Program Faculty

Sebastiano Cassaro, MD, FACS

Dr. Cassaro is a graduate of the University of Genova School of Medicine. After a surgical internship there, he completed a General Surgery residency at the New York Medical College Cabrini program in New York. He is Board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Cassaro held teaching positions and faculty appointments at New York Medical College, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and New York University School of Medicine. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Cassaro is a member of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, the Surgical Infection Society, and several other professional societies. He is the author of numerous publications, and has a special interest and expertise in abdominal wall reconstruction, patient safety, quality improvement, and surgical education. Dr. Cassaro is the Academic Chair of Acute Care and Trauma Surgery and the Residency Program Director.

Nichole S. Atherton, MD, FACS

Dr. Atherton is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her General Surgery residency at University of California, Irvine. She is Board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Atherton has a special interest and expertise in Trauma and Minimally Invasive General Surgery, is a member of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and is the author of several publications. She is Clinical Chair of Acute Care and Trauma Surgery and holds an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Ameneh D Kalani, MD, FACS

Dr. Kalani is a graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. She completed a General Surgery residency at the North Shore Long Island Jewish program in Manhasset, New York, and a Transplant fellowship at the University of Nebraska. She is Board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Dr. Kalani is the author of several publications, and has a special interest and expertise in hepatobiliary surgery. She holds a faculty appointment as Adjunct Professor for Clinical Medicine at the American University of Antigua. She is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Satish Kesavaramanujam, MD, FACS

Dr. Kesavaramanujam is a graduate of the Rajah Muthiah Medical College. He completed a General Surgery residency at Our Lady of Mercy program in New York, followed by a Thoracic Surgery fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian in New York. He is Board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kesavaramanujam has a special interest and expertise in minimally invasive General and Thoracic Surgery. He is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and holds a faculty appointment as Adjunct Professor for Clinical Medicine at the American University of Antigua. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Abiy Meshesha, MD, FACS

Dr. Meshesha is a graduate of Jimma Health Science Institute medical school. After a surgical residency in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he completed a General Surgery Residency at the Baylor College of Medicine program in Houston. He is Board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Meshesha has a special interest and expertise in Minimally Invasive and Robotic General Surgery. He holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor for Clinical Medicine at the American University of Antigua. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Kartheek Nagappala, MD, FACS

Dr. Nagappala is a graduate of Bangalore Medical College. He completed a General Surgery Residency and a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, both at Wayne State University Detroit Medical Center. He is Board certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Nagappala has a special interest and expertise in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Minimally Invasive General Surgery. He is the Vice-chairman of the Department of Surgery and holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor for Clinical Medicine at the American University of Antigua. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Vincent E Kirkpatrick, MD, FACS

Dr. Kirkpatrick is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine. He completed a General Surgery Residency at University of Texas, San Antonio and a Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Orlando Health in Florida. He is Board certified in General Surgery. Dr. Kirkpatrick has a special interest and expertise in Minimally Invasive General and Bariatric Surgery. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.

Dr. Rasmussen is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed a General Surgery Residency at Mercy Health-St Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital of Youngstown, Ohio. Dr. Rasmussen has a special interest and expertise in Minimally Invasive General Surgery. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Surgery Residency Program.