Association for Academic Surgery (AAS)

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Member Spotlight for September 2022 – Katherine Hekman, MD, PhD

Each month, the AAS Membership Committee presents the “Member Spotlight” – an opportunity to introduce you to a member of your association.

Dr. Katherine Hekman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Emory University and Staff Surgeon and Scientist at the Atlanta VA Healthcare System, in Atlanta, GA. Originally from California, she studied Biophysics and Spanish Literature  at Johns Hopkins Unversity, and then went to medical school at the University of Chicago where she also completed a PhD in Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine. She completed vascular surgery residency training Nortwestern University in 2021 – the same year she and her husband Simon welcomed their son Logan to the world.

Dr. Hekman runs a basic science laboratory with a primary research focus on stem cell-based regenerative medicine for treating vascular disease. Her vision is to generate patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells to produce personalized regenerative therapies for vascular disease. Her clinical research interests include reducing surgical site infections, optimizing the care of venous thromboembolism, and promoting wellness in surgical training. She has an impressive track record of funding through NIH, foundation, institutional, and society grants since 2011.

Dr. Hekman is an active member of the Association for Academic Surgery. She was awarded the AAS 2018 trainee research Award in Basic Science – an award that funded work to earn subsequent funding from the American College of Surgeons and Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society, and was presented at the Academic Surgical Congress. She has also benefitted from the AAS Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course, and AAS Early Career Development Course. She embodies excellence as a surgeon scientist, and is a rising star in the world of academic surgery.

Neel Mansukhani

Neel Mansukhani

Neel Mansukhani is a vascular and endovascular surgeon and health services researcher. He practices the breadth of vascular surgery with a special interest in complex aortic diseases and peripheral vascular disease. His research is focused on addressing sex based disparities in vascular surgery and improving efficiency of the healthcare system.