University of Utah Department of Surgery

11/21/2025

Join us in congratulating T. Clark Gamblin, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, on his appointment as the Grant H. Beckstrand, MD, and Mildred Burrows Beckstrand Presidential Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology. This distinguished honor recognizes his leadership, commitment to advancing surgical oncology, and the profound generosity of the Beckstrand family and the Grant Beckstrand Cancer Foundation. Their support helps the University of Utah empower exceptional faculty dedicated to research, education, and patient care. 
 

11/20/2025

Our FY25 Annual Report is here, celebrating the 500+ people who make our department what it is. Their passion, innovation, and collaboration are at the heart of every story. We’re honored to share their work as we close out 2025.

View the full report here: https://medicine.utah.edu/surgery/resources/annual-reports

10/30/2025

Join us in celebrating our incredible 2025 APC Excellence Award winners!

Each year, these awards honor the dedication, leadership, and impact of our APCs across education, clinical practice, administration, and investigation. Our recipients exemplify the compassion, collaboration, and commitment to excellence that define the Department of Surgery. We are extremely lucky to have such outstanding clinicians on our team.

🏆 2025 APC Excellence Award Winners
• Excellence in Clinical Practice: McKenzie Alban, PA-C (Plastic Surgery)
• Excellence in Education: Marissa Weeks, PA-C (Acute Care)
• Excellence in Administration: Carl Barney, PA-C (Burn)
• Excellence in Investigation: Lisa Chapman, PA-C (Urology)

10/15/2025

A full house for the 11th annual Russell M. Nelson Educational Endowment Lectureship! More than 250 attendees joined us for this special year honoring President Nelson’s remarkable life and legacy following his recent passing. Dr. Craig Selzman shared updates from the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and reflected on lessons learned from President Nelson, while guest speaker Dr. Rosemary F. Kelly from the University of Minnesota took us on a journey through President Nelson’s innovative legacy and highlighted the exciting advancements shaping the future of CT surgery.

10/06/2025

42 years ago, surgeon William DeVries, MD, performed the world’s first successful total artificial heart transplant using the Jarvik-7, designed by Robert Jarvik under the guidance of bioengineer Willem Kolff. This historic achievement forever changed the future of cardiovascular care. 🫀✨

Today, Craig Selzman, MD, Surgical Director of the Heart Transplant Program, continues that legacy through advanced heart and lung transplantation, offering hope and lifesaving care to patients across the Mountain West and beyond.

🔗 https://medicine.utah.edu/surgery/cardiothoracic/news

10/01/2025

Congratulations to Rebecca M. Kohler, PA-C, MPAS, on her appointment as the inaugural Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine!

As Director of Advanced Practice in the Department of Surgery and Lead APC for the Comprehensive Weight Management Program, Rebecca has been a leader in advancing patient care, education, and clinical innovation. Her new role will expand her impact by shaping the Division’s clinical vision and elevating the physician assistant workforce.

We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and excited for all she will accomplish!

https://medicine.utah.edu/news/2025/09/rebecca-kohler-appointed-inaugural-vice-chair-of-clinical-affairs-division-of

The Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences (DPAES) at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, is pleased to announce that Rebecca M. Kohler, PA-C, MPAS, a graduate of the Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP), has been appointed as the inaugural Vice Chair of...

09/30/2025

Big news from our Robotic Surgery Program! ‼️

Thanks to the leadership of Brian Mitzman, MD, MS, FACS, FCCP, and Joe Falk, MHA, BS, we’re expanding once again, upgrading four more of our Da Vinci XI platforms to DV5 and adding an additional XI in the Main OR to support growth in Acute Care Surgery.

That brings us to 10 robots across 5 OR sites:
Huntsman South: 3 DV5, 1 SP
Huntsman North: 1 DV5
Area E: 2 DV5
Main OR: 2 XI
South Jordan: 1 XI

In just 2 years, our fleet has doubled, our robotic surgeon team has grown from 23 to 42, and we recently celebrated our 12,000th robotic case. This year alone, we’re on track for 2,000 cases.

With the dedication of our surgeons and support from administration, University of Utah Health is a leader in robotic surgery across the Mountain West and Western U.S. ⭐️

09/29/2025

Caption repost from The University of Utah

"We are saddened by the death of medical pioneer and global faith leader Russell M. Nelson.

Nelson passed away on Saturday. At the time of his death, he was serving as the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the oldest leader in the institution’s history. A recognized trailblazer in heart surgery, Nelson was an alum of the U and led the school’s cardiothoracic program for nearly 20 years.

“President Nelson’s remarkable journey, from U alum to pioneering heart surgeon to global faith leader, reflects a life of innovation, compassion, and devotion. His influence and discipleship are woven into the history of our university, the lives of many of our students, and people across the globe.”

https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/honoring-medical-trailblazer-and-global-faith-leader-russell-m-nelson/ "

09/24/2025

Congratulations to Fiemu Nwariaku, MD, MBA, FACS, Chair of the University of Utah Department of Surgery, on being named President-Elect of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS)!

A global surgery leader and accomplished surgeon, Dr. Nwariaku will officially become the 32nd President of SBAS in September 2026. Read the full story with the LINK in our bio!

09/12/2025

Dr. Fiemu Nwariaku, endocrine surgeon and surgery chair, in the OR at University of Utah Hospital - where world-renowned teams treat patients using the latest surgical techniques and technology.

University of Utah Department of Surgery

08/28/2025

When technology, scientific discovery, precision, teamwork, and the gift of organ donation come together, we give new life, new lungs, and a breath of hope. 🤍
 
We went behind the scenes with the only lung transplant program in the Mountain West, capturing the orchestrated expertise of our team as they deliver second chances to patients and families.
 

08/08/2025

We’re excited to share that has ranked University of Utah Hospital the #1 hospital in Utah and Salt Lake City for the 12th consecutive year, and that six specialties in our department have received high performing recognition. 🏥

Congratulations to our dedicated teams who have been recognized for high performing awards in the following areas:

• Lung Cancer Surgery
• Colon Cancer Surgery
• Prostate Cancer Surgery
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm repair
• Urology
• Prostate Cancer Surgery