School of Medicine
Showing 1-68 of 68 Results
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Daniel Aliseda Jover
Clinical Instructor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Daniel Aliseda graduated in Medicine from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, and completed his residency in General Surgery at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra. During this time, he developed a strong interest in Hepatobiliopancreatic diseases and Liver Transplantation, which led him to pursue a PhD with international distinction. His research focused on developing models and strategies to improve survival in patients with liver and pancreatic neoplasm—one of which was nationally recognized as the best research project conducted by a surgical resident in Spain. As part of his academic training, he also completed a clinical and research stay at the Centre Hépato-Biliaire Paul Brousse in Paris. After finishing his residency, he joined the HPB and Liver Transplant Unit at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra as a Junior Attending Surgeon.
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Jurgis Alvikas
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Jurgis Alvikas was born in Lithuania and moved to Chicago as a teenager. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and earned his M.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. He then completed his General Surgery residency and a fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He is passionate about caring for patients with hepato-biliary and gastrointestinal malignancies and about mentoring surgical trainees. Outside of medicine, he enjoys running, reading, and spending time with his family. -
Dan E. Azagury, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly Interests.
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Jean Jingzhi Bao
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Jean Bao is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologist. She is a clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Bao’s clinical interests include treatment of men and women who have breast cancer, benign breast disease, genetic mutations, family history of breast cancer, or other breast cancer risk factors. Procedures performed by Dr. Bao include skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, partial mastectomies, oncoplastic procedures, benign breast lesion excisions, axillary node dissections, and sentinel lymph node biopsies. Dr. Bao is certified in breast ultrasound and utilizes this technology to visualize and biopsy breast masses.
She completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the mentorship of one of the world’s foremost experts in the field. Prior to joining Stanford, Dr. Bao practiced at the University of Chicago as an assistant professor of surgery in the Breast Center.
Dr. Bao works closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, genetics, and other breast cancer specialists in a multidisciplinary setting to provide high quality, evidence-based, and individualized care. Dr. Bao is a strong advocate for patient education and empowerment and strives to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families.
Her research has focused on the management of breast cancer in older patients, male breast cancer, high-risk breast cancers, and axillary lymph node management after preoperative chemotherapy. She also has strong research interests in intraoperative 3D breast imaging, the benefits and risks of prophylactic mastectomy, fertility issues in young women with breast cancer, and the role of endocrine therapy in breast cancer. She has delivered presentations on a wide range of topics related to breast cancer at national and regional meetings. The results of her research have been published in JAMA, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Breast Journal, Clinical Imaging, and elsewhere.
For her scholarship and research achievements, Dr. Bao has won numerous honors and awards. She earned the Excellence in Teaching Award twice from the University of Chicago Department of Surgery. She was also named a Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium Scholar, where she joined other medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists who lead in the field.
Dr. Bao is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She is a member of Breast Disease Site Work Group in the Society of Surgical Oncology, and serves as the society’s external liaison to the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria Breast Imaging Panel. She previously held the position of chair of the Cancer Committee at University of Chicago Medicine. -
Alma-Martina Cepika
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCepika Lab studies human immune tolerance. Using cellular immunology, genomics, and gene engineering, we aim to understand: 1) the role of human thymic regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inducible type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells in resistance to anti-tumor immunity and cancer immunotherapy, and 2) the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our overarching goal is to leverage our discoveries for improving patient outcomes.
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Robin Cisco, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Robin Cisco is a board certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon. She specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands and has expertise in lymph node dissection for thyroid cancer. Dr Cisco received her medical degree at Duke University before moving to Stanford for general surgery residency. During her residency, she completed a two-year research fellowship in surgical oncology, with a focus on cancer immunology.
After residency, she completed an endocrine surgery fellowship with the internationally recognized UCSF Division of Endocrine Surgery. She is the author of multiple publications related to endocrine surgery and surgical oncology and has an interest in minimally invasive approaches to thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery. She is currently the Physician Leader of Stanford's Endocrine Oncology Cancer Care Program (CCP).
Dr. Cisco focuses on providing outstanding surgical care in an environment that is supportive of her patients and their families. She enjoys patient education and preoperative counseling, and seeks to lessen the anxiety that often comes with a recommendation for surgery. She currently sees patients both in San Jose at Stanford's Cancer Center South Bay and in Palo Alto in the Endocrine Oncology and Surgery clinic. -
Aaron J. Dawes, MD, PhD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Dawes is a board-certified, fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Dawes treats a wide variety of conditions involving the colon, rectum, and anus, always leveraging the latest evidence and technologies. He is fully trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques--including laparoscopic, robotic, and trans-anal minimally invasive surgery--and strives to employ them, whenever possible, in an effort to reduce pain and shorten recovery.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Dawes is a health services researcher, receiving his Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. His research focuses on policy development, measurement, and evaluation for patients with colorectal conditions. He is particularly interested in using data to drive policy interventions aimed at reducing disparities in quality, access, and value.
Prior to joining Stanford, Dr. Dawes completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles followed by a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He has authored articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Cancer, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Health Services Research, and JAMA Surgery. His work has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Press, and HealthDay News.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Dawes received his A.B. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University. -
Daniel James Delitto, MD, PhD, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Delitto is a board certified complex general surgical oncologist with a focus on conditions of the liver, pancreas, and stomach. He is an assistant professor in Stanford Medicine’s Department of Surgery.
His education includes a decade of postgraduate training in complex general surgical oncology, as well as a PhD in immunology with an emphasis on cancer biology. He completed a clinical fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and continued his research at the postdoctoral level in the laboratory of Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee. His research focus is on advancing the field of cancer immunology and harnessing his findings to improve immunotherapies.
He was the principal investigator of two studies examining the immune response to pancreatic cancer, including one funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Delitto has presented the findings of his research at conferences such as the American Association for Cancer Research, Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Surgeons, Academic Surgical Congress and Pancreas Club. In addition to cancer immunology, he has also presented work focused on cancer cachexia, surgical outcomes, translational experimental models and a variety of other oncologic topics.
He has published original work in Nature Communications, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, and other high impact journals. He is also a reviewer for Annals of Surgery, Scientific Reports, Surgery, Tumor Biology, Journal of Surgical Research, PLOS ONE, and the Journal of Translational Medicine.
Dr. Delitto has earned numerous honors related to clinical excellence, teaching and research. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research and American Association of Immunologists. -
Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery) and, by courtesy, of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCurrently collaborating with Dr's Aaron Newman and Michael Clarke to study cancer stem cells associated with triple negative breast cancer. Advancing studies of FLASH radiotherapy in preclinical models for potential future use in humans. Investigating preclinical use of high dose gaseous nitric oxide in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Monica M. Dua, MD
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTechnical aspects of minimally invasive pancreatic and liver surgery
Minimally invasive strategies for the management of pancreatic necrosis
Management of severe acute pancreatitis – academic vs community treatment
Multidisciplinary treatment of HCC; institutional barriers to appropriate referral/ care
Endocrine/exocrine insufficiency after pancreatectomy; volumetric assessment
Natural history and management of pancreatic cysts -
Dan Eisenberg, MD, MS
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMinimally Invasive Surgery
Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery
Obesity in the Veteran population with spinal cord injury -
Micaela Esquivel, MD, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Micaela Esquivel is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in bariatric (weight loss) and minimally invasive surgery at Stanford Health Care. She is also a clinical associate professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Esquivel specializes in foregut (upper digestive tract) surgery and bariatric surgery using robotic and therapeutic endoscopic approaches. She developed the Bariatric Endoscopy Program at Stanford Health Care and treats patients with hiatal hernias, reflux, and motility disorders of the esophagus and stomach.
As a bariatric surgeon, Dr. Esquivel specializes in endobariatric procedures, such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and intragastric balloon. She also treats patients who have regained weight after bariatric surgery. This includes providing endoscopic sleeve revisions and reductions, as well as transoral outlet reductions for patients who have had gastric bypass.
Dr. Esquivel is passionate about helping everyone access the care they need. She values work that minimizes disparities and promotes health equity. She has studied access to surgical care in California and countries around the world, including Zambia and Guatemala. Her current work focuses on disparities in bariatric surgery.
Dr. Esquivel has presented her research at many conferences, including the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). In addition, she has written more than two dozen articles on topics such as surgical outcomes, weight loss before bariatric surgery, and global access to surgical care. Her work has appeared in many prominent journals, including JAMA, The Lancet, World Journal of Surgery, and Journal of Surgical Research.
Dr. Esquivel is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is also an active member of ASMBS, the American Foregut Society, and the Society of American and Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. -
Joseph (Joe) D Forrester MD MSc FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI am broadly interested in research exploring the care of the injured patient both in high- and low-resource settings. I have specific on-going projects assessing surgical site infection surveillance in low-resource settings, and surgical management of acute and chronic non-union rib fractures.
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Deshka Foster, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCancer associated fibroblasts in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) malignancies, tumor microenvironment, abdominal adhesion biology and fibrosis
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John V. Gahagan, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioJohn Gahagan, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery in the Section of Colorectal Surgery, and serves as Chief of Surgery at the Stanford Tri-Valley Hospital. He joined Stanford in 2019 to build the Stanford colorectal surgery practice in the East Bay at Stanford Tri-Valley in Pleasanton and at Stanford Health Care – Emeryville. He has training in advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques including robotic and laparoscopic surgery. He has authored several textbook chapters and original articles in peer-reviewed journals. His clinical practice is focused on the surgical treatment of colon and rectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), and benign colon and anorectal diseases (diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures). He believes in patient-centered care and multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
Outside of his clinical practice, he is involved in surgical education and serves as an Associate Program Director of the Stanford General Surgery Residency Training Program as well as the Site Director for the Stanford Tri-Valley surgery rotation. He serves in various administrative roles, including as a member of the Stanford Tri-Valley Medical Staff Quality Committee and the Stanford Medicine Partners Quality and Credentialing Committee. -
Teodor Grantcharov, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS (Glasg)
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Teodor Grantcharov is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in bariatric (weight loss) and minimally invasive surgery. He is also a clinical professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and associate chief quality officer for innovation and safety at Stanford Health Care.
As a surgeon, Dr. Grantcharov specializes in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. He is an accomplished researcher and leader in the field of surgical innovation and patient safety. His work has made important contributions in curriculum design, assessments of competence, and impact of surgical performance on clinical outcomes. Dr. Grantcharov developed the surgical Black Box concept, designed to transform safety culture in medicine and introduce modern safety management systems in high-risk operating rooms.
Dr. Grantcharov has published more 220 articles in peer-reviewed journals and given more than 200 invited presentations in Europe and North and South America. He holds several patents and is the founder of Surgical Safety Technologies, Inc.—an academic startup that commercializes the Black Box Platform™. Dr. Grantcharov has received several prestigious honors and awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions in clinical research and patient safety in Canada.
Dr. Grantcharov is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. -
Brooke Gurland, MD, FACS
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioPelvic floor and functional bowel disorders encompass a wide range of symptoms and conditions that affect people of all ages and genders. These include constipation, obstructed defecation, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, pelvic organ prolapse, irritable bowel disorders, and urinary and sexual dysfunction. While rarely life-threatening, these conditions profoundly affect quality of life, self-confidence, and daily function — and they deserve the same serious, compassionate attention as any other illness.
I am a colorectal surgeon and lifestyle medicine physician specializing in anorectal disorders and pelvic floor dysfunction. I serve as Research Director of the Stanford Pelvic Health Center, where I lead a multidisciplinary program that brings together colorectal surgery, urogynecology, urology, gastroenterology, and pelvic floor physical therapy to provide integrated, whole-person care.
My surgical training was at Cleveland Clinic, where I spent nearly a decade building and leading a multidisciplinary pelvic floor clinic and performing hundreds of combined procedures with colleagues in urology and urogynecology. I was among the early adopters of robotic surgical techniques for women with combined vaginal and rectal prolapse, and developed expertise in complex procedures including repair of intestinal and rectovaginal fistula. Earlier in my career, I established a Pelvic Floor Center at Maimonides Medical Center, where I received a Jahnigan Career Development Award studying multicompartment prolapse in elderly women. I joined Stanford's Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery in 2017.
My research spans surgical outcomes, pelvic floor quality of life, and patient-centered technology. I am the principal investigator for the Stanford Pelvic Health Registry, a longitudinal database of over 475 patients with rectal prolapse followed since 2018. I was a 2020–2021 Stanford Biodesign Fellow, and my current work includes development and validation of disease-specific patient education tools. I believe that patients who understand their condition make better decisions — and recover better too.
I am also board-certified in lifestyle medicine. Prevention, diet, exercise, pelvic floor physical therapy, and behavior change are not secondary to surgery in my practice — they are the first line of care. Surgery, when it is needed, works best in patients whose lifestyle has been optimized. This philosophy guides how I counsel patients and how I train the next generation of surgeons and clinicians.
When I am not in the clinic or operating room, I can be found at the farmers market, fermenting something in my kitchen, practicing yoga, or spending time with my dog. -
S. Morad Hameed MD MPH
David L. Gregg, MD, Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTrauma Surgery
Emergency General Surgery
Critical Care
Public Health -
Michelle Hauser, MD, MS, MPA, FACP, FACLM, DipABLM, DABOM, Chef
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsPrimary care physician, prevention researcher, medical educator and classically-trained chef who combines these fields to move people away from diets that lead to chronic disease and toward eating delicious food that promotes health and well-being.
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David Ian Hindin
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Hindin obtained his MD from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his general surgery training at Temple University School of Medicine, also in Philadelphia, and subsequently completed fellowship in surgical critical care at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Hindin is currently the Associate Chair of Innovation at Stanford University’s Department of Surgery. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Stanford University in the section of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery and at the VA Palo Alto. Dr. Hindin additionally serves as Associate Director of Stanford University’s Biodesign Faculty Fellowship, a university-wide program that trains faculty members from medicine, engineering, and other schools in the process of creating health technology innovation, from needs-finding to commercialization.
Dr. Hindin has a particular interest in training physicians to leverage story-based skills to increase the effectiveness of their communication. He has previously developed and taught a semester-long storytelling course at Stanford Biodesign, which trains physicians and engineers to create more effective pitches when seeking venture funding. -
Joo Ha Hwang, MD, PhD
Fortinet Founders School of Medicine Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsSpecialize in early detection of gastrointestinal malignancies including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, bile duct & colon cancers. I have both a clinical & research interest in improving the early detection of gastric cancer in particular. I am the PI of the Gastric Precancerous conditions Study, a prospective study of patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia & other precancerous conditions which combines comprehensive clinical & endoscopic data with a large bio-specimen repository.
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Ahmer Irfan
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Ahmer Irfan grew up in the UK where he attended the University of St Andrews for his undergraduate degree, followed by his MD at the University of Edinburgh. He then moved to the United States to complete his general surgery residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He then completed specialized fellowship training in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery (also called HPB surgery) at the University of Toronto before being recruited to Stanford. His principle practice is at Stanford Hospital and the Stanford Cancer Center. Dr Irfan's clinical speciality is in complex liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal oncology including advanced cancers as well as cancers that can be removed minimally invasively.
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Stefanie S. Jeffrey, MD
John and Marva Warnock Professor, Emerita
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Jeffrey led the multidisciplinary team from the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Genome Technology Center that invented the MagSweeper, an automated device that immunomagnetically captures live circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from cancer patient blood for single cell analysis or culture. Her lab also works on microfluidic technologies for tumor cell capture, characterization, and growth - with the goal of defining individual patient response to newer biologically-based cancer therapies.
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Mardi Karin, MD, FACS
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Mardi R. Karin is a board certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience, specializing in breast surgery and is Clinical Professor of Surgery in Stanford University Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology. She was appointed the first Clinical Director of Breast Cancer Care at Stanford Cancer Center South Bay after the new cancer center opened and served in this role from 2016-2019. Dr. Karin specializes in the surgical treatment of breast diseases and cancer. In addition to providing outstanding care, her focus and leadership in breast cancer care includes improving coordinated care for breast cancer treatment both within the Cancer Center and the community.
Dr. Karin has extensive experience in breast surgery, including complex breast cancer skin and nipple sparing procedures in coordination with the plastic surgeon for immediate breast reconstruction and optimal appearance with excellent outcomes. She collaborates closely with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to provide the best options to patients, including Oncoplastics for optimal aesthetic appearance with breast conservation treatment, in addition to mastectomy with nipple sparing and immediate breast reconstruction. Her clinical research is focused on improving patient outcomes in different aspects of breast surgery, including nipple sparing mastectomy by utilizing MRI blood flow information to preserve important blood flow to reduce complications. She also is involved with advancing surgical techniques to decrease lymphedema rates after axillary lymph node dissection, with lymphatic preservation and possible LYMPHA procedure by the Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgeons. In addition, she works in close collaboration with Medical Oncology to offer the latest most advanced treatments for breast cancer. -
Electron Kebebew, MD, FACS
Harry A. Oberhelman, Jr. and Mark L. Welton Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Kebebew’s translational and clinical investigations have three main scientific goals: 1) to develop effective therapies for fatal, rare and neglected endocrine cancers, 2) to identify new methods, strategies and technologies for improving the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine neoplasms and the prognostication of endocrine cancers, and 3) to develop methods for precision treatment of endocrine tumors.
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Sunhee S. Kim, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Sunhee Serenity Kim is a board-certified, fellowship-trained general surgeon at Stanford Health Care and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the director of emergency general surgery and clinical medical director of the general surgery outpatient clinic at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley.
Dr. Kim specializes in acute care surgery, applying minimally invasive surgical approaches such as robotic surgery. Dr. Kim treats a broad range of diseases, including gallbladder disease, diverticular disease, ventral and inguinal hernias, and benign breast disease. She has particular interest in enteroatmospheric and enterocutaneous fistula treatment.
Dr. Kim’s research interests have included cytokinesis, rare genetic mutations in blood cancers, and surgical treatment outcomes in people with pancreatic cancer. Most recently, she has performed clinical research with trauma and emergency general surgery patients.
Dr. Kim has published her research in peer-reviewed journals, including The American Journal of Surgical Pathology, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Nature Communications, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She has also presented to her peers at national meetings, including annual meetings of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Association for Academy Surgery.
Dr. Kim is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). -
Amanda Kirane, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Kirane is a fellowship-trained, board-certified specialist in complex general surgical oncology. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Kirane serves as Director of Cutaneous Surgical Oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center and her clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers. She partners closely with patients and families to provide the most effective treatment approach possible. For each patient, she tailors an evidence-based, personalized care plan that is innovative, comprehensive, and compassionate.
Dr. Kirane is Principal Investigator of multiple studies in melanoma and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy, with focus on myeloid biology. Her current interests include immune response and novel therapies in melanoma, predictive modeling of patient responses using organoid technology, and translational biomarker development. She has led research into immune therapy for earlier stage melanoma using regionally directed therapy to augment immune response in melanoma and trials in surgical care in melanoma.
The National Institutes of Health, American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Melanoma Research Alliance, and others have funded her research. She has co-authored articles on her discoveries in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Communications, Nature Genetics, Cancer Research, Journal of Surgical Oncology, Annals of Surgery, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and elsewhere. Topics include intratumoral therapy, biomarker development, macrophage biology in melanoma and immunotheraputic resistance, and patient-derived organoid modeling. Dr. Kirane has presented updates on the management of melanoma and other cancers to her peers at meetings of the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, and Society for Immunotherapy in Cancer.
Dr. Kirane has earned awards for her achievements in clinical care, research, and scholarship. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, Society of Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and other prestigious organizations have honored her work. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Society of Surgical Oncology (FSSO). She is a member of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, American Association of Cancer Research, Society for Melanoma Research, Connective Tissue Oncology Society, Association of Academic Surgeons, and Association of Women Surgeons.
She volunteers her time and expertise on behalf of the Melanoma Research Foundation, members of her community in need, STEM programs for girls, and other initiatives. She also is fellowship trained in Physician Wellness and Wellbeing and teaches somatic technique, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and breathwork. -
Lisa Marie Knowlton, MD, MPH, FACS, FRCSC
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Knowlton is an Associate Professor of Surgery and an Acute Care Surgeon whose practice encompasses trauma surgery, emergency general surgery and surgical critical care. She is an NIH and ARPA-H funded researcher whose focus is on improving access to innovative, high-quality surgical care. She obtained her medical degree at McGill University and completed her general surgery residency at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Her desire to understand varied healthcare systems and develop policy solutions led her to obtain an M.P.H. at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and complete a research fellowship at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. After training as a Surgical Critical Care fellow at Stanford University Medical Center, she joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in early 2018. She was promoted to Associate Professor in the University Medical Line in 2023. Her institutional leadership roles include serving as the Unit Based Medical Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, the Associate Vice Chair of Research for the Stanford Department of Surgery, the SHC Surgical AI Lead for Early Clinical Deterioration, and the Associate Program Director for the Surgical Critical Care fellowship.
Dr. Knowlton is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Knowlton’s areas of clinical interest include developing safe surgical solutions for anatomic visualization in the operating room, artificial intelligence prediction tools for detection early clinical deterioration of surgery patients, optimizing the management of critically ill patients and reducing venous thromboembolism events.
Her research focuses on improving access to high-quality and high-value surgical care, merging expertise in health economics, and artificial intelligence to implement surgical innovations and health policy interventions. She leads novel work with the Department of Health Care Services focused on improving healthcare access and utilization through emergency Medicaid programs.
Dr. Knowlton’s research lab (https://med.stanford.edu/knowlton-lab.html) is funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the National Institute of Health (NIMHD) through R21 and R01 grants, and the California Violence Prevention Center. She has also held funding through PCORI, the Department of Defense, the American College of Surgeons (the 17th C. James Carrico Faculty Research Fellowship), and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST).
https://surgery.stanford.edu/news2/Knowlton-ARPA-H.html
She is active in national and international professional surgical societies, and recently served as the inaugural Chair of the Associate Member Council of the AAST. Dr. Knowlton has been recognized by the Association of Women Surgeons as both a ‘Shining Star’ and ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling’ Leadership Scholar. She is also an American College of Surgeons Health Policy Scholar. Most recently, Dr. Knowlton was also selected as the 2023-24 U.S. ambassador for the James IV Surgical Association Traveling Fellowship program, where she will travel internationally to foster clinical and research collaborations. -
Byrne Lee, MD FACS
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Lee is a native of New York City. He attended the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of New York and received his medical degree from New York Medical College. He completed general surgery residency training at Lenox Hill Hospital and fellowship training in surgical oncology at the City of Hope National Cancer Center. Dr. Lee led the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program at City of Hope prior to joining Stanford in 2019.
Dr. Lee is a surgical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. He has dedicated his clinical practice to the surgical management of metastatic disease, particularly to the liver and peritoneum. He has expertise in delivering regional cancer therapies such as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Additionally, he performs surgery for cancers of the stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and soft tissue sarcoma. He utilizes minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques when appropriate.
Dr. Lee leads the Regional Cancer Therapies program at Stanford. The program implements and develops novel treatment strategies for patients affected with peritoneal malignancies and oligometastatic disease to the liver. His research focus is on clinical outcomes of multidisciplinary management for gastric, hepatobiliary, and peritoneal surface malignancies. He is a member of a national consensus group performing collaborative research and developing clinical trials for HIPEC surgeries. -
Cara A. Liebert, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCurrent research interests include Surgical Education and Minimally Invasive Surgery. Primary research focus is the development, implementation, and collection of validity evidence for ENTRUST, an online virtual patient simulation platform for assessment of clinical decision-making.
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Dana Lin, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Lin is a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon who specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, Dr. Lin pursued her medical and surgical training on the east coast, where she completed her residency in general surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and fellowship in endocrine surgery at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Lin's clinical practice focuses on the surgical management of benign and malignant thyroid conditions, hyperparathyroidism, adrenal tumors, as well as melanoma and advanced skin cancers. She is skilled in mini-incision, minimally invasive (laparoscopic), and remote access (scarless endoscopic) surgery as well as lymph node dissection for cancer. She currently serves as Director of the Parathyroid Center within the Endocrine Oncology Program at Stanford.
Dr. Lin strives to deliver expert surgical care to patients with utmost humanism and compassion. She considers it a privilege and joy to be entrusted as one’s surgeon and is committed to ensuring the best clinical and cosmetic outcome for each of her patients. Dr. Lin welcomes patients at Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto as well as Stanford Health Care in Emeryville and Pleasanton (ValleyCare). -
Daphne P. Ly, MD, FACS
Affiliate
Current Research and Scholarly Interests1. Integrate machine learning with electronic health record system to improve work flow and achieve individualize cancer care based on current evidence.
2. Apply Cancer Genetics in cancer treatment and cancer risk reduction. -
Paul M. Maggio, MD, MBA, FACS
BioDr. Paul Maggio is a Professor of Surgery, Chief Quality Officer for Stanford Health Care, and Associate Dean for Quality and Clinical Affairs in the Stanford School of Medicine. He trained in General Surgery at Brown University and obtained advanced training in Adult Surgical Critical Care and Trauma at the University of Michigan. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and is triple board certified in General Surgery, Critical Care, and Medical Informatics. His clinical focus is on Acute Care Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, and his academic career has been centered on quality improvement, patient safety, and the application of systems engineering to enhance the delivery of healthcare.
Dr. Maggio participates in the National Committee on Healthcare Engineering for the American College of Surgeons and has served on the Baldrige Board of Examiners to recognize organizations with the highest presidential honor for performance excellence. Dr. Maggio received the SHC Board of Hospital Director’s Denise O’Leary Award for Clinical Excellence in 2013 -
Arden Morris, MD, MPH, FACS
Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery, and Professor, by courtesy, of Health Policy
BioArden M. Morris, MD, MPH is Vice-Chair for Clinical Research, the Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery, and by courtesy Professor of Health Policy at the Stanford School of Medicine. She is Director of the S-SPIRE Center, a health services research collaborative to study patient-centered care, clinical optimization, and health care economics. In her own work, Dr. Morris uses quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods to focus on quality of and equity in cancer care. To that end, she currently is funded by American Cancer Society and NIH to study access to care, clinical outcomes, and policy related to insurance design. Dr. Morris currently serves on the American Joint Commission on Cancer, the NIH Special Emphasis Panel “Topics in Health Services Research: Big Data, Health Information Technology, and Clinical Informatics,” and as Associate Editor for Surgery at JAMA Network Open.
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Aussama Nassar, MD, MSc,FACS, FRCSC
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Nassar is board-certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care in the United States and Canada, underscoring his exceptional expertise in these fields. He holds a Master of Science in Health Science Education from McMaster University, Canada, further solidifying his strong academic foundation.
Currently, Dr. Nassar serves as the inaugural Director of the Emergency General Surgery Service and the Director of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program at Stanford University. He is also the founder and director of the Surgery Resident Coaching Program. With over 12 years of clinical and academic experience at premier tertiary care referral centers across North America, Dr. Nassar brings unparalleled knowledge and leadership to his roles.
Dr. Nassar's clinical interests include trauma, acute care surgery, critical care, and a particular focus on abdominal wall reconstruction. As a dedicated clinician-educator, he is a certified simulation educator and serves as a course director for ATLS and ASSET programs. His research is centered on advancing surgical education, with an emphasis on fostering the development of non-technical skills in surgical training.
In addition to his educational initiatives, Dr. Nassar is actively engaged in developing innovative assessment tools for surgical trainees and addressing burnout among physicians and healthcare professionals. With a strong national and international presence, Dr. Nassar continues to shape the future of surgical education and healthcare delivery through his leadership, research, and advocacy. -
Jeffrey Norton, MD
Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsInterleukin-12 is a Th1 cytokine. It is important in the cell mediated immune response. We are investigating its role as an anti-tumor cytokine to augment the immune response against cancer. We are planning a human trial.
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George A. Poultsides, MD, MS
Stanford Department of Surgery Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical trials of experimental diagnostics and therapeutics; outcomes analysis following combined modality treatment of hepatic, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal malignancies.
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Carla Pugh, MD, PhD
Thomas Krummel Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe Technology Enabled Clinical Improvement (T.E.C.I.) Center is a multidisciplinary team of researchers dedicated to the design and implementation of advanced engineering technologies that facilitate data acquisition relating to clinical performance.
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Benjamin Micah Raber
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Benjamin Raber is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgical oncologist at Stanford Health Care. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Raber specializes in surgical treatments for benign and cancerous breast diseases. He performs a wide range of procedures, including lumpectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy, and preventive mastectomy. Dr. Raber uses the latest and most effective surgical approaches, including wire-free, breast-conserving surgery for lumpectomies and hidden scar surgery (to hide incisions). He is committed to compassionate, patient-centered care that involves close collaboration with his colleagues in medical and radiation oncology, radiology, and plastic surgery.
Dr. Raber is actively involved in community outreach and breast cancer education. He has led regional initiatives to promote awareness, expand access to breast cancer screenings, and improve early detection.
Dr. Raber’s research focuses on improving surgical treatments for breast cancer, including better ways to treat cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. He has also explored using ultrasound imaging to help surgeons locate and remove cancerous tissue more precisely during breast-conserving surgery. His research has been published in prominent peer-reviewed journals, including Annals of Surgical Oncology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America, and The American Journal of Surgery.
Dr. Raber is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS). -
Brian Ruhle, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Brian Ruhle is a board-certified surgeon with dual-fellowship training in minimally invasive bariatric (weight loss) surgery and endocrine surgery. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ruhle specializes in bariatric surgery, foregut (upper digestive tract) surgery, adrenal surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction. He uses leading-edge laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss and improve obesity-related health conditions. His expertise in advanced minimally invasive procedures offers patients significant benefits, including faster recoveries, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.
Dr. Ruhle’s research interests span a wide range of topics in metabolic and bariatric surgery. His studies have explored combination therapies for managing obesity, improvements in screening and treating endocrine disorders, and optimizing outcomes in thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He has published his findings in many peer-reviewed journals, including Surgery, Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Ruhle has presented at prominent national conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. His presentations have discussed using GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss medications that help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite) before and after bariatric surgery. He has also addressed improving screening protocols for hyperaldosteronism (high blood pressure caused by excess production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland).
Dr. Ruhle is a member of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. -
Carolyn Dacey Seib, MD, MAS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Carolyn Dacey Seib is a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon and board-certified general surgeon who specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. In 2025, she was among the first surgeons in the United States to earn a Focused Practice Designation in Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery from the American Board of Surgery, reflecting her expertise in these procedures and related patient management.
Dr. Seib provides comprehensive and personalized care for patients with thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disorders, including thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, primary hyperparathyroidism, primary aldosteronism, autonomous cortisol secretion, and pheochromocytomas. Her approach combines advanced surgical techniques with a focus on patient-centered outcomes, ensuring that each treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Seib is an NIH-funded researcher whose work focuses on optimizing surgical decision-making and outcomes for patients with endocrine disorders. She has received research support from the National Institute on Aging and the American Thyroid Association, and her studies have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and featured in national media, including The New York Times.
Dr. Seib completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University (summa cum laude), earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, and completed her general surgery residency and endocrine surgery fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). -
Andrew A. Shelton, MD, FACS, FACRS
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMultimodality treatment of rectal cancer
Sphincter preserving procedures for rectal cancer
Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery
Surgical education -
Samuel So, MD
Lui Hac Minh Professor in the School of Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThrough a 4 pronged comprehensive program: translational and clinical research, early detection and treatment, promoting education, awareness and immunization and building partnership, we are working towards the development of new strategies that will lead to the elimination of hepatitis B worldwide and reduce the threat and incidence of liver cancer. Current research efforts focus on evaluating potential new diagnostic and treatment markers and novel targeted therapy for primary liver cancer.
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David A. Spain, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur main areas of interest are
1. clinical research in trauma and critical illness
2. economics of this care
3. PTSD and stress response after critical injury or illness -
Kristan Staudenmayer, MD, MS, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDefining the Impact of Injuries in the Elderly
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Kimberly Stone, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioKimberly Stone, MD is a board certified General Surgeon who specializes in breast surgical oncology and melanoma surgery. She treats all conditions related to breast health including: breast cancer, high risk prevention and screening, benign breast disease, and conditions related to lactation.
Dr. Stone completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at UCSF, where she trained in all aspects of breast surgical oncology, and melanoma surgery. Dr Stone performs all types of breast surgery including total skin and nipple sparing mastectomy, wireless lumpectomy, benign breast disease excisions and axillary surgery. She works closely with plastic and reconstructive surgeons to offer women the best possible cosmetic options and results following treatment. Dr Stone performs melanoma surgery including wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and lymph node dissections for melanoma.
Dr. Stone strives to deliver compassionate, patient-centered surgical care that is expert and evidence-based while at the same time customized to the unique needs of each patient. She believes that patient empowerment and education are at the heart of an excellent care team. -
Candice N. Thompson, MD, MSc, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Thompson is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncology. She is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Medical Director for the Office of Cancer Health Equity. She is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Thompson clinical interests include treatment of women and men who have breast cancer, benign breast disease, genetic mutations, family history of breast cancer, or other breast cancer risk factors. Procedures performed by Dr. Thompson include lumpectomies (partial mastectomies) using oncoplastic techniques and hidden scar methods, skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, simple mastectomies with aesthetically flat closure, oncoplastic procedures, benign breast lesion excisions, axillary node dissections, and sentinel lymph node biopsies.
She completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Stanford University under the mentorship of one of the world’s foremost experts in the field. She completed her general surgery training at Georgetown University, where she was the co-administrative chief resident. She is passionate about equitable care and addressing healthcare disparities, especially in breast cancer.
Dr. Thompson works closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, genetics, and other breast cancer specialists in a multidisciplinary setting to provide high quality, evidence-based, and individualized care. Dr. Thompson is a strong advocate for patient education and empowerment and strives to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families.
Her research has focused on Nipple Sparing Mastectomies, Community Engagement for Breast Cancer in the Black Community, Immune responses during breast cancer treatment, and prognostic role of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the management of breast cancer. She also has strong research interests in community engagement, health disparities, oncoplastic surgical options, and cancer biomarkers. She has delivered presentations on a wide range of topics related to breast cancer at national and regional meetings including NRG Oncology, ASBrS, ASC.
For her scholarship and research achievements, Dr. Thompson has won numerous honors and awards. She has earned the resident teaching award during her chief year at Georgetown. She was awarded the Stanford Cancer Institute Clinical Innovation Fund Grant for her work in educating the Black Community about Breast Health and Breast Cancer (2022). She was also awarded the prestigious NCI Early-Surgeon Scientist Program (ESSP) Award to support her early career as a surgeon scientist(2024). She also serves on the AAS Academic Advancement Committee, NRG Oncology Surgical Oncology Committee, NCCN Breast Screening and Diagnosis Panel, and TOUCH Black Breast Advisor for Pink Table Talk.
Dr. Thompson is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS), Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS), Association of Women Surgeons (AWS), National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), and American Medical Association (AMA).
Outside of work, Dr. Thompson enjoys pilates, tennis, baking, sewing, wine tasting, and traveling. -
Jacqueline Tsai, MD, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research interests are focused on improving breast cancer surgeries. I am interested in novel techniques in surgery to improve cosmetic outcomes, minimize surgical re-excisions and possible augmented reality technologies to enhance surgery.
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Brendan C. Visser, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Visser's research interests span the breath of his clinical practice. Areas of active research include the multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancers, technical aspects of minimally invasive pancreatic and liver surgery, and trends in the management of hepatobiliary cancers in California, focusing on socioeconomic and instituional barriers to appropriate care.
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Irene Wapnir, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical trials in operative procedures such as Nipple-sparing mastectomy, arm lymphatic mapping, skin perfusion and Treatments for Breast Cancer, especially local recurrence. Dr. Wapnir is institutional Principal Investigator and Chair for National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) clinical trials. Laboratory and translational research includes exploring the activity of breast iodide transporter in breast cancer brain metastasis.
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Thomas G Weiser, MD, MPH
BioDr. Thomas Weiser is a general, emergency, and trauma surgeon, and surgical intensivist. He treats and cares for injured patients and those with acute surgical emergencies as well as manages critically ill surgical patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
His research has focused on evaluating the role surgical care plays in the delivery of health services in resource poor settings, in particular low and middle income countries. He is interested in barriers to access and provision of surgical care, the quality of surgical services, and outcomes research as well as the science of implementation, how improvements can be made, and how to strengthen compliance with best practices and change behaviors for the better. He also has an interest in domestic policy as it relates to trauma outcomes, trauma systems, insurance coverage and costs of care, and firearm violence.
Dr. Weiser's efforts have led to improvements in the safety and reliability of surgical service, the quality of surgical care delivered globally, and improvements team dynamics, function, and communication. He works closely with Lifebox, a nonprofit focused on improving surgical and anesthetic safety worldwide, where he was previously the Consulting Medical Officer. Lifebox delivers programs throughout the world in combination with local partners and includes the procurement and distribution of low cost devices to improve the safety of care (including pulse oximeters for the routine monitoring of patients undergoing anesthesia and surgical headlights to safeguard care during power outage) and Clean Cut, a surgical infection prevention and control program that has reduced complications by up to 50%. This work safeguards millions of surgical patients every year.
From 2006-2009, he was part of the World Health Organization’s Safe Surgery Saves Lives program where he quantified the global volume of surgery and created, implemented, evaluated, and promoted the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. He was part of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, the World Bank Disease Control Priorities Program, and a Gates Grand Challenge awardee.
From 2022-2026 he was the Program Director of Surgery: Assess/Validate/Expand (SAVE) at Wellcome Leap. His current research efforts aim to accelerate computer vision models for quantifying surgical performance and identifying mechanisms to predict patient recovery trajectories following surgery. -
Sherry M. Wren, MD, FACS, FCS(ECSA), FISS
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research interests are primarily in global surgery,robotics,surgical oncology, especially gastrointestinal cancers.
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Rachel L. Yang, MD, FACS, NABBLM-C, IBCLC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Rachel Yang is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeon and breastfeeding medicine specialist with Stanford Health Care. She is a member of the oncology team at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center in Emeryville.
Dr. Yang specializes in complex procedures to treat breast cancer, including oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery and nipple-sparing mastectomy. She also has expertise in breastfeeding and lactation medicine as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and carries a dual board certification by the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine. Dr. Yang prioritizes compassionate and patient-centered care, understanding that breast cancer or complications of lactation can be extremely personal.
As a physician-researcher, Dr. Yang studies surgical outcomes, health equity, and policy related to breast cancer care. She has investigated topics including disparities in access to breast cancer care and breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Her work has also examined biological factors that influence how breast cancer develops. In addition, Dr. Yang focuses on surgical education, advancing innovative training models, communication, and professional well-being in academic medicine.
Dr. Yang has published her findings in premier peer-reviewed journals, including Cancer, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. She has also presented her research at meetings of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the Association for Surgical Education.
Her presentations have highlighted how race and health policy influence access to surgical options in breast cancer care, as well as ways to make breast surgery more fair, safe, and effective. Dr. Yang has lectured extensively and taught courses to breast care and lactation providers on maternal complications of lactation.
Dr. Yang is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education. -
Kirbi Yelorda, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Kirbi Yelorda is a fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery – Colon and Rectal Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Mount Sinai Health System and her general surgery residency at Stanford Health Care, where she also earned a Master of Science degree in health research and policy.
Dr. Yelorda specializes in the surgical management of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and benign anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, and fissures. She has advanced training in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques that support enhanced recovery and optimal patient outcomes.
Dr. Yelorda’s research focuses on the impact of social determinants of health on colorectal cancer outcomes and disparities in surgical care. She is particularly interested in surgical education and quality improvement.
Dr. Yelorda has authored articles published in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA Surgery, Journal of Surgical Education, and Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. She has presented her work at national conferences including those of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Pacific Coast Surgical Association. She is a recipient of Stanford University's Samuel L. Kountz, MD Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Yelorda is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. -
Yulia Zak, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Yulia Zak is a board-certified, fellowship-trained minimally invasive and bariatric (weight loss) surgeon. She is also a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Zak is the program director and unit-based medical director for the Minimally Invasive, Bariatric, and Foregut Fellowship Program.
Dr. Zak specializes in bariatric surgery, foregut (upper digestive tract) surgery, and abdominal wall procedures. Her research is focused on quality improvement measures, surgical education, and bariatric surgery outcomes. She has published her work in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including Obesity Surgery and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Zak is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
