Making a difference in the state of Oklahoma

Named one of Oklahoma Magazine's 40 under 40, Che Miller, MD (2007) is a general surgeon at Duncan Regional Hospital. The article in the April issue says Che along with 39 others under the age of 40 make Oklahoma a better, richer, more exciting place to live. Congratulations.

A-Float

One of  last year's Chief Residents Lt. Timothy A. Vavricka, MD ('10) is currently serving as Ship's Surgeon on a naval carrier in the Mediterranean. He recently showed Oklahoman Toby Keith his OR. We wish Tim smooth sailing and a safe return.

New "Kids" on the Block

Beginning in April, the Atrium becomes the new front door for both The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and the OU Children's Physicians Medical Office Building. This beautiful six story, glass atrium serves as a gateway to health for Oklahoma children and their families. Infused with family-friendly features, it makes a visit to the doctor's office or a trip to the hospital a more pleasant experience for all. The opening of the Atrium marks the completion of  the second phase of a $136 million facilities enhancement project focused on children's health in Oklahoma. The Atrium represents $29 million of the overall project.  However, more than a third of that cost ($10 million) was donated by community organizations and individuals.

Together Again

Barish Edil, MD and Hamilton Le, MD who finished as Chief Residents at OU in 2006, are currently back together again at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.  Dr. Edil  is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Oncology.  Dr. Le made a bit of a detour through Iraq and Germany but is now stateside doing a fellowship at Hopkins.

A new option for colorectal patients

TEM, a procedure called transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally-invasive procedure in colorectal cancer care that improves recovery and outcomes. Dr. Gary D. Dunn, MD who joined the faculty in December 2009 brings this relatively new procedure to Oklahoma.

TEM uses instruments that are specially designed so the procedure can be performed through the anus and in the rectum. An operating proctoscope (a 2 inch wide tube) is placed through the anus and positioned over the lesion. The rectum is filled with carbon dioxide gas, so there is room to work. A special microscope is used to look at the area directly and with a video camera. Long instruments are then used to grasp, cut, and suture. As a result, there is less pain, and recovery time is much faster.

Accreditation for the OU Clinical Skills Education & Testing Center (CSETC)

Congratulations!  The Accreditation Review Committee Members met January 12-13, 2011 to make accreditation decisions and that the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Clinical Skills Education & Testing Center was awarded accreditation as a Level I Comprehensive Education Institute.  Read more ...

The CSETC's educational programs span the four-year medical school curriculum and the post-graduate training years. They focus on:

Physical Examination Skills Medical Interviewing Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Clinical Decision Making
Procedural Skills
Crisis Resource Management
Patient Safety
Team Building Skills
Basic Surgical Skills
Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Skills

Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon joins the faculty

Kamal K. Pourmoghadam, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Section of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and Director of Pediatric Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgical Services at OU Medical Center is a University of California at Berkeley graduate. He completed his cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Miami and his congenital cardiac surgery training at the University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital. After being in practice for more than a decade, he joined the faculty at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in January 2011. He is Board Certified in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery. His interest is in the care of all forms of congenital cardiac defects, especially patients with single ventricle anatomy.