waheed. The fund will also pay most open access publishing fees. We are currently working on establishing small research grants designed for resident-led scholarly projects. And of course, the GME fund pays reasonable travel and lodging expenses, conference registration fees, etc. for residents to present their work. SJGH has a full-time research librarian who will quickly obtain access to any needed journal article through interlibrary loan services. UC Davis and Stanford are of course hubs of cutting-edge research, and our program is located only 50 miles east of other world class research centers like UCSF and UC Berkeley, to which many of our attendings have strong connections.

Our program director has an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health with a quantitative methods concentration. Starting in 2023 we will again start holding quarterly surgery research meetings for those who are interested in scholarly activity and would like the support of a research group. And, after a three-year hiatus due to COVID, our annual local research symposium returned in May 2023. This symposium is a joint effort between the general surgery, internal medicine, and family medicine residency programs at SJGH, and often features work from the local emergency medicine and orthopedic surgery programs as well. Posters are presented, podium presentations are given, and residents are recognized with various awards. A visiting professor gives an institution-wide grand rounds and assists in judging the resident research awards.

Our program recognizes a wide variety of scholarly activity amongst our residents. In addition to clinical research our residents participate in hospital committees, local quality improvement and patient safety projects, and global surgical work. One of our residents is currently leading the first international application of the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed program in Burkina Faso, and our program director has traveled to Ukraine three times to teach Advanced Trauma Life Support and Stop the Bleed with the International Medical Corps and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The program director has a strong interest in global surgery, having worked in Palestine, Zimbabwe, Haiti, and Dominican Republic. Global surgical work is both a scholarly pursuit and a display of solidarity, and our program fully supports such work.

A resident can easily go through our program with the bare minimum of scholarly activity, but the enterprising resident with a strong interest in academic productivity will find a great deal to do and can easily become a regular presence at national meetings and publish frequently in major surgical journals. Below is a list of recent published and presented work by our residents and faculty.

Recent Publications


  • Ullah A, Lee KT, Malham K, Yasinzai AQK, Tareen B, Lopes D, Wali A, Velasquez Zarate L, Waheed A, Wiest M, Hakim R, Khan M, Asif B, Patel N, Hakim S, Kakar K, Heneidi S, Karki NR, Sidhwa F. Pancreatic Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in the US Population. Cureus. 2023 Jun 2;15(6):e39862. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39862. PMID: 37404424; PMCID: PMC10315061.
  • Ullah A, Lee KT, Malham K, Yasinzai AQK, Khan I, Asif B, Waheed A, Heneidi S, Karki NR, Sidhwa F. Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) in the US Population: Demographics, Treatment Characteristics, and Survival Analysis. Cureus. 2023 May 31;15(5):e39777. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39777. PMID: 37398803; PMCID: PMC10312545.
  • Umemoto KK, Ananth S, Ma A, Ullal A, Ramdass PVAK, Lo PC, Vyas D. Novel Application of Hydrodissection in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Gangrenous Gallbladders. J Surg Res. 2023 Mar;283:1124-1132. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.060. Epub 2022 Dec 15. PMID: 36915004.
  • Waheed A, McCloskey A, Kennedy F, Seraj SM, Khan J, Nama N, Johnson O, Lo P, Magee H, Akbar W, Ullah A, Cason FD. Colorectal Cancer Screening Challenges in the Recent Afghan Refugee Population: A Comprehensive Review Article. Cureus. 2022 Feb 20;14(2):e22400. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22400. PMID: 35345684; PMCID: PMC8939286.
  • Rodgers A, Berry H, O'Brien R, Davis JM. A Comparison of Complication Rates in Wise Pattern Versus Vertical Breast Reduction. Annals of plastic surgery. 2022;88(5 Suppl 5):S498-s500.
  • Yap E, Patel ST. Bilateral subclavian artery aneurysms in a patient with Marfan syndrome. J Vasc Surg. 2022;75(5):1760-1.
  • Waheed A, McCloskey A, Kennedy F, Seraj SM, Khan J, Nama N, et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening Challenges in the Recent Afghan Refugee Population: A Comprehensive Review Article. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22400.
  • Teleten O, Polyak TS, Espinoza J, Li AI, Rodgers AJ, Kirkland-Kyhn H. Measuring Pressure Redistribution Properties of 4 Hospital Bed Surfaces: A Quality Improvement Project. Wound Manag Prev. 2022;68(6):18-26.
  • Waheed A, Foroutan S, McCloskey A, Randhawa H, Cason FD. Biphasic Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Lethal Clinical Entity. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22638
  • Ullah A, Waheed A, Khan J, Mishra A, Tareen B, Nama N, et al. Incidence, Survival Analysis and Future Perspective of Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma (PPM): A Population-Based Study from SEER Database. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(4).
  • Ullah A, Khan J, Waheed A, Sharma N, Pryor EK, Stumpe TR, et al. Parathyroid Carcinoma: Incidence, Survival Analysis, and Management: A Study from the SEER Database and Insights into Future Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(6).
  • Riccardi J, Fredericks CJ, Callcut RA. Trauma and COVID-Induced Severe Rhabdomyolysis. Am Surg. 2022;88(5):1003-5.
  • Rasheed A, McCloskey A, Foroutan S, Waheed A, Rodgers A, Seraj SM, et al. Pulmonary Aspergilloma in a Young Immunocompetent Female: A Rare Clinical Dilemma. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22724.
  • Khan J, Ullah A, Waheed A, Karki NR, Adhikari N, Vemavarapu L, et al. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST): A Population-Based Study Using the SEER Database, including Management and Recent Advances in Targeted Therapy.  Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(15).
  • Yon JR, Fredericks C, Mentzer C, Kubasiak JC, Poulakidas S. The end of the assembly line: Shifting patterns of automotive burns. Burns. 2021;47(3):728-32.
  • Sandhu H, Foote DC, Evans J, Santosa KB, Kemp MT, Donkersloot JN, et al. "The Story I will Never Forget": Critical Incident Narratives in Surgical Residency. Ann Surg. 2021.
  • Panezai MS, Ullah A, Ballur K, Gilstrap L, Khan J, Tareen B, et al. Frequency of Celiac Disease in Patients With Chronic Diarrhea. Cureus. 2021;13(12):e20495.
  • Padilla R, Arquiette J, Mai Y, Singh G, Galang K, Liang E. Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients Treated with Convalescent Plasma or Remdesivir Alone and in Combination at a Community Hospital in California's Central Valley. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2021;24:210-9.
  • Mashayekhi K, Waheed A, Kennedy FR. Arterial Bullet Embolization Secondary to Direct Cardiac Injury in Penetrating Chest Trauma: A Rare Challenging Case Report. Cureus. 2021;13(10):e19033.
  • Maduka RC, Broderick M, White EM, Ballouz D, Sandhu H, Kwakye G, et al. The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Surgery Literature. JAMA Surg. 2021;156(11):1036-41.
  • Lundeen G, Neary KC, Kaiser C, Jackson L. Early Outcomes and Complications Following Initiation of a Total Ankle Arthroplasty Program. Foot Ankle Orthop. 2021;6(1):2473011420985780.
  • Khan J, Ullah A, Matolo N, Waheed A, Nama N, Sharma N, et al. Prognostic Value of Lymph Node Ratio in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2021;13(10):e19117.
  • Khan J, Ullah A, Matolo N, Waheed A, Nama N, Khan T, et al. Klatskin Tumor in the Light of ICD-O-3: A Population-Based Clinical Outcome Study Involving 1,144 Patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) Database (2001-2012). Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18941.
  • Ho D, Arquiette J, Kim MK. Bayesian-estimated vancomycin area under the curve using a single trough concentration vs 2 concentrations. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2021;78(18):1663-4.
  • Colosimo C, Yon JR, Fredericks C, Kingsley S, Gupta S, Mentzer CJ, et al. Obesity is Not Associated With Need for Skin Grafting After Hidradenitis Excision. Am Surg. 2021;87(3):458-62.
  • Choi J, Min JG, Jopling JK, Meshkin S, Bessoff KE, Forrester JD. Intercostal nerve cryoablation during surgical stabilization of rib fractures. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 2021;91(6):976-80.
  • Sidhwa F. Letter to the Editor: Case of Appendix Incarcerated in an Umbilical Hernia. Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques Part A. 2020;30(8):857-8.
  • Shieh AK, Singh SG, Nathe C, Lian E, Haudenschild DR, Nolta JA, et al. Effects of Micronized Cartilage Matrix on Cartilage Repair in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. Cartilage. 2020;11(3):316-22.
  • Otondi CO, Cason FD, Kranc M, Waheed A. Benign Ectopic Thyroid Tissue in the Neck: A Case Report of a Rare Finding. Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7172
  • Nama N, Cason FD, Misra S, Hai S, Tucci V, Haq F, et al. Carcinosarcoma of the Uterus: A Study From the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) Database. Cureus. 2020;12(9):e10283.
  • Lester ELW, Dvorak JE, Maluso PJ, Bendjemil S, Messer T, Poulakidas S, et al. Obesity Paradox in the Burn Patient. J Burn Care Res. 2020;41(1):30-2.
  • Colosimo C, Fredericks C, Yon JR, Kubasiak JC, Bokhari F, Poulakidas S. Damage control hip disarticulation: two-stage operation with index creation of a large medial flap for the septic hip. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2020;5(1):e000502.
  • Waheed A, Cason FD. Adjuvant Radiation Survival Benefits in Patients with Stage 1B Rectal Cancer: A Population-based Study from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result Database (1973-2010). Cureus. 2019;11(12):e6299.
  • Saab H, Bajaj T, Bains K, Garcia-Pacheco R. Recurrent Episodes of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Systemic Sclerosis 30 Days Apart. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2019;7:2324709619846594.
  • Marcia L, Kim DY. Predictors of Peripheral Vascular Injury in Patients with Blunt Lower Extremity Fractures. Annals of vascular surgery. 2019;57:35-40.
  • Holloway J, Lett E, Marcia L, Putnam B, Neville A, Patel N, et al. Primary Skin Closure after Repair of Hollow Viscus Injuries. Am Surg. 2019;85(10):1139-41.
  • Dayama A, Tsilimparis N, Kolakowski S, Matolo NM, Humphries MD. Clinical outcomes of bypass-first versus endovascular- first strategy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia due to infrageniculate arterial disease. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(1): 156-63.e1.
  • Sidhwa F, Itani KMF. Discussion: Fight or Flight: The Role of Staged Approaches to Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;142(3 Suppl):45s-6s.
  • Mulder L, Keelan S, Kang D, Fredericks C, Kaminsky M, Bokhari F. Early Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation after Penetrating Thoracic Trauma. Am Surg. 2018;84(9):e416-e7.
  • Marcia L, Moazzez A, Plurad DS, Putnam B, Kim DY. Utility of Repeat Head CT in Patients on Preinjury Antithrombotic Medications. Am Surg. 2018;84(10):1626-9
  • Marcia L, Ashman ZW, Pillado EB, Kim DY, Plurad DS. Advance Directive and Do-Not-Resuscitate Status among Advanced Cancer Patients with Acute Care Surgical Consultation. Am Surg. 2018;84(10):1565-9.
  • Kang D, Fredericks C, Bokhari F, Kaminsky M. Retained Bullet of the Mediastinum. Am Surg. 2018;84(12):e517-e8.
  • Kaida-Yip F, Deshpande K, Saran T, Vyas D. Biosimilars: Review of current applications, obstacles, and their future in medicine. World J Clin Cases. 2018;6(8):161-6.
  • Johnson OK, Berchuck A, Secord AA, Peterson AC. Urinary diversion in the genitourinary cancer survivor. Gynecologic oncology. 2018;148(2):414-21.
  • IsHak WW, Wen RY, Naghdechi L, Vanle B, Dang J, Knosp M, et al. Pain and Depression: A Systematic Review. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2018;26(6):352-63.
  • Gerard J, Fredericks C, Kang D, Keelan S, Kaminsky M, Bokhari F. Multi-Disciplinary Approach after Blunt Polytrauma. Am Surg. 2018;84(7):e265-e6.
  • Dayama A, Fontecha CA, Foroutan S, Lu J, Kumar S, Matolo NM. Comparison of surgical incision complete closure versus leaving skin open in wound class IV in emergent colon surgery. Am J Surg. 2018;216(2):240-4.
  • Beckord, B., Marcia, L., Abdulla, S., Moazzez, A., Tung, C. and de Virgilio, C., 2018. Preoperative Testing Among Patients Undergoing Arteriovenous Fistula Surgery. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 68(3), pp.e41-e42.
  • Robinson TD, Oliveira TM, Timmes TR, Mills JM, Starr N, Fleming M, et al. Socially Responsible Surgery: Building Recognition and Coalition. Front Surg. 2017;4:11.
  • Cameron DB, Graham DA, Milliren CE, Glass CC, Feng C, Sidhwa F, et al. Quantifying the Burden of Interhospital Cost Variation in Pediatric Surgery: Implications for the Prioritization of Comparative Effectiveness Research. JAMA pediatrics. 2017;171(2):e163926.

Recent Presentations


  • Lo P, Sidhwa F. Uses of Ultrasound in Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures. Chest Wall Injury Society annual conference, Charlotte, NC, April 27, 2023.
  • Sharma, N. Internal plate fixation of a second rib fracture leading to quick resolution of severe pain. Chest Wall Injury Society Case Review Series (virtual). September 22, 2022.
  • Berera, D. Shootings in cars: are vehicles protective against severe shooting injuries? Academic Surgical Congress, Houston, TX, Feb 2023.
  • Bendjemil, S. Stop the Bleed in Burkina Faso: A Framework for Sustainable Implementation. American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Annual Meeting 2022. Chicago, IL.
  • Patmon, D., Sandhu, H., River, G., Carlson, A., Girotto, J. Demographic and Complication Profiles of Patients Receiving Craniosynostosis Repair After 18 Months of Age. Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons 2022. Mackinac Island, MI.
  • Patmon, D., Sandhu, H., River, G., Carlson, A., Girotto, J. Risk Factors for Late (>18 Months) Cranial Surgery for Craniosynostosis. American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association Annual Meeting 2022. Fort Worth, TX.
  • Sandhu, H., Patmon, D., River, G., Carlson, A., Girotto, J. Increased Perioperative Complications in Craniosynostosis Surgery After 18 Months of Age. American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association Annual Meeting 2022. Fort Worth, TX.
  • Patmon, D., Sandhu, H., Girotto, J., Ford, R. Legal Ramifications of Publishing Patient Photographs; A Review of Legal Case. American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons 2022. Austin, TX.
  • Patmon, D., Sandhu, H., Little, A., Davis, A., Armstrong, S. Inpatient vs. Outpatient Immediate Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction; Recent Trends, Outcomes, and Safety. Grand Rapids Citywide Virtual Research Day 2022 (virtual).
  • Umemoto K, Ma A, Ananth S, Lo P, Ramdass P, Vyas D. Hydrodissection Use in Laparoscopic Gangrenous Cholecystectomy: Effect on Need to Convert to Open Surgery and Time Required for Recovery. SAGES 2022. Denver, CO.
  • Ananth S, Umemoto K, Ramdass P, Lo P, Ma A, Vyas D. Novel Application of Hydrodissection In Laparoscopic Gangrenous Cholecystectomy. Academic Surgical Congress 2022. Houston, TX.
  • Waheed A. Primary cutaneous angiosarcoma from SEER database. European Society of Surgical Oncology 2022. Bordeaux, France.
  • Waheed A. Primary intestinal angiosarcoma from SEER database. European Society of Surgical Oncology 2022. Bordeaux, France.
  • Sandhu, H., Foote, DC., Evans, J., Santosa, KB., Kemp, M., Donkersloot, J., White, E., Mazer, L., Sandhu, G. Critical Incident Narratives as Transformative Experiences in Surgical Residency. Michigan Chapter American College 2021 (virtual).
  • Maduka, RC., Broderick, M., White, EM., Ballouz, D., Sandhu, H., Kwakye G., Chen, H., Sandhu, G. The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Surgery Literature. The Association for Medical Education in Europe International Medical Education Conference 2021 (virtual).
  • Maduka, RC., Broderick, M., White, EM., Ballouz, D., Sandhu, H., Kwakye G., Chen, H., Sandhu, G. The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Surgery Literature. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2021 (virtual).
  • The impact of an organized trauma service on massive transfusion protocol usage. Attainment and maintenance of appropriate ratios, increased use of liquid plasma, and mitigation of blood wastage. N. Sharma MD MS, K. Bains MD, C. Fredericks MD, A. Waheed MD, F. Kennedy MD. Northern California Committee on Trauma Resident Research Competition 2021 (virtual).
  • The Use of an Embolization-First Approach in Patients with High Grade Splenic Trauma: The Experience of a Community Hospital. N. Sharma MD MS, K. Bains MD, A. Waheed MD, F. Kennedy MD, S. Foroutan MD. Northern California Committee on Trauma Resident Research Competition 2021 (virtual).
  • Waheed A. Small cell gastric carcinoma, a life-threatening malignancy. SAGES 2021. Las Vegas, NV.
  • Waheed A. Optimal timing for surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer. SAGES 2021. Las Vegas, NV.
  • Bendjemil, S. Characteristics and Patterns of Injuries to People Struck by Trains. Northern California Committee on Trauma Resident Research Competition 2020 (virtual).
  • Kaiser CA, Marks K, Boppana SH, Chahal G. Klaskin Tumors. Presented by Cody Kaiser for ACP Northern Nevada Regional Abstract Poster Competition, Reno, NV. 2020
  • Singh, S, Kaiser CA, Boppana SH, Krishan R, Chahal G. Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Presented by Cody Kaiser for ACP Northern Nevada Regional Abstract Poster Competition, Reno, NV. 2020
  • Fractures of the Ankylosed Spine: A Dangerous Problem Hiding in Plain Site. N. Sharma MD MS, M. Senegor MD. Northern California Committee on Trauma Resident Research Competition 2020 (virtual).
  • Marcia L., Moazzez A., Miranda R., Kim DY., deVirgilio C. #Ilooklikeasurgeon: 20-year Review of Gender and Racial Diversity in Academic General Surgery. Academic Surgical Congress 2019. Houston, TX.
  • Marcia L., Ashman ZW., Pillado EB., Hines C., Plurad DS., Kim DY. Cost Associated with Code Status Among Advanced Cancer Patients with Acute Care Surgical Consultation. Academic Surgical Congress 2019. Houston, TX.
  • Does Computer Tomography of the brain change management of trauma patients with Ground Level Fall and baseline of Dementia or GCS of 14? N. Sharma MD MS, J. Leong BS, S. Foroutan MD. Northern California Committee on Trauma Resident Research Competition 2019. Oakland, CA.
  • Bains K, Saab H, Bajaj T, Garcia-Pacheco R. Recurrent Episodes of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Systemic Sclerosis 30 Days Apart. AFMR Western Medical Research Conference 2018. Carmel, CA.
  • Marcia L., Kim DY. Predictors of Peripheral Vascular Injury in Patients with Blunt Lower Extremity Fractures. Southern California Vascular Surgical Society 2018. Laguna Beach, CA.
  • Marcia L., Ashman ZW., Pillado EB., Kim DY., Plurad DS. Outcomes after Emergency Palliative Surgery in Patients with Stage IV Malignancies. Southwestern Surgical Congress 2018. Napa, CA.
  • Marcia L., Moazzez A., Plurad DS., Putnam B., Kim DY. Risk of Intracranial Hemorrhage among Patients taking Novel Oral Anticoagulants. Southwestern Surgical Congress 2018. Napa, CA.
  • Marcia L., Ashman ZW., Pillado EB., Kim DY., Plurad DS. Advance Directive and Do-Not-Resuscitate Status Among Advanced Cancer Patients with Acute Care Surgical Consultation. Southern California American College of Surgeons 2018. Indian Wells, CA.
  • Marcia L., Moazzez A., Plurad DS., Putnam B., Kim DY. Utility of Repeat Head CT in Patients on Preinjury Anti-thrombotic Medications. Southern California American College of Surgeons 2018. Indian Wells, CA.
  • Marcia L., Ashman Z., Howell E., Kim DY., Plurad DS. Predictors of Reintubation after Self-extubation in the Intensive Care Unit. Academic Surgical Congress 2018. Jacksonville, FL.
  • Shelton TJ, Singh S, Robinson E, Nardo L, Escobedo E, Jackson L, Kreulen C, Giza E. The Influence of Percentile Weight Bearing on Foot Radiographs. Western Orthopedic Association; August 1-4, 2018; Snowmass, CO
  • Bains K, Cha G, Saab H, Aguirre D. Recurrent Intradural Extramedullary Ependymoma of the Spine. AFMR Western Medical Research Conference 2018. Carmel, CA.
  • Shelton TJ, Singh S, Robinson E, Nardo L, Escobedo E, Jackson L, Kreulen C, Giza E. The Influence of Percentile Weight Bearing on Foot Radiographs. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society; July 11-14, 2018; Boston, MA
  • Shelton TJ, Singh S, Nardo L, Robinson E, Escobedo E, Jackson L, Kreulen C, Giza E. The Influence of Percentile Weightbearing on Foot Radiographs. Department of Surgery 29th Annual Research Symposium; 2018; Sacramento, CA
  • Shelton TJ, Singh S, Nardo L, Robinson E, Escobedo E, Jackson L, Kreulen C, Giza E. The Influence of Percentile Weightbearing on Foot Radiographs. Dr. Wilbert C. Jordan Research Forum. AMEC March 28- April 1, 2018, San Francisco, CA
  • Shieh A, Singh S, Nathe C, Lian E, Haudenschild D, Nolta J, Lee C, Giza E, Kruelen C. Effects of Micronized Cartilage Matrix on Cartilage Repair in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. Orthopedic Research Society 2017. San Diego, CA
  • Waheed A. The readmission after acute diverticulitis (RAAD) scale. SAGES 2017. Houston, TX.