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Dr. Peyman Benharash and Dr. Yas Sanaiha, are study authors on a new UCLA Health led study. The study found that hospitals with the widest difference between the cost of their services and what they charge patients and their insurance carriers are mostly for-profit, investor owned and located in large metropolitan areas. They also have significantly worse patient outcomes compared with lower-cost hospitals, new UCLA research finds. These “high-markup hospitals” (HMH), which comprised about 10% of the total the researchers examined, charged up to 17 times the true cost of care. By contrast, markups at other hospitals were an average of three times the cost of care.

Dr. Kenneth J. Dery, an associate professor of surgery in the division of liver and pancreas transplantation at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study's co-senior author, may have found a way to improve success rates of liver transplantation with a workaround for a well-known complication that can cause the new organ to fail, a study in mice suggests. 

Dr. Nimmi Kapoor, breast surgical oncologist and an associate professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Dr. Siu-Yuan Huang, breast surgical oncology fellow at UCLA Health have a new study shows early detection may help older women live longer and undergo less aggressive treatment. The study, published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, found that women in their 80s who get regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer detected early, need less aggressive treatment and live longer.

Additional coverage: Medical Xpress, The Mirage, KTLA, KNX-AM, KGET-TV, Bioengineer, Health Day, U.S News & World Report, Fox4, KPVI, MedPage Today, The Desert Review

Dr. Daniel DeUgarte, pediatric surgeon and clinical professor of pediatric general surgery, along with a UCLA Health research team has helped define and characterize a rare bowel obstruction that affects premature infants, known as meconium-related obstruction of prematurity (MROP). Distinct from Hirschsprung disease and meconium ileus of cystic fibrosis, MROP had not been well described in medical literature until recently.

Additional coverage: Medical Xpress

Dr. Jerzy Kupiec-Weglinski, professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine and director of the Dumont-UCLA Transplantation Research Laboratories, emphasizes the importance of the training that the Bruin Stars Academy provides to undergraduates hoping to get lab experience, mentoring, and professional development. 

Dr. Nimmi Kapoor, professor of surgery and breast surgical oncologist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, discusses how UCLA Health has discontinued use of the BioZorb device and is closely monitoring patients who previously received it. "Patients with BioZorb implants should watch for symptoms such as pain, swelling, or changes at the implant site and contact their care team promptly,” says Dr. Kapoor.

Dr. Justine Lee, professor of surgery and Bernard G. Sarnat Endowed Chair in Craniofacial Biology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, discusses the facial changes that can occur with any rapid or large weight loss. 

Dr. Sammy Saab, professor in the Departments of Medicine and Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, adjunct professor of nursing at the UCLA School of Nursing, medical director of the UCLA Adult Liver Transplant Program, medical director of the Pfleger Liver Institute, chief of Transplant Hepatology, and head of Outcomes Research in Hepatology, discusses serious liver disease.

Dr. Edward Livingston, health sciences professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, led a study showing that billing codes in large medical databases can be highly unreliable - misidentifying up to two-thirds of hernia cases. The findings underscore the need to validate administrative data against clinical evidence, as billing codes often reflect suspected rather than confirmed diagnoses.

Additional Coverage: News Medical Net

Dr. Vincent L. Rowe, professor of surgery and chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at UCLA, shared how a patient with peripheral artery disease improved circulation and avoided amputation through regular walking and grounding, which also lowered her A1C and boosted overall health.

Dr. Bijan Najafi, professor of surgery at UCLA, is co-leading research to personalize diabetic foot ulcer care using real-time data. The study pairs a smart offloading boot with a smartwatch and AI chatbot to track activity, support adherence, and improve healing. Early results show improved patient engagement and outcomes, with efforts underway to expand access, tailor digital prompts, and develop multilingual support.

Dr. Gerald Lipshutz, a professor of surgery and molecular and medical pharmacology, is leading a team in the development of an experimental therapy that could transform life for children with creatine transporter deficiency.

Dr. Vincent Rowe, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was elected president of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery for 2025–26. He was elected at the society’s 52nd annual symposium in Austin.

Dr. Edward Livingston, health sciences professor of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and senior author of a new study, found no evidence that pre-surgery fasting prevents aspiration pneumonia.

The analysis, reviewed 17 studies and found aspiration was rare and unaffected by fasting duration - occurring in just 0.5% of patients with shortened fasting vs. 0.71% with standard fasting.

Despite common hospital policies, the study suggests prolonged fasting offers no clinical benefit and causes unnecessary discomfort. The team recommends future trials using tools like gastric ultrasound to safely reduce fasting times.

Additional Coverage: Medical Xpress, Pulmonology Advisor, Health Day, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, The Economic Times

Dr. Justine C. Lee, professor and associate chief of the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, led a study showing that psychological support before surgery improves recovery.

Published in Annals of Surgery, the analysis of 20 trials found that patients who received pre-surgical counseling had less pain, anxiety, depression, and shorter hospital stays - regardless of surgery type or therapy method.

Dr. Lee is now piloting a prehabilitation program at UCLA Health, noting, “The mind affects how you heal—not just how you feel.”

Dr. Veronica Fair Sullins and Dr. Justin P. Wagner, pediatric general surgeons at UCLA Health, lead a specialized program treating pectus excavatum, or “sunken chest syndrome.” This condition, affecting 1 in 300–500 people, involves a sunken breastbone that can impact breathing and heart function.

Using minimally invasive techniques like the Nuss procedure—where a custom-bent titanium bar lifts the chest wall—UCLA surgeons help patients of all ages, from children like 13-year-old Adèle Noyer to adults like Leigh Dannhauser. Their team combines surgical expertise with pain-reducing protocols to ensure better outcomes and faster recovery. The program continues a legacy of innovation dating back to the 1960s and remains one of the most comprehensive in the nation.

Dr. Peyman Benharash, a cardiac surgeon at UCLA Health and study author, contributed to a UCLA-led analysis showing that Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients face significantly higher costs for emergency surgeries than white patients, primarily due to unequal access to preventive care. These unplanned procedures are more expensive, associated with poorer outcomes, and reinforce racial health disparities. Improving access to preventive screenings could save the U.S. healthcare system nearly $1.8 billion each year.

Dr. Chia Soo, plastic surgeon and vice chair for research at UCLA Health, led a study identifying fibromodulin (FMOD) as a naturally occurring protein that could prevent excessive scarring. Published in Nature Communications, the research shows FMOD forms a complex that stops scar-forming cells from overproducing tissue, potentially reducing scars after surgery, injuries, or burns. The findings build on two decades of research and follow an FDA-approved clinical study involving 54 patients using a fibromodulin-derived peptide for scar reduction.

Additional coverage: Plastic Surgery Practice, Medical Xpress & Dermatology Digest

A UCLA-led study published in The American Surgeon found that 25% of patients hospitalized for e-scooter injuries between 2016 and 2021 were under the influence of substances like alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine. Hospitalizations surged eight-fold during this time, with substance-impaired riders nearly twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Areti Tillou, trauma surgeon and senior author, calls for stronger helmet laws, safety regulations, and substance use prevention programs.

Additional coverage: NBC Tri Cities/Yakima, Tech Xplore, News-Medical, Mirage News & Life Technology

Dr. Mediget Teshome, chief of breast surgery at UCLA Health, emphasizes the critical need for equitable access to breast cancer screening and care in light of media coverage surrounding Tina Knowles’ recent diagnosis. “Timely access to preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is paramount,” she says, adding that persistent disparities in outcomes based on race, ethnicity, and social factors must be addressed.

Additional coverage: AOL.com

Dr. Peyman Benharash, cardiac surgeon at UCLA Health, weighs in on new national findings revealing that surgical items are still unintentionally left in patients despite being preventable. He led a UCLA study estimating that such incidents occur in 1 out of every 5,000 inpatient surgeries, with actual numbers likely higher. Dr. Benharash says growing use of minimally invasive techniques and improved tracking technologies are helping reduce these events—but more widespread adoption is critical to achieving zero harm.

Dr. Hugh Gelabert, vascular surgeon at UCLA Health, offers expert insight into NBA star Damian Lillard’s recovery from a calf blood clot. He explains that standard treatment often involves a three-month course of blood thinners, which carry a heightened risk of bleeding—especially in contact sports. Depending on the clot’s severity and location, full recovery could take as long as six months. “Basketball is a physical sport. If he gets hit or takes a fall, he could bleed internally,” Dr. Gelabert notes.

UCLA Health is revolutionizing organ transplantation with advanced perfusion technology that extends the viability of donated hearts and lungs. Dr. Abbas Ardehali, vice chair of transplantation, has led pioneering trials that keep organs functioning longer, expanding access to lifesaving transplants.

Additional coverage: UCLA Health Newsroom

A new analysis led by surgeons at UCLA Health finds that psychological prehabilitation can significantly improve recovery after surgery. Spearheaded by medical student Anne E. Hall in Dr. Justine Lee's Craniofacial Regeneration Lab, the study reviewed data from 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2004 and 2024, encompassing 2,376 patients. The findings are published in Annals of Surgery.

Additional coverage: Medical Life Sciences, Medical Xpress, MSN,Trinity Mirror & Reach MD

UCLA’s Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology (CASIT) is partnering with over two dozen academic and industry leaders to establish a Center to Stream Healthcare in Place (C2SHIP) hub at UCLA. Led by CASIT Research Director Dr. Bijan Najafi, the initiative is supported by a $4 million NSF grant. It unites UCLA faculty to advance in-home healthcare through wearable technology, AI-driven analytics, and remote monitoring.

Additional coverage: Yahoo! Finance & Hospital Management
 

A UCLA-led study published in Molecular Cancer Research suggests that chronic stress and an unhealthy diet may accelerate the development of pancreatic cancer by activating cancer-promoting pathways. Co-led by Dr. Guido Eibl, professor-in-residence of surgery, and Dr. Joe Hines, professor and chair of surgery at UCLA, the research also highlights beta-blockers as a potential preventive therapy.

For patients with liver failure, the wait for a transplant can be long, and every moment counts. Dr. Douglas Farmer, chief of the Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation at UCLA Health, is transforming transplant care with ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. This groundbreaking technology keeps livers warm and functional, expanding the donor pool and giving more patients a second chance at life.

Dr. Hugh A. Gelabert, professor of surgery in UCLA’s Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, explained that Victor Wembanyama’s deep vein thrombosis (DVT) differs from Chris Bosh’s past condition. While Bosh’s DVT led to a pulmonary embolism, Wembanyama’s shoulder clot is typically lower risk.

Additional coverage: Sun Herald

UCLA researchers will present over 70 abstracts at the 20th annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), highlighting cutting-edge advancements in breast lesion detection, robotic cancer resection, liver transplantation, and pancreatic cancer diagnostics.

A study led by UCLA medical student Sara Sakowitz, MS, MPH, found that patients who traveled to high-volume centers for esophagectomy had significantly better 1-year and 5-year survival, especially those with stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma. The findings support centralizing complex oncologic care despite challenges like travel burden and continuity of care.

Dr. Justine Lee, Bernard G. Sarnat Professor of Craniofacial Biology and associate chief of plastic surgery at UCLA Health, received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor for early-career researchers. The award recognizes innovation and leadership in science and technology.

Dr. Peyman Benharash, cardiothoracic surgeon at UCLA Health, co-authored a UCLA-led study revealing that Medicaid-insured heart transplant patients face a higher risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a condition that affects long-term survival. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the study highlights how treatment at high-volume transplant centers can mitigate these risks, offering patients more consistent follow-up care and access to essential medications. 

Additional coverage: UCLA Newsroom, Cardiovascular Business & EurekAlert

Dr. Richard J. Shemin, chief of cardiac surgery at UCLA Health, founded the University of California Cardiac Surgery Consortium (UCCSC) to enhance patient care across UC’s five health centers. By sharing data and best practices, the consortium has saved 132 bed days and improved financial margins by $15 million.

Dr. Vincent Rowe, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at UCLA Health, leads a comprehensive team of specialists to treat complex PAD cases and prevent amputations. By integrating vascular and plastic surgery, wound care, podiatry, and hyperbaric medicine, UCLA Health has successfully preserved limbs and improved patient outcomes.