Annual Louis Del Guercio Research Day Highlights Surgical Research Advances
Noted Pancreatic Surgeon Dr. Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo Delivered Keynote Address
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The 23rd Annual Louis R.M. Del Guercio Distinguished Visiting Professorship and Research Day showcased the various surgical research advances underway by medical students at New York Medical College (NYMC) and residents and research fellows at Westchester Medical Center (WMC). The half-day symposium, hosted by the Department of Surgery on May 6 in the Taylor Conference Room at WMC, featured a wide variety of topics, including the effect of cannabis use on outcomes in spine fusion, a comparison of laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy, and sex-based disparities in treatment of acute ischemic strokes.
Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo, M.D., director of the pancreas and biliary surgery program and clinical co-director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, delivered the keynote address on the changing landscape of pancreatic surgery. A widely recognized expert in pancreatic and biliary surgery, Dr. Fernandez del Castillo has authored more than 350 publications and, for the past several years, has performed the largest number of pancreatic resections in New England.
The day concluded with recognition of the most outstanding research papers and posters.
Best Clinical Research Paper
Vishmita Kannichamy, M.D., research fellow, WMC
“Comparative Accuracy of National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) And National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Risk Assessment Tools In Predicting Mortality After Emergency Laparotomy”
Maxwell Ruffner, SOM Class of 2028, NYMC
“Proton Pump-Inhibitor Use is Associated with Increased Risk of Pseudoarthrosis After Ankle and Hind-Foot Fusion”
Ishani Sharma, M.D., surgery resident, WMC
“Risk Factors for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Retrospective Analysis”
Best Moderated Poster
Salma Kahn, M.D., surgery resident, WMC
“Navigating Uncertainty: Psychosocial Impacts of Changing United States Visa Policies on International Medical Graduates Pursuing Medical Careers”
Riddhi Mehta, M.D., research fellow, WMC
“Age-Dependent Salvageability of Emergency Department Thoracotomy Defined by Mechanism and Signs of Life”
Maral Peisepar, M.D., research fellow, WMC
“Trauma Outcomes in Patients with Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorders: A Trauma Quality Improvement Program Study”
Best Visual Poster
Samyuktha Harikrishnan, M.D., research fellow, WMC
“Concomitant Rib and Sternal Fractures Worsen Clinical Outcomes in Isolated Thoracic Vertebral Injury: A Nationwide Analysis”
Young Kim, SOM Class of 2029, NYMC
“Impact of Transoral Robotic Surgery on Discharge Destination in Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Frailty-Matched Analysis”
Eric Sinton, SOM Class of 2027, NYMC
“Social Determinants of Health as Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Penile Cancer Patients: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis”
