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Department of Surgery Department of Surgery

Current Fellows

  • Brandon Harris, M.D.

    Brandon Harris, M.D.

    Acute Care Surgery Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: SUNY Plattsburgh
    Medical School:
    American University of Antigua, College of Medicine
    Residency:
    Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
    Clinical interests: Socioeconomic disparities in trauma patients
    Why UC San Diego? It is an academic center of excellence, with an emphasis on exceptional leadership training in addition to outstanding Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) outcomes.
    What do you like about San Diego? Excellent weather, beautiful beaches and fantastic cuisines.

  • Jessica Masch, M.D., M.A.

    Jessica Masch, M.D., M.A.

    Acute Care Surgery Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University Chicago
    Medical School: University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
    Residency: University of Louisville
    Clinical interests: Trauma and medical education
    Why UC San Diego? I chose UC San Diego because I wanted a very different trauma experience than my residency program. Our system is unique here — apart from having a model trauma system with five distinct catchment areas to a trauma bay completely separate from the emergency department and run by SICU nurses, the geographic location offers unique traumatic pathologies and patient populations, including patients injured crossing the border and aquatic trauma. I also sought a fellowship with solid research and mentorship opportunities.
    What do you like about San Diego? San Diego is amazing. The weather is beautiful, it's sunny, there's an amazing food and brewery scene and you can go to the beach when you're post-call. I would choose to live here again in a heartbeat.

  • Dayle Colpitts, D.O.

    Dayle Colpitts, D.O.

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Virginia Tech
    Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Residency: Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
    Clinical interests: Education and clinical outcomes research.
    Why UC San Diego? High clinical acuity with excellent scope and volume for training, along with the emphasis on early involvement in research and trauma systems leadership development. I also really enjoy the integral role the fellowship plays in resident and medical student education.
    What do you like about San Diego? The people and sense of community — both at work and outside of work, it is a privilege to be a part of.

  • Lara Spence, M.D.

    Lara Spence, M.D.

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Long Beach
    Medical School: UC Davis
    Residency: Harbor-UCLA
    Clinical interests: Advancement of trauma surgical critical care, especially in austere environments. 
    Why UC San Diego? I wanted to work at a place that makes differences and is a top-notch health care system. Furthermore, I wanted a trauma program that was AAST to further my career and knowledge.
    What do you like about San Diego? I have lived here for several years and I love the culture, the weather, the food and the activities. It has all the big city perks with many areas that feel more rural.

  • Michelle Lippincott, M.D.

    Michelle Lippincott, M.D.

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
    Medical School: University of South Florida
    Residency: University of South Florida
    Clinical interests: Surgical critical care, emergency general surgery, robotic surgery and clinical outcomes research
    Why UC San Diego? I loved the sense of collegiality amongst the faculty and staff and the institutional culture of excellence in academic medicine.
    What do you like about San Diego? The perfect weather and the food.

  • Simone Hyman, M.D.

    Simone Hyman, M.D.

    Surgical Critical Care Fellow

    Undergraduate Institution: Wesleyan University
    Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine
    Residency: UC San Diego
    Clinical interests: Pediatric surgery, trauma, global health and healthcare inequities
    Why UC San Diego? Incredible colleagues and mentors, diverse patient population and the sense of close-knit community within a large hospital/ healthcare system.
    What do you like about San Diego? Gorgeous beaches with great surfing, amazing food and the fact that friends and family always want to come visit because everyone loves San Diego.