Dr. Robert “Bob” Hye was born in South Dakota and received his medical degree from Northwestern. He then moved to his next and final home, San Diego, completing his general surgery residency at UCSD and his vascular surgery fellowship at Scripps. He joined the faculty at UCSD as a vascular surgeon, eventually becoming associate professor and chief of the division from 1988-1997. In 1997 he moved his practice to Kaiser Permanente San Diego and served in the capacity of chief of vascular surgery department starting in 2004.
Bob was an outstanding vascular surgeon committed to excellence in research by being the San Diego Area Research Chair for SCPMG. His academic interests included carotid and peripheral arterial disease. Bob published over 100 articles and book chapters, and was the Principal Investigator in 40 clinical research trials to better the field of vascular surgery. He was also responsible for founding registries to track abdominal aortic aneurysms within the Kaiser Permanente System. As a physician, educator, researcher, and scholar, Bob’s life is a testament to vascular surgery – the surgical specialty he cultivated and helped flourish at UCSD and in the Southern California region. His counsel, enthusiasm for vascular surgery, commitment to resident education, and leadership was especially significant.
He took advantage of every day and never complained about his illness, referring to it as only “bad luck”. He was pragmatic, sharp and funny. He passed on February 22, 2016. He is deeply missed by everyone whose life was touched by his.
Kelley Hodgkiss-Harlow, MD:
“I first met Bob as “Dr. Hye” during a carotid when I was a third year general surgery resident. His at times crusty and gruff demeanor, especially in the OR, belied a sharp snarky wit which was hilarious. I distinctly remember he told me during the case “Well, what you lack in surgical ability you definitely make up through enthusiasm!” Four years later, our paths crossed again when he hired me as one of his partners at Kaiser Permanente San Diego. In this new capacity to me as a mentor and colleague, he soon became a close friend. I realized that not only our vascular surgery group, but pretty much all surgeons would come to him for advice and sage wisdom. He always seemed to know what to say, whether in response to a rough case, a bad outcome, a great save, or just a shoulder to lean on. His door was always open, and the chair across from his desk was always filled with someone who left his office grateful to have been heard.
A consummate academic surgeon, he remained incredibly active and busy with both his clinical practice and his research. Through his direction he put Kaiser Permanente on the map in terms of clinical trials and publications. For me, what I remember the most about Bob is that he was always the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave, it was a staple of our department to yell a “Good night Bob!” as we walked out late at night. Which is not to say that Bob couldn’t have fun, some of my favorite memories are him introducing me to Steve Poltz concerts, drinking a beer out on the beach at sunset, and being entertained by his spirited liberal ‘political discussions’ with my more conservative colleagues. He has made such an incredibly positive impact on so many lives, personally and professionally, and my life is significantly enriched for having met him. He is missed every day.”
Karen Woo, MD, PhD:
“Dr. Hye was one of the greatest human beings I have had the privilege of knowing. He selflessly gave his most and best to everyone in his many roles as surgeon, physician, teacher, mentor, father, partner, leader and friend. The world is a better place having had him in it.”
Peter Lawrence, MD:
Bob Hye was an exceptional person and friend to many vascular surgeons in Southern California. He had a great commitment to students and residents and was a very strong advocate for them, as well as being a great teacher. He was an equally dedicated surgeon and made patient welfare and outcomes his highest priority. He is greatly missed by many generations of Southern California surgeons.
Julie Ann Freischlag, MD
“Bob was the best partner I ever had- great surgeon, teacher, thought leader and person.
I considered him always to be my friend- and me his. How lucky is that.”
Robert J. Hye Best Trainee Awards (BEST PAPER PRESENTATIONS)
2023
FIRST PLACE: 30-Day Risk Score for Mortality and Stroke in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis Using Artificial Intelligence Based Carotid Plaque Morphology Rohini J. Patel, MD, MPH, University of California San Diego SECOND PLACE: Stepping up: The Impact of Competitive Level on Outcomes of TOS, a Comparison of High School and Collegiate Athletes Stephanie D. Talutis, MD, MPH, University of California Los Angeles THIRD PLACE: Post-Operative Survival and Outcomes Following Hemodialysis Vascular Access Creation Karissa M Wang, University of California Los Angeles 
2022
FIRST PLACE Cyanoacrylate Embolization Versus Radiofrequency Ablation of the Greater Saphenous Vein: Clinical Outcomes Within a Health Management Organization Caryssa Lim, MD, Kaiser Permanante, Fontana SECOND PLACE Single Stage and Two Stage Arteriovenous Fistulas Have Similar Outcomes Rohini Patel, MD, University of California, San Diego THIRD PLACE Laser Fenestration in Complex Aortic Repair: Versatile Option in Difficult Anatomy, Emergencies and Bailouts Peter Layman, DO, University of California, San Diego
2021
FIRST PLACE Trends in Preoperative Imaging Prior to Elective Carotid Endarterectomy Shauna Trinh, MD, Riverside University Health SECOND PLACE TIE Opioid Prescription for Index Hemodialysis Access Creation Timothy Copeland, MPP, University of California, Los Angeles SECOND PLACE TIE Balancing Outcomes, Costs and Quality of Life in the Treatment of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Cost- Effectiveness Analysis Christina Cui, MAS, University of California, San Diego SECOND PLACE TIE Carotid Duplex is not Warranted Before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Cameron St. Hilaire, MD, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital THIRD PLACE Endovenous Microfoam Ablation of Truncal Veins with a Large Diameter Saphenofemoral and Saphenopopliteal Junction Results in Excellent Closure and Low Thrombotic Complication Rates Amanda Chin, MD, University of California, Los Angeles
2020
FIRST PLACE Anesthetic Choice During Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (Tcar) and Carotid Endarterectomy Impacts Risk of Myocardial Infarction (Mi) RA Marmor MD MAS, University of California, San Diego SECOND PLACE Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Is Associated With Increased Risk of Bleeding and Decreased Risk of Stroke Following Carotid Endarterectomy RA Marmor MD, University of California, San Diego THIRD PLACE Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation: Physical Exam vs Flow Study BC Caputo MS3, Loma Linda University THIRD PLACE The Influence of Ethnicity On Outcomes of Peripheral Artery Disease in Southern California JA Gabel MD, Loma Linda University THIRD PLACE Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Transcarotid Artery Stenting CL Cui BS, University of California, San Diego
2019
FIRST PLACE ACS-NSQIP Targeted Database Evaluation of Obesity as a Risk Factor for Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Outcomes S Maithel, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA SECOND PLACE Variations in Lower Extremity Use Endovascular Interventions and Atherectomy by Indication, Site of Service and Geographic Region T Chiou, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA THIRD PLACE Paneled Saphenous Vein Grafts Compared to Internal Jugular Vein Grafts in Venous Reconstruction After Pancreaticoduodenectomy J Pantoja, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2018
FIRST PLACE Endovascular Reconstruction of the Subclavian Artery for Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Meena M. Archie, MD Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA SECOND PLACE Early Experience with Fenestrated and Branched Endografts for Endovascular Treatment of Complex Aortic Aneurysms Antonio J. Covarrubias, MD University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA THIRD PLACE Debranching of Supra-aortic Vessels with Femoral Artery Inflow for Late Ascending Aortic Rupture Joshua A. Gabel, MD Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA
2017
FIRST PLACE Ultrasound Vein and Artery Mapping by General Surgery Residents During Initial Consult Can Decrease Time to Dialysis Access Creation Kelsey Gray, MD Harbor–University of California Medical Center, Torrance, CA SECOND PLACE Most Common Surgical Missteps in the Management of Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Which Lead to Re- Operation Mena Archie, MD University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA THIRD PLACE Pre-Operative Cardiac Stress Testing in the So Cal VOICe Kaelan Chan, MD University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2016
FIRST PLACE Dialysis Access Hemorrhage: Access Rescue from Surgical Emergency Tazo Inui, MD University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA SECOND PLACE Access to Post-Hospitalization Acute Care Facilities Depends on Payer Status for Open Abdominal Aortic Repair and Lower Extremity Bypass in the VQI Jesus G. Ulloa, MD University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA THIRD PLACE Significance of Blunted Venous Waveforms Seen on Upper Extremity Ultrasound Xuan-Binh D. Pham Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
2015
FIRST PLACE The Addition of Ultrasound Arterial Examination to Preoperative Upper Extremity Vein Mapping Jerry J. Kim, MD Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA SECOND PLACE Differential Endoleaks Rates After Endovascular Treatment of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using Modular Bifurcated and Unibody Stent Grafts Phong T. Dargon, MD Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA THIRD PLACE Vascular Access Complications Associated With Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Allan W. Tulloch, MD University of California, Los Angeles, CA
2014
FIRST PLACE Management of Spontaneous Isolated Visceral Artery Dissection: ARetrospective Review Sae Hee Ko, MD University of California at San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA SECOND PLACE Late Consequences of Type II Endoleak After EVAR Vincent E. Kirkpatrick, MD University California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA THIRD PLACE (TIE) The Management of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms In Patients With Rare Aortic Anomalies Using Endovascular Techniques: Case Report and Review of Literature Ankur Gupta, MD Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA THIRD PLACE (TIE) A Rare Case of Acroangiodermatitis Associated With A Congenital Arteriovenous Malformation (Stewart-Bluefarb Syndrome) In A Young Veteran: Case Report and Review of the Literature Mark Archie, MD UCLA Medical Center, Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Ctr, Los Angeles, CA
2013
FIRST PLACE Contemporary Medical Management of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis In A Mixed Population Jason Chang MD Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Los Angeles, CA SECOND PLACE A Prospective Randomized Study Assessing Optimal Method ForTeaching Vascular Anastomoses Using A High Fidelity Model Samuel Schwartz MD Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA THIRD PLACE Initial Experience With Off Label Use of Commercial Devices In Patients Unfit For Open Repair of Perivisceral Aortic Aneurysms Andrew Barleben MD UCLA Gonda Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
2012
FIRST PLACE Is Heparin Reversal Required for Safe Performance of Percutaneous Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair? Sinan Jabori - Medical Student UCLA, Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, Los Angeles, CA SECOND PLACE Evaluation of Superficial Femoral Artery Remote Endarterectomy For the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia In Patients With Limited Autogenous Conduit Neha Sheng MD Jerry L. Pettis VA Hospital, Loma Linda, CA THIRD PLACE Claudication In Young Patients: Uncommon Symptoms SuggestUncommon Pathology Andrew Barleben MD MPH UCLA Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, Los Angeles, CA
2011
FIRST PLACE Impact of Sac Anchoring Prosthesis On Type II Endoleaks Following Endoluminal Exclusion of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Houman Sahedi, MD Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA and Nellix International Investigators SECOND PLACE Outcomes of Retrieval Intent of Optional Inferior Vena Cava Filters: A Single Center Experience Abid C. Mogannam UC Irvine Medical Center, Irvine, CA THIRD PLACE Thoracic Outlet Syndrome In the Teenaged Athlete Allan Tulloch, MD UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
2010
FIRST PLACE Smaller Common Femoral Artery Diameter In African Americans: Implications For Peripheral Arterial Disease Amy M. Tolan, MD Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA SECOND PLACE CTA As the Primary Diagnostic Modality In Penetrating Lower Extremity Vascular Injuries Dina Wallin, BA Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA THIRD PLACE Carotid Endarterectomy In Academic Versus Community Hospitals: The NSQIP Data Joy Garg, MD Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA
2009
FIRST PLACE Open Surgical Repair of Renal Artery Aneurysms In the Endovascular Era: A Safe, Effective Treatment For Both Aneurysm and Associated Hypertension Ankur Chandra, MD UCLA Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, Los Angeles, CA SECOND PLACE Will Carotid Endarterectomy For Asymptomatic Stenosis Match the Results of Best Medical Management? Karen Woo, MD Scripps Green Hospital, La Jolla, CA THIRD PLACE Fasciotomy In Acute Limb Ischemia – Cui Bono? Kelley D. Hodgkiss, MD UCSD Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, San Diego, CA
2008
Endovascular Management of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms & Associated Aorto-Aerodigestive Fistulae Wesley K Lew, MD USC Vascular Surgery and Endovascular, Therapy, Los Angeles, CA Regional Variations In the Utilization of Carotid Endarterectomy David P Magner, MD Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA Traumatic Injuries of the Inferior Vena Cava: The 20-Year Experience of a Level I Trauma Center Jessica Deree, MD UCSD Division of Trauma/Critical Care, San Diego, CA
2007
Carotid Reconstruction In Nonagenarians: Is Surgery Still A Good Option? Kelly L. Killeen, MD Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
2006
Effect of Turbulence on Transit-Time Ultrasound Flow Waveform – Voltage/Frequency Analysis Scott Tobias, BS University of California, Irvine, Medical Center, Orange, CA
2005
Increased Incidence of Renal Cysts in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Common Pathogenesis? Arezou Yaghoubian, BS Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
2004
Endovascular Repair of A Thoracic Aorta Pseudoaneurysm Via the Axillary Artery Leoncio Kaw, Jr., MD University of California, San Diego, Medical Center, San Diego, CA
2003
Superiority of Autogenous Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access: Maintenance of Function With Fewer Secondary Interventions Ganesha Perera, MD University of California, Irvine, Medical Center, Orange, CA
