Sanford Emery named director of surgical services, interim chair of Department of Surgery

Vice President and Executive Dean of Health Sciences Clay Marsh, M.D., has appointed Sanford Emery, M.D., M.B.A., as director of surgical services and interim chair of the Department of Surgery for the WVU School of Medicine. Dr. Emery will be responsible for the coordination of all surgical services provided by WVU Healthcare.

“As all hospitals and health systems look for ways to improve quality of care and decrease costs, this is an excellent opportunity for us to take advantage of multidisciplinary approaches, subspecialties and technological advances by consolidating our surgical service lines under one umbrella,” said WVUH President and CEO Albert Wright. “At the same time, we can enhance surgical services provided to our patients by better coordinating their care.”

“I’m excited to take on the responsibility of this new role and look forward to working with our department chairs and leaders as we transition to a more coordinated approach to surgery,” Emery said. “We have a talented group of surgeons and staff, and by rethinking how we deliver care, leveraging resources for research and education, and really attacking program development, we can greatly strengthen our surgical services. I believe this will benefit our institution and our patients in West Virginia.”

Don Nakayama, M.D., has stepped down as chair of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Nakayama has recruited talented faculty and expanded the scope of services offered in pediatric and bariatric surgery in the state, and was instrumental in acquiring certification for the Trauma Center, Bariatric Center and Breast Care Center. He has also increased the School of Medicine’s presence nationally and has developed a strong visiting professor program that has attracted prominent leaders in the surgical arena to participate in the School’s surgical lectureships.