Surgery Sections
Three surgeons in an operating room observe and assist in a procedure, with medical monitors visible in the background.

Our Sections

As one of the largest and oldest departments of our kind in the country, we’ve grown our clinics into a national destination for care — from adrenal cancer to melanoma to rare pediatric tumors.
Leaders in Surgical Care

Our department is top-ranked nationally for federal research funding. This support fuels innovations in surgical techniques and devices that enhance patient care and quality of life, contributing lasting knowledge to the practice of medicine.

We put this experience to work across our department, with a special strength in:

  • Multidisciplinary programs that assemble the optimal mix of experts to treat cases affecting complex bodily systems, such as endocrine disorders, peripheral artery disease, and pediatric solid tumors. A multidisciplinary approach means a patient benefits from the expertise of many physicians — not just one second opinion.
  • Surgical care for cancer that situates surgical excellence within high-performing teams of oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, basic scientists, all working to diagnose, stage, treat, and monitor cancer cases humanely and effectively.
  • Minimally invasive surgical techniques that use fewer and smaller incisions to lessen pain, improve long-term outcomes, and shorten patient recovery time. U-M is a leader in laparoscopic, endoluminal, robotic, and incisionless surgical techniques, a pioneer of the transhiatal esophagectomy, and a continuing innovator in less-invasive surgical treatments.
Our Sections
General Surgery

Physicians in General Surgery specialize in acute care, colorectal, endocrine, minimally invasive, surgical oncology, and veterans surgical services.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Hospital Dentistry

Surgeons in this specialty treat defects and injuries of the head, face, neck, teeth, and jaws in both adults and children, at the U-M Medical School and U-M School of Dentistry.

Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric surgeons at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, leaders in surgical oncology and fetal treatment for congenital defects, perform thousands of procedures annually, earning top national rankings.

Plastic Surgery

Surgeons in this section lead one of the largest U.S. plastic surgery programs, offering comprehensive services and earning national recognition for cleft lip, palate, and craniofacial surgery expertise.

Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgeons treat diseases of the trachea, lung, mediastinum, diaphragm, and esophagus, with U-M surgeons pioneering the transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Transplant Surgery

Since performing the state's first transplant in 1964, the U-M Medical School has developed one of the nation's largest and most experienced transplant centers, serving both children and adults.

Vascular Surgery

Surgeons in this section are internationally recognized for expertise in carotid artery disease, renal artery disease, varicose veins, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, supported by multidisciplinary clinics.
See Where Training Takes Place

Discover the spaces where you'll train, learn and practice at the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Surgery. As one of the largest training programs in the country, we provide unparalleled opportunities for our learners. Explore the clinical, work and common areas where you’ll train and grow as a physician.

Discover your training ground
Featured News & Stories See all news organs on blue background with stethoscope
Health Lab
Improving organ transplant donations through a national strategy
Many organs that are ready for donation are discarded for various reasons. The Organ Procurement and Transplant Network is finding ways to combat this to increase the number of transplants done per year.
 medical files medical health insurance paper someone picking it up
Health Lab
Medicare prior authorization affecting plastic and reconstructive surgery didn’t have hoped-for effect
A policy to save Medicare money and speed up the move from hospital-based to outpatient-based operations is not having the desired impact and could be creating an increase in administrative workload, causing potential delays in care.
 female surgeon in blue cap scrubs and mask tying mask and looking up
Health Lab
Female representation sees improvement in high paying medical specialties
The number of female residents getting into high paying surgical specialties has noticeably increased, research finds.
 on left doctor holding picture in middle with woman on other side in exam room on right side a close up of the portrait of the doctor
Health Lab
Using creative surgical solutions for creative patients
After a fall broke her painting hand, Susie McColgan's Michigan Medicine surgeon created an individualized surgical solution that would get her back to her life's work of 25 years.
 holding syringe white shirt close up in hands
Health Lab
Could GLP1RA drugs lower high iron levels?
GLP1RA drugs are used to treat obesity as well as type 2 diabetes. Research from University of Michigan Health finds that these drugs can also be effective in treating high iron levels, a cause and symptom of type 2 diabetes.
 little girl smiling on left and on right wearing pink glasses
Health Lab
3-year-old back to cheerful self following complex surgery for rare aggressive chest tumor
A young girl gets back to her childhood after a 3D printed replica of her tumor helps her Michigan Medicine surgical team perform a successful operation.