
Madison Cuffy, MD, MBA, FACS Peter Stock, MD, PhD
University of Cincinnati UCSF
Brief biosketch:
Dr. Cuffy: Dr. Madison Cuffy earned his MD from the State University of New York- Upstate Medical University in 2002. He completed his General Surgery residency at Yale University in 2010 while obtaining a Master’s in Business Administration from Cornell University Johnson School of Business in 2007. He completed a fellowship in Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Columbia University/ NY Presbyterian Hospital. In 2012, Dr. Cuffy joined the staff at the University of Cincinnati and is currently an Associate Professor of Surgery.
He is currently the Director of Kidney Transplant at the University of Cincinnati and was previously surgical director of kidney transplant at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. He also is the Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the UC Department of Surgery. He serves as an active member on several hospital committees and professional societies and is a current member of the Business Practice Service Committee in ASTS.
Dr. Cuffy’s areas of special interests include dialysis access, paired exchange, and disparities in access to kidney transplantation.
Dr. Stock: Dr. Peter Stock is a Professor of Surgery and a multiorgan transplant surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, and performs kidney, pancreas, and liver transplants. He also serves as the Surgical Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at UCSF, as well as the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program. His translational research explores beta cell replacement for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes, and he is currently co-Director of the UCSF Pancreatic Islet Transplant Program and was co-PI on the CIRM (California Institute of Regenerative Medicine) stem cell initiative to bring stem cell-derived beta cells to a clinical trial. He was a co-Investigator on the NIH-sponsored Clinical Trials in Islet Transplantation (CIT), as well as a site-PI on the NIH-sponsored Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (CTOT) studying the induction of transplantation tolerance to block alloimmunity and recurrent autoimmunity following solid organ pancreas and pancreatic islet transplantation. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIH U01 multicenter trial studying the immune response following liver and kidney transplants in people with HIV. Dr. Stock was President of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) from June 2014 - June 2015.
Spotlight Questions:
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Who was your earliest professional influence?
Dr. Cuffy: I’ve had many professional influences including transplant surgeons, Dr. Dilip Kittur and Dr. Lloyd Ratner who were instrumental in my career. There was a vascular surgeon, Dr. Richard Gusberg at Yale who was a professional influence during general surgery residency.
Growing up without my parents, my great aunt who adopted me was the earliest influence. She taught me that hard work, dedication, and perseverance could overcome any barriers that were in front of me.
My earliest professional influence was Dr. Dale Distant. He was a transplant surgeon at SUNY at Brooklyn. He was the first surgeon I met who was African-American. I watched him perform a kidney transplant at the age 14 through a summer volunteer program. I was immediately mesmerized and wanted to become a transplant surgeon. Without that early experience, I’m not sure I would have been motivated to became a transplant surgeon.
Dr. Stock: My aunt was Tom Starzl’s first social worker in 1968--as a kid I played with some of the kids he transplanted. Many stayed at my aunt’s house. She was a good friend of Tom Starzl’s until she died at the age of 92. I was really young but I still remember that. Definitely imprinted transplant on my brain. But my immediate mentor was Nancy Ascher, who took me through my first splenectomy when I was an intern. She told me I was really good (total nonsense but she was very encouraging in those years). I really don’t think I did anything, but the spleen ended up in my hand in like 5 seconds, and she told me I should go into transplant…so I did.
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What are you most proud of personally/professionally?
Dr. Cuffy: Personally, I am proud of having a wonderful and beautiful wife and 2 daughters that bring me the most joy every day.
Professionally, I am proud that I accomplished my goal in life - to become a transplant surgeon. Accomplishing this goal, while becoming the first in my family to graduate from a US college, medical school, business school, and hopefully law school at some point, is what I am most proud of.
Dr. Stock: My work on making transplantation a reality for people with HIV….my absolute high was being in the Oval Office with President Obama.
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What is your favorite pastime/hobby?
Dr. Cuffy: Reading a good novel. I love reading books about the Mafia and various mob bosses including Frank Costello, John Gotti and Meyer Lansky. I find that I am the most relaxed when I read books outside of the medical field.
Dr. Stock: Getting high and hypoxic--as in mountaineering. Also like to run long distances…..my nickname is Forrest Gump or the Gumper for short. Ask Ryo why they really call me that….it is sort of a good story.
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If not transplant surgery, then what?
Dr. Cuffy: I would be a teacher in an inner city. Although I love surgery, the ability to be a mentor to a child and push them to achieve their potential is something that is an amazing feeling. I remember some of my teachers who inspired me and the joy on their faces when they realized I became a surgeon.
Dr. Stock: I always wanted to be a pilot or rock star…not necessarily in that order.
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What was the best piece of advice you have received?
Dr. Cuffy: Two quotes by my great-aunt that I revere:
“Anything you accomplish in life requires hard work and perseverance.”
“When you think you are fooling other people, you are only fooling yourself. Always be yourself and never try to be someone else.”
Dr. Stock: Don’t sweat the small stuff. (I wish I paid more attention to that.)
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What’s your favorite drink?
Dr. Cuffy: Old fashioned with Woodford Reserve double oaked and two cherries.
Dr. Stock: Vodka Martini Shaken not stirred (extra dry)
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What’s your favorite movie?
Dr. Cuffy: Men of Honor. This was about Carl Brasher and his goal to become a US Navy Master Diver after the military was desegregated. Despite all obstacles and hurdles he became the first African-American Navy Master Diver.
Dr. Stock: ANY James Bond movies, but outside of James Bond I would have to say, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
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Constance M. Mobley, MD, PhD, FACS Marwan Abouljoud, MED, FACS, CPE, MMM
Houston Methodist Hospital Henry Ford Health System
Brief biosketch:
Dr. Mobley: Dr. Constance M. Mobley earned her MD and PhD from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2003. She completed her General Surgery residency and fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at the University of Michigan. Subsequently, she went on to complete a fellowship in Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. In 2014, Dr. Mobley joined the staff of Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Dr. Mobley is a board-certified surgeon in surgical critical care, and transplant surgery. She is currently the Medical Director of the Surgical & Liver ICU and Program Director for the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. She serves as an active member on several hospital committees and professional societies and is a current member of the Legislative and Regulatory Committee.
Dr. Mobley’s areas of special interests include management of the critically ill liver failure patient, methodology to improve liver transplant success in high MELD patients, and management of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and post-transplant cardiomyopathy. She is actively involved in several clinical research trials spanning transplant immunology, liver disease, and support devices to both prolong donor organ utility, and bridge to liver transplant.
Dr. Abouljoud: Marwan Abouljoud is the Director of the Transplant Institute and Hepatobiliary Surgery and is the Benson Ford Chair in Transplantation at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.
He is the recipient of the Henry Ford Medical Group (HFMG) Dr. Fred Whitehouse Distinguished Career Award and has previously served as Chief Medical Officer for HFMG. He is past Chair of the Board of Governors for the HFMG. Dr. Abouljoud cofounded the Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) in addition to creating several other physician development programs.
Dr. Abouljoud serves on the American Board of Surgery and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons as current president. He has served many leadership roles with ASTS, AST, and UNOS.
Dr. Abouljoud completed medical School at the American University of Beirut, surgical residency at the University of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital. Transplant surgery fellowship was at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and Baylor University in Dallas. He joined the faculty at Henry Ford Hospital in 1994 where he remains on staff.
Areas of interest include liver cancer, living donor liver transplantation, resilience, mindful practices, and leadership development. Within ASTS he has interests in education, business practices, diversity, wellness and public policy.
Spotlight Questions:
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Who was your earliest professional influence?
Dr. Mobley: Dr. John Tarpley the Surgery Program Director at Vanderbilt University. As a medical student he was the first attending who recognized my interest in surgery and supported it. He was not only an excellent surgeon, but a great teacher and truly a kind soul. He exemplified the surgeon as healer.
During residency at Michigan Dr. Shawn Pelletier and Dr. Kenneth Woodside were the fellows when I was an intern and PGY5, respectively. They were the biggest influences in my decision to pursue transplant, despite an eventful DCD donor that landed me with a few stitches. Sorry, I cannot divulge more… Vegas rules.
Dr. Abouljoud: There are so many remarkable individuals who helped shape my career and choices until the current day and deserve mention; though I will focus on early years. Dr. Rick Dow (vascular and transplant surgeon) was a great mentor and steered me back to Henry Ford Hospital after my training. He was masterful at asking questions and helping you find your own answers. My early interest was in plastic surgery. I spent a year with Dr. Stephen Mathes at UCSF and he was an interesting person who always asked “why not.” He believed in potential and was always excited about moving forward and innovating. He influenced my early interest in plastic surgery and helped me secure a fellowship. Subsequently, having worked with Dr. Jeremiah Turcotte, I gradually veered into transplantation surgery. He was a thoughtful leader and a consummate professional. This interest further galvanized after working with Drs. Anthony Monaco and Roger Jenkins at Deaconess. Hence, I changed path to transplantation surgery and never looked back.
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What are you most proud of personally/professionally?
Dr. Mobley: Hands down I am blessed with the best the family ever - my parents along with four built-in besties (my four sisters).
Professionally I am most proud of my work since joining Houston Methodist. We have a fantastic team and they are truly my extended family. Under the direction of Dr. A. Osama Gaber and Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial, we have built a tremendous transplant division and I am proud to have been an integral part of that. I have been able to combine my critical care training with transplant surgery to oversee the care of some of the most critically ill patients. The gratitude from the patients and families is humbling and drives me to push harder on their behalf.
Dr. Abouljoud: Professionally: Having the opportunity to build a solid and comprehensive transplant institute with support from a great institution, amazing partners and supportive and engaged staff. Serving the ASTS in the various capacities starting with Business Practice, then Education and the TACC and currently as President.
Personally: Having a loving and supportive family. My wife Mary and the children deserve an associate degree in transplantation, as they lived through the personal growth, and pains, that come with a career in transplantation surgery.
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What is your favorite pastime/hobby?
Dr. Mobley: Shopping and fashion. One of the best parts of living in LA, and purposefully close to Beverly Hills, was window shopping on Rodeo Drive.
Dr. Abouljoud: In the winter skiing is number 1, great memories with the kids. In the summer, love golf (just got my new Cobras-age adjusted), being on the water (sailing or fishing), and shooting clay every now and then (just got a new Caesar Guerini 12 gauge).
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If not transplant surgery, then what?
Dr. Mobley: Fashion designer, which explains my hobby. After high school my plan was to go to NYC then Italy and join the house of Versace. Throughout college I continued to draw and design, but ultimately fashion succumbed to science and surgery. So, I would still be sewing something just not in the operating theatre.
Dr. Abouljoud: In medicine, I still like plastic and reconstructive surgery and especially composite allograft work and re-implantation. I trained in microsurgery early on for that reason. I enjoy organizational development and behavioral management and always wondered how it would have played out if this field was indeed open in the 1980s.
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What was the best piece of advice you have received?
Dr. Mobley: The piece of advice given to me by my mom is to be kind, be honest and be grateful. This really does take you a long way and having gratitude for even the small things keeps life in perspective.
One of the best pieces of professional advice was given to me by my PhD advisor, Dr. Linda Sealy. She told me “the right time is now." She forced me to stop chasing perfection, and to move out of my comfort zone. Too often women tend to hold back and wait until everything is perfect. I learned that most times you are more prepared than you think and will be successful if you just go for it.
Dr. Abouljoud: Always pursue your passion. And when you do, give it all you got. Now I would add: just remember the complete portfolio, do not leave family behind and make them part of that passion.
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What’s your favorite drink?
Dr. Mobley: Lemonade, but not too sweet. I don’t care for pop (that’s Midwestern for soda). I find the tartness of the lemons very refreshing. But I should drink more water.
Dr. Abouljoud: MaCallan Highland single malt. Have not had one I did not savor.
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What’s your favorite movie?
Dr. Mobley: O Captain, My Captain…. Dead Poets Society. So much inspiration… encouragement to create your own path, to challenge the status quo, to make your life extraordinary. A lesson in how to be fearless. Carpe diem!
Dr. Abouljoud: I am a terrible movie junkie. I ran the movie club in high school and had my 16mm Bell and Howell projector. I do not have one favorite movie, though movies that I really enjoyed include Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, One Flew over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Life of Pi, Ordinary People, The Last Mohican, Rain Man, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally. Of course, I am always open for a Harrison Ford or James Bond thriller or even a Sci Fi, as long as there is popcorn and a cold beer.