Dr. Chu Named President-Elect of the Society of Surgeons
Dr. Danny Chu was recently named President-Elect of the Society of University Surgeons. The Society of University Surgeons was founded in 1938 by Dr. Samuel J. Stabins. Its mission is to promote excellence and leadership in academic surgery, and values scholarship, professional development, and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the field of surgery. Dr. Chu joins a list of highly esteemed academic surgeons whose goal it is to perpetuate the mission and values of the Society of University Surgeons. He currently serves as the Director of UPMC's Ozaki Center of Excellence and is the Director of Cardiac Surgery at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health System. The Department looks forward to the many talents and skills Dr. Chu will bring to his newly elected position.
Dr. Yoon Recognized as TSDA's Socrates Award Recipient
Dr. Pyongsoo Yoon, Clinical Director of Cardiac Surgery and Executive Vice Chair for Education, was named the latest recipient of the Socrates Award from the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA). Socrates Award honorees are those who have been in clinical practice for over 10 years and are seen as outstanding mentors to thoracic surgery residents. Throughout his career Dr. Yoon has remained highly dedicated to the education of our Department's trainees, demonstrating no physician is better deserving of such an accolade.
Dr. Alicuben Recognized as a UPMC Dignity and Respect Champion
Each year UPMC honors its Dignity and Respect Champions, employees who promote excellence in the workplace by fostering an inclusive environment and making everyone feel valued and appreciated in the workplace. These individuals demonstrate behavior that goes above and beyond to exemplify the values of dignity and respect in their daily work. Dr. Evan Alicuben was recognized as a 2024 Dignity and Respect Champion, where a breakfast was held to celebrate the honorees this past January. Nominated by one of his peers, Dr. Alicuben was described as an advocate:
"Evan Alicuben is a gem among surgeons. He is personable and compassionate and every patient he takes care of is better for it. He treats all patients and their family members with dignity and respect. He really takes time to explain things and answer any and all questions they may have, often having those conversations more than once. In our department, he is a champion of equity and inclusion of the Advanced Practice Provider team. He has single-handedly worked to get the entire team extra training and increased privileges. He takes the time to ensure that the team is knowledgeable and confident in their daily practice. He makes all of us around him better and has earned our dignity and respect by showing those values to us."
The Department congratulates Dr. Alicuben on this achievement and is grateful to have him as a positive presence promoting UPMC’s core values.
Cardiac Experts Revolutionizing Care
Members of the Department's cardiac surgery faculty, Dr. Johannes Bonatti, Dr. David Kaczorowski, and Dr. Ibrahim Sultan, were recently featured in UPMC commercials that aired during the Super Bowl. Highlighting the premier and cutting edge technology used to treat our cardiac patients, the videos below brought national attention to our experts in the specialty and the top tier quality of care they provide.