Humans of Surgery

Mahmoud Malas, MD, MHS

Division Chief — Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

"I love the urgency of surgery. I love the creativity required to solve complex problems. I love the deep relationship formed with the patients and their families. Seeing a successful operation completely transform a patient feels almost like a miracle — one created through skills, precision and compassion.

My philosophy is that I make decisions as if the patient were my own family. Would I offer this operation to my mother, father, sister or brother? Does the benefit genuinely outweigh the risk? This mindset has kept me honest, humbled and patient-centered, especially when the choices are complex or the outcome is uncertain.

Being a surgeon or health care worker is not just a career. It is a privilege. People trust us with their life, their fears and their families. Honor that trust with integrity, professionalism and empathy. This sense of purpose has stayed with me throughout my career. I often feel like I didn’t choose surgery — surgery chose me. And every day, I'm grateful that it did.” 

Mahmoud Malas is the chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, friends and community — slowing down and enjoying the moments that ground him.

Benjamin Keller, MD

Pediatric Surgeon — Division of Pediatric Surgery

“Many people say they could never do pediatric trauma because it is too difficult to see kids with injuries that are not their own fault — they didn’t know better, or it was a complete accident. But I look at it from the flip side. Being there for a child in their most vulnerable time makes the difficulty worth it. It is an honor to be trusted with people’s children and family members, and I feel incredibly lucky to do what I do.

Although the job can be difficult. One of my mentors once advised me to keep all the cards my patients give me in a file in my office. When I have a bad day, I open that file up and read those cards. It’s a reminder, as I walk out of my office and go home, that the things we do make a difference.”

Benjamin Keller is the surgical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), surgical extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) director, vice chair of the Division of Pediatric Surgery, vice chair of the Department of Surgery at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Laura Haines, MD

Division Chief — Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery

“I was always interested in medicine. I thought I was going to be a veterinarian like my grandfather. In high school, I decided to get my certified nursing assistant license. Nothing in my life had ever felt so natural — I enjoyed learning, had fun, and was inspired by the environment. Later, when I went to medical school, I was enamored with the surgeons who taught us in anatomy class. That was when I knew surgery was the place for me. 

I enjoy trauma and acute care surgery because it allows me to harness and control chaos. I do much better with the unplanned. I find it incredibly rewarding to be the person who takes care of patients when something unexpected happens. I also like the teamwork involved in our cases — we work together to save a life in real time. We call on each other and are on backup for each other. That team dynamic is what drew me to this field.”

Laura Haines is the chief of the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, the UC San Diego Health Trauma Medical Director and the medical director of the surgical intensive care unit. When she isn’t in the operating room, she enjoys exercising, cooking, and spending time with her family and dog, Diesal.

Aleah Brubaker, MD, PhD

Transplant Surgeon — Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery

“I was interested in STEM fields from a young age. I used to visit patients in the hospital with my mom, a urogynecologist, and later volunteered in the emergency room to learn more about medicine. I learned that I really enjoyed the personal connections physicians made with their patients, and that’s what ultimately pushed me to the medical side of science — the human connection."

When I was finishing college, I was trying to sort out how I could connect research with the human side of medicine. I took a year off to work in a lab and met some M.D./Ph.D.-trained physician-scientists who were using their degrees in various ways. Those experiences encouraged me to pursue a dual degree, and so I completed a Ph.D. during the middle of medical school.

A major motivation for me is uniting basic and translational research with clinical outcomes. For me, our patients are the ultimate motivating force to keep improving, driving forward scientific discovery.”

Aleah Brubaker is an assistant professor in the Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery and leads the Transplant Revitalization Laboratory at UC San Diego. When she isn’t at work, you can find her with her husband and daughter — going to the beach, the pool and on hikes.

John Nigro, MD

Congenital Surgeon — Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

“My father was a surgeon, so I’ve always been interested in surgery and hands-on care. I matched for residency at the University of Southern California (USC) and Los Angeles County Medical Center and Los Angeles County Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). That was an amazing experience and at CHLA, I was able to care for kids with heart disease. I became very interested in this specialty and ended up doing my fellowship in cardiac surgery at USC and an additional year of training in pediatric heart surgery and transplantation at CHLA.

Now, I provide care for children with significant heart conditions. Sometimes, we are confronted with really difficult situations, so it’s exciting when I'm able to help them and meet their health care needs. That's probably the first motivator for what I do. The second motivator is that I get to work with a fantastic team that constantly inspires me. There is also the desire to do good — I want to help people and make a positive impact in their lives. However, I don't have all the answers, and that can be challenging. But I enjoy being innovative and trying to come up with newer and better solutions for children, especially when they grow up and become amazing members of the community.”

John Nigro is the director of the Heart Institute and chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Rady Children’s Hospital; surgical director of the adult congenital heart program at UC San Diego; and a professor in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Outside of surgery, he enjoys hiking, fishing, gardening, reading and appreciating the beauty of San Diego.

Erika Somers

Program Administrator — Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

“I always knew I would find my passion in healthcare; I just wasn’t sure where. I went from being a front desk administrator to checking in patients to authorizations to billing. Eventually, I found my passion in administering residency and fellowship programs in the Department of Surgery, and I’ve been loving it ever since.

A lot of people don’t realize what residents and fellows sacrifice to get to where they are. For example, some people leave their home country to come the United States to train to be a surgeon. As a program administrator, I'm here to make their lives easier and ensure they're not alone. Another part of my job is checking in on trainees. They have a lot going on, and it gets challenging sometimes. I'm the one who reminds them of why they wanted to go into healthcare and encourage them to hold onto that spark. The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing residents and fellows complete their training. I love that I get to be a part of their journey from beginning to end.”

Erika Somers is the program administrator for the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery's residency and fellowship programs. In her free time, she enjoys water activities, such as swimming, surfing and paddle boarding.

Samuel Eisenstein, MD

Associate Professor — Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery 

“After I finished my fellowship training, I knew I wanted to be an academic surgeon. I think there is an intellectual stimulation that goes along with academic surgery. In medicine, we make a lot of assumptions, but we don't necessarily always have evidence. I think the analytical part of me always wants to know why we do things and why one thing leads to the next. Academic surgery really allows you to explore those questions.

I do love the act of surgery. You have a good relationship with individuals, help people and do great things for them. But there’s probably a greater good that can be achieved by investigating and understanding what we do in medicine through academic surgery. You can help as many people as possible.”

Samuel Eisenstein is an associate professor in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. When he isn’t at the hospital, you can find him at a concert or traveling the world with his family. They plan to take a road trip up the central and northern California coast this fall.

Leila Adler, MA

UC San Diego Center for Research, Education, Innovation and Transformation in Organ Donation (REIMAGINE) Managing Director

“My youngest son, Luke, showed me what an amazing time in medicine we live in. When Luke was born, his eyes never uncrossed, so he had double eye surgery at 13 months old. Going through that experience was incredibly stressful, but it also taught me what was possible in pediatrics and surgery. I left that experience with a strong appreciation for modern medicine.

I also lost my mother to pancreatic cancer. As traumatizing as that experience was, I met so many amazing people who were trying to help us while also trying to cure this awful disease.

My gratitude for these experiences and wanting to pay it forward motivate me in my work. At REIMAGINE, our mission is to eliminate the waitlist — no patients waiting, no organs wasted. In my role, I work to execute initiatives in support of that mission, like our annual symposium, pilot research grants and hands-on training programs. Having the very personal touchpoints from my life in medicine reminds me that my work matters. So even if there are days when I might find getting things done particularly challenging, I am reminded of why I am doing this — I love my job.”

Alexander Todd

Data Analyst

"I studied nursing in university; however, everything changed during my senior year when I was in a bad car accident. I ended up having six different procedures, one of them being experimental, and had an extensive recovery. As a result, I had to drop out of my nursing program.

I wanted to continue school online during my recovery, so I changed my major to healthcare administration. In 2020, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and was offered a job at UCSF.

While working at UCSF, I was exposed to scientific data, and I grew increasingly interested in data science. I taught myself how to program using free apps and websites. I later applied to a data science program at UT Austin, but a few months after starting the program, I was offered a job at UC San Diego as a data analyst in the Department of Surgery. I now use these programming skills that I invested a lot of time into.

My long-term goal is to be a data scientist in the healthcare industry. After my own experiences with surgery and an experimental treatment, I am passionate about working with a team to create better outcomes for other patients."

Himangshu Sonowal, PhD

Assistant Project Scientist — Division of Surgical Sciences

“I’m originally from Assam, a culturally rich and diverse state in northeastern India known for its tropical climate and for producing nearly 10 percent of the world’s tea. I completed my bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees there. During my Ph.D., I became increasingly inspired by the United States, especially its reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research. That inspiration led me to move to the United States for my postdoctoral training.

While most of my time is dedicated to laboratory research, I have a strong passion for teaching and mentoring, particularly undergraduate and high school students. Their energy and curiosity are incredibly rewarding to work with. When I teach, I try to connect scientific concepts to everyday experiences — it really helps them engage and get inspired. So, for me, it’s not just about the research; I actively seek out opportunities to teach whenever I can. I truly enjoy doing both.”

Himangshu Sonowal is an assistant project scientist in the Division of Surgical Sciences. Outside the lab, he loves exploring the outdoors. He has visited nearly every national park in the region and is now looking forward to his next adventure: exploring the majestic redwood forests of Northern California with his wife.

Rachel Kwinn

Division Coordinator — Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery

“The root of my passion is supporting others and helping them get to their next step. I was initially a school counselor who supported students with balancing classes, college applications and mental health. While my heart was in this work, it proved to be very challenging. So, when the event coordinator position at the Center for the Future of Surgery opened up, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to make a shift. I supported, coordinated and planned lab activities for residents to help develop their patient care skills. I like that in both roles, I still got to support students through their journeys.

Now, in my new role as a division coordinator, I support faculty and help them get through their busy weeks. I am also a mentor at The Preuss School UC San Diego, which gives me a little more of a school counselor ‘feel.’ I am excited to support my student, help her get to college and be there for her.

I wish students knew that there are many different types of careers. Just because we grew up thinking that we could be a teacher, doctor or lawyer does not mean there are not more opportunities. There are a lot of different roles, and you can find what fits."

Ian Glenn, MD

Assistant Professor — Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

“When I first started medical school, I was interested in surgery. I liked the technical part of things and working with my hands. People always say that this is the first decision you make in medicine: Do you want to be in the operating room or not?

But, when I did a cardiac surgery rotation as a medical student, I hated it. It was a tough group of people to work with, and it made me wonder if the culture of surgery was for me. So, I did a year of internal medicine instead. But I ended up missing surgery, specifically cardiac surgery, a lot. So, I came back.

I think this negative experience has shaped how I teach and treat people in the hospital. That rotation was only a month, but it changed the trajectory of my life for years. So, I try keep in mind that even limited interactions can have an influence. I want to make being on service a positive experience, because you never know what impact you can have."

Ian Glenn is an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. When he isn’t at the hospital, he enjoys going to the beach, swimming, and skiing with his wife and two daughters. As a father and physician, he hopes to teach his daughters the importance of caring for people in need.

Samantha Phan

Communications Intern 

“A skill I practice often in the Department of Surgery is making research digestible for the average person. Research language can often be inaccessible, and misinformation frequently spreads. Rephrasing and adjusting language so people can understand it is important, and I think it’s cool to work in a field that combats misinformation. It inspires me to pursue communications long-term.

I also enjoy the interviewing aspect of communications because it allows you to connect with people. I would say it’s my favorite part of my job. It's always awkward at first, but once you get to that point where you can be honest with somebody, it's really beautiful.”

Vince Genna, NP

Nurse Practitioner — Division of Breast Surgery

“I’ve worked with cancer patients for a while, and I have grown to understand that you must meet people where they're at. Oftentimes, you are giving them the worst news they’ve ever had. You need to give them space to process.

I think all of us who do this job want to fix people. If there’s a problem, we want to figure out a plan. But one of the reasons why my team trusts me to see new patients is because I’ll spend time with them to not only go over the diagnosis next steps, but also provide them with social and emotional support. Breast cancer, along with other cancers, is becoming a far more personalized medical field, and being a nurse pracititioner puts multidisciplinary care at the heart of it.”

Pamela Lugo

Residency Program Coordinator — Division of Plastic Surgery

Janeen Williamson, BSN, RN, CBCN

Case Manager and Certified Breast Care Nurse — Division of Breast Surgery

Winta Mehtsun, MD

Assistant Professor — Division of Surgical Oncology

Isaac Meyer, NP

Nurse Practitioner — Division of Plastic Surgery

Ellen Fink, PA

Physician Assistant — Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Carmina Mariduena, MSN, RN, CAPA

Clinic Manager

Katharine Hinchcliff, MD

Assistant Professor — Division of Plastic Surgery

“I'm part of a surgical charity called Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. It flies uninsured children to Rady Children’s Hospital, so we can perform surgeries at no cost to them. I started participating in that program right when I got to UC San Diego Health. It is my favorite thing that I do because these are not only patients that need help but patients that wouldn’t get help if you weren't there.

A fun fact about me is that I’m a triplet. I have two sisters. I remember it took me a long time to figure out who I was outside of them. But, when you are on your own, you come to realize what your strengths are.”

Olatunde Bashorun, MD

Plastic Surgery Resident

Michael Turner, MD

General Surgery Resident 

Brandon Harris, MD

Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery Fellow

“I did my residency in West Virginia, and 95% of my patients were from underserved populations. Naturally, I developed a passion for serving these patients, which I’ve been able to continue through UC San Diego’s fellowship. We're taking care of some of the most critically ill patients in the surgical ICU and seeing them make a meaningful recovery evokes a feeling that I cannot explain. I've driven home so many times to the sun rising and told myself, ‘I made a positive difference in that patient's outcome.’ I don't care how exhausted I am. That alone is worth it.

I would say, for anyone who wants to get into the medical field — especially as an international graduate or physician of color — it's unfortunate, but you have to be twice as good just to be considered on the same level as your U.S. graduate counterparts. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's a very dim light at the beginning of the journey, and you can't really see it. But it's there, and as you get closer, it definitely gets brighter.”

Brandon Harris is from Antigua and Barbuda where he did tennis, water sports, martial arts, and track and field. Outside of his fellowship, he enjoys the beach, exploring San Diego, remaining physically active and spending time with his fiancé and six-month-old son.

Ann Gaffey, MD, MS

Assistant Professor — Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

“Vascular surgeons are kind of like human plumbers. We operate all over the body on different blood vessels. We can clean out those pipes, we can build new pipes or we can realign those pipes. Our goal is to improve blood flow, which reduces the high rate of limb loss in patients with peripheral arterial disease and diabetes. 

Amputation is another cause for limb loss. My research aims to reduce instances of amputation by exploring why patients develop early limb loss, better treatments we can offer them, and which devices improve outcomes for limb salvage — an alternative to amputation that preserves the look and function of limbs in critical condition. 

Vascular surgery is a little different than other specialties in that there’s oftentimes a long term follow up of these patients, and you develop a lifelong relationship with them. I enjoy taking care of patients. But I also enjoy teaching. Every day is a new day, and it's always exciting. I'm very lucky."

Ann Gaffey is from Boston, MA, where she danced ballet professionally and spent her summers sailing. She still sails to this day and has also picked up mountain biking.  

Jennifer Berumen, MD

Associate Professor — Division of Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery

“Growing up, I always liked doing things with my hands. My dad was an OBGYN, and my mom was a nurse. Being around medicine got me interested in it. My dad was a big mentor in general. But he had an orthopedic surgeon friend who I spent a lot of time shadowing and was fairly influential in getting me interested in surgery too.

I would say the most influential person during my residency at UC San Diego was Dr. Kristin Mekeel. She took me under her wing and has been a huge mentor for the last 15 years. Having someone who believes in you and says, ‘You’re doing a good job. Let's take it to the next level. What do you want to do with your life?’ It's helpful to feel like someone thinks you can do it.

Being open and honest without fear of judgment is incredibly important. When you run into failures, you know someone who can help you through it. I know I have this with Dr. Mekeel, and that’s led me to be that way with a lot of my mentees.

One of the rewarding parts of being a mentor is recognizing early on that there's someone who you share the same interests as. It's nice to be able to reach out to that person and be like, ‘I want to help you and get more involved.’ What goes around comes around.” 

Jennifer Berumen is from Fort Smith, AR. Her childhood was full of science, softball and soccer. Outside of surgery, she continues to play softball and enjoys spending time with her family and dog.

Javier Bravo, MD

General Surgery Resident

Martin Lhuaire, MD, PhD

Visiting Scholar — Division of Anatomy

Oluyemisi Bolonduro

Thomas Handley, MD

General Surgery Resident

“It sounds corny, but I went into medicine so I could help someone who is at the worst point in their life. You're the person they turn to for help. The magical aspect of surgery and medicine is that you're able to help someone in their moment of need, and it's an honor and privilege to be able to do that. Getting into work at five o'clock in the morning doesn't seem so important when it's someone else's life that you've got in your hands.” 

Thomas Handley is from Southeast London in the United Kingdom. When he isn’t at the hospital, he enjoys running at Torrey Pines State Park and spending time with his wife.

Sean Perez, MD

General Surgery Resident

“I lost my grandma when I was an intern to COVID-19, and I think that’s one experience that has impacted the way I help patients. 

A huge reason why I came to San Diego is to work with a large Hispanic population and I can’t imagine myself having the same sense of personal reward elsewhere. I know I’m doing right by my grandma by just the amount of Hispanic patients I see and help. They obviously remind me of her, and I thankfully get the chance make her proud.”

Sean Perez grew up in Upland, California. As he finishes his last year of research, he is excited about getting back into the operating room. Outside of the hospital, Perez enjoys skiing, playing tennis, watching films and trivia.

Jason Llaneras, MD

Plastic Surgery Resident

“I was a surgery intern in a busy Los Angeles County Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, when the whole city shut down. I was having to take care of patients when they were alone, and no one was allowed in the hospital. It was one thing being there for the patients as a healthcare provider, but you also had to be there for them on a very personal level. I look back at those memories — some good, some bad — with the perspective that you’re more than just a healthcare provider at times.”

Jason Llaneras was born and raised in Miami, FL. Now, he loves the gorgeous atmosphere and spending time with friends in San Diego. Outside of the hospital, Llaneras enjoys spending time with friends, running, playing basketball and making the most of every opportunity to relax at the beach.

Ruth Laverde, MD

General Surgery Resident

 “With every Spanish-speaking patient, I see a little bit of my family —  their resilience, their quiet strength and concern. I remember as a medical student meeting a Spanish-speaking man facing his second amputation. We sat and talked — not just about the surgery, but about what he was really losing: his independence, his livelihood. He reminded me of my dad. And I remember thinking, ‘What kind of care would I want for him?’ Interactions like that have guided a lot of my approach. 

I think my upbringing is going to color my life in all aspects. I pursued medicine to provide language-concordant care — to make sure patients like him, like my family, aren’t left behind in translation. I’m proud to be Latina, proud to be Spanish-speaking, and proud to be part of a field where people who look and sound like me are still underrepresented. In a healthcare system where racial and language disparities continue to affect outcomes, I see my presence — and my care — as part of the work to close those gaps. A reminder that we belong here. That we deserve care rooted in dignity and understanding.”

Ruth Laverde was born in Peru and raised in Miami, FL. Her career is driven by a commitment to providing care for patients with limited English proficiency and increasing representation in surgery. Outside the hospital, she enjoys weightlifting, spontaneous hikes and last-minute adventures with friends.

Parisa Oviedo, MD

General Surgery Resident

“My parents are both immigrants. My dad is from Peru, my mom from Iran. They sacrificed a lot and worked really hard to give me and my brother the opportunities we have. They taught me to dream big and that I could do or be anything I wanted. I’ve never felt limited by them — I’ve always felt supported, and I’m very lucky to have that.

What has been a life passion of mine is to do advocacy and disparities research. I’m really interested in how socioeconomic factors affect what kind of care patients receive. My own life experiences and my parents’ and family history have informed that passion.”

Parisa Oviedo was born in Orange County, California and has since lived in Dubai, Boston and San Diego. Outside of being a general surgery resident, Oviedo loves to travel and read fiction, and hopes to spend some time traveling with her husband and family.