“Science is ruled by idea and technique, which are welded to form a wheel that revolves and gains momentum. Activity arouses idea, which in turn begets method. With blood on my hands I can discover; seated at my desk, I have no chance. This is the philosophy of activism which governs science.”

—Charles B. Huggins, MD

Not only is Christopher Williams, MS, PA-C, an exceptional physician assistant, he is a father, brother, son, husband, friend, music lover and video game enthusiast. The road to becoming a physician assistant was a long one for Williams, but the dynamic force of will has been the central determinant of his successes. He is made content by the constant support of his family, as well as the intentional choice to join UChicago Medicine and serve the community that he considers an extension of his being.

As a new father, a PA in a busy practice and partner, a life of leisure—as Williams explained it—is not a thing for him right now. When we met him, we could see that his plate was full, but we also saw a very distinctive fire in his eyes to persevere, prevail and live a full life, which was kindled at a very young age. Growing up, he watched awe-inspired as his parents built businesses from the ground up and traversed circuitous valleys before eventually landing on success. To Williams, they personify dedication. With sacrifice and hard work, all while holding a heavy plate, dreams can evolve into a reality that was once inconceivable.

Williams is an avid gamer, and he actually compares the hand mobility, coordination and dexterity required of a skilled gamer to surgery. “I really like to use my hands to do things,” he stated. Being able to use his hands in the clinic and the operating room to treat patients brings him immense satisfaction, as he is fulfilled by that ability, along with a bright mind, to problem-solve and assemble elaborate puzzles. He went on to say, “It’s not a job well done unless my scrubs are crimson red.” What he meant is that with blood on his hands and on his scrubs, irrespective of the outcome, he feels a sense of accomplishment and that he has relentlessly given his all.

Whether you agree with him that Aquemini is the best album by Outkast or not, one thing we can all agree on is that Christopher Williams is a solid human being, whose altruistic acts are deeply connected to his allegiance to patient-centered care.

This is Christopher Williams, Behind the Mask.

Vascular & Endovascular Surgery

The Section of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy at the University of Chicago Medicine is one of the nation’s leading vascular surgery centers. Our premier clinical programs include the Center for Aortic Diseases, led by vascular and cardiac surgeons with unmatched experience who provide personalized treatment planning. The Limb Salvage Program, which serves patients on the South Side of Chicago and helps to prevent such complications of disease as leg amputation. The section is also home to the Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome Program, which is internationally recognized for its multidisciplinary approach to treating the condition with minimally invasive techniques. We are leaders in clinical and basic science research, with a particular focus on the geometry and biomechanics of surgical anatomies and biological interfaces. We are a cohesive and diverse team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, vascular lab technologists and operating room staff who are committed to the best patient care and making new discoveries in the field of vascular surgery.

Ross Milner, MD<br />
Professor of Surgery

Ross Milner, MD
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
Co-Director, Center for Aortic Diseases
Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs and Perioperative Services
Learn More & Contact

faculty listing

Professor of Surgery
Ross Milner, MD, Professor of Surgery; Chief, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Program; Co-Director, Center for Aortic Diseases; Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs and Perioperative Services; Master Clinician, Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence; Huggins Society Advisor, Pritzker School of Medicine
Christopher L. Skelly, MD, Professor of Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Medical Director, Noninvasive Vascular Imaging Laboratories

Associate Professor of Surgery
Trissa A. Babrowski, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery; Director, Limb Salvage Program
Chelsea Dorsey, MD, RPVI, Associate Dean for Medical Student Academic Advising and Advancement for Pritzker School of Medicine and a Vice Chair for DEI

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Luka Pocivavsek, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery

Clinical Associate of Surgery
Paul Lantz, DPM, Clinical Associate of Surgery

Research Assistant Professor
Nhung Nguyen, PhD, Research Assistant Professor

faculty honors

Chelsea Dorsey, MD, RPVI, was named one of the Association of Women Surgeons “40 under 40” female surgeons. She was selected to serve as the inaugural Chair of the Young Surgeons Section of the Society for Vascular Surgery. She was promoted to Associate Dean of Medical Student Academic Advising and Advancement at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Dorsey was invited to deliver the Bowman Society Lecture, titled “Workforce Diversity in Surgery: The Struggle to See One to Be One,” during Pritzker’s Revisit Weekend in March.

faculty promotions

Nhung Nguyen, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar to Research Assistant Professor, effective April 1, 2022

select publications

Trissa A. Babrowski, MD

Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair With Chimney Graft for Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm. Gaines S, Williamson AJ, Park J, Babrowski TA, Milner R. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2022 May;56(4):444-447. doi: 10.1177/15385744211068650. Epub 2022 Feb 28. PMID: 35227139.

The shifting care and outcomes for patients with endangered limbs – Critical limb ischemia (SCOPE-CLI) registry overview of study design and rationale. Scierka LE, Mena-Hurtado C, Shishehbor MH, Spertus JA, Nagpal S, Babrowski T, Bunte MC, Politano A, Humphries M, Chung J, Kirksey L, Alabi O, Soukas P, Parikh S, Faizer R, Fitridge R, Provance J, Romain G, McMillan N, Stone N, Scott K, Fuss C, Pacheco CM, Gosch K, Harper-Brooks A, Smolderen KG; SCOPE-CLI Academic Research Consortium. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2022 Feb 12;39:100971. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.100971. eCollection 2022 Apr. PMID: 35198727 Free PMC article.

Outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with concomitant blunt thoracic aortic injury and traumatic brain injury from the Aortic Trauma Foundation global registry. Arbabi CN, DuBose J, Starnes BW, Saqib N, Quiroga E, Miller C, Azizzadeh A; Aortic Trauma Foundation Study Group. J Vasc Surg. 2022 Mar;75(3):930-938. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.09.028. Epub 2021 Oct 1. PMID: 34606963.

Outcomes and practice patterns of medical management of blunt thoracic aortic injury from the Aortic Trauma Foundation global registry. Arbabi CN, DuBose J, Charlton-Ouw K, Starnes BW, Saqib N, Quiroga E, Miller C, Azizzadeh A; Aortic Trauma Foundation Study Group. J Vasc Surg. 2022 Feb;75(2):625-631. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.08.084. Epub 2021 Sep 21. PMID: 34560220.

Endovascular aortic repair with EndoAnchors demonstrate good mid-term outcomes in physician-initiated multicenter analysis-The PERU registry. Reyes Valdivia A, Chaudhuri A, Milner R, Pratesi G, Reijnen MM, Tinelli G, Schuurmann R, Barbante M, Babrowski TA, Pitoulias G, Tshomba Y, Gandarias C, Badawy A, de Vries JP. Vascular. 2022 Feb;30(1):27-37. doi: 10.1177/1708538121992596. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33568007.

Computational analysis of endovascular aortic repair proximal seal zone preservation with endoanchors: A case study in cylindrical neck anatomy. Abbott E, Dhara S, Khabaz K, Sankary S, Cao K, Nguyen N, Babrowski T, Pocivavsek L, Milner R. JVS Vasc Sci. 2021 Jun 24;2:170-178. doi: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.06.001. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34617067. Free PMC article.

Right-sided Upper Extremity Access for Patients Undergoing Parallel Graft Placement during Endovascular Aortic Repair is Not Associated with Increased Neurologic Events When Compared with Left Upper Extremity Access. Maximus S, Long K, Babrowski T, Park J, Milner R. Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 May;73:37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.10.028. Epub 2020 Nov 26. PMID: 33249130.

Outcomes of chimney and fenestrated endografting using Viabahn VBX and atrium iCAST stents. Clark EC, Babrowski TA, Milner R. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2021 Apr;62(2):136-145. doi: 10.23736/S0021-9509.20.11479-4. Epub 2020 Dec 10. PMID: 33302612.

Gaussian Surface Curvature Mapping Indicating High Risk Type B Thoracic Aortic Dissections. Dhara SS, Hermsen M, Khabaz K, Abbott E, Babrowski TA, Milner R, Lee CJ, Pocivavsek L. Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 Jan;70:171-180. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.08.096. Epub 2020 Aug 29. PMID: 32866573.

Chelsea Dorsey, MD

Evaluating the Thematic Nature of Microaggression among Racial and Ethnic Minority Surgeons. Appah-Sampong A, Zakrison T, Vela M, Saunders M, Zhang L, Dorsey C. J Am Coll Surg. 2022 Aug 1;235(2):210-216. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000249. Epub 2022 Apr 28. PMID: 35839395.

A beginner’s guide to diversity, equity, and inclusion typecasting. Dorsey C. J Vasc Surg. 2022 May;75(5):1499-1500. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.12.063. PMID: 35461673 No abstract available.

Vascular Surgery Curriculum for Medical Students: A National Targeted Needs Assessment. Dorsey C, McKenzie N, Milner R, Lee J, Schindler N. Ann Vasc Surg. 2022 Feb;79:11-16. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.08.040. Epub 2021 Oct 21. PMID: 34688874.

Health care disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andraska EA, Alabi O, Dorsey C, Erben Y, Velazquez G, Franco-Mesa C, Sachdev U. Semin Vasc Surg. 2021 Sep;34(3):82-88. doi: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2021.08.002. Epub 2021 Aug 9. PMID: 34642040 Free PMC article. Review.

Update on workforce diversity in vascular surgery. Dorsey C, Ross E, Appah-Sampong A, Vela M, Saunders M. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Jul;74(1):5-11.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.12.063. Epub 2020 Dec 19. PMID: 33348000 Free PMC article.

Alternate Approach to Concomitant Carotid and Coronary Disease: Perioperative IABP Use during Carotid Endarterectomy. Campbell PA, Dorsey C, Jeevanandam V, Milner R. Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 Apr;72:663.e9-663.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.10.025. Epub 2020 Dec 4. PMID: 33285271.

Ross Milner, MD

Combined Stroke and Spinal Cord Ischemia in Hybrid Type I Aortic Arch Debranching and TEVAR and the Dual Role of the Left Subclavian Artery. Awad H, Raza A, Saklayen S, Bhandary S, Kelani H, Powers C, Bourekas E, Stine I, Milner R, Valentine E, Essandoh M. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Sep;36(9):3687-3700. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2021.08.030. Epub 2021 Aug 25. PMID: 34538558 No abstract available.

Significant vascular complications in percutaneous axillary intra-aortic balloon pump. Nishida H, Song T, Onsager D, Nguyen A, Grinstein J, Chung B, Smith B, Kalantari S, Sarswat N, Kim G, Pinney S, Jeevanandam V, Milner R, Ota T. Ann Vasc Surg. 2022 Jul;83:42-52. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.12.078. Epub 2022 Jan 5. PMID: 34995740.

Prophylactic sac outflow vessel embolization is associated with improved sac regression in patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Rokosh RS, Chang H, Butler JR, Rockman CB, Patel VI, Milner R, Jacobowitz GR, Cayne NS, Veith F, Garg K. J Vasc Surg. 2022 Jul;76(1):113-121.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.11.070. Epub 2021 Dec 17. PMID: 34923066.

Editor’s Choice – PRINciples of optimal antithrombotiC therapy and coagulation managEment during elective fenestrated and branched EndovaScular aortic repairS (PRINCE ² SS): An International Expert Based Delphi Consensus Study. D’Oria M, Bertoglio L, Bignamini AA, Mani K, Kölbel T, Oderich G, Chiesa R, Lepidi S; PRINCE(2)SS collaborative study group. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2022 Jun;63(6):838-850. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.03.002. Epub 2022 Mar 12. PMID: 35568605.

Initial Experience with Fenestrated Physician-Modified Stent Grafts Using 3D Aortic Templates. Rynio P, Jedrzejczak T, Rybicka A, Milner R, Gutowski P, Kazimierczak A. J Clin Med. 2022 Apr 13;11(8):2180. doi: 10.3390/jcm11082180. PMID: 35456273 Free PMC article.

Mid-term outcomes of the use of endoanchors during thoracic endovascular aortic repair in multicentre analysis. Reyes Valdivia A, Milner R, Heijmen R, Riambau V, Rousseau H, Tinelli G, Kotelis D, Zanabili Al-Sibbai AA, Pitoulias G, Zúñiga CG, de Beaufort HWL, Panagiotis D, Chaudhuri A. Vascular. 2022 Feb 27:17085381221076320. doi: 10.1177/17085381221076320. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35225085.

Management of Proximal DVT: Clinical Benefit of Endovenous Intervention Is Still in Question. Polcari K, Milner R. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2022 Feb;63(2):335. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2021.11.002. Epub 2021 Dec 24. PMID: 34961670 No abstract available.

The Impact of Degenerative Connective Tissue Disorders on Outcomes Following Endovascular Aortic Intervention in the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment. Delaney CL, Milner R, Loa J; Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) Investigators. Ann Vasc Surg. 2022 Feb;79:81-90. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.07.013. Epub 2021 Oct 10. PMID: 34644638.

Snorkel and chimney endografting for juxtarenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is an acceptable, but aging technology. Pallister ZS, Milner R, Chung J. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2022 Jan;11(1):50-52. doi: 10.21037/acs-2021-taes-14. PMID: 35211387. Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Endovascular repair of aortic perforation and type B aortic dissection after axillary intra-aortic balloon pump insertion. Twohig K, Williamson AJ, Milner R. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2021 Aug 27;7(4):617-620. doi: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2021.06.008. eCollection 2021 Dec. PMID: 34693087. Free PMC article.

Aortic dilation, physician-made fenestration, and well-designed consternation. Milner R. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Oct;74(4):1098. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.04.023. PMID: 34598754 No abstract available.

Contemporary Outcomes After Partial Resection of Infected Aortic Grafts. Janko M, Hubbard G, Woo K, Kashyap VS, Mitchell M, Murugesan A, Chen L, Gardner R, Baril D, Hacker RI, Szeberin Z, ElSayed R, Magee GA, Motta F, Zhou W, Lemmon G, Coleman D, Behrendt CA, Aziz F, Black JH, Tran K, Dao A, Shutze W, Garrett HE, De Caridi G, Patel R, Liapis CD, Geroulakos G, Kakisis J, Moulakakis K, Kakkos SK, Obara H, Wang G, Stoecker J, Rhéaume P, Davila V, Ravin R, DeMartino R, Milner R, Shalhub S, Jim J, Lee J, Dubuis C, Ricco JB, Coselli J, Lemaire S, Fatima J, Sanford J, Yoshida W, Schermerhorn ML, Menard M, Belkin M, Blackwood S, Conrad M, Wang L, Crofts S, Nixon T, Wu T, Chiesa R, Bose S, Turner J, Moore R, Smith J, Irshad A, Hsu J, Czerny M, Cullen J, Kahlberg A, Setacci C, Joh JH, Senneville E, Garrido P, Sarac TP, Rizzo A, Go MR, Bjorck M, Gavali H, Wanhainen A, D’Oria M, Lepidi S, Mastrorilli D, Veraldi G, Piazza M, Squizzato F, Beck A, St John R, Wishy A, Humphries M, Shah SK, Back M, Chung J, Lawrence PF, Bath J, Smeds MR. Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 Oct;76:202-210. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.07.002. Epub 2021 Aug 23. PMID: 34437963.

Excluder Stent Graft-Related Outcomes in Patients with Aortic Neck Anatomy Outside of Instructions For Use (IFU) within the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT): Mid-term Follow-Up Results. Barry IP, Barns M, Verhoeven E, Wong J, Dubenec S, Heyligers JM, Milner R, Shutze WP, Bachoo P, Vlaskovky P, Mwipatayi BP; GREAT participants. Ann Vasc Surg. 2021 Oct;76:222-231. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.04.032. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID: 34182115.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for symptomatic penetrating aortic ulcers and intramural hematomas is associated with poor outcomes. Rokosh RS, Rockman CB, Patel VI, Milner R, Osborne NH, Cayne NS, Jacobowitz GR, Garg K. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Jul;74(1):63-70.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.11.045. Epub 2020 Dec 16. PMID: 33340703.

Safety and effectiveness of the TREO stent graft for the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Eagleton MJ, Stoner M, Henretta J, Dryjski M, Panneton J, Tassiopoulos A, Mehta M, Pearce B, Sharafuddin MJ; TREO Investigators. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Jul;74(1):114-123.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.10.083. Epub 2020 Nov 28. PMID: 33253871 Clinical Trial.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysm in association with congenital pelvic kidney treated with iliac branch device: case report. Centofanti G, Nishinari K, De Fina B, Cavalcante RN, Krutman M, Milner R. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2021 Mar 17;16(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s13019-021-01409-x. PMID: 33731177. Free PMC article.

In situ bypass and extra-anatomic bypass procedures result in similar survival in patients with secondary aortoenteric fistulas. Janko MR, Woo K, Hacker RI, Baril D, Bath J, Smeds MR, Kashyap VS, Szeberin Z, Magee GA, Elsayed R, Wishy A, St John R, Beck A, Farber M, Motta F, Zhou W, Lemmon G, Coleman D, Behrendt CA, Aziz F, Black J, Shutze W, Garrett HE Jr, De Caridi G, Liapis CD, Geroulakos G, Kakisis J, Moulakakis K, Kakkos SK, Obara H, Wang G, Rhéaume P, Davila V, Ravin R, DeMartino R, Milner R, Shalhub S, Jim J, Lee J, Dubuis C, Ricco JB, Coselli J, Lemaire S, Fatima J, Sanford J, Yoshida W, Schermerhorn ML, Menard M, Belkin M, Blackwood S, Conrad M, Wang L, Crofts S, Nixon T, Wu T, Chiesa R, Bose S, Turner J, Moore R, Smith J, Ciocca R, Hsu J, Czerny M, Cullen J, Kahlberg A, Setacci C, Joh JH, Senneville E, Garrido P, Sarac TP, Rizzo A, Go MR, Bjorck M, Gavali H, Wanhainen A, Lawrence PF, Chung J. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Jan;73(1):210-221.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.515. Epub 2020 May 21. PMID: 32445832.

Luka Pocivavsek, MD, PhD

Contemporary Unplanned Readmission Trends Following Management of Type B Aortic Dissection. Williamson AJ, Sankary S, Kuchta KM, Gaines S, Morcos O, Lind B, Pocivavsek L, Dua A, Lee CJ. Vasc Specialist Int. 2022 Jun 24;38:16. doi: 10.5758/vsi.220007. PMID: 35748179. Free PMC article.

Usage of a percutaneous closure device to repair an iatrogenic subclavian artery injury. Kent J, Zarifa R, Pocivavsek L. Vascular. 2022 Mar 31:17085381211068220. doi: 10.1177/17085381211068220. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35361024.

Multiscale geometry and mechanics of lipid monolayer collapse. Carotenuto AR, Nguyen N, Cao K, Gaffney A, Waring AJ, C Lee KY, Owen D, Fraldi M, Deseri L, Pocivavsek L. Curr Top Membr. 2021;87:1-45. doi: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2021.08.003. Epub 2021 Oct 19. PMID: 34696882.

Christopher L. Skelly, MD

Median arcuate ligament syndrome – Current state of management. Skelly CL, Mak GZ. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2021 Dec;30(6):151129. doi: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2021.151129. Epub 2021 Nov 16. PMID: 34930594.

Targeting Coping to Improve Surgical Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Feasibility Study. Stiles-Shields C, Osos S, Heilbrun A, Feldman ECH, Mak GZ, Skelly CL, Drossos T. Front Psychol. 2021 Oct 22;12:695435. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.695435. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34744860 Free PMC article.

residents & fellows

View the Vascular Surgery Residents and Fellows here.