Academic Department of Surgery - Lubbock

Welcome to the Department of Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. We are an academic surgery program with several hallmarks. First and foremost, we train the best of the next generation of independent, confident surgeons ready for general surgery practice or to pursue advanced fellowship training upon graduation. We do this by providing early autonomy in diagnosis and clinical decision making, perioperative care, and in the operating room itself. We believe that in order to practice surgery well, you must actually be in the operating room from the start of your surgical training. We value the collegiality and support we provide each other and ensure that camaraderie remains a defining characteristic of this program. Diversity in race, gender, educational background and interests have been an active focus of our resident and faculty recruitment over the past several years, and we see the result in an enriched work environment each day.

We have well established Centers of Excellence in the John A. Griswold Level 1 Trauma Center (see trauma center video) and the Timothy J. Harner Regional Burn Center (see burn center video), both of which have over 20 years of continuous verification by the American College of Surgeons. We are unique in being the most geographically isolated Level 1 trauma center and burn center as judged by distance from competing centers; thus we maintain a large referral base from a widespread rural population. We also provide acute care general surgery services at the only Level 2 center in the region, and surgical services at the TDCJ Montford Prison Hospital, which received surgical referrals from half of Texas. In combination, these referral bases ensure that our faculty and trainees are caring for the sickest, most complex surgical patients in the entire West Texas Eastern New Mexico region, providing an unparalleled training experience.

Against this backdrop of acute surgical care, we are rapidly expanding the quantity, complexity and quality of elective surgery. We have Centers of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery and Breast Surgery and are developing similar centers in Pediatric Surgery, Foregut Surgery/Endoscopic Procedures, and Oncology, along with the recent addition of providing surgical services at the largest private hospital in the region. To help trainees develop advanced technical skills in the relatively short duration of training, we have not only a robust case volume but a strong FLS accredited simulation center with dedicated faculty and personnel, and formal programs in endoscopic and robotic training.

Since a key purpose of an academic surgical department is to continually advance the science of surgery, we have a vigorous clinical, basic science and outcomes research program, centered on the Burn Center for Research Excellence (BCORE), TTUHSC Clinical Research Institute (CRI) and the School for Public Health. Through alliances with the Southwest Cancer Center and TTU departments of engineering, we have developed translational research programs in cancer genetics, molecular biology and biomedical technologic innovations; the list of research projects with department of surgery involvement seems to grow daily.

A big strength of the program is our close-knit structure; nearly the entire residency gathers in one room with faculty for check-out conference each morning, in addition to weekly academic conferences. There is a team structure in place that pairs junior residents with senior colleagues and faculty to afford mentoring and guidance from day one.Close working relationships are quickly developed and grow over the years so nobody feels isolated or without support. We are a family, and that is what makes Texas Tech in Lubbock the best place to work and train. Thank you, and welcome.

- Ariel Santos, MD, MPH, FRSCS, FACS
Peter C. Canizaro Chair, Department of Surgery

We strive to promote expansion and facilitate execution of clinical and translational research in the Department of Surgery, while enhancing faculty and student development and improving quality of patient care. Our goals are to: provide formalized research education for faculty and student investigators; develop a structured student research internship program; facilitate collaborations between clinical and basic science faculty; initiate active trials in all subspecialty areas in the department; and continue to increase external research funding

The research interests of our faculty are broad, ranging from new drug and device trials to microbial pathogenesis. Wound infection has long been a focus of interest and has developed into the formation of two Centers of Research Excellence: the Burn Center of Research Excellence (BCoRE) and the The Rumbaugh Lab. We are extremely proud of our faculty, residents and students who regularly publish, present and win awards for their research activities.

Our institution offers students the opportunity to explore meaningful scientific questions while working alongside a Principal Investigator (PI) whose expertise aligns with their interests. We encourage prospective researchers to begin by identifying a PI whose work inspires them, using our faculty directory to learn more about ongoing projects and mentorship opportunities. Students can also strengthen their professional development by joining the American College of Surgeons, which offers valuable resources, networking, and early exposure to the surgical research community.

Explore how our long-standing commitment to burns and wounds research—driven by multidisciplinary collaboration, student and faculty engagement, and nationally recognized scientific achievement—has led to the development of a designated Center of Excellence at TTUHSC. Learn more about our impactful work and ongoing innovations in burn care and translational research.

Burn Center of Research Excellence (BCoRE)

Discover how our wound infection research program—built on more than two decades of pioneering work in bacterial pathogenesis, biofilms, and polymicrobial interactions—continues to advance new therapeutic approaches and support clinical trial development. Learn more about our innovative research and its impact on improving outcomes for patients with acute and chronic wound infections.

The Rumbaugh Lab

Emily Vanderpool, Ph.D.
(806) 743-6098
emily.vanderpool@ttuhsc.edu

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Ari Halldorsson, M.D., FACS, FCCP

Professor of Surgery
Medical Director, Trauma/Surgical ICU
Vice Chairman of Surgery
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery,
 

Dr. Ari Halldorsson – a dedicated surgeon and surgical educator, loyal colleague, and friend to all of us in the Department of Surgery, died unexpectedly on 12/13/21. We will continue to honor his accomplishments and contributions with the establishment of a memorial fund in his honor to further his passion and aid future residents in their educational pursuits.

Please consider giving to the  Ari Omar Halldorsson, M.D. Memorial Fund

View the Celebration of life service for Dr. Ari Halldorsson

Biography

The Department of Surgery is heartbroken at the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Dr. Ari Halldorsson on December 13, 2021. 

Dr. Halldorsson was a native of Iceland (or, in his words, a proud Viking!) and a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He devoted most of his professional time over the past 20 years toward building a strong general surgery residency program, ensuring our graduates were trained to the highest standards. As Director of the Trauma and Surgical ICU at UMC he raised the level of surgical critical care in this region to new heights, with an emphasis on the latest in evidence based medicine alongside a strong focus on interdisciplinary care and teamwork. He was a loyal colleague and old-school surgeon, always ready to help and go the extra mile, even before being asked.
In the words of longstanding colleague Dr. Dixon Santana, that speak for all of us:
"We’ll remember you with all your special nuances and our memories from all the days gone before that we were privileged to share with you…
Today we’ll grieve for you, and cry for you and even smile because of you… And in all the tomorrows we’ll feel you – gone in some ways, but your presence ever near.
Go well…stay well…always."

He worked with passion, integrity and energy. With his departure all the people who knew him will miss a highly intelligent, vibrant individual with a rare friendliness and charm of personality. Ari was a genuinely warm and wonderful individual—one we will miss greatly. Our sorrow is lessened only slightly with the comforting thought that we had the privilege to know him.

Dr. Halldorsson was born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland. After completing medical school at the University of Iceland, he chose to come to the United States where he completed his surgical residency training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and the University of Arizona in Tucson. During this time, he realized he had a fervent interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery and went on to complete Fellowships in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oncologic Thoracic Surgery and Heart and Lung Transplantation all at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Upon completion of his Fellowships, Dr. Halldorsson traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana where he received the appointment of Assistant Professor at LSU which he held for three years while he strengthened both his skills as a surgeon and an educator. In 2001, Dr. Halldorsson joined the faculty at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. In 2005 he was promoted to Full Professor of Surgery with Tenure. During his time at Texas Tech he has served as Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Medical Director of the Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Vice Chair of Surgery and Director of CME activities within the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Halldorsson was very passionate about the education of our future physicians but most especially our future surgeons. From 2001-2002 he served as Clerkship Director for third year medical students. Since 2002, he has been the Residency Program Director for the Department of Surgery, a job that he is very enthusiastic about dedicating countless hours to the education and well-being of all of the young men and women that have progressed through his program. He has also developed several programs and courses used by both the Department of Surgery and the School of Medicine at TTUHSC. He has been the recipient of many teaching and role model awards further exemplifying both his skill and passion for surgical education.

Dr. Halldorsson was an accomplished researcher within his field and has approximately 200 publications, presentations and book chapters to his credit. Despite his busy practice, education, administrative work, and research, he tried to be active in international humanitarian work. He led or participated in mission trips to Honduras, Mexico and Vietnam.

For these reasons, and many more, the Ari Omar Halldorsson, M.D. Memorial Fund has been established to further his passion and aid future residents in their educational pursuits.

Clinical & Educational Interests

Special interest in General Thoracic Surgery problems relating to lungs, mediastinum and esophagus. Secondary interest: General Surgery, Intensive Care, Trauma. Strong believer in minimally invasive surgical approaches to thoracic pathology including Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). Also strong advocate of multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment of lung cancer. 

"I strongly believe that it is our professional duty to pass on wisdom and experience to the next generation of surgeons. Interacting with surgery residents and seeing them grow from timid interns to well educated, technically skilled and overall competent chief residents is the most rewarding aspect of being in academic practice. I am especially interested in the overall organization of the residency to maximize the residents learning experience and the latest educational and evaluation methods such as OSCE's, Simulation labs and incorporation of the six core competencies into the curriculum and clinical teaching."