Surgeons publish chapter in ‘Operative Techniques in Surgery’ textbook

William Richards, M.D., with the LINX system.

Two USA Health surgeons are authors of a chapter in the recently published textbook “Operative Techniques in Surgery, Second Edition.”

William Richards, M.D., professor and chair of surgery at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, and Richard Rieske, M.D., a fifth-year surgery resident at USA Health, wrote Chapter 12: Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for GERD.

The chapter describes a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the U.S., affecting 20% of the adult population.

The procedure involves the laparoscopic placement of a stretchable ring of small magnetic beads — the LINX Reflux Management System — around the lower part of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter). The magnets are set to an exact strength to help keep the lower part of the esophagus closed, preventing reflux.

Richards said that the procedure offers an alternative to Nissen fundoplication, a commonly performed surgery that tightens the junction between the esophagus and the stomach to prevent reflux.

Richard Rieske, M.D.

“This therapy is emerging as an important alternative to the traditional Nissen fundoplication due to the fact that in contrast to the LINX procedure, Nissen rearranges the anatomy of the gastroesophageal junction to create an enhanced valve mechanism,” Richards said. “It impairs the patient’s ability to belch and vomit, resulting in a multitude of other symptoms.”

Research has shown that five years after LINX placement, 99% of patients reported no regurgitation, 88% of patients reported no bothersome heartburn, and 85% of patients no longer needed anti-reflux medications.

Rieske said the chapter will help other surgeons and trainees across the country learn about this minimally invasive technique from the perspective of Richards, an expert on the topic. “This continues a legacy of academic contribution to the advancement of surgical care from our department at the Whiddon College of Medicine,” Rieske said. “I am excited to be on the cutting edge of medicine and be a part of this research.”

Ph.D. student selected for Alzheimer’s Association ambassador program

Samantha Chaney, a second-year doctoral student in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program, was accepted to the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Ambassador Program. 

The highly competitive program connects early career researchers with year-round leadership, provides unique networking opportunities to engage with and learn from leaders in the field of Alzheimer's and related dementias, and enables them to gain valuable experience at scientific meetings.

“I'm so grateful and excited for the unique opportunities I have, including travel to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2023 in Amsterdam,” Chaney said. “Being an ISTAART Ambassador will allow me to begin making connections with other researchers who share my passion for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias that will last a lifetime.”

Chaney is in the vascular biology and neuroscience tracks in the Ph.D. program at the Whiddon College of Medicine. She works in the lab of Amy Nelson, Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology and cell biology, whose focus is on vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s disease. Chaney’s project centers on how pneumonia affects the cerebrovascular system.

“I have enjoyed the research opportunities I’ve had at the Whiddon College of Medicine and the people I get to work with,” she said.

Chaney, a 24-year-old from Denver, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pensacola Christian College. She enjoys traveling and trying new things, is addicted to coffee and adrenaline, and loves the mountains, music and reading.

Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Means, M.D., pens children’s book

“Untying My Wings” is a story about a caterpillar named Rose who transforms into a butterfly. For first-time author Olivia Means, M.D., writing the book was an exercise in healing.

Means, a 2018 graduate of the Whiddon College of Medicine, recently published the picture book after developing it over several years following her father’s death from COVID-19.

The book follows Rose the caterpillar who befriends a spider named Sunny. After becoming a butterfly, Rose hides her new wings, remembering her friend is uncomfortable with flying insects. Eventually, Rose’s urge to fly and explore becomes too strong.

“This book is a story for adults and children,” Means said. “I hope that just like Rose, we are brave enough to untie our wings, even as we are falling, and show ourselves that the thing we needed to reach that blue flower was in us the whole time. As we learn how to do this, we can show our children.”

Means dedicated the book to her family. “This book was part of a holiday healing project I did with my sisters,” she said. “Seeing it to completion is my thank-you to my mom and sisters for continuing to heal.”

Now in her fifth year of residency training, Means is an integrated plastic surgery resident at Corewell Health/Michigan State University in Grand Rapids. 

She used Archway Publishing, the self-publishing arm of Simon & Schuster, to bring her book to life. “It allowed me to be involved in every step of the process and work at my own pace given my busy schedule with residency,” she said.

“Untying My Wings” is available online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and McLean & Eakin Booksellers.