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.
faculty demonstrating students about a dummy lying in hospital bed

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 Dr. Jeff Punch with Rwanda's first transplant specialists, urologists urologists Alexandre Nyirimodoka and Emmanuel Muhawenimana
Department News

Rwanda marks 100th kidney transplant through U-M collaboration

A team of surgeons in Rwanda recently performed the nation’s one-hundredth kidney transplant, just two short years since launching a collaboration with Michigan Medicine to build the country’s first-ever renal transplant program.
 Residents working in the simulation center with text detailing that the U-M Medical School has 20+ top residency programs in this year's Doximity rankings.
News Release

U-M boasts 15 top 10 residency programs in latest Doximity Residency Navigator rankings

U-M boasts 15 top 10 residency programs in latest Doximity Residency Navigator rankings
 climb sign and family smiling infront
Health Lab

Lung transplant recipient stays active climbing stadium steps and more post-transplant

Doug Wright stayed active until his lung transplant. Now, he is continuing to participate in rigorous physical activity with his donor lungs.
 Two-photo collage of surgeons operating.
Department News

Doximity ranks two Michigan surgery residency programs among nation’s best

Learn more about which Department of Surgery programs at Michigan Medicine earned top spots in this year's Doximity rankings.
 doctor in white coat with heart model in hand in hallway looking down
Health Lab

How a temporary heart pump can support high risk cardiac surgery

A cardiac surgeon from Michigan Medicine offers helpful details on Impella devices.
 Man on the left in a hospital bed with his thumb up. Man on the right is standing next to a motorcycle wearing a suit and a helmet.
Health Lab

Texas man walking on ‘new legs’ after complex vascular procedures

A Texas man walks five miles daily on “new legs” after undergoing a minimally invasive vascular procedure at University of Michigan to restore blood flow to blocked vessels.