ETSU Surgery Department

10/24/2025

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ricardo Lopez to Abingdon Surgical Associates — Abingdon!

He will work alongside Dr. William Cummins, Dr. Amy Hitchcock and Dr. Matthew Dorn.

Dr. Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in northeast Georgia, with family roots stretching all the way to West Virginia. He completed his education in Johnson City and chose to stay in the Appalachian Highlands. "My wife and I fell in love with the Appalachian Highlands, and we are thrilled to be able to stay in the region," he says.

Dr. Lopez enjoys the hands-on nature of surgery and the opportunity to make an immediate impact on his patients' health. Inspired by his mother, a veterinarian, he values listening deeply and treating patients like family.

His services include appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy and colon surgery, gastrostomy, hiatal hernia repair, inguinal hernia repair, robotic surgery, skin cancer/skin lesion excision and ventral hernia repair.

10/21/2025

08/01/2025

500 robotic-assisted surgeries completed! 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Edward Gray and his team at Holston Valley Medical Center for reaching an exciting milestone, completing 500 robotic-assisted surgeries using the da Vinci Xi system!

This advanced technology enables greater precision through smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, faster healing, and a quicker return to daily life for our patients.

Dr. Gray's dedication and surgical expertise, along with the hard work of his entire team, continue to raise the standard of care for our region. We're proud to celebrate this achievement and the many lives impacted along the way.

05/09/2025

Web description: In this episode of Why I Teach, Dr. Christy Lawson reflects on her journey to the operating room and classroom.

05/02/2025

Kleinman authors study evaluating aging retina
Dr. Mark Kleinman, professor in the Department of Surgery, is the corresponding author of a recent publication in the journal Aging Cell. The study explores the role of histone loss and hypoacetylation in the normal aging process of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, offering new insights into the complex biology of the aging retina.

04/10/2025

The Surgery Department is pleased to welcome Dr. John E. Hershman to our Plastic Surgery Division. Dr. Hershman's previous position was the Medical Director of Burn and Reconstructive Centers of Texas.

04/10/2025

The Surgery Department is pleased to welcome Dr. Corey W. Iqbal, M.D. Dr. Iqbal was the previous Medical Director of Pediatric and Fetal Surgery at the Overland Park Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. He joined the department on January 1, 2025.

A few of Dr. Iqbal's specialties are:
• Intestinal Malrotation and Volvulus
• Pulmonary Malformations
• Pediatric Tumors
• Ovarian Tumors and Cysts
• Diaphragmatic Hernias
• Branchial Cleft and Arch Anomalies
• Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease
• Thyroglossal Duct Cysts and Sinuses
• Pilonidal Disease

04/10/2025

Each year, a designated committee at Quillen College of Medicine hosts the Caduceus Awards to recognize attendings, residents, faculty, and staff members who consistently excel in medical education.

Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Mannino for being awarded the 2025 M3 Outstanding Surgery Resident Award.

04/10/2025

Each year, a designated committee at Quillen College of Medicine hosts the Caduceus Awards to recognize attendings, residents, faculty, and staff members who consistently excel in medical education.

Congratulations to Dr. Natalie Scott for being awarded the 2025 M3 Outstanding Surgery Attending Award.

03/27/2025

Welcome 2025 Department of Surgery Interns!