UW-Madison Department of Surgery

09/01/2026

"Reaching 2,000 pancreas transplants reflects more than four decades of innovation, expertise and teamwork."

Congratulations to UW Health for reaching the milestone of 2,000 pancreas transplants. Dr. Jon Odorico, professor in the Division of Transplantation, led the team that performed the transplant. Read more:

After years of severe Type 1 diabetes complications, an Illinois woman finds new freedom through a UW Health pancreas transplant.

08/22/2026

It's National Surgical Oncologists Day. From life-changing patient care to ground-breaking research, we are so grateful for all the extraordinary work that our surgical oncologists do!

08/21/2026

Today is GME Professionals Day. We are so lucky to have such exceptional educational coordinators in our department!

08/18/2026

Dr. Sameer Hirji joins the Department of Surgery as an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Hirji will focus on building a cardiac surgery clinical outcomes research program. Dr. Hirji completed a general surgery residency and cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, followed by the Thoracic Surgery Foundation Michael J. Davidson Advanced Structural Heart and Transcatheter Fellowship and an Advanced Aortic and Endovascular surgery fellowship, also at the Brigham. He was also recently named to Cardiovascular Business' 40 under 40. Welcome, Dr. Hirji! https://go.wisc.edu/3v82k4

08/07/2026

On Friday, August 21, the University of Wisconsin Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies Team is hosting the 100 Cleft Portraits Tour, a powerful national exhibition celebrating the strength, identity and lived experiences of individuals born with cleft and craniofacial differences. Created by artist and advocate Katie Manning, the exhibition features 100 portraits that honor the resilience and individuality of the cleft community while encouraging understanding and connection. Learn more:

FREE event at Pyle Center in Madison, WI celebrating the work of artist Katie Manning and individuals born with cleft lip and palate.

08/06/2026

We are thrilled to welcome our new fellows! We can't wait to see all that they accomplish. See the list of our new fellows: https://go.wisc.edu/22r0it

08/05/2026

"They took great care of me. The doctors were so kind. I wouldn't have gone anywhere else."

Last December, Dr. David Aufhauser led the team that performed a transplant on a woman diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

When she visited her primary care doctor in January 2025, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and referred to UW Health liver specialists in Madison.

08/01/2026

It's World Lung Cancer Day. Today is a chance to raise awareness about lung cancer. With lung cancer screening, it can be found earlier when it's easier to treat. Learn more: https://go.wisc.edu/ixa1t8

07/31/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 fellow graduates! We can't wait to see what your future holds.
Dr. Chris Stahl - Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Romy Fajardo - Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Sarah Haviland - Colorectal Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Nicholas Druar - Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Caitlin Finn - Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Caressa Chen - MIS, Foregut and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship
Dr. Brian Hallis - MIS, Abdominal Wall and Hernia Fellowship
Dr. Andrea Weitz - Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Dr. Elizabeth Yates - Vascular Surgery Fellowship

07/29/2026

Last week, Dr. Joshua Mezrich joined The Lee Rayburn Show on the Wisconsin Public Radio to discuss recent advances in xenotransplantation and how the field is advancing to solve the organ shortage.

A new book traces the history of nonhuman-to-human organ transplantation. Then, we learn why home prices keep rising and what can be done about it.