The UAB Surgical Grand Rounds Committee is honored to introduce two new committee members – Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery Assistant Professor Dr. Andrea Gillis and Division of GI Surgery Assistant Professor Dr. Drew Gunnells. Together, they will join UAB Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy Division Assistant Professor Dr. Danielle Sutzko, who serves as co-lead of the committee, to coordinate the lists of speakers for the weekly seminar series.
Gillis is a health outcome disparities and translational science researcher working in the field of epigenetics, specifically examining differences in gene expression in neuroendocrine tumors by race. She has been awarded an NIH grant for Early Surgeon Scientists (ESSP) to pursue this work. Through research, Gillis seeks to improve the outcomes of all patients including those from minority and underserved backgrounds. She is a member of and serves on national committees for both the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) and the Association of Academic Surgeons (AAS).
“Continuing education is such a key part of what informs our research and our practice as surgeon-scientists, and I am thrilled to be a part of the team who will shape the lectures and speaker series for our department,” says Gillis.
Gunnells is board certified in both general surgery and colon and rectal surgery. He has a strong interest in robotic and minimally invasive surgery to treat colorectal disease. In addition to his clinical practice at UAB, he also performs procedures through the UAB Surgery Community Network in Demopolis, Alabama. Gunnells is the director of the O’Neal Cancer Colorectal Cancer Service Line.
“Being able to host the best speakers across the country helps our entire team stay up-to-date on the latest research trends and practices, so we can provide the best care possible to our patients,” says Gunnells. “I’m excited to be part of the Grand Rounds Committee and look forward to all of the guests we’ll have over the next academic year.”
Dr. Danielle Sutzko has served as Co-Leader of the Surgical Grand Rounds Committee since 2019. Her research interests are in health services research and is specifically looking into optimizing the care of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia who also have end-stage kidney disease. She also has a passion for education and serves on the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery Entrustable Professional Activity writing group and is currently enrolled in the UAB Healthcare Educators Academy.
About UAB Surgical Grand Rounds
The UAB Department of Surgery’s Grand Round lectures are hosted weekly on Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. in Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium or via Zoom virtual meetings. All lectures are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.