First, we listen - The Department of Surgery - University of Chicago

Community OutreachHealinglocal and globalcommunitiesHealing goes beyond the walls of the hospital and out into the local and global communities. Many of theDepartment of Surgery’s faculty members volunteer their time and surgical expertise to improve the health ofpeople living here and abroad.The University of Chicago Departments of Surgery, Anesthesia & Critical Care, and Perioperative Services puttogether their first-ever benefit concert, “Lend an Ear,” at the University of Chicago International House in January2011. Faculty and staff members from these Departments formed a band called “Turnover Time.” The band membersincluded: Shahab A. Akhter, MD (drums); John C. Alverdy, MD (keyboard); James Anderson (vocals); KevinJohnson (vocals); Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD (guitar); Joan Matthews, MD (bass); Jono Matthews (guitar); SarahPae, MD (vocals); and Nikki Phillips (vocals).Handprints of campers from the fourth annual Discover CampThe proceeds from this benefit supported Medical Aid for Childrenof Latin America (MACLA). David H. Song, MD, MBA, an activevolunteer and member of the Board of Directors for MACLA, anda team of surgeons and anesthesia providers travel annually to theDominican Republic to provide free surgical care to children withcongenital deformities, such as absent or malformed ears, cleft lipsand palates and burn scar contractures. The fundraiser was a hugesuccess. The concert drew over 400 people, raised over $23,000 fromthe door contributions and silent auction items and nearly $25,000in online contributions.The fourth annual Discover Camp for children with Chiari Malformation,Spina Bifida and other Neurosystem congenital anomalies washeld in July 2011. The camp is sponsored by pediatric neurosurgeonDavid M. Frim, MD, PhD, who works with many of these families,as an opportunity to enjoy summertime activities in a safe andsupportive environment.“Turnover Time” headlined a fundraising concert for Medical Aid for Children of Latin America (MACLA)The Section of Urology has once again participated in the Indianapolis500 Mini-Marathon in May 2011 to raise funds to support the UrologyResearch Program. This was their sixth year participating in the eventas the “Urinary Track Team.”A couple of times a year, cardiac surgeon Valluvan Jeevanandam,MD, travels to a charity hospital in Puthaparthi, India for one to twoweeks at a time to provide free cardiac surgery, with an emphasis oncomplex cases. On these trips, he performs upwards of 20 charitycases per week to those who cannot otherwise afford care. WithoutDr. Jeevanandam’s help, most patients often face a life expectancy ofless than one year and have no other treatment options. Additionally,Dr. Jeevanandam trains local surgeons to do these complex cardiacsurgeries so they can better serve their communities.Through the auspices of Health Volunteers Overseas, orthopaedicsurgeon Daniel Mass, MD, and hand fellow Hussein Turki, MD,treated hand patients in Lima, Peru. This was Dr. Mass’ 14 th volunteertrip to Peru. Drs. Mass and Turki performed surgical procedures,including pollicizations, several muscle transfers for brachial plexuspalsies, trauma reconstructions after crush injuries as well as tendontransfers for nerve palsies. Dr. Mass also trained local physiciansinterested in hand surgery. Topics included rheumatoid arthritis,tendon transfers, wrist arthroscopies, distal radius fractures, traumareconstruction and replantation.The Section of Urology raised funds to support the Urology Research Program byrunning as the “Urinary Track Team” in the Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon12 The University of Chicago Department of Surgery2011 Annual Report 13