Dr. V. Suzanne Klimberg is a Professor and the Division Chief of Surgical Oncology and Colorectal Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She is a board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeon with three decades of experience in breast surgical oncology. Dr. Klimberg holds the Courtney M. Townsend, Jr., M.D., Distinguished Chair in General Surgery and is Clinical Director of the UTMB Cancer Center and Medical Director of the Breast Cancer Service Line.

After her PhD candidacy in Biochemistry at the University of Miami Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1977-1980), Dr. Klimberg earned her medical degree with honors in 1984 at the University of Florida (UF) in Orlando, Florida. She remained at UF to complete her general surgery internship (1984-1985) and residency (1985-1988) as well as a clinical oncology fellowship (1988-1989). Dr. Klimberg went on to complete a breast diseases fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1990-1991.

During her fellowship at UAMS, Dr. Klimberg became a faculty member in the Department of Surgery. She remained at UAMS for 27 years where she became a respected leader in breast surgical oncology. During her time at UAMS, Dr. Klimberg held several leadership positions, including Director of the Breast Cancer Program and Division Director of Surgical Oncology. She was also honored with the Muriel Balsam Kohn Chair in Breast Surgical Oncology and with her own named lectureship at the Rockefeller Cancer Institute by her colleagues and friends.

Dr. Klimberg joined UTMB in 2017. That same year she earned her PhD in Clinical and Translational Sciences from the University of Arkansas.

In her career, Dr. Klimberg has pioneered innovative breast cancer treatment methods and holds several patents in surgical treatment methods. She has authored over 260 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 49 book chapters in surgical textbooks as well as served as editor of 13 surgical textbooks. Additionally, Dr. Klimberg is Chair of the Oncoplastic Breast Skills Course at the American College of Cancer, has held over 30 editorial board positions for surgical journals and publications, has won over 75 awards in teaching, research, and clinical care, and is the past president of three major American surgical organizations. She has also been funded by the NIH, American Cancer Society, Merit Review, and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York.

Dr. Klimberg's clinical interests include prevention of lymphedema using Axillary Reverse Mapping (ARM) technique; needleless breast surgery; minimally invasive breast surgery; treatment of breast cancer with radiofrequency ablation; diagnosis of breast cancer with tears; high-risk management; breast pain; and chest wall pain after surgery.

Her numerous list of honors include Top Doctors in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2018, 2019; Super Doctors®, 2019; Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors List; America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly, 2017; One of America's Top 1% Most Honored Professionals, American Registry, 2017; Compassionate Doctor 5-Year Award, Vitals, 2017; America's Top Doctors for Cancer 2017, Castle Connolly; and Exceptional Women in Medicine 2017, Castle Connolly.

Dr. Klimberg is also actively involved in many professional medical organizations and journals. Her responsibilities include Deputy Editor of the Annals of Surgical Oncology; Associate Editor of the Journal of Surgical Oncology; Editorial Board Member for the Annals of Surgery, Surgery, and The Breast Journal; Treasurer of the Southern Surgical Association; Fellow of the American College of Nutrition; and Member of the American Surgical Association, the Society of University Surgeons, and the Association for Academic Surgery.

Dr. Cox comes to UTMB after 13 years at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina. Prior to that, he spent 13 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, with multiple wartime deployments. He is well-known for handling the most severe and unusual cases of arterial and venous disease, utilizing minimally invasive and traditional surgical treatment options. His academic focus has been the study and implementation of novel endovascular procedures, initially in a combat setting, and subsequently for high-risk patients with aneurysmal and arterial occlusive disease. Dr. Cox has a strong interest medical education and the development of programs to train highly competent vascular surgeons that can perform the full range of vascular procedures. He enjoys working with the talented and compassionate vascular surgical team at UTMB, and coordinating professionals with many areas of expertise to deliver optimal treatment for patients with vascular conditions.

Interests: Complex aneurysmal disease including thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, branched aortic endografting and re-do aortic procedures. Salvage of vascular surgery complications such as infected bypass grafts, endoleaks, and endovascular device failure. High-risk carotid surgery. Vascular Trauma. Mesenteric arterial disease. Thoracic outlet syndrome. Creation of dialysis access in patients with multiple failed fistulas. Central venous occlusions. Congenital vascular anomalies, and unusual vascular conditions in young patients. Vascular resection and reconstruction during cancer operations. Limb salvage options for critical limb ischemia in high-risk patients. Exposure of the lumbar spine for neurosurgical and orthopedic procedures. Device trials for novel endovascular and surgical therapies.

Dr. Pamela Daher received her MD from the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, New York. She subsequently completed her general surgery residency at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas Austin, and her colon and rectal surgery residency at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Dallas, TX before joining the faculty of UTMB.

Her clinical interests are cancer (colon, rectal, anal), surgical management of diverticular disease and its complications, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis), benign anorectal disease (hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, pilonidal disease), rectal prolapse, surgical treatment of functional and mechanical bowel motility and continence disorders.

Dr. Christine Shokrzadeh received her MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and completed her residency in Vasculary Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Clinically her interests relate to aortic disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, venous disease, hemodialysis access creation and management, endovascular and minimally invasive vascular surgery.

Jill Resendez, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC is a board- certified Nurse Practitioner with the Division of Plastic Surgery at UTMB. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. She provides patient care at the UTMB Health Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Town Center, Plastic Surgery Specialty clinic in League City, MD Anderson League City and University Health Clinics in Galveston. Jill specializes in non-surgical aesthetic procedures such as Botox, Dermal fillers, lasers, nipple areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors, treatment of complex wounds, new plastic surgery consultations and assist in the management of post operative patients.

Dr. Ruth L. Bush is a professor of vascular surgery and the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs at the John Sealy School of Medicine-UTMB. She is board certified in both general and vascular surgery. She has over two decades of experience in vascular surgery and undergraduate (UME) and graduate medical education (GME). Prior to joining the faculty at UTMB, she was the founding Associate Dean for Medical Education and Professor at the University of Houston College of Medicine. She has also held leadership roles at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M College of Medicine where she was the former Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, holding tenured professor rank at both institutions.

A native North Carolinian, Dr. Bush graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, medical degree from University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, juris doctorate from William Taft Law School, and masters in public health from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Dr. Bush completed residency at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA where she also spent an additional two years doing vascular surgery research. Following completion of general surgery residency, she completed a vascular surgery fellowship at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. She practiced in the VA healthcare system for 18 years and recently retired from federal service. She also has practiced in private and academic settings. Over the past decade, her clinical practice has focused primarily on venous disorders including chronic venous insufficiency, venous ulcerations, and post-thrombotic syndrome.

She is a member of several prestigious professional organizations and was elected in 2018 to the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Additionally, the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum have awarded her Distinguished Fellow status. Dr. Bush is past president of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (formerly known as the PVSS) and is president-elect (2023) of the American Venous Forum. She is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery – Venous and Lymphatic Disorders.

She has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, >35 book chapters, and is on the editorial board of several medical journals. Dr. Bush has been an invited speaker and led workshops/courses at more than 200 national and international programs. She also is involved with her community as a volunteer at Dress for Success Houston, as a member of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red which promotes cardiovascular health in women, and as a global volunteer to Haiti providing much needed primary care and general surgical procedures. She is passionate about medical education at all levels, patient care and barriers to care, and studying and improving health disparities in venous care.

Dr. Carmen Mora serves as an Assistant Professor specializing in Pediatric Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. She brings a comprehensive academic background to her medical career. Dr. Mora earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Texas A&M in College Station before pursuing her medical degree at Texas A&M Health Science Center-COM.

After graduating from medical school at Texas A&M Health Science Center-COM, she completed her general surgery residency at UMass-Baystate. Her commitment to advancing pediatric care led her to pursue specialized training through fellowships in Pediatric Surgical Critical Care at the University of Tennessee- Le Bonheur Children’s, Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Pediatric Surgery at UCSF-Benioff Children’s in California.

Raised in Houston, Texas, Dr. Mora’s cultural versatility extends to her fluency in Spanish, enhancing her ability to connect with an underserved patient population. In her role as Assistant Professor, Dr. Mora combines her extensive training, multicultural proficiency, and compassionate approach to provide top-tier care and make a lasting impact on the lives of young patients. Her true passion lies in advocating for the most vulnerable children, embodying her unwavering belief in delivering equitable healthcare to every child, with a special focus on those who are underrepresented in our society.

Throughout her career, Dr. Phillips has received a number of accolades. She has been included in the Best Doctors in America database, was listed in the Guide to America's Top Surgeons, was named a Texas "Top Doc" and has been listed in Super Doctors®. She was honored with the "Young at Heart" award from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for her membership, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Plastic Surgery Foundation.

Linda G. Phillips, M.D., is the Truman G. Blocker, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Chair; Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She went to Medical School at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Phillips also did her Residency at University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (Plastic Surgery); and Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (General Surgery). Dr. Phillips specializes in the healing of difficult wounds; body contouring after massive weight loss; reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery; cosmetic facial and body contouring of all types. Dr. Phillips has Research Projects in Biology of surgical infection; use of pharmaceuticals to decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting; complications/outcomes in body contouring after massive weight loss.

Dr. Phillips is a member of 25 professional organizations, including the American Surgical Association, the Plastic Surgery Research Council, the American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, the Society of University Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association for Hand Surgery, the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons and the Singleton Surgical Society. She is a fellow of both the American Association of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. She has served as President or Chair of the Association of Women Surgeons, the Plastic Surgery Research Council, the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Plastic Surgery Foundation, the American Council of Academic Surgeons, and the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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Dr. Michael Silva was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, earned his BA from The University of Texas, Austin, Texas and his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he completed his Residency in General Surgery. He also completed fellowships at Columbus Hospital, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois and UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.

Dr. Silva is currently The Fred J. and Dorothy E. Wolma Professor in Vascular Surgery, Professor of Radiology, Chief in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, and Director of the Texas Vascular Center. He is an active member of various committees, which include The International Society for Vascular Surgery, The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery/Society for Vascular Surgery, American Board of Vascular Surgery and the Society of Vascular Surgery. He is the principal investigator on numerous funded grants. Dr. Silva's interests include the innovations in vascular and endovascular training, carotid angioplasty and stenting, endovascular intervention for aneurysmal disease, occlusive disease, traumatic injury and pediatric indications.

Dr. Silva received awards and honors which include UTMB Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014, Houston's Best Doctors in 2013, and Best Doctors in America from 2008-2013. He is an editorial board member for Vascular, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and Perspectives in Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. His research has been published in various journals such as Journal of Vascular Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and has authored chapters in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Sabiston's Textbook of Surgery.

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