To close an unprecedented year, Penn Medicine saw an unparalleled transformation in Department and Division leadership, expanding to create new roles and introducing new principals into established positions.
Outside of the number of new leaders (11, including five previously reported upon), what is striking in these new leaders is their prominence in the fields they represent, their diversity and expertise.
Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
D. Gregory Farwell, MD, FACS
In July, D. Gregory Farwell, MD, FACS, became Chair, Penn Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
A nationally-recognized surgeon, Dr. Farwell specializes in head and neck cancer surgery, thyroid/parathyroid surgery, advanced facial skin cancer surgery, and microvascular reconstruction, with a particular focus on actively researching new techniques and surgical procedures and exploring new technologies to improve surgical care for future patients.
Neurosurgery
Casey H. Halpern, MD
Casey H. Halpern, MD, is the Chief of Functional & Restorative Neurosurgery at Penn Medicine. Dr. Halpern's clinical practice focuses on stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, including the surgical treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and dystonia. He has a particular focus on early onset Parkinson's disease using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Focused Ultrasound for tremor.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Lillias H. Maguire, MD
Director of Colorectal Research at Penn Colon and Rectal Surgery, Lillias H. Maguire, MD has a particular clinical interest in the genomic epidemiology and determinants of diverticular disease, as well as the pharmacogenomics and management of the condition — topics about which she has published book chapters and numerous journal articles.
Dr. Maguire is also an accomplished colon and rectal surgeon.
Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery
Leisha C. Elmore, MD
Joining right on the heels of our cancer leadership welcome post, Leisha Elmore, MD, MPHS, is now the Chief of Breast Surgery at the at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center.
Dr. Elmore specializes in benign and malignant breast surgery, breast conserving surgery, nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy and diagnostics, including breast biopsy and sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy.
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Jorge Marrero, MD, MS, (CRDSA), MSHCM
A nationally and internationally recognized gastroenterologist and hepatologist, Jorge Marrero, MD, MS, (CRDSA), MSHCM, is now Chief and T. Grier Miller Professor of Medicine at Penn Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
A leader in the field of advanced liver disease and transplant hepatology, Dr. Marrero is an expert in liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. His specialties include liver disease, gastroenterology, digestive diseases and internal medicine.
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Charles M. Vollmer, MD
Charles M. Vollmer, MD, is the new Chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Penn Medicine.
An internationally acclaimed surgeon, researcher, and educational leader in the field of gastrointestinal and pancreas surgery, Dr. Vollmer's primary research focus is in technical and care elements of pancreas surgery, where he has made numerous contributions to clinical outcomes research, particularly regarding the complication of postoperative pancreas fistula.