GENERAL SURGERY - SUMMER 2024 UPDATES
DR. MARK SAVARISE RETIRES FROM CLINCIAL SERVICE
Dr. Savarise graduated from the University of Utah general surgery residency in 1996 and served four years as a US Airforce Medical Corp staff surgeon. He then built a successful private practice in Sandpoint, ID, for 13 years, where he was a true general surgeon to the community. We were fortunate to recruit him back to the University, where he has successfully built a community-based practice as part of the academic medical center for the last 11 years. Simultaneously, he has supported the VA surgery program by providing excellent care to our veterans. Dr. Savarise has grown the community practice to include Drs. Porretta and Barker. He serves on the South Jordan OR Executive Committee, ensuring high quality and efficiency. The community has greatly benefitted from Dr. Savarise's broad skill set, leadership, and dedication to excellent care. He has also advocated for surgeons nationally, chairing the American College of Surgeons Member Services Workgroup and its Young Surgeons/Young Fellows Association.
Mark, our appreciation runs deep for your service to our patients, the education of our trainees, and your tireless efforts advocating for surgeons nationally.
DR. MARTA MCCRUM AWARDED PCORI GRANT
Congratulations to Dr. Marta McCrum on her recently awarded PCORI grant, "Building Capacity for PCOR/CER by Engaging Rural Trauma Survivors and their Recovery Communities." This project will build a community of patients, caregivers, and health care providers who are dedicated to improving the care and long-term recovery of rural patients who have experienced major traumatic injuries. They will develop a patient-centered research agenda that will inform future work focused on meeting the unique needs of rural trauma survivors. This collaboration between the Departments of Surgery and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation reflects our joint commitment to provide exceptional clinical care in the Intermountain West and our goal to be a national leader in rural trauma care.
DR. JOANNA GRUDZIAK CHOSEN AS ACS FELLOW CANDIDATE INTERVIEWER
Dr. Joanna Grudziak was chosen as ACS's fellow candidate interviewer. This important role demonstrates her commitment to ensuring surgeons of integrity and ethical fitness receive the title of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Congratulations, Dr. Grudziak!
DIVISION-SUPPORTED ASCENDER RESEARCH UPDATES
Drs. Jennwood Chen, Anna Ibele, and Erin Ward are one year into their division-supported ascender research grants and have made excellent progress. Dr. Chen is creating an app-based education and tracking platform to shift people's mindsets as they relate to obesity and behavior. Dr. Ibele continues a tremendous body of work in improving our understanding of the biology of weight loss and its associations with other diseases. Dr. Ward is working to increase our understanding of the impact of mental health and recovery with GI malignancies. Well deserved and excellent progress!
