May 18, 2006

David Hoyt, M.D., Renowed Trauma Surgeon Leaves UCSD

By Eileen Callahan

David Hoyt, M.D., chief of the division of trauma, burn and surgical care, has accepted the position of Chairman of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. He will leave UCSD Medical Center June 30th and begin his duties at UC Irvine July 1.

Hoyt helped to develop the San Diego Regional Trauma System that serves as a model both nationally and internationally.

“Dr. Hoyt’s contributions to UCSD Medical Center and the County of San Diego will be a permanent legacy to his dedication, energy, and creativity in the fields of surgery, trauma, and critical care,” said Mark Talamini, Chairman, UCSD Department of Surgery.

Raul Coimbra, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, has been named the new Chief of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burns at UCSD Medical Center. He will begin his new duties July 1.

"Dr. Coimbra has developed into a national leader in trauma surgery during his tenure here at UCSD,” said Talamini “The UCSD Trauma Program will be in very talented and capable hands.”

Coimbra, Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at UCSD Medical Center, has more than 16 years of experience as a trauma surgeon and in the care of critically ill ICU patients. In his new role he will serve as the chairman of the Medical Audit Committee, which is the mechanism to perform quality assurance countywide in trauma.

“In his new role, Dr. Coimbra, will build upon the spectacular success of the UCSD Trauma and Burn programs,” said Talamini.

Established in 1984, the UCSD Trauma Center has treated over 30,000 patients in the past 22 years, and treated almost 2,000 last year alone. UCSD Trauma Center continues in its longstanding rating as a Level I trauma center through many research projects, education and community efforts.

Coimbra came to UCSD in 1998, continuing a distinguished career he began in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He graduated from Santa Casa School of Medicine in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and completed his residency training in General and Peripheral Vascular Surgery at the Department of Surgery, Santa Casa School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Coimbra also has a Master’s Degree, and a Doctorate Degree from Santa Casa School of Medicine in Sao Paulo.

Hoyt began his career at UCSD Medical Center as a surgical resident in 1976. He joined the faculty in 1984 at UCSD and immediately became involved in the Trauma Services as a Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. In 1995 he was appointed Professor of Surgery and was awarded The Monroe E. Trout Professorship in Surgery in 1996. He also served as Chairman of the UCSD Board of Governors from 1998 to 2002.

Media Contact: Eileen Callahan, 619-543-6163