On Jan. 1, Sukgu Han, MD, began his new role as chief of the Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Program at Keck Medicine of USC. The news was announced by Vaughn A. Starnes, MD, executive director of the USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute.

Han took over for Fred A. Weaver, MD, who stepped down as chief of the Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Program to become Keck Medicine’s associate chief clinical officer for surgical and procedural operations.

Weaver joined the University of Southern California in 1986 and served as chief of the Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Program for 26 years. Under his leadership, the program grew from three surgeons to a team of nine vascular surgeons, four podiatric surgeons and their staff, who serve patients at multiple Keck Medicine hospitals and multispecialty locations.

“I would like to personally thank Dr. Weaver for all his years of service,” said Starnes in his announcement. “More importantly, I would like to thank him for his friendship and wise counsel throughout our 31 years working together.”

Han, who joined Keck Medicine in 2014, most recently served as co-director of Keck Hospital of USC’s Comprehensive Aortic Center with cardiac surgeon Fernando Fleischman, MD. His superb endovascular and open vascular surgical skills and knowledge in the treatment of aortic disease are well recognized making Keck Hospital of USC an educational destination for surgeons from Brazil, Australia, South Korea and the United States.

Han earned his medical degree at the University of California, Irvine, then completed his medical training at the University of Southern California. In 2012, he was voted outstanding chief resident by the faculty. He also holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering, which he obtained during his surgical residency.

— Kate Faye