P. Ben Ham III MD, MS
P. Ben Ham
III MD, MS
Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Bioinformatics; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Oncology; Pediatric Surgery; Surgery - Trauma; Thoracic Surgery
Contact Information
Patient Care
Patient Care
This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.
View this physician on UBMDProfessional Summary:
Dr. Ham graduated summa cum laude, with highest honors from the University of Georgia with a BS in Chemistry and completed a MS in Chemistry concomitantly. He graduated from medical school at the Medical College of Georgia at the top of his class with a 4.0 GPA, and completed his general surgery training also at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He completed his training in Pediatric Surgery through the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York at John R. Oishei Children‘s Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Interests of Dr. Ham‘s include Pediatric Surgery, Aerodigestive Surgery (including tracheal and esophageal surgery and lung lobectomies), Minimally Invasive Surgery, ECMO, Pediatric Surgical Oncology (cancer surgeries), and Clinical Informatics.
He is Associate Program Director for UB's Pediatric Surgery Fellowship, Surgical Director of Health Information Technology for Kaleida Health, the Pediatric Surgery Director of Oishei Children's Hospital's Aerodigestive Program, and the Oishei Children’s American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Surgeon Champion.
His research focuses on system and quality improvement, enhanced recovery in surgery, and informatics.
Dr. Ham is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association, the American Pediatric Surgical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and the International Pediatric Endosurgery Group. He has received the Merck Manual Award, the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, and multiple teaching awards.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, triathlons, and learning tennis from his son and wife.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Pediatric Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo: John R. Oishei Children's Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2020)
- Residency, General Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (Formerly Georgia Health Sciences University) (2018)
- MD, Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (Formerly Georgia Health Sciences University) (2012)
- BS, Chemistry, The University of Georgia (2007)
- MS, Chemistry, The University of Georgia (2007)
Employment:
- Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, The State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2020-present)
Awards and Honors:
- Western New York’s Top Doctors (2024)
- Augusta University Department of Surgery “Best Resident Teacher” (2018)
- Augusta University Medical Center, “Resident of the Year” Finalist (2017)
- Augusta University Department of Surgery Research Award (2016)
- Augusta University Medical Center, “Resident of the Year” Finalist (2016)
- Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2012)
- Merck Manual Award for 4.0 GPA in Medical School (2012)
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2011)
- Alpha Upsilon Phi Service and Leadership Honor Society (2011)
- Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (2011)
- University of Georgia (UGA) Science Award (2007)
- Ken Whitten Teaching Award (2007)
- UGA Department of Chemistry Outstanding Research Award (2006)
- UGA Teaching Assistant Merit Award (2006)
- Senator Barry M. Goldwater Scholar (2005)
- Courts International Scholar (2005)
- National Merit Scholar (2003)
- Eagle Scout (2000)
Research Expertise:
- Clinical Informatics
- Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- July 2020–June 2024
The Enhanced Recovery in Children Undergoing Surgery (ENRICH-US) Randomized Controlled Trial
NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
$3,500,000 - July 2018–September 2023
Hernia in Prematurity (HIP) Randomized Controlled Trial
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Role: Contributor
$3,000,000 - June 2024
SurgiVdoNet: a ‘digital common’ for surgical videos using a blockchain based system for data sharing and management
University at Buffalo and New York State Empire AI Consortium
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$50,000
Journal Articles:
- Rialon KL, Smith C, Rentea RM, Acker SN, Baird R, Beres AL, Chang HL, Christison-Lagay ER, Diesen DL, Englum BR, Gonzalez KW, Gulack BC, Ham PB, Huerta CT, Kulaylat AN, Levene TL, Lucas DJ, Mansfield SA, Pennell C, Ricca RL, Sulkowski JP, Tashiro J, Wakeman D, Yousef Y, Kelley-Quon LI, Kawaguchi A, . (2025) Functional Outcomes for Patients With Congenital Anorectal Malformations: A Systematic Review and Evidence-based Guideline From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence Based Practice Committee. Journal of pediatric surgery (May), 60(5): 162243.
- Cordaro O, Vaughn C, Osei H, Georger M, L'Huillier JC, Woodward JM, Bittner K, Harmon CM, Vali K, Ham PB. (2025) Enhancing Hospital Reimbursement Through a Pediatric Surgery Resident Orientation Program: A Focus on Accurate Diagnosis Code Documentation for Acute Appendicitis. Journal of pediatric surgery (Jan), 60(1): 161919.
- Woodward JM, Chunco C, Brierley SF, Bittner K, Osei H, Harmon CM, Ham PB. (2024) Same-Day Discharge for Elective Pediatric Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Insertion is Safe and Increasing in Frequency; A NSQIP Pediatric Retrospective Review 2017 to 2021. Journal of pediatric surgery (Dec), 59(12): 161665.
- Woodward JM, Mendel R, Brierley SF, Bittner K, Osei H, Harmon CM, Ham PB. (2024) Operative Timing for Elective Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for CPAM and Sequestration: A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis 2017-2021. Journal of pediatric surgery (Dec), 59(12): 161681.
- Woodward JM, Khan AMA, Brierley SF, Bittner K, Osei H, Mostafavi K, Harmon CM, Ham PB. (2024) Same-day discharge for pediatric Nuss procedure; an analysis of the NSQIP-pediatric database from 2017-2022. Pediatric surgery international (Nov), 40(1): 298.
- Kulaylat AN, Lucas DJ, Chang HL, Derderian SC, Beres AL, Ham PB, Huerta CT, Sulkowski JP, Wakeman D, Englum BR, Gulack BC, Acker SN, Gonzalez KW, Levene TL, Christison-Lagay E, Mansfield SA, Yousef Y, Pennell CP, Russell KW, Rentea RM, Tashiro J, Diesen DL, Alemayehu H, Ricca R, Kelley-Quon L, Rialon KL. (2024) Evaluation and Management of Biliary Dyskinesia in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Committee. Journal of pediatric surgery (Nov), 59(11): 161678.
- Smith CA, Rialon KL, Kawaguchi A, Dellinger MB, Goldin AB, Acker S, Kulaylat AN, Chang H, Russell K, Wakeman D, Derderian SC, Englum BR, Polites SF, Lucas DJ, Ricca R, Levene TL, Sulkowski JP, Kelley-Quon LI, Tashiro J, Christison-Lagay ER, Mansfield SA, Beres AL, Huerta CT, Ben Ham P, Yousef Y, Rentea RM, . (2024) Classification and Surgical Management of Anorectal Malformations: A Systematic Review and Evidence-based Guideline From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-based Practice Committee. Journal of pediatric surgery (Oct), 59(10): 161598.
- Huerta CT, Beres AL, Englum BR, Gonzalez K, Levene T, Wakeman D, Yousef Y, Gulack BC, Chang HL, Christison-Lagay ER, Ham PB, Mansfield SA, Kulaylat AN, Lucas DJ, Rentea RM, Pennell CP, Sulkowski JP, Russell KW, Ricca RL, Kelley-Quon LI, Tashiro J, Rialon KL, . (2024) Management and Outcomes of Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations: A Systematic Review From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee. Journal of pediatric surgery (Oct), 59(10): 161589.
- , Blakely ML, Krzyzaniak A, Dassinger MS, Pedroza C, Weitkamp JH, Gosain A, Cotten M, Hintz SR, Rice H, Courtney SE, Lally KP, Ambalavanan N, Bendel CM, Bui KCT, Calkins C, Chandler NM, Dasgupta R, Davis JM, Deans K, DeUgarte DA, Gander J, Jackson CA, Keszler M, Kling K, Fenton SJ, Fisher KA, Hartman T, Huang EY, Islam S, Koch F, Lainwala S, Lesher A, Lopez M, Misra M, Overbey J, Poindexter B, Russell R, Stylianos S, Tamura DY, Yoder BA, Lucas D, Shaul D, Ham PB, Fitzpatrick C, Calkins K, Garrison A, de la Cruz D, Abdessalam S, Kvasnovsky C, Segura BJ, Shilyansky J, Smith LM, Tyson JE. (2024) Effect of Early vs Late Inguinal Hernia Repair on Serious Adverse Event Rates in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA (Mar), 331(12): 1035-1044. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2302
- Byrwa DJ, Twist CJ, Skitzki J, Repasky E, Ham PB, Gupta A. (2023) A Review of the Use of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Malignancy in Pediatric Patients. Cancers (May), 15(10). doi:10.3390/cancers15102815
- Zhang JF, Umenta J, Ali A, Reynolds R, Ham PB, Thomas RD, Piryani R, Izhar M, Wrotniak B, Swayampakula AK. (2023) Cervical spine flexion-extension radiography versus magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric patients following blunt traumatic injury. Trauma surgery & acute care open (Jan), 8(1): e001016. doi:10.1136/tsaco-2022-001016
- Ham PB, Anderson SR, Neff LP, Osei H, Gill AE, Hawkins CM, Jose J, Bhatia AM. (2023) Percutaneous Embolization and Laparoscopic Ligation of a Congenital Umbilical Arteriovenous Malformation. The American surgeon (Jan)31348221148348.
- Amin R, Ham PB, Perez G, Vali K. (2022) Minimally invasive resection of congenital tracheobiliary fistula with thoracoscopic cholangiography. JTCVS techniques (Oct), 15: 230-232. doi:10.1016/j.xjtc.2022.06.013
- Tanga CF, Fakhoury E, Ham PB, Dosluoglu HH, Harris LM. (2020) Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in an 11-year-old with multiple peripheral artery aneurysms. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech (Dec), 6(4): 539-542.
- Lamoshi A, Rothstein DH, Ham PB, Khan A, Cheney R, Williot P, Twist C, Schaefer B. (2020) Retroperitoneal Sclerosing Lipogranuloma in an Adolescent With Congenital Atresia of the Inferior Vena Cava: Case Report and Literature Review. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol (Jun).
- Lamoshi A, Ham PB, Chen Z, Wilding G, Vali K. (2020) Timing of the definitive procedure and ileostomy closure for total colonic aganglionosis HD: Systematic review. J Pediatr Surg (Feb).
- Benson Ham P, Twist CJ, Rothstein DH. (2019) Retroperitoneoscopic resection of a T11-L2 right-sided ganglioneuroma. J Pediatr Surg (Aug), 54(8): 1719-1721.
- Campbell CR, Ham PB, Pipkin W, Hatley R, Walters KC. (2018) Total Parenteral Nutrition Lipid Emulsion Pleural and Pericardial Effusions May Present Similar Chylothorax with Milky White Chest Tube Output after Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair. Am Surg (Sep), 84(9): 357-359.
- Simmerman E, Simmerman A, Lassiter R, King R, Ham B, Adam BL, Ferdinand C, Holsten S, Ham PB. (2018) Feasibility and Benefit of Incorporating a Multimedia Cadaver Laboratory Training Program into a Didactics Curriculum for Junior and Senior Surgical Residents. J Surg Educ (Sep), 75(5): 1188-1194.
- Simmerman EL, King RS, Ham PB, Hooks VH. (2018) Feasibility and Safety of Intraoperative Colonoscopy after Segmental Colectomy and Primary Anastomosis. Am Surg (Jul), 84(7): 1175-1179.
- Ham PB, Ellis MA, Simmerman EL, Walsh NJ, Lalani A, Young M, Hatley R, Howell CG, Hughes CA. (2018) Analysis of 334 Cases of Pediatric Esophageal Foreign Body Removal Suggests that Traditional Methods Have Similar Outcomes Whereas a Magnetic Tip Orogastric Tube Appears to Be an Effective, Efficient, and Safe Technique for Disc Battery Removal. Am Surg (Jul), 84(7): 1152-1158.
- Wuilleumier JP, Gable JK, Ham PB, Talukder A, Bowers GH, Abuzeid AMO. (2018) Common Iliac Arterial-Rectal Fistula Managed with Endovascular Stenting in a Patient with History of Pelvic External Beam Radiation. Am Surg (Apr), 84(4): 133-135.
- Bateson B, Ham PB, Patel V, Shah R. (2018) Delayed Presentation of Traumatic Tricuspid Valve Injury during Index Hospitalization. Am Surg (Feb), 84(2): 67-69.
- Hwang B, Keyser D, Ham PB, Holsten SB. (2017) Efficiency and Utilization of a Surgical Procedure Proficiency Identification Card to Verify Resident Competency for Bedside Procedures. Am Surg (Nov), 83(11): 424-426.
- Ham PB, Raju R. (2017) Mitochondrial function in hypoxic ischemic injury and influence of aging. Prog Neurobiol (Oct), 157: 92-116.
- Erwin P, Ham PB, Mentzer CJ, Hatley RM, Pipkin WL, Howell CG, Walters KC. (2017) Familial Intussusception-Younger Age at Presentation, Male Predisposition, More Difficult to Reduce Radiographically, and More Likely to Recur. Am Surg (Sep), 83(9): 392-395.
- Stansfield BK, Wise L, Ham PB, Patel P, Parman M, Jin C, Mathur S, Harshfield G, Bhatia J. (2017) Outcomes following routine antithrombin III replacement during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. J Pediatr Surg (Apr), 52(4): 609-613.
- Lalani A, Benson Ham P, Wise LJ, Daniel JM, Walters KC, Pipkin WL, Stansfield B, Hatley RM, Bhatia J, Ham PB. (2016) Management of Patients with Gastroschisis Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Concurrent Respiratory Failure. Am Surg (Sep), 82(9): 768-772.
- Ham PB, Anderton T, Gallaher R, Hyrman M, Simmerman E, Ramanathan A, Fallaw D, Holsten S, Howell CG. (2016) Development of Electronic Medical Record-Based "Rounds Report" Results in Improved Resident Efficiency, More Time for Direct Patient Care and Education, and Less Resident Duty Hour Violations. Am Surg (Sep), 82(9): 853-859.
- Ham PB, Hwang B, Wise LJ, Walters KC, Pipkin WL, Howell CG, Bhatia J, Hatley R. (2016) Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pediatric Respiratory Failure. Am Surg (Sep), 82(9): 787-788.
- Ham PB, Cunningham AJ, Mentzer CJ, Ahmad A, Young LS, Abuzeid AM. (2015) Traumatic panhypopituitarism resulting in acute adrenal crisis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg (Sep), 79(3): 484-489.
- Ham PB, Wise LJ, Wang EJ, Stansfield B, Hatley RM, Walters KC, Pipkin WL, Bhatia J. (2015) Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiorespiratory Failure due to Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Ebstein's Anomaly. Am Surg (Sep), 81(9): 322-324.
- Cunningham AJ, Ham PB, King RG, Rahardja A, Toscano M, Hatley RM, Pipkin WL. (2015) Congenital Jejunal Tubular Duplication in a Patient with a Congenital Thoracic Meningocele. Am Surg (Sep), 81(9): 332-333.
- Gay DA, Ham PB, Yon JR, Pipkin WL, Heger I, Hatley RM. (2015) A Novel Technique for Laparoscopically Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain due to Extended Length Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts. Am Surg (Sep), 81(9): 325-327.
- Ham PB, Poorak M, King RG, Mentzer CJ, Walters KC, Pipkin WL, Hatley RM. (2015) Occult Injury in the Context of Selective Use of Computed Tomography (CT) in Pediatric Thoracic Trauma. Am Surg (Sep), 81(9): 340-341.
- Ham PB, Patel P, Wise LJ, Walters KC, Stansfield BK. (2015) Severe Myocardial Injury and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Following Perinatal Asphyxia. Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports (May), 3(5): 194-197.
- Keyser D, Masoumy M, Ham PB, Biddinger P, Rahardja A, Legostaev A, Holsten S. (2015) Angiosarcoma of the colon. Am Surg (Apr), 81(4): 169-171.
- Gross CM, Rafikov R, Kumar S, Aggarwal S, Ham PB, Meadows ML, Cherian-Shaw M, Kangath A, Sridhar S, Lucas R, Black SM. (2015) Endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficient mice are protected from lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung injury. PLoS One (Mar), 10(3): 0119918-0119918.
- Romine M, Ham PB, Yon JR, Pipkin WL, Howell CG, Hatley RM. (2014) Multiple magnet ingestion in children. Am Surg (Jul), 80(7): 189-191.
Professional Memberships:
- American Pediatric Surgical Association (2014–present)
- National Eagle Scout Association (2000–present)
- American College of Surgeons; Fellow
- International Pediatric Endosurgery Group
Presentations:
- "Journal of Pediatric Surgery Article Review: 4th Quarter (Oct-Dec) 2024." Stay Current in Pediatric Surgery Podcast (2025)
- "Analysis of Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Gastrostomy Closure Utilizing the NSQIP-Pediatric Database" American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge following Thyroidectomy or Thyroid Lobectomy is Reasonable in Select Pediatric Patients" American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (2024)
- "Enlarging the scope of ICG: Thyroid use" 12th Annual Pediatric Surgery Update Course, Educational Session (2024)
- "An Analysis of Surgical Wound Classification Miscoding in Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis within the NSQIP-Pediatric Database" American College of Surgeons Quality and Safety Conference (2024)
- "NSQIP Pediatric Analysis of Same-Day Discharge Following Pyloromyotomy Suggests It Is Reasonable in Select Patients" International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Annual Meeting (2024)
- "Operative Timing for Elective Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for CPAM And Sequestration: A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis 2017-2021" International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Annual Meeting (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge For Elective Pediatric Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Insertion Is Safe And Increasing In Frequency; A NSQIP-Pediatric Retrospective Review 2017 To 2021" International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Annual Meeting (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Nuss Procedure is Reasonable in Select Patients; an Analysis of the NSQIP-Pediatric Database." International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Annual Meeting (2024)
- "A NSQIP–Pediatric Analysis of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Appendectomy Demonstrates Increasing Rates of Same-Day Discharge over Time with Decreased Readmission Rates" American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting (2024)
- "A retrospective analysis of peri-operative nausea and emesis based on pre-operative NPO time in pediatric patients with appendicitis" American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting (2024)
- "National Practice Patterns of Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Utilizing NSQIP Pediatric Registry" American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting (2024)
- "National Practice Patterns of Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Utilizing NSQIP Pediatric Registry.”" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "NSQIP-P Trends in Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Increasing Same-Day Discharge Rates without Increasing Readmission" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Operative Timing for Elective Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for CPAM and Sequestration: A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis 2017-2021" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge following Pediatric Thyroidectomy or Thyroid Lobectomy is Increasing and Safe in Select Cases" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge for Elective Pediatric Gastrostomy Closure has Improved Readmission and Reoperation Rates Compared to Non-Same-Day Discharge; A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge for Elective Pediatric Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Insertion is Safe and Increasing in Frequency; A NSQIP-Pediatric Retrospective Review 2017-2021" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Nuss Procedure is Increasing without Affecting Complication Rates; an Analysis of the NSQIP-Pediatric Database" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Pyloromyotomy May Slightly Increase Emergency Room Visits for Emesis without Impacting Other Complication Rates, Making Early Discharge Reasonable in Select Patients: A NSQIP-P Analysis" University at Buffalo Department of Surgery 20th Annual Research Day (2024)
- "The influence of a pediatric surgery resident orientation program on documentation of appropriate specific acute appendicitis billing codes and hospital reimbursement" American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting (2024)
- "Impact of a Resident Orientation on Guideline Adherence, Postoperative Orders, and Patient Care" Academic Surgical Congress (2024)
Service Activities:
- Teach at Pediatric MIS Fellows Course; International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Education Committee Member (2024–present)
- Christian Central Academy, Middle School Student Team, Taught not only soccer but strategies to improve fitness and health; Soccer Coach (2024)
- Review journal articles; Journal of Pediatric Surgery ad hoc manuscript reviewer (2024–present)
- Review all assigned manuscripts for the International Meeting and determine publication or not for all submitted manuscripts; International Pediatric Endosurgery Group Publications Committee (2023–present)
- With my wife, we co-host and lead a bible study at our house for married couples; Village Church Bible Study Co-Host and Facilitator (2023–present)
- Participated in meetings to determine topics for systematic reviews and then complete them for multiple systematic reviews; Outcomes and Evidence Based Practice Committee Member and Systematic Review Contributor (2022–2024)
- Christian Central Academy Elementary Students; Assistant Soccer Coach, (2022–2023)
- Participate in workouts and serve as a rotating free workout leader for men in the community and responsible for giving a message to foster fitness and health; F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith) participant and rotating Q (workout leader) (2020–present)