Jackson Baril
MD, MBA
2023-2025
Interests: HPB Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Surgical Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Innovations in Heath Care Delivery
Mentors: C. Max Schmidt
Dr. Baril is a research resident in the Division of Surgical Oncology under the mentorship of Dr. C. Max Schmidt. His research focuses on surgical outcomes in HPB Surgery. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, MD, and MBA at the University of Minnesota prior to starting general surgery residency at Indiana University. He is excited to use his business training to improve healthcare delivery for both patients and providers. The resiliency and compassion of patients, their families, and other health care providers inspire Dr. Baril’s passion for quality health care and lifelong learning.
2023-2025
Interests: HPB Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Surgical Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Innovations in Heath Care Delivery
Mentors: C. Max Schmidt
Dr. Baril is a research resident in the Division of Surgical Oncology under the mentorship of Dr. C. Max Schmidt. His research focuses on surgical outcomes in HPB Surgery. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, MD, and MBA at the University of Minnesota prior to starting general surgery residency at Indiana University. He is excited to use his business training to improve healthcare delivery for both patients and providers. The resiliency and compassion of patients, their families, and other health care providers inspire Dr. Baril’s passion for quality health care and lifelong learning.
Signe Braafladt
MD
2022-2024
Interests: Endocrine Surgery, Thyroidectomy in Autoimmune Disease, Quality of Life after Thyroidectomy
Mentors: David Haggstrom, Andrew Gonzalez, Alexandria McDow
Dr. Braafladt is a Surgical Health Services Research Fellow at the Regenstrief Institute. Her research focus is on surgical outcomes and quality of life in patients after undergoing thyroidectomy. She is also interested in the effects of health disparities on surgical patients and is part of the resident DEI council focusing on expanding the quarterly Disparity M&M. She was born and raised in Duluth, MN before attending St. Olaf College where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She then moved to Norfolk, VA where she obtained her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Braafladt is taking time away from general surgery residency to work as a research fellow at Regenstrief and with the SOQIC team. She is also working to obtain a master’s in clinical research through Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.
2022-2024
Interests: Endocrine Surgery, Thyroidectomy in Autoimmune Disease, Quality of Life after Thyroidectomy
Mentors: David Haggstrom, Andrew Gonzalez, Alexandria McDow
Dr. Braafladt is a Surgical Health Services Research Fellow at the Regenstrief Institute. Her research focus is on surgical outcomes and quality of life in patients after undergoing thyroidectomy. She is also interested in the effects of health disparities on surgical patients and is part of the resident DEI council focusing on expanding the quarterly Disparity M&M. She was born and raised in Duluth, MN before attending St. Olaf College where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She then moved to Norfolk, VA where she obtained her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Braafladt is taking time away from general surgery residency to work as a research fellow at Regenstrief and with the SOQIC team. She is also working to obtain a master’s in clinical research through Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.
Maya Hunt
MD
2023-2025
Interests: Surgical education, culture, mentorship
Mentors: Dimitri Stefanidis, E.M. Ritter
Dr. Hunt is a Surgical Education Research Fellow working within the IU Department of Surgical Education. She is interested in how education can impact surgical culture and the dynamics between power and leadership. Originally from Austin, TX, she spent a year abroad following high school spent on a leadership program in Israel attending the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and volunteering as a gardener in an agricultural youth village. She returned to the US, moving to New York City, where she obtained two bachelors’ degrees simultaneously through the Joint Program between the Jewish Theological Seminary andColumbia University, in Biblical Studies and Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species. She returned to Texas attending medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, TX before starting her general surgery residency at Indiana University. She is actively taking time away from residency to pursue research as a Surgical Education Research Fellow and well as the Surgical Education Numbered Trial (SENT) Fellow with the SOQIC at the Regenstrief Institute. In addition to her research endeavors, she is earning her master’s degree in Health Professions Education through the University of Illinois Chicago.
2023-2025
Interests: Surgical education, culture, mentorship
Mentors: Dimitri Stefanidis, E.M. Ritter
Dr. Hunt is a Surgical Education Research Fellow working within the IU Department of Surgical Education. She is interested in how education can impact surgical culture and the dynamics between power and leadership. Originally from Austin, TX, she spent a year abroad following high school spent on a leadership program in Israel attending the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and volunteering as a gardener in an agricultural youth village. She returned to the US, moving to New York City, where she obtained two bachelors’ degrees simultaneously through the Joint Program between the Jewish Theological Seminary andColumbia University, in Biblical Studies and Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species. She returned to Texas attending medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, TX before starting her general surgery residency at Indiana University. She is actively taking time away from residency to pursue research as a Surgical Education Research Fellow and well as the Surgical Education Numbered Trial (SENT) Fellow with the SOQIC at the Regenstrief Institute. In addition to her research endeavors, she is earning her master’s degree in Health Professions Education through the University of Illinois Chicago.
Lauren Janczewski
MD
2022-2024
Interests: Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, the experience of pregnancy and parenthood in surgical training, hospital quality, quality measures/standards, quality improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Anthony Yang, Heidi Nelson, Yue-Yung Hu
Dr. Janczewski will be spending two years with the American College of Surgeons' Cancer Programs in collaboration as a T32 funded postdoctoral fellow. Her research interests include surgical and oncologic outcomes, specifically hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, oncologic staging standards, and quality improvement. Dr. Janczewski grew up in upstate New York. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University and medical degree from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. During her dedicated research time, she will also obtain a Master's in Health Services and Outcomes Research through Northwestern University, where she is currently a general surgery resident as well. She plans to incorporate these interests and training into a future career as a surgical oncologist and health services and outcomes researcher.
2022-2024
Interests: Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, the experience of pregnancy and parenthood in surgical training, hospital quality, quality measures/standards, quality improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Anthony Yang, Heidi Nelson, Yue-Yung Hu
Dr. Janczewski will be spending two years with the American College of Surgeons' Cancer Programs in collaboration as a T32 funded postdoctoral fellow. Her research interests include surgical and oncologic outcomes, specifically hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, oncologic staging standards, and quality improvement. Dr. Janczewski grew up in upstate New York. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University and medical degree from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. During her dedicated research time, she will also obtain a Master's in Health Services and Outcomes Research through Northwestern University, where she is currently a general surgery resident as well. She plans to incorporate these interests and training into a future career as a surgical oncologist and health services and outcomes researcher.
Rachel Kim
MD
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Multidisciplinary Care Optimization for Pancreatic Cancer, Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Outcomes
Mentors: Max Schmidt, Trang Nguyen, Eugene Ceppa
Dr. Kim is a current general surgery resident at Indiana University. She grew up in the Baltimore metropolitan area in Maryland, and obtained her bachelor degrees in Biochemistry and Math at the University of Maryland, College Park. She then went on to complete her medical school training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Research at the Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) graduate program. She has a particular research interest in the optimization of care for pancreatic cancer patients, as well as the early detection of pancreatic cancer and HPB surgery outcomes. She plans to pursue a Surgical Oncology fellowship after residency.
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Multidisciplinary Care Optimization for Pancreatic Cancer, Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Outcomes
Mentors: Max Schmidt, Trang Nguyen, Eugene Ceppa
Dr. Kim is a current general surgery resident at Indiana University. She grew up in the Baltimore metropolitan area in Maryland, and obtained her bachelor degrees in Biochemistry and Math at the University of Maryland, College Park. She then went on to complete her medical school training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Research at the Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) graduate program. She has a particular research interest in the optimization of care for pancreatic cancer patients, as well as the early detection of pancreatic cancer and HPB surgery outcomes. She plans to pursue a Surgical Oncology fellowship after residency.
Kyle Lewellen
MD
2022-2024
Interests: Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgical Outcomes, Chronic Pancreatitis
Mentors: Nicholas Zyromski
Dr. Lewellen is a research fellow at Indiana University School of Medicine in the Division of Surgical Oncology. His research focus is in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. He was born and raised in Indiana. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame and medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. He is taking dedicated time in general surgery residency to pursue a research fellowship in the Division of Surgical Oncology.
2022-2024
Interests: Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgical Outcomes, Chronic Pancreatitis
Mentors: Nicholas Zyromski
Dr. Lewellen is a research fellow at Indiana University School of Medicine in the Division of Surgical Oncology. His research focus is in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. He was born and raised in Indiana. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame and medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. He is taking dedicated time in general surgery residency to pursue a research fellowship in the Division of Surgical Oncology.
Tyler Robinson
MD
2022-2024
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Anthony Yang, Ashley Meagher, Andrew Gonzalez
Dr. Robinson is a general surgery resident at Indiana University School of Medicine and a surgical health services fellow at Regenstrief Institute. In addition to his research, he is completing a master’s of science in clinical research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. He grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois where he enjoyed local sports and skateboarding. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University. He then completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine. His research interests include health outcomes and quality improvement in cancer care, trauma and critical care, as well as artificial intelligence in healthcare.
2022-2024
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Anthony Yang, Ashley Meagher, Andrew Gonzalez
Dr. Robinson is a general surgery resident at Indiana University School of Medicine and a surgical health services fellow at Regenstrief Institute. In addition to his research, he is completing a master’s of science in clinical research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. He grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois where he enjoyed local sports and skateboarding. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University. He then completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine. His research interests include health outcomes and quality improvement in cancer care, trauma and critical care, as well as artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Casey Silver
MD
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Silver’s research interests lie in surgical outcomes and quality improvement as well as health disparities in surgical care. She grew up in central Massachusetts before obtaining her bachelor degree from Amherst College and then her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. She is taking time away from her general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center to complete her research fellowship at SOQIC and obtain a master’s degree in Health Services and Outcomes at Northwestern University’s Institute for Public Health and Medicine.
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Silver’s research interests lie in surgical outcomes and quality improvement as well as health disparities in surgical care. She grew up in central Massachusetts before obtaining her bachelor degree from Amherst College and then her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. She is taking time away from her general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center to complete her research fellowship at SOQIC and obtain a master’s degree in Health Services and Outcomes at Northwestern University’s Institute for Public Health and Medicine.
Michael Visenio
MD, MPH
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Karl Bilimoria, and Anne Stey
Dr. Visenio’s research interests are in minimizing health disparities within surgical populations and in health policy as it relates to access to surgical care. Dr. Visenio obtained his bachelor's degree at Creighton University with a major in Biology and minor in Public Health. He then went on to medical school at University of Nebraska. Between his third and fourth years of medical school, Dr. Visenio revisited the field of public health and earned a Master of Public Health at Harvard University. Following medical school, Dr. Visenio went on to general surgery residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is taking dedicated time from residency to pursue a research fellowship at SOQIC and earn a master’s degree in Health Services and Outcomes Research at Northwestern University.
2021-2023
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement
Mentors: Ryan Merkow, Karl Bilimoria, and Anne Stey
Dr. Visenio’s research interests are in minimizing health disparities within surgical populations and in health policy as it relates to access to surgical care. Dr. Visenio obtained his bachelor's degree at Creighton University with a major in Biology and minor in Public Health. He then went on to medical school at University of Nebraska. Between his third and fourth years of medical school, Dr. Visenio revisited the field of public health and earned a Master of Public Health at Harvard University. Following medical school, Dr. Visenio went on to general surgery residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is taking dedicated time from residency to pursue a research fellowship at SOQIC and earn a master’s degree in Health Services and Outcomes Research at Northwestern University.