We are proud to announce that over 100 HoLEP procedures have been successfully performed at UTMB, led by Bilal Farhan, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Urology and Program Director of Neurourology and Pelvic Reconstruction.

Since establishing the HoLEP service, Dr. Farhan’s leadership has significantly improved patient outcomes and advanced surgical training for our residents. This milestone highlights our commitment to innovation, excellence, and enhancing patient care.

Congratulations to Dr. Farhan and the urology team on this remarkable achievement!

Our vascular surgery team had the opportunity to participate in the Senior Fest at Lake Jackson, a well-attended health fair with over 1,000 attendees. The event was a great success in raising awareness about vascular health, particularly carotid artery disease. It was inspiring to see so many seniors eager to learn more about their health, with a strong turnout for stroke prevention screenings using onsite Doppler ultrasound. Along with the screenings, we provided educational resources to help attendees understand how vascular surgeons manage arterial and venous diseases, emphasizing the importance of early detection and encouraging them to take proactive steps in managing their health.

Volunteers shown: Dr. Cox, Dr. Blakely, Jordan Hartmann (MS2), Natalia Penaloza (MS3)

The poster titled "Impact of Preexisting Substance Use Disorders on Prolonged Opioid Use and Postoperative Complications After Burns" was presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) STCAM 2025 Conference by Philong Nguyen (MS1), Dr. Juquan Song (Principal Investigator), and co-authors Joshua E. Lewis, Isabelle Carroll, Joshua Wang, Mbinui Ghogomu, Blancheneige Beohon, Dr. Amina El Ayadi, Dr. Steven Wolf, and Dr. Juquan Song.

This study investigates the influence of preexisting substance use disorders - specifically alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco - on long-term opioid use and postoperative complications in adult burn patients.