2026 Annual Meeting

7:00 AM/ Registration and Breakfast

8:00 AM/ Welcome Announcements
John Mullinax, MD, FACS, Moffitt
Danielle Henry, MD, FACS, Orlando Health

8:15 AM/ Controversies in General Surgery - The Cutting Edge Debate
Moderator: Christine Laronga, MD, FACS, Moffitt

Appendectomy vs Antibiotics: Is the Knife Still King?
Ayesha Thomas, MD, FACS, UF Health Jacksonville
TBD
Pro - Opening Statement
Con - Opening Statement
Rebuttals 
Audience Poll/Q&A

Access, Equity, and Outcomes in Obesity: Scalpel or Syringe?
Melissa Bagloo, MD
Joseph Sujka, MD, USF
Pro - Opening Statement
Con - Opening Statement
Rebuttals 
Audience Poll/Q&A

9:15 AM/ “Got Nerve?" All the Feels, From Relief to Restoration in Surgery

Nerve Grafts for Neurotization, RPNI
Kenneth Lee, MD, FACS, Orlando Health

Cryoablation of Intercostal Nerves (Rib Fractures/Thoracic Surgery)
Tracy Zito, MD, FACS, Orlando Health

Regional Nerve Blocks/Multimodal Pain Control
Luke Elms, MD, Orlando Health 
Q&A

10:00 AM/ Break with Exhibitors

10:30 AM/ Rethinking Surgery: AI, Magnets, and Machines

Artificial Intelligence in Surgery 
Betzaira Childers, MD, Moffitt

Magnetic Anastomosis in Colorectal Surgery
Antonio Caycedo, MD, Orlando Health

Robotics
Jay Redan, MD, FACS, Celebration Health

Q&A

11:30 PM/ ACS Update - Michael Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS
Michael Sutherland, MD, FACS, Senior Vice President of the Division of Member Services, ACS

12:00 PM/ Lunch with Exhibitors

1:00 PM/ Beyond the Scalpel: Leadership and Advocacy
Moderator - Michael Patete, MD

Report from Leadership & Advocacy
L&A Travel Award Winners:
Gabriela Castro Gierach, MD & Edmond Box III, MD, FACS
Florida Advocacy and Surgeon's Voice Tutorial
Michael Patete, MD

1:30 PM/ ACS Foundation
Michael Sutherland, MD, FACS, Senior Vice President of the Division of Member Services, ACS

1:45 PM/ Distinguished Edward M. Copeland, MD Resident Paper Competition
Moderator: Jose Pimiento, MD, FACS, Moffitt

Basic Science
Moderators:
John Mullinax, MD, FACS, Moffitt
José Pimiento, MD, FACS, Moffit

1:45 PM
Pediatric Burn Injury Is Associated with Monocyte HLA-DR Downregulation and Late-Phase Functional Hyporesponsiveness
Whitman Bertram Wiggins, MD, University of Florida
1:55 PM
Age- and Sex-Associated Dimorphism in Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: Lymphocyte Interactions after Sepsis
Christine Rodhouse, MD, University of Florida College of Medicine
2:05 PM
Aging reprograms specific immune cell population signaling strength following intra-abdominal polymicrobial sepsis
Miguel Angel Hernandez-Rios, MD, University of Florida

Clinical Science
Moderators:
Rupa Seetharamiah, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Baptist Health
José Pimiento, MD, FACS, Moffitt

2:20 PM
Surgical Management of Shunt-Induced Craniocerebral Disproportion with Chiari Malformation Utilizing a Staged Approach: Posterior Vault Distraction followed by Cranial Vault Remodeling: A Case Report
Maria Jose Polania, MD, AventHealth Orlando
2:30 PM
Outcomes of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Cases Requiring Conversion to Open: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis
Hamza Chaudhary, MD, HCA Lawnwood
2:40 PM
Safety and Symptom Control After Concomitant Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication
Shayan Hosseinzadeh, MD, University of Miami at Holy Cross Hospital

Commission on Cancer
Moderator: Jose Pimiento, MD, FACS, Moffitt
2:55 PM
Triple-Dye Lymphatic Mapping with Microscope-Assisted LYMPHA Technique for Lymphedema Prevention Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Charles Wrightsman Armistead, MD, Broward Health
3:05 PM
Robotic Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Experience and Outcomes from a High-Volume Cancer Center with Propensity Matched Comparative Assessment to the ACS-NSQIP Database
Victor Pasko Gazivoda, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center
3:15 PM
Surgeons Versus Large Language Models in Axillary Management in Breast Cancer: A Comparison of Guideline Adherence
Gabriela Castro Gierach, MD, Orlando Health

3:25 PM: Break with Exhibitors

3:45 PM; Spectacularly Challenging Cases and Surgical Surprises
Moderator: Emmanuel Gabriel, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic

3:45 PM
Posterior Rectal Rupture With Transanal Small Bowel Evisceration in Recurrent Rectal Prolapse
Shirley Ziton, MD, Broward Health Medical Center
3:55 PM
Mesenteric Hematoma after Blunt Abdominal Trauma Causing Delayed Small Bowel Obstruction in an Adult Male
Andrea Mishell Cevallos, MD, University of Florida, Jacksonville
4:05 PM
Endovascular “Caging” of Coils to Treat Saccular Aneurysmal Hepatosplenic Trunk Leads to Successful Listing and Subsequent Liver Transplant
Anthony Quagliano, MD, Mayo Clinic

4:15 PM/ Poster Quick-shot Presentations 
(3 Concurrent Sessions A-C)

A-1: Successful Implementation of a Multi-Center Pediatric Injury Prevention and Safety Initiative
Shelley Marie Warner, MD, Broward Health

A-2: CHA2DS2-VASc Score Predicts Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) Content in Acute Ischemic Stroke Thrombi Recovered from Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT)
Hunter J Hutchinson, BS, University of Florida

A-3: Survival and Recurrence of Breast Cancer in Patients Undergoing Intraoperative Radiation Therapy: Real-World Data from a Single Institution
Hadas Kadar Sfarad, MD, University of Miami

A-4: Recognizing Felty Syndrome: When Splenectomy Becomes Therapeutic
Denise Vera Nemeth, DO, HCA Florida Orange Park

A-5: Backbones and Bowels: A Not So Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood
Nathaniel Brian Wolff, MD, Adventhealth Tampa

A-6: Small Incisions, Big Decisions: VATS Use in Geriatric Trauma Patients
Andrew Manhan, DO, MPH, UF Health Jacksonville

A-7: From Appendix to Abdominal Wall: A Unique Case of Retroperitoneal and Abdominal Wall Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Harielle Deshommes, MD, University of Florida - Jacksonville

A-8: Robotic Repair of an Incarcerated Para Hiatal Hernia
Natalie Rose LaGattuta, DO, MPH, UF Health Jacksonville

A-9: Descending thoracic aorta floating thrombus with embolization to the mesenteric and renal arteries
Sotero E Peralta, MD, Orlando Health

A-10: Multidisciplinary Management of the Complex Trauma Patient
Emily McCoy, DO, Lakeland Regional Health

A-11: High Abdominal Aortic Calcium Score Associated with Renal Function Decline Following
Adeeb Jlilati, MD, Mayo Clinic

A-12: Symptom Status Predicts Trajectory in Primary SMA Dissection: A 237-Patient Comparative Cohort
Adeeb Jlilati, MD, Mayo Clinic

A-13: Impact of Kidney Allocation Policies on Outcomes for Black Patients: A Single-Center Study
Carina McClean, BS, University of Florida

A-14: Genetic variations in patients with GERD – more than PPIs and fundoplications
Keouna Pather, MD, University of Florida COM Jacksonville

A-15: Explant of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endograft in a Young Patient with Suspected Connective Tissue Disorder: A Case Report and Literature Review
Camila Esquetini-Vernon, MD, Mayo Clinic

B-1: Implementation and Early Outcomes of a Virtual Multidisciplinary Clinic Model
Mahsa Shariat, MD, University of Miami Holy Cross Hospital

B-2: Penetrating Intracranial Injury from an Airbag-Propelled Key: A Case Report
Eddy Patricio Lincango, MD MSc, UCF / HCA Florida Osceola

B-3: Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Models to Improve Pediatric Head and Neck Tumor R0 Resections: A Case Series
Maria Jose Polania, MD, AdventHealth Orlando

B-4: Giant Primary Liposarcoma of the Chest Wall: A Case Study
Shannon Hall, MD, AdventHealth Orlando

B-5: Total Thyroidectomy versus Lobectomy for Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Meta-analysis
Eddy Patricio Lincango, MD MSc, UCF / HCA Florida Osceola

B-6: Goblet Cell Carcinoma of the Appendix: Two cases highlighting Prognostic and treatment implications
Crystal Guillen, Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

B-7: Association of number of positive sentinel lymph nodes to total sentinel lymph nodes in node positive breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Gabriela Castro Gierach, MD, Orlando Health

B-8: Associations between Clinical Productivity Incentives and Perceptions of Resident and Fellow Educational Value
Philip Hong, MD, University of Florida

B-9: First Reported Case Series of Single-Port Subxiphoid Robotic Excision of Ectopic Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenomas
Shayan Hosseinzadeh, MD, University of Miami at Holy Cross

B-10:Favorable Long Term Safety of Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
Alexis Hernandez-Flores, BS, Moffitt Cancer Center

B-11: Characterization of axillary lymph node associated vessels and presence of metastases in breast cancer
Anthony Quagliano, MD, Mayo Clinic Florida

B-12: Functional Mammary Tissue Regeneration in the Spiny Mouse (Acomys)
Rachel Cortese, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine- Jacksonville

B-13: Clinical Outcomes of Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Among Octogenarians at a High-Volume Institution
Crista E Horton, MD, Florida Atlantic University

B-14: Accelerating research while reducing bias and increasing factuality with Generative AI
Andreas Erben, MS, Mayo Clinic Florida

C-1: Successful Management of a large Morel-Lavallée lesion of the torso—A case report
Manijeh Assar, DO, University of Florida Jacksonville

C-2: Recognizing Felty Syndrome: When Splenectomy Becomes Therapeutic
Denise Vera Nemeth, DO, HCA Florida Orange Park

C-3: “Hole in One": Broad Ligament Hernia as a Unique Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction – A Case Report
Aditya Shah, MD, Lakeland Regional Health

C-4: Giant Phyllodes Tumor in Pregnancy Necessitating Preterm Delivery and Mastectomy: A Case Report
Matthew Basil Greer, MD, Orlando Health

C-5: Posttraumatic Craniofacial Mucormycosis Caused by Apophysomyces trapeziformis: Molecular Identification and Complex Microvascular Reconstruction
Matthew Basil Greer, MD, Orlando Health

C-6: Impact of Peer-Led Mentorship on Surgical Clerkship Experience: Evaluation of a Student Chief Program
Brian Villa, BS, University of South Florida

C-7: Fabrication of Affordable, Abdominal Simulation Models and Their Educational Effectiveness
Kailey R Locke, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

C-8: Hybrid Lower Extremity Revascularization Avoiding Groin Re-Exploration in a Morbidly Obese Woman with Acute Limb Ischemia in the Setting of Previously Failed Fem-Pop PTFE Bypass
Diego F Sanchez, MD, Mayo Clinic

C-9: Feasibility of a more inclusive thromboembolism prophylaxis protocol in adolescent trauma patients
Camille Meschia, MD, UF Health Jacksonville

C-10
Primary Pancreatic Paraganglioma with Elevated Metanephrines: A Surgical Case
Maazen Khan, BS, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

C-11
Gunshot Wounds in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Case Series of Nine Patients at a Level I Trauma Center
Luka Bedalov, BS, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

C-12
A novel approach for gastric varices with portal vein thrombosis embolization and robotic splenectomy: A case report
Jenna Jiwoo Kim, MS, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

C-13
Robotic Multidisciplinary Thoracoabdominal Resection for Recurrent Hepatic Echinococcosis: A Case Report
Jack Reckmeyer, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

C-14
Robotic Transcystic Common Bile Duct Exploration Case Series: An HCA Perspective
Joaquin Alexander Torello, DO, HCA West Florida Bayonet Point

C-15
Clinical Outcomes of Biliary Disease in Postpartum Patients: A Comparative Study of Surgical and Conservative Management in the Acute Care Setting
Connie Gao, BS, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

4:30 PM/ Happy Hour

5:00 PM/ Next-Gen Surgery Innovation Lab: Explore the Tools Shaping the OR
Test out new, state-of-the-art technology and get hands-on experience at multiple, focused lab stations.

6:30 PM/ Conclude

Sunday, April 12

7:00 AM/ Breakfast

7:00 AM/ Rise and Connect: Women in Surgery Networking Breakfast 
Adeline Deladisma, MD, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FCACS Women in Surgery Chair

8:00 AM/ Buzzers, Brains, and Bragging Rights: Resident Jeopardy
Hosts: Emmanuel M. Gabriel, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
Ruchir Puri, MD, University of Florida, Jacksonville
Scorekeeper: Rupa Seetharamiah, MD, Baptist Health 
Judge: Young Erben, MD, Mayo Clinic

9:00 AM/ Poster Quickshot Session
(3 Concurrent Sessions: D-F)

D-1: Impact of Concordant and Discordant Tumor Response on Outcomes After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Synchronous Colorectal Liver Metastases
Apeksha Dave, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center

D-2: Evolving Revascularization for Primary Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection: From Uniform Open Revascularization to Indication-Stratified Therapy
Ekin Inal, MD, Mayo Clinic Florida

D-3: Using Cell-Free DNA Tumor Methylation Score to Monitor Disease Burden in Cholangiocarcinoma
Salar Javanshir, MD, University of Florida

D-4: Creation of a Checklist for the Intraoperative Management of Serious Bleeding During Minimally Invasive Surgery
Rafael Aldaya Bourricaudy, BA, BS, University of Florida College of Medicine

D-5: The Association of Operative Timing and Trauma Center Designation with Mortality in Severe Blunt Cardiac Injury
Cristina Botero Fonnegra, Resident Physician, St Joseph's BayCare Health System

D-6: Clinical Outcomes of Operative vs Conservative Management for Biliary Disease in Pregnancy in the Acute Care Setting
Isabel Adamus, BA, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

D-7: Strangulated Littre Hernia: A Case of Perforated Meckel Diverticulum in a Femoral Hernia
Cherith Lugo, MS-3, University of South Florida

D-8: Distal Extremity Contouring
Omar Beidas, MD FACS, AdventHealth

E-1: Recurrent Perianal Pain Following Lateral Internal Anal Sphincterotomy: A Interesting Case of Postoperative Perianal Cellulitis Without Abscess Formation
Caitlin Mehta, MD, Baycare

E-2: Sequential Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap Failures Due to Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in an Obese Patient with Lower Extremity Trauma
Charles Wrightsman Armistead, MD, MS, Broward Health

E-3: Breast Reconstruction and Associative Factors in Women undergoing Mastectomy at a Single Safety Net Hospital
Rachel Cortese, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine- Jacksonville

E-4: Post-esophagectomy hiatal hernias are associated with a higher morbidity compared to paraesophageal hernias
Keouna Pather, MD, University of Florida COM Jacksonville

E-5: Perianal Eccrine Porocarcinoma: Surgical Management of a Rare Anal Skin Lesion
Francia Fang, MD, University of South Florida

E-6: Multidisciplinary Resection of a 15.9 Kilogram Retroperitoneal Sarcoma with Preoperative Renal Artery Embolization.
Camilo A Polania, MD, Mayo Clinic

E-7: Application and Short-Term Safety of the Ross Procedure in Older Adults in the United States
Mahsa Shariat, MD, University of Miami at Holy Cross Hospital

F-1: Outcomes of Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion with Melphalan for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma (mUM) to the Liver: Post FDA Approval Real World Data
Parker Olive, BS, Moffitt Cancer Cancer

F-2: Use of Nirogacesat, the First FDA-Approved Systemic Therapy for Progressing Desmoid Tumors: A Case Report
Abdullah Saqib, BS, UCF College of Medicine

F-3: Triple-Vector Distraction Osteogenesis for Multi-Suture Sagittal Craniosynostosis in a Child with Goldenhar Syndrome
Kian Darius Tartibi, MBA, AdventHealth for Children

F-4: Impact of a Provider Educational Outreach Program on Pediatric Craniofacial Referral Pattern: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Kian Darius Tartibi, MBA, AdventHealth for Children

F-5: Splenic Ectopic Pregnancy, A Case Report
Fernando Baquerizo, MD, HCA Florida Bayonet Point

F-6: Robotic Assisted Duodenojejunostomy of Adult Annular Pancreas
Anthony Sciuva, DO, MHA, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital

F-7: Can Artificial Intelligence Simulate Patient Preferences? A Comparative Analysis of Synthetic and Empirical Surgical Survey Data
John A. Toms, MD, MS, Orlando Health

F-8: A Case of Streptococcus agalactiae-Induced Infective Endocarditis Leading to Septic Embolization and Incidental Discovery of Left Superior Vena Cava: A Rare Clinical Convergence
Morgan Elizabeth McDonough, MD, University of Central Florida/HCA Florida West

F-9: Validity of ABC/2 for calculating non-operative acute subdural hematoma volume
Brandon Peter Lucke-Wold, MD, PhD, MCTS, University of Florida
Hunter Hutchinson, MD/PhD Student, University of Florida

9:30 AM/ TBD

10:00 AM/ Program Directors Unplugged: Training Surgeons in Today's Environment
Moderator: Danielle Henry, MD, FACS

Memorial Health
Holly Neville, MD 

HCA
Joseph Gallagher, MD 

 Orlando Health
William Havron, MD 

 University of Florida, Jacksonville
Ruchir Puri, MD

Florida Atlantic University
Lawrence Lottenberg, MD

11:00 AM/ Navigating the Next Chapter: From Residency to Practice

Contracting
Kyle Klaussen, CEO and Lead Attorney, Resolve

Family Planning
TBD

12:00 PM/ Chapter Business Meeting
Members Only

12:15 PM/ Adjourn