Improving lives through surgery, research, and education
Our work is grounded in a simple goal: improve lives.
At the University of Iowa Department of Surgery, our teams combine leading-edge techniques with a patient-centered approach—treating complex conditions with precision, compassion, and collaboration.
Faculty, trainees, and staff across the Department of Surgery
Comprehensive, team-based care
Our surgeons and care teams manage a wide range of complex conditions across the lifespan.
That includes:
- Organ transplantation, matching donors and recipients to save lives
- Adult and pediatric trauma care at one of Iowa’s designated Level I Trauma Centers and a certified regional Burn Treatment Center
- Multidisciplinary cancer care
- Advanced treatment for gastrointestinal, colorectal, and vascular disease
- Highly specialized care for pediatric patients
Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons address complex cases resulting from trauma, cancer, and congenital conditions, alongside offering cosmetic procedures for adults.
Innovation that moves surgery forward
Innovation has long defined our department. From performing the world’s first gastric bypass surgeries to advancing minimally invasive and robotic techniques, we continue to push the field forward.
Today, our teams are leading efforts to expand access to cutting-edge technologies and refine surgical approaches that improve outcomes, reduce recovery time, and enhance quality of life.
A resource for Iowa and beyond
We serve as a critical resource for patients across Iowa and the region, offering capabilities and expertise not widely available elsewhere in the state. From lifesaving procedures to highly specialized care, our department is built to meet the most complex surgical needs.
We take pride in our work
See how our department separates itself from everyone else.
Our Milestones
See what highlights drive us to do what we do each day.
Support Us
Your gift will help ensure our services can reach even more patients in need.
