Department of Surgery
Leading the Future of Surgery

For over 150 years, we've been committed to training the next leaders in cutting-edge research, clinical care and education.

surgeons in the OR
Building on a Tradition of Excellence

The U-M Medical School Department of Surgery combines excellence in clinical care, biomedical research and education. We have been advancing knowledge in surgical treatments since 1849. Our experts deliver a compassionate experience for patients, biomedical discoveries that further the field of medicine, and best-in-class training for the next generation of surgeon leaders.

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About

Learn more about our commitment to providing expert, innovative and compassionate health care and education.

Education

We take a hands-on approach to training and mentorship, equipping our future surgeons to take on a range of conditions and scenarios.

Research

Our cutting-edge research improves people's quality of life and advances clinical understanding in the field.

People

Our team is dedicated to training and empowering the next generation of surgery leaders.

Patient Care

Our comprehensive, expert care changes lives every day.

Giving

Support our ground-breaking research, community outreach initiatives and future generations of surgical leaders.

Michigan Promise

The Michigan Promise aims to empower faculty members and residents in the Department of Surgery to achieve professional success. We support initiatives connected to environment, recruitment, leadership, achievement, innovation and outreach.

Learn more about our Michigan Promise
Connect with Us
Woman in Gallagher lab using pipette Where Innovation & Excellence Meet
18,000+
Surgical Cases a Year
#3
in NIH Funding for 2023
150+
Faculty Members
Featured News & Stories See all news
Department News
Meet the Michigan Medicine 2025 Surgery Intern Class
Introducing the newest intern cohort who will be training within the Department of Surgery.
breast cancer checking graphic image in different pinks
Health Lab
How to assess your risk for breast cancer
Melissa Pilewskie, M.D., answers questions about how you can accurately assess your risk and what lifestyle changes can help reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
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The Fundamentals
Epigenetics, Inflammation and the Human Immune System
People with diabetes often have a host of other conditions including cardiovascular disease and kidney disease driven by inflammation. On today's episode, we talk with Dr. Katherine Gallagher, professor of surgery, professor of microbiology and immunology, and the Leland Ira Doan Research Professor of Vascular Surgery at U of M, who is looking at how epigenetics - the influence of environmental factors and behaviors impact on gene expression - might explain changes in the immune system in people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions related to inflammation.
Graphic with Indian-American male doctor in a dark suit and an Indian-American male comedian in a light t-shirt
Department News
Not that Nimesh Patel: The curious case of the surgeon-comedian mixup
The story of two Nimesh Patels and a funny mixup on Instagram: One is our newest vascular surgery faculty member and the other is a comedian.
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The Fundamentals
Psoriasis, Diabetes and Other Inflammatory Conditions
Today on The Fundamentals, we have a conversation with Dr. Sonya Wolf-Fortune, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, whose work focuses on investigating the underlying mechanisms of psoriasis, diabetes, and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Wolf-Fortune is trying to uncover what sets off the cascades of inflammation related to these conditions and related diseases.
hospital bed
Health Lab
Medicare reimbursement codes for hernia procedures have small impact on patients
A change to Medicare reimbursement coding for hernia procedures states that hernias must be three centimeters or larger for full reimbursement. Researchers at University of Michigan examine the impact this has had on reported hernia sizes.
Surgery Internal Website

Resources and information for current learners and faculty.

Surgery Intranet