Advancing Surgical Care

At the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Surgery, we are advancing the future of surgery through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, and world-class surgical education. Our multidisciplinary teams provide highly specialized care for patients with complex surgical conditions across every stage of life.

Leading Specialized Programs

Department specialists lead advanced programs in transplantation, cancer, vascular, colorectal, pediatric, and reconstructive surgery. Through innovative techniques and collaborative expertise, our teams improve outcomes for patients across Iowa and the region.

Recognized Centers of Excellence

UI Health Care is home to one of Iowa's two designated Level I Trauma Centers, the state's only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, a certified regional Burn Treatment Center, and a nationally recognized Organ Transplant Center. These nationally recognized programs provide patients access to lifesaving care and specialized expertise not widely available elsewhere in Iowa.

Education

Research

About Us

Leading innovation. Advancing surgical care for Iowa.

Pioneering Surgical Advances

The Department of Surgery has a long history of innovation, from performing some of the world's first gastric bypass surgeries to advancing today's minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques.

Driving Research Forward

Department researchers and clinicians work together to translate scientific discoveries into new treatments, technologies, and approaches that improve patient care.

Training Tomorrow's Leaders

Medical students, residents, and fellows learn alongside nationally recognized surgeons and researchers, gaining hands-on experience while preparing to lead the future of surgery.

>41K

Department of Surgery Visits

35

consecutive years ranked as one of the best academic hospitals in the U.S.

# 1

Iowa's #1 hospital as ranked by U.S. news & world report

Carver College of Medicine Events

Blood Drive @ UIHC IRL promotional image

Blood Drive @ UIHC IRL

Friday, September 18, 2026 10:00am to 2:00pm
Iowa River Landing
The DeGowin Blood Center is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, September 18th 2026 at the UIHC IRL . Help the University of Iowa climb the Abbott & Big Ten We Give Blood Drive leaderboard and received a special-edition t-shirt from Abbott, while supplies last!
Neuroscience Seminar: Ronald Davis, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience Seminar: Ronald Davis, PhD

Friday, September 18, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building
Neuroscience seminar presented by Ronald Davis, PhD, Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
Iowa ReSpectacle Back to School Donation Drive promotional image

Iowa ReSpectacle Back to School Donation Drive

Friday, September 18 to Friday, September 25, 2026 (all day)
Medical Education Research Facility
Donate used glasses to be recycled and redistributed across the globe during the back-to-school season! Drop-off locations are available from Aug. 24 to Sept. 25 across the University of Iowa campuses and clinics.

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