Research

The Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Research Institute is located on campus immediately adjacent to the hospital. It is a 72,000 square foot complex which houses facilities that provide an avenue for bench, animal, and clinical research. Five full-time faculty in the laboratory are dedicated to ongoing surgical research.

The fourth year of the residency is dedicated to providing a research experience that can be tailored to meet each resident's individual career goals. This mandatory year is fully funded, and there are funds available to assist in resident projects. Many residents have produced results that were readily published and/or presented at national meetings.

Applegarth J, Brummett A, Morton J, Novotny NM, Nguyen N.  Intraoperative code status: moving from misinformation to respect for patient autonomy. Surgery, Jan 2026;189:109822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2025.109822. 

Applegarth JA, Davis RT, Baida IB, Wilhelm S, Nguyen N, Novotny NM. Evaluating the educational utility of SimNow modules in a robotic surgery curriculum for general surgery residents. Glob Surg Educ. 2026;5:109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44186-026-00507-5. 

Wilhelm S, Davis RT, Tolkacz M, Studzinski D, Callahan R, DeMare AM. Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: A systematic review of resentation, management, and outcomes. American Surgeon. 1 Jan 2026; OnlineFirst. doi:10.1177/00031348261419750  

Chen AL, Robbins M*, Masters S*, Boudiab E*, Finn D*, Peshel E, Thomas G*, Studzinski D, Truscott S, Watterworth C, Novotny N, Ivascu F, Iacco A. Examining the role of thromboelastography in patients with COVID-19. Perfusion. 2026 Jan;41(1):80-85. doi: 10.1177/02676591251340967. 

Davis RT, Wilhelm S, Sobolic M, Novotny NM. Rethinking the concept of “acquired” pediatric inguinal hernias. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/10926429261424618

Davis RT, Finn D, Perry B, Tolkacz M, Studzinski D, Heussner D, Callahan RE, Villalba M Jr. Practice patterns and outcomes after percutaneous cholecystostomy: a single-institution study. J Surg Med. In press, Jan 2026. 

Davis RT, Wlhelm S, Teitelbaum A, Aung K, Robbe M, Thieman-Poliquin M, Brahmamdam P, Akay B, Stallion A, Nguyen N, Novotny NM. Implementation and evaluation of a simulation-based educational intervention for pediatric chest tube management: A quality improvement initiative. Journal of Trauma Nursing. In press April 30 2026. 

Davis RT, LeMarbe K, Wilhelm S, Glaza A, Chen AL, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Implementation of a standardized postoperative clinical pathway for pediatric complicated appendicitis: a quality improvement study. Submitted to Pediatr Surg Int. 

Davis RT, Surman E, Akay B, Novotny NM, Stallion A, Brahmamdam P. Identifying barriers to effective pediatric trauma resuscitation: A cross-disciplinary survey and evidence-based quality improvement framework. Trauma Care. 2026 Jul 29;6(3):15. 

Davis RT, Wilhelm S, Teitelbaum A, Aung K, Robbe M, Thieman-Poliquin M, Brahmamdam P, Akay B, Stallion A, Nguyen N, Novotny NM. Simulation-based educational intervention improves pediatric nurses’ confidence, anxiety, and knowledge in chest tube management: a quality improvement initiative. J. Trauma Nursing  

Davis RT, Baida IB, Applegarth JA, Bailey BA, Novotny NM. Use of Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Right Colectomy in Rural Areas: Are the Advantages Over Open Surgery Comparable to Those Reported in Urban Centers? An Analysis Using the HCUP Michigan Inpatient Sample. Am Surg. 2026 me;92(3):803-809. doi: 10.1177/00031348251381657. PMID: 40980945. 

Hetrick M, Beale AE, Long GW, Lehman H, Oewii-Esfahani S, Callahan RE, Studzinski DM, Brown OW. Utility of preoperative vein mapping in the detection of venous disease prior to infrainguinal arterial bypass. Submitted to Annals of Vascular Surgery, May 2026. 

Kawahara M, Long GW, Bove PG, Markel KM, Callahan RE, Studzinski DM, Brown OW.  Impact of 2023 Updated Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Interpretation Criteria for Carotid Stenosis on Thresholds for Treatment of Carotid Artery Disease. Accepted, Journal of Vascular Surgery, June 2026. 

Nageeb E, Thomas G, Robbins M, Tom A, Finn D, Mesiti J, Ward K, Eldeeb K, Swartz K, Studzinski D, Callahan R, Barnes W, Mangla J, Ivascu F, Iacco A. Screening for post-traumatic stress disorder in adult ECMO survivors. Journal of Affective Disorders, submitted 6-6-2025. 

Long GW, Kumar M, Studzinski DM, Callahan RE, Brown OW. Long-term renal function decline is associated with higher contrast volume administration after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair compared to patients with peripheral arterial disease. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 1 Jan 2026;122:20615. 

Mann L, Ermler M, Davis RT, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Robotic-assisted excision of a type I choledochal cyst with hepaticoduodenostomy and intraoperative identification of gallbladder agenesis. Videoscopy. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/23733063251405096 

Ninkovic M, Felder III JM, Milačak Z, Ninkovic M, Nageeb E. Free functional gracilis muscle opponensplasty for thenar reconstruction: Indications, technique, and long-term outcomes. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. Feb 2026;113:737-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2025.10.015.  

Muca A*, Baida I, Hutchinson M*, Aung K, Beale A, Janczyk R, Iacco, A. Prophylactic drainage does not appear to be necessary in robotic-assisted eTEP Rives–Stoppa, retro-rectus retromuscular hernia repair. International Journal of Abdominal Wall and Hernia Surgery 0.4103/ijawhs.ijawhs_133_25, May 15, 2026. DOI: 10.4103/ijawhs.ijawhs_114_25 

Pemmasani S, Davis RT, George J, Novotny N, Swor R, Menoch M. Analgesia and imaging practices in pediatric appendicitis: a 14-year retrospective trend analysis. Pediatr Emerg Care. 10.1097/pec.0000000000003596, April 1, 2026. | DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003596. 

Saunders M, Davis RT, Novotny NM, Stallion A, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Trends in pediatric opioid prescribing following implementation of statewide opioid stewardship policies in Michigan. Journal of pediatric surgery. J Pediatr Surg. 2026;61:162821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162821. 

Suckow BD, Ponukumati A, Wang L, Columbo J, Stone D, Powell R, [Bove P, Long GW], et al. Open surgery is superior to endovascular therapy in patients with nutcracker syndrome: a vascular low frequency disease consortium analysis. Accepted  J Vasc Surg Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, 19 Feb, 2026.  

Ward KR, Davis RT, Hunyadi J, Al-Katib S, Nandalur K, Watson TJ. Determining size in an era when size matters: interobserver comparison of CT lung tumor size measurements and accuracy of radiologic size estimation compared to pathologic size. Clin Imaging. 2026;134:110783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2026.110783

Ward KR, Davis RT, Ermler M, Theirl E, Wilhelm S*, Tran H, Akay B, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Brahmamdam P. High ligation versus floor repair for adolescent inguinal hernias. Submitted to Am J Surg.  

Wilhelm S*, Chen AL*, Davis RT, Sobolic M, Stallion A, Brahmamdam P, Akay B, Novotny NM. A simplified technique for laparoscopic-assisted cholangiography for biliary atresia. Manuscript submitted for publication. Videoscopy. 2025. 

Wilhelm S, Davis RT, Tolkacz M, Studzinski D, Callahan R, DeMare AM. Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a systematic review of presentation, management, and outcomes. The American Surgeon. Online ahead of print, 20 Jan 2026;2:00031348261419750.  https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348261419750. 

Applegarth J, Kowalczyk T, Wasvary H. NAPRC accreditation. MS in progress for Diseases of the Colon and Rectum.  

Hao S, Applegarth J, Wasvary H. Neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer care. MS in progress for Diseases of the Colon and Rectum.  

Applegarth J, Wasvary H. Metastatic colon cancer patients treated with single agent neoadjuvant immunotherapy alone. MS in progress for Brit Med J Case Reports.  

Applegarth J, Nida JT, Novotny N. Review of robotic curriculum modules for correlation with operative time and competency. In progress 

Applegarth J. Adenoma detection: influence of specialty. Submitted to J. Surgical Endocscopy 2/18/25. Rejected 4/29/25 

LeMarbe K, Mann L, Peshel E, Novotny N Stallion A, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Robotic cholecystectomy I equivalent to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pediatric patients (89.1). In preparation for: J. Laparoendoscopic Tehcniques or Children. 

LeMarbe K, Mann L, Peshel E, Novotny N Stallion A, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Pediatric Robotic Experience... In preparation for: J. Laparoendoscopic Techniques. 

Peshel E, Long GW, Laskovy M, Callahan RE, Studzinski DM, Brown OW. Sex-Specific Differences in Long-Term Outcomes Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair. In preparation for Annals of Vascular Surgery, June 2026. 

Mark Barlek DO, Michael Robbe MD, Abigal Teitelbaum MD, Amira Rabbah BS, Baker Wilkes BS, Rose Callahan MS, Diane Studzinski BS, Graham Long, MD, Otto. W. Brown MD. Evaluating the Incidence of Aortic Pathology Identified in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Screening CT Scans. In preparation for Journal of Vascular Surgery, August 2026. 

Baida, I. Prophylactic drains are not required in robotic eTEP-RS ventral hernia repair. Hernia Surgery Summit, Snowbird, Utah; March, 2026.  

Davis RT, Brahmamdam P, Selber J, Jafri M, Akay B, Stallion A, Novotny NM. From feasibility to practice: barriers and strategies for implementing single-port robotic surgery in pediatric general surgery. Accepted for poster presentation at the Joint Congress of Pediatric Surgery (ESPES/EUPSA/IPEG); 2026. (Poster) 

Davis RT, Pemmasani S, Novotny NM, Menoch M. Association of higher body mass index with imaging escalation and operative complexity in pediatric appendicitis. Accepted for poster presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting; April 25, 2026; Boston, MA. (Poster) 

Davis RT, Pemmasani S, Novotny NM, Menoch M. Impact of body mass index on imaging utilization and operative duration in pediatric appendicitis. Accepted for poster presentation at Corewell Health East Medical Education Research Day; April 2026; Royal Oak, MI. (Poster) 

Davis RT, Wilhelm S, Teitelbaum A, Aung K, Robbe M, Thieman-Poliquin M, Brahmamdam P, Akay B, Stallion A, Nguyen N, Novotny NM. Simulation-based education for pediatric chest tube management: an interprofessional nursing intervention. Accepted for poster presentation at Corewell Health East Medical Education Research Day; April 15, 2026; Royal Oak, MI. (Poster) 

Robbe MN, Barlek MH, Callahan R, Studzinski D, Bove P, Brown OW, Long G. Mid-term evaluation for type 1a endoleaks and sac expansion after endoanchor placement for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Midwest Surgical Association 2026 Annual Meeting, Mackinac Island, Michigan Aug 2-4, 2026. Also presented at: Corewell East Medical Education Research Day, April 15, 2026; SEMCME May 20, 2026.  

Aung K. Evaluation of periprocedural thoracostomy antibiotic administration in blunt thoracic injuries: a retrospective single-institution study. Corewell East Medical Education Research Day, April 15, 2026; SEMCME May 20, 2026.  

Waliezer T. Impact of body mass index on imaging utilization and operative duration in pediatric appendicitis. Poster presentation, Corewell East Medical Education Research Day, April 15, 2026. 

Teitelbaum A. Simulation based education for pediatric chest tube management: an interprofessional nursing intervention. Poster presentation, Corewell East Medical Education Research Day, April 15, 2026. 

Teitelbaum, A. An opioid-sparing hernia repair pathway lowers opioid use in children while providing effective pain management. Poster presentation, Corewell East Medical Education Research Day, April 15, 2026. 

Barlek M, Robbe M, Teitelbaum A, Rabbah A, Wilkes B, Callahan R, Studzinski D, Long G, Brown OW.  Evaluating the incidence of aortic pathology identified in patients undergoing lung cancer screening CT scans. Midwest Surgical Association 2026 Annual Meeting, Mackinac Island, Michigan Aug 2-4, 2026. 

Teitelbaum A, LeMarbe KE, Studzinski D, Shafer C, Muca A, Peshel E, Hilleary R, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Brahmamdam P, Akay B. Opioid-Free Hrnia Repair Protocol Reduces Pediatric Opioid Exposure without Compromising Pain Control. Podium presentation presented at: American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting; 2026. 

Kristin LeMarbe, MD  reducing pediatric opioid exposure using an opioid-free hernia repair protocol while maintaining effective pain control. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. Winner of the KRISHNA K. & PAMELA E. SAWHNEY ETHICS AWARD 

Tyler Kowalczyk. Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in a patient with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Remarkable Cases Session, Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Davis, Ryan. When minutes matter – or do they? Transfer timing and ECMO utilization in outborn congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Teitelbaum, Abigail. Expanding reconstructive options: the versatility of the subscapular vascular system in diabetic and PAD foot and ankle salvage. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Ahmed Haj-Assaad. An analysis of colorectal involvement during cytoreductive surgery for advanced gynecologic cancer. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. (Accepted but not presented) 

Danielle Hurst. Intraoperative code status: identifying barriers to respect for patient autonomy. Podium presentation. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Aung, Kimberly. Evaluation of periprocedural thoracostomy antibiotic administration in blunt thoracic injuries: a retrospective single-institution study. Quickshot Oral Presentation,  Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Robbe, Michael. Midterm evaluation for type 1a endoleaks and sac expansion after endoanchor placement for endovascular aortic aneurysm. Quickshot Oral Presentation,  Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Applegarth J, Volodarskaya M, Wasvary H, Krasnick B. Leveraging AI and Expert Review: A patient-centered decision aid for rectal cancer treatment. ePoster presentation,  Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

Davis R, Brahmamdam P, Selber J, Jafri M, Akay B, Stallion A, Novotny NM. From Feasibility to Practice: barriers and strategies for implementing single-port robotic surgery in pediatric general surgery. ePoster presentation,  Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026; Harper Springs, MI. 

“SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN OPERATE?” SURGICAL SKILLS COMPETITION  Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026. 2nd Place Michael Sobolic, MD & Kimberly Aung, MD, Corewell Health East

Surgical Jeopardy. First Place: returning champions, Kowalczyk, Tyler & LeMarbe, Kristin. Michigan Chapter American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting; May 20-22, 2026.

Muca A, Baida I, Hutchinson M, Aung K, Beale A, Janczyk R, Iacco A. Prophylactic drainage does not appear to be necessary in robotic-assisted eTEP Rives–Stoppa, retro-rectus retromuscular hernia repair. International Journal of Abdominal Wall and Hernia Surgery. 2026 Apr 1;9(2):66-9.

Aplegarth J, Mesiti J, Hurst D, Kowalczyk T, Ziegler M. Review of Colonic Pseudo- obstruction. Surgical Clinics. 2026 Feb 1;106(1):153-68.

Morton JM, Applegarth J, Bin Hameed U, Morato M, Aggarwal N, Novotny N, Nguyen

N. Utilisation of simulation-based training to teach bedside management of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding: a scoping review protocol. BMJ open. 2026 Feb;16(2):e104498.

Hurst D, Najor A, Ikedinobi M, Ziegler M. Transverse colon volvulus in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. BMJ Case Reports. 2026 Jan;19(1):e269399.

Korlewitz R, Nageeb E, Salita A, Selber J. Artificial Intelligence in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Current Applications, Emerging Trends, and Ethical Considerations. Current Surgery Reports. 2026 Dec;14(1):36.

Teitelbaum A, LeMarbe KE, Studzinski D, Shafer C, Muca A, Peshel E, Hilleary R, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Brahmamdam P, Akay B. . Opioid-Free Hernia Repair Protocol Reduces Pediatric Opioid Exposure Without Compromising Pain Control. MS# JPEDSURG-D-26-00575R1 CR. Accepted, Journal of Pediatric Surgery August 6, 2026. (no full citation yet)

Ward KR, Bui J, Reddy RM. Reconstruction Options After Resection of the Gastroesophageal Junction for a Refractory Stricture. Foregut 2026: 2634516126145169

Applegarth J, Brege T, Peeples C. From IVF to imatinib: diagnosis of a rare distal rectal GIST. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, Florida. Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1536. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Applegarth J, Volodarskaya M, Ziegler M, Wasvary H, Krasnick B. Characterizing immunotherapy non-responders in DMMR/MSI-H rectal cancer: an institutional experience. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, Florida. Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1270-1271. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Baker CE, Teitelbaum A, Acheampong M, Ysunza A, Chaiyasate K, Carlson AR, Girotto JA. Buccal flap use in primary palatoplasty does not decrease velopharyngeal insufficiency. Presented at: Research Day Corewell Health West; 2026 May 8; Grand Rapids, MI.

Haj-Assaad A, Stephens J, Li G, Kadado S, Tran H, Wasvary H, Krasnick B, Theirl E. An analysis of colorectal involvement during cytoreductive surgery for advanced gynecologic cancer. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, FL Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1149-1150. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Stephens J, Haj-Assaad A, Applegarth J, Theirl E, Li G, Wasvary H, Krasnick B. Factors associated with ostomy in patients having surgery for gynecologic cancer. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, Florida. Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1360-1361. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Stephens J, Haj-Assaad A, Applegarth J, Theirl E, Li G, Wasvary H, Krasnick B. Factors associated with reversal of ostomy in patients who required ostomy for gynecologic surgery. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, Florida. Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1535. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Teitelbaum A, LeMarbe K, Studzinski D, Shafer C, Muca A, Stallion A, Novotny NM, Brahmamdam P, Akay B. An Opioid-Sparing Hernia Repair Pathway Lowers Opioid Use in Children While Providing Effective Pain Management. Michigan Medical Education and Health Bulletin. 2026 Jun 29;4(2 (supplement)).

Volodarskaya M, Applegarth J, Krasnick B. Leveraging AI and expert review to develop a patient-centered decision aid for rectal cancer treatment. 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons May 9-12, 2026, Tampa, Florida. Dis Colon Rectum. 2026 May;69(5):1175-1176. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000004203

Wilhelm S, Applegarth J, Novotny NM, Nguyen N. Good judgment in action: enhancing surgeon feedback through simulation. Presented at: American College of Surgeons 2026 ACS Surgical Simulation Summit; 2026 Mar 12-13; Chicago, IL. Available from:https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/conferences-and-meetings/surgical- simulation-summit/abstracts/