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.

Are you a patient or caregiver?

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
couple with 3 dogs on porch smiling
Health Lab

Receiving personalized treatment for a rare neuroendocrine tumor

Danielle Schuldt was diagnosed with a rare endocrine tumor and underwent surgery as part of her treatment. She now undergoes regular surveillance to monitor for cancer recurrence.
Black and white cutout of Moses Gunn in a conference ballroom.
Department News

2026 Moses Gunn Research Conference Highlights

Highlights from the Michigan Medicine Department of Surgery's 37th annual Moses Gunn Research Conference.
UMich Med Mosaic on blue background with colorful geometric shapes
UMich Med Mosaic

Beyond the White Coat: Finding Your Voice at the Patient’s Bedside

In this episode of UMich Med Mosaic, host Mackenzie Kay speaks with MD students Josh Chen and Gabriel Culian about what it feels like to step onto the hospital wards for the first time. They reflect on their earliest patient encounters, the transition from standardized patients to real clinical settings, and the role medical students play in building trust, explaining care plans and supporting patients and families. They also discuss witnessing serious illness, grief and life-changing conversations, while exploring how early clinical experiences shape confidence, empathy and the kind of physicians they hope to become.
A group of people standing on a lecture hall stage in business attire. A slide behind them reads "Finding your path in surgical innovation."
Department News

Highlights from the 2026 Reed O. Dingman Research Symposium

Learn about the Section of Plastic Surgery's 36th Reed O. Dingman Research Symposium.
hockey player with doctor on right holding pink and purple jersey
Health Lab

Teenage patient receives treatment for papillary thyroid cancer

Teen hockey player Gavin Hewitt was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and underwent surgery and radioactive iodine treatment.
three triplets and two with head gear on with their names in pink and purple
Health Lab

A smarter helmet for the smallest patients

U-M Health specialists invented a new design for cranial shaping helmets to improve treatment for positional head deformities like plagiocephaly.

Surgery Internal Website

Resources and information for current learners and faculty.

Surgery Intranet