Member News September 2026

Schiff Heads NIH Global Research

Steven Schiff, MD, PhD, FACS, has taken over as director of the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) associate director for international research. A pediatric neurosurgeon and global health researcher, Dr. Schiff currently serves as the Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery, vice chair for global health in the Department of Neurosurgery, and professor of epidemiology and of electrical and computer engineering at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. As director of FIC, Dr. Schiff will lead NIH’s global health research efforts by supporting collaborations between US and international investigators, strengthening partnerships among research institutions worldwide, and training future global health scientists.

Turgeon Takes Over as AST President

Nicole Turgeon, MD, FACS, began her term as president of the American Society of Transplantation (AST). A kidney-pancreas transplant surgeon, Dr. Turgeon is a professor, division chief, and director of transplant surgery in the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. She also is transplant director of the Abdominal Transplant Center partnership between Dell Medical School and Ascension Seton. The AST, which is the largest transplant organization in North America, advances the field of transplantation and improves patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, and organ donation.

Warburton Is Named UMSOD Interim Dean

Gary Warburton, DDS, MD, FACS, has been appointed interim dean for the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) in Baltimore. An expert in temporomandibular joint and maxillofacial trauma surgery, Dr. Warburton is a professor and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UMSOD and chief of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

Weiss Steps into Executive Role

Matthew J. Weiss, MD, MBA, FACS, is senior vice president and chair of the Department of Surgery at the Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and North Shore University Hospital in New York. He will continue as deputy physician-in-chief and director of the surgical oncology program at Northwell Cancer Institute. In 2027, Dr. Weiss also will assume the role of executive director of Northwell Health’s surgery service line. Recruited to Northwell from Johns Hopkins in 2019, he has dedicated his career to advancing the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

Nakaji Expands Leadership Roles in Arizona

Peter Nakaji, MD, FACS, has been named academic division chief of neurosciences at Arizona State University (ASU) John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering in Phoenix. A neurosurgeon, researcher, and educator, Dr. Nakaji also will continue in his role as physician executive director of the Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute at HonorHealth. He will help shape the future of neurosciences while strengthening collaboration between ASU Health and HonorHealth's neuroscience leadership.

Momeni Leads Plastic Surgery at Stanford

Arash Momeni, MD, FACS, is chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford Medicine in California. An associate professor who joined the Stanford faculty in 2017, Dr. Momeni specializes in microsurgery and serves as co-leader of the Stanford Breast Cancer Care Program.

Have you or an ACS member you know achieved a notable career highlight recently? If so, send potential contributions to Jennifer Bagley, MA, Bulletin Editor-in-Chief, at jbagley@facs.org. Submissions will be printed based on content type and available space.