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Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Department,

As we move into the fall, I am reminded once again of our department’s impact in and outside of the operating room. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego was recognized among the nation’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News and World Report, receiving top designations in every specialty, including pediatric heart surgery and cardiology (9), lung surgery and pulmonology (16), cancer (18), and GI surgery and gastroenterology (32). This is a remarkable accomplishment, and I could not be prouder of our exceptional surgical teams who brought it to fruition.

In this month’s feature article, we explored how the department is working closely with the new Atkinson Physician Assistant (PA) Education Program to train the next generation of surgical PAs. PAs are a vital part of our surgical team, improving access and continuity of care both in and outside the operating room. Partnering with this program fills me with pride, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on patient care across our region and beyond.

We also celebrate major clinical trials and research studies that are occurring at Moores Cancer Center, the region’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jason Sicklick, MD, is leading a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of personalized cancer therapies. The idea is that a tumor's molecular biology, not just its location in the body, should guide treatment. Plus, Diane Simeone, MD, and Theodore Welling, MD, show how the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) program is making tangible strides in pancreatic cancer treatment.

In our Surgical Spotlight, read about Mahmoud Malas, MD, MHS, and his path to becoming chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. His many years of experience not only inform his practice but also the knowledge he passes down to medical students, residents and researchers.

Next month, we have our highly anticipated REIMAGINE 2026 Symposium, which is hosted by the REIMAGINE Center. The event invites leaders, clinicians and patients from around the country for a dynamic three-day program exploring the future of organ donation and transplantation. I hope to see you there!

As always, thank you for your support and engagement.

Bryan Clary, MD, MBA

Marshall J. Orloff Family Endowed Chair

Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery

UC San Diego Health Sciences

Surgeon-in-Chief, UC San Diego Health

At the beginning of the fall quarter, second-year PA students at UC San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program prepare for their clinical rotations. Surgery is a required rotation in the PA curriculum, making the Department of Surgery central to this educational process.

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego was recognized among the nation’s 2026-27 "Best Children’s Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report, with rankings in all 11 pediatric specialties surveyed. This is the 10th consecutive year the hospital has been recognized in every ranked specialty. 

Jason Sicklick, MD, is leading the Moores Cancer Center STudy of Real-world Individualized Precision-oncology (STRIPe), a randomized Phase II clinical trial testing personalized, molecularly matched N-of-1 combination therapies against standard-of-care treatment.

UC San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego have been designated together as a NORD Rare Disease Center of Excellence by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). The designation recognizes both institutions' leadership in rare disease care and research.

Mahmoud Malas, MD, MHS, had a long path to becoming chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Learn about how he chose his surgical specialty, his path to UC San Diego and his accomplishments as division chief. 

Welcome Forrest Granzotto

Forrest Granzotto, DC, joins the Division of Anatomy as a health sciences educator. Granzotto is a chiropractor who also taught at the Point Loma Nazarene University Anatomy Learning Institute.

This month, the Center for the Future of Surgery hosted a facelift dissection lab for plastic surgery residents, led by Visiting Professor Brannon Claytor, MD, as well as several labs for general surgery residents and minimally invasive surgery fellows.

While body painting in anatomy education can promote engagement and understanding of surface anatomy, it is time-intensive and can disadvantage students with limited artistic confidence. Geoffroy Noel, PhD, alongside medical student Megan Tran-Heflinger, found that temporary tattoos could be a viable, time-efficient alternative to body painting in anatomy education. The findings were published in Anatomical Sciences Education on August 25, 2026. Read the temporary tattoos publication

Monica Wentworth, MD, completed her general surgery residency at UC San Diego in 2014. She went on to complete a plastic surgery residency at the University of Illinois Chicago and is now a plastic surgeon and owner of The Wentworth Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“I am forever grateful for my time at UC San Diego. My greatest takeaway from the Department of Surgery was the excellent leadership and unwavering attention to education I received from my mentors. Training at a busy Level 1 trauma center taught us how to effectively manage and care for every type of surgical patient.

One of my clearest memories is participating in the monthly morbidity and mortality conferences at Thornton Hospital in La Jolla. The sessions pushed us to make sound decisions, care for patients thoughtfully and become safer surgeons.

My favorite part of training was the diversity that having a VA in the program provided. We learned by doing, teaching and thriving with and for our patients, supported by outstanding teaching from surgeons who truly loved their craft. I also appreciated the camaraderie and mentorship among fellow residents. Our bond was tight; we grew together into excellently trained surgeons.”

Is there a person or program that positively impacted your experience at UC San Diego? Please consider making a gift in their honor and directly supporting your training program. To learn more, please contact Maura Siino, philanthropic officer, at msiino@ucsd.edu or visit our website.

REIMAGINE Symposium

Join transplantation leaders from around the country for a dynamic three-day symposium exploring the future of organ donation and transplantation. 

Date: Oct. 11-13, 2026
Location: Estancia La Jolla Resort and Spa

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Master Class

Join Ryan Broderick, MD, and other leading experts in fluorescence-guided surgery for a one-day immersive educational experience focused on the latest advances in surgical imaging.

Date: Nov. 7, 2026
Location: Center for the Future of Surgery | MET Building

Ciao! Watch Geoffroy Noel, PhD, and his Anatomy in Paris & Bologna Global Seminar students explore museums in Europe. Watch the seminar video

Animals are a surgeon's best friend! This month, we met some of the paw-some pets in our department. See parts one and two