Columbia Surgery

Columbia Surgery Official page of the Columbia University Department of Surgery.
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Did you know we have an organ anatomy coloring book? Keep the kids occupied and download a free PDF straight to your inb...
04/03/2026

Did you know we have an organ anatomy coloring book? Keep the kids occupied and download a free PDF straight to your inbox — link in bio!

Don’t forget to share your art with us. 🖍️

04/02/2026

Do you know the difference between a symptom and a side effect? Is it as simple as it seems? Well, let’s see what Dr. Ajay Kirtane has to say about it.
.Ah, nuance. Gotta love it.

At just 14, Jade underwent her first facial reconstructive surgery to treat midface hypoplasia, a condition that made it...
03/31/2026

At just 14, Jade underwent her first facial reconstructive surgery to treat midface hypoplasia, a condition that made it difficult for her to eat, speak, and breathe. Even intubated and sedated after surgery, Jade found moments of delight—fluttering her hands to a Taylor Swift song and earning the nickname “rock star” from her nurses.

A few years and several complex procedures later, Jade is back in the dance studio, her happiest place, smiling and finding new confidence in herself.

Her surgeon, , shares: “Every aspect of her daily function has been improved. Beyond this, the impact on her physical appearance has helped her community see her for the confident and exceptional person that she truly is.”

We celebrate Jade’s courage, resiliency, and infectious joy! Read her story at the link in bio.

Photos courtesy of NewYork-Presbyterian:
1. Jade post recovery
2. After Jade’s first surgery in 2023
3. Jade in her ballet studio
4. Jade, her father, Mark, and her mother, Christi, had her last appointment with Dr. Imahiyerobo and nurse practitioner Mary Beth Katinas (far right)
5. Imaging to plan the craniofacial disjunction surgery - Dr. Imahiyerobo cut the midfacial bones, separated them from the skull, and moved them forward. In doing so, Jade’s eyes, nose, teeth, and mouth became aligned

Dr. Craig Smith joined 95 people across healthcare to reflect on where we stand today—and what it will take to move forw...
03/27/2026

Dr. Craig Smith joined 95 people across healthcare to reflect on where we stand today—and what it will take to move forward. His perspective, as always, cuts through.

Link in bio to read more from this feature.

03/24/2026

What are some useful health parameters that wearable tech like an Apple watch can provide?

When asked Dr. Isaac George this question in our Wearables and Heart Health chat, he talked about starting to use his watch in the early days of Covid. He got really sick early on, was isolated, and no one knew what to expect. Using his watch to track heart rate and oxygen levels helped. And over time, he noticed clear trends that helped him better understand his body—patterns like tachycardia and hypertension.

Dr. George finds their overall value to be awareness, a way to grow health consciousness.

Read more at the link in bio, and watch the full chat in our feed.🫀

03/17/2026

Liver cancer most often arrives alongside cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, and years of complicated medical decisions.

By the time many patients reach a surgical program, they’ve already been through scans, biopsies, consultations, and treatments that span multiple specialties.

That’s exactly why liver cancer care today is built differently. “The care of liver cancer has become increasingly complicated,” says Jason Hawksworth, MD. “Most patients need more than one type of therapy.”

That complexity is met with team coordination for that very reason. No one has to move from office to office retelling their story. From the very first visit, hepatology, oncology, transplant surgery, and interventional radiology sit down together to review the case and build a plan.

“They see everybody,” says transplant hepatologist Meghan Phipps, MD. “The goal is for patients to leave that first visit with a unified plan.”

Sometimes that plan includes surgery, transplant, or treatments designed to shrink tumors and make surgery possible later, but the goal is always the same.

“The goal is to remove the tumor,” Dr. Hawksworth says, “or transplant a patient in some cases… because transplant can treat the cancer and the liver disease at the same time.”

Today, advances in robotics, transplant oncology, and living donor liver transplant are expanding what’s possible for patients who once had very few options.

“This is a team sport,” Dr. Phipps says.

🎥Dr. Hawksworth is pictured here setting up the robot during surgery. Read the full story at the link in bio.

Frank Soldano has spent over two decades battling the ups and downs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). From his first ...
03/11/2026

Frank Soldano has spent over two decades battling the ups and downs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). From his first diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in his 20s to trying countless medications with heavy side effects, Frank’s journey hasn’t been easy. But he found hope on the horizon.

Frank is part of the groundbreaking BOOM-IBD clinical trial, exploring a new way to treat Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis using sacral nerve stimulation. Just weeks after joining the trial, Frank saw incredible changes. His symptoms are under control like never before, and he’s on the verge of being medication-free for the first time in years.

“The device is definitely doing what it needs to do. It’s changed my life,” Frank says. “I just want to spread the word and help others who are still searching for answers.”

Swipe through to see Frank’s journey and learn how cutting-edge research is giving him a new lease on life. 💙 Link in bio to read Frank’s story and learn more about the clinical trial.

03/09/2026

Colorectal surgeon Dr. Beatrice Dionigi will be live with oncologist Dr. Yoanna Pumpalova and chair of radiation oncology, Dr. Lisa Kachnic this Friday, 3/13, at 5 pm EST.

They’ll discuss everything from the rise of colorectal cancer in young people to screening and the latest in treatment and research. Mark your calendars and bring your questions!

Turns out even the best cancer experts aren’t immune to the occasional wifi connectivity issue.But no worries because ou...
03/09/2026

Turns out even the best cancer experts aren’t immune to the occasional wifi connectivity issue.

But no worries because our Colorectal Cancer Instagram Live is back on the schedule. Join specialists as we talk about why colorectal cancer is rising in young people, what to watch for, and when to get screened.

Friday, March 13
5:00 PM ET

Bring your questions, or drop them early in the comments. We’ll be there (and hopefully the internet will be too). 💁

03/03/2026

Colorectal cancer means that common cancer has formed in the colon or re**um (the lower part of your digestive system). It can be aggressive, but the good news is that it’s highly treatable when caught early. Regular screening is so important because symptoms might not show up until later stages.

Quick facts about screening:
-Most people should start screening at age 45

-Colonoscopy is the most thorough method, but there are non-invasive options too

-Early detection can prevent cancer or catch it when it’s easier to treat

Link in bio to learn more.

We don’t often think about our hearing until we notice it changing. On Tuesday, March 3rd, we’re offering free hearing s...
02/26/2026

We don’t often think about our hearing until we notice it changing. On Tuesday, March 3rd, we’re offering free hearing screenings for all ages in honor of World Hearing Day.

No appointment needed. Just stop by!
9 am-12 pm: Children’s Hospital Lobby
1-5 pm: Milstein Lobby

Welcome to the first installment of Routine Procedures ☕️Just like the rest of us, surgeons rely on small rituals to kee...
12/17/2025

Welcome to the first installment of Routine Procedures ☕
️
Just like the rest of us, surgeons rely on small rituals to keep their days steady and their minds clear. In our new series, we take a closer look at the habits that shape how our surgeons show up, care for patients, and keep going day after day.

First up: Roshni Rao, MD, Chief of Breast Surgery

What time does your alarm go off in the morning?
➖5:30 a.m.

Snooze or no snooze?
➖No snooze, never snooze!

Breakfast of choice?
➖Just coffee. I hate to admit it, but yes, just coffee. With cream and sugar though, does that count for something?

First thing you do when you get to work:
➖Okay, I don’t know. Just turn on the computer? Yes, I guess it’s right to the computer.

Do you have any pre-op rituals or routines?
➖I get my glasses on. You have to put the glasses on first, and then the hat, and then you’ve got to put on the mask. You have to do it in that order. Otherwise, your glasses aren’t in the right spot where you can manipulate them.

Is there music in your OR?
➖Yes.

Who picks it and what’s on the playlist?
➖I pick it, usually a Pandora channel called “Happy Music,” or something like that.

Favorite shoes for long days standing in the OR:
➖Yes, for sure. I either wear Merrells, which are generally known for walking shoes, but they have a nice stiff one as well, or I wear Keens, which are work shoes, like the kind carpenters wear.

Read the full Q&A at link in bio!

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