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Bryan Clary

@clary_bryan

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Chair, UCSD Department of Surgery

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Trick or treat! Watch us practice surgery on a Starburst at the Center for the Future of Surgery.

At UC San Diego Center for the Future of Surgery (CFS), our surgeons and scientists are advancing surgical techniques by investigating, developing, testing and teaching procedures. Under the leadership of the CFS director and department chair, CFS strives to improve and expand surgical options using emerging technology and to disseminate knowledge to future and practicing clinicians.

#UCSDSurgery #MedEd

Text: Surgical Precision Training (Trick or Treat Edition) Video Description: Surgeon operating surgical robot to take the wrapping off of a Starburst candy

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“I knew I wanted to work with athletes since my first year in college. I graduated with a degree in kinesiology and initially became a personal trainer. But after being treated by a chiropractor in my gym, I realized I wanted to help people become healthy using chiropractic care.

When I applied to chiropractic school, the program was hesitant to accept me because I did poorly in my undergraduate anatomy class. But I convinced the school I could handle the rigorous anatomy courses they offered and ended up excelling in them. Later, I started working as a chiropractor and took on chiropractic students, who helped me realize I also love teaching anatomy.

In my experience, an instructor’s passion for the subject directly reflects the investment of the students. So, I put as much energy into my lessons as I can to help students love what they are learning. If I can make learning anatomy fun, my students will be more likely to remember the information and become better providers.”

Forrest Granzotto is a health sciences educator and chiropractor. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family — being in nature, riding bikes, or walking around the zoo or SeaWorld.

Read more Humans of Surgery using the link in bio.

#UCSDSurgery #HumansofSurgery Forrest Granzotto with family on beach

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Happy Postdoctober! Meet Mia MacDonald, MD, a Surgical Oncologists As Scientists (SOAS) research fellow in the UC San Diego Department of Surgery and a general surgery resident at the University of North Carolina. She researches therapies for mucus-producing cancer in the appendix in the lab of Andrew Lowy, MD.

"What I enjoy most about cancer research is its complexity and the collaboration required to advance the field. It has been especially rewarding to gain a deeper appreciation for the creativity, critical thinking and collective expertise behind the scientific discoveries that ultimately shape how clinicians care for patients."

Stay tuned for more Postdoctober features!

#UCSDSurgery #Postdoctober #SurgicalScience Woman with glasses in a lab holding a package posed next to stack of styrofoam boxes

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“I worked as a family medicine physician for nearly 20 years, until complications from a minor back surgery in 2021 resulted in the paralysis of both of my legs and my medical retirement. Most people with the same injury use a wheelchair for life. But in a few years, I regained about 95% of leg function and considered returning to medicine.

I started as a volunteer physician at the UC San Diego student-run free clinic in Normal Heights, where I worked closely with medical students. I enjoyed the teaching element, so I decided to try instructing the Practice of Medicine and the Compassionate Action Real Engagement courses. Over time, I continued looking for more teaching opportunities, eventually becoming involved in the Division of Anatomy Human Anatomy course.

Now, I continue to do all these roles while also seeing my own patients. I stress to my medical students that they cannot bank their future happiness on a distant goal. They must appreciate the present, whether that be everyday life as a medical student, resident, fellow or in their own practice. Enjoy the moment.”

Gerard Blake, MD, DPM, is a clinical instructor in the Division of Anatomy and a family medicine physician with degrees in both medicine and podiatric medicine. Outside of work, he enjoys walking on trails and spending time with his wife and son.

Read more Humans of Surgery using the link in bio

#UCSDSurgery #HumansofSurgery #WorldAnatomyDay Selfie of three people in front of old building with vines

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That’s a wrap on REIMAGINE 2026! For three days, we explored new technologies in transplantation, compassionate communication and humanity in organ donation. Keynote speaker Alison Conklin, editor-in-chief of Bonus Days Magazine, gave a moving talk about holding grief and gratitude together.

Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for an amazing symposium 🙌

#UCSDSurgery #REIMAGINE2026

Video description: Clips of the REIMAGINE 2026 agenda, people speaking on stage and with each other, and other symposium components.

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On the final day of PA Week, meet Robert Mallory, a PA in the Division of Surgical Oncology 🩺

"I love being a PA because I enjoy the continuous evolution of my clinical knowledge and working at UC San Diego in a subspecialty where I feel like I have become somewhat of an expert in my field; I think patients recognize and appreciate this, as we can sometimes be more accessible to them. They know they have the expert attention of my supervising physicians, but they also have me there as well. For those considering becoming a PA, shadowing is the best way to see the day-to-day life of a PA and see if it's right for you." — Bob Mallory, PA, MSPH

#UCSDSurgery #PAWeek Robert Mallory

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Happy PA Week! Next, meet Stephanie DeFlavio, a PA in our Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 🫀

“As a PA, I find my role in the healthcare community incredibly valuable and deeply rewarding. I have the privilege of meeting patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and helping them navigate their care and ultimately live better lives. The impact we can make in a single day is immense, and I love that being a PA gives me the flexibility to carry my expertise across specialties and continue growing throughout my career. If I had the choice to do it all over again, I would choose this profession 100% of the time.” — Stephanie DeFlavio, PA

Stay tuned for more PA Week features!

#UCSDSurgery #PAWeek Stephanie DeFlavio wearing scrubs in front of Dr. Stuart Jamieson Cardiovascular Surgical Suite sign

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“At the end of the day, what brings me to work is simple: the chance to help someone who desperately needs it. That combination of purpose, challenge and impact is what makes vascular surgery extraordinary, and it continues to motivate me every single day.” — Mahmoud Malas, MD, MHS

Malas had a long path to becoming chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. In our Surgical Spotlight, read about how he chose his surgical specialty, his path to UC San Diego and his accomplishments as division chief.

Read the full story using the link in bio

#UCSDSurgery #VascularSurgery #MedEd Mahmoud Malas with three trainees at a conference indoors

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Happy PA Week! This week, we are highlighting our phenomenal PAs in the Department of Surgery.

To kick us off, meet Catherine Ridgway, a PA in our Division of Acute Care Surgery 🏥

"I have been a PA for almost 27 years and have never regretted that decision. In the UC San Diego burn unit specifically, I am fortunate to be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that cares deeply about our patients who have suffered devastating burn injuries. My involvement allows me to support them throughout their difficult journey — from admission, through surgeries and recovery, to outpatient care, and eventually, laser management of their scars. I can’t think of a career more rewarding than that." — Catherine Ridgway, PA

Stay tuned for more PA week features!

#UCSDSurgery #PAWeek #PAWeek2026 Catherine Ridgway wearing scrubs and a jacket in front of signs with the text: "Burn Center Floor 5 Inpatient Tower. Burn clinic patient check-in (with arrow right), Burn special Care Rooms 513-517 (arrow up) and Progressive Care Unit rooms 521-535 (arrow left)

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Our September newsletter is here 🍁 This month, read about Rady Children's Hospital San Diego being recognized among the nation's top hospitals by U.S. News and World Report, the department's role in PA education and new cancer research. Plus, Mahmoud Malas, MD, MHS, tells us about his path to becoming the chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery!

Read using the link in bio

#UCSDSurgery #SciComm #MedEd UC San Diego Department of Surgery News September 2026 with group of people in white coats

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