The Department of Surgery gathered to celebrate our graduating residents & fellows. Congratulations, graduates! We look forward to watching your careers as you continue to grow and learn, building on the foundation set at UTMB.

2023 Department of Surgery Graduating Residents & Fellows:

General Surgery:

• Dr. Adrian A. Coleoglou Centeno
• Dr. Claire B. Cummins
• Dr. Kevin J. Hancock
• Dr. Fernando Lambreton Hinojosa
• Dr. Sergio Mazzola Poli de Figueiredo
• Dr. Camilo Velasquez Mejia
• Dr. Yota Suzuki

Plastic Surgery:

• Dr. Brook N. Cahill
• Dr. Abigail A. Forbes
• Dr. J. Michael Smith
• Dr. Dexter Weeks

Vascular Surgery:

• Dr. Andrew R. Nimmich

Urology:

• Dr. Daniel L. Phillips

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery:

• Dr. Caleb T. Hardman

Surgery Critical Care:

• Dr. Brian M. Schneider

Acute Burn:

• Dr. Meghan T. Smetana
• Dr. Ahmad K.M. Nasrallah

Burn Reconstruction:

• Dr. Andrea Sisti

Breast Fellowship:

• Dr. Gili Halfteck

Cardiothoracic Fellowship:

• Dr. Haley Leesley

Pediatric Surgery Fellowship:

• Dr. Jonathan DeAntonio

LSTAR Fellowship:

• Dr. Rui-Min “Diana” Mao

Awards:

• Outstanding Intern – Omar Sahibzada, MD 

• General Surgery Outstanding Resident – Juliano Lentz Carvalho, MD 

• General Surgery Over and Above Award – Camilo Velasquez Mejia, MD 

• John M. Thiel, MD Award – Kevin Hancock, MD 

• Raleigh Ross Scholar Award – Taylor Williams, MD 

• Teaching – Joseph Sonstein, MD 

• Resident – August Schaffer, MD 

• Outstanding Faculty Award – J. Patrick Walker, MD 

• LSTAR Golden Apple Award – Kevin Hancock, MD 

• David N. Herndon, MD Award – Jana De Jesus, MD 

• Outstanding Resident: Andi Cummins, MD 

• Outstanding Teacher: Ludwik Branski, MD 

• Blocker Award, 1st place – J. Michael Smith, MD 

• Lewis Award, tied for 2nd place – R. Patrick Duggan, MD and Karen Lu, MD 

• 2022 Resident of the Year Award – Daniel L. Phillips, MD 

• 2022 Resident Teacher of the Year Award – Jonathan A, Gerber, MD