Message from the Chair

Brad Feltis, M.D., Ph.D, Chairman

Our MISSION in the Department of Surgery is to: 

1.     Provide outstanding evidence-based, compassionate, comprehensive surgical care and support for the citizens in our communities whom we have the privilege of serving.

2.     Provide outstanding education and broad-based training for our surgical residents thereby empowering them to become the next generation of competent General Surgeons.

3.     Provide a safe and intellectually stimulating environment for our medical students to grow in their knowledge of the field of General Surgery and associated surgical specialties.

4.     Maintain and promote active clinical and basic science research programs into the mechanisms and treatment of surgical diseases.

5.     Improve surgical care delivery in countries with limited resources by partnering with and improving local capacities via four strategic pillars: 

A.    Delivering direct surgical care

B.    Assisting in long-term capacity building

C.    Improving access to care by providing appropriate support

D.    Strengthening team leadership.

Our VISION is to be one of the preeminent departments of surgery in the country focused on training surgeons committed to practicing in rural and underserved areas both nationally and internationally.

About:

The Department of Surgery is composed of a number of divisions including: General Surgery, Breast Surgery, Hepatobiliary/pancreatic Surgery, Pediatric surgery, Plastic surgery, Trauma and Critical Care surgery, Ophthalmology, and Orthopedic surgery.  Our department consists of several dozen full-time surgical faculty, 32 Residents in General Surgery, several staff and support personnel and numerous other clinical faculty. 

Our international program consists of a Surgical Director (Dr. Ward), a Global Surgical Advisor (Dr. Padovany), international Surgical Faculty, a full time PGY 6 Fellow, and elective international rotations for QCOM Medical students and our General Surgery Residents.  

Our basic science research program consists of active research supported by external peer reviewed funding in the areas of cardiovascular disease, surgical immunology, wound healing, and surgical sepsis.  Additionally, each division currently has multiple ongoing clinical studies.  

A personal note:

As Chair, I view my chief responsibility as providing an environment wherein everyone has the resources and support to become the best versions of themselves.  With the myriad of demands concerning students, trainees, and faculty, it takes dedicated and intentional effort to develop a culture that actually emphasizes and promotes resiliency and well-being.  I invite you to stroll through the remainder of our website for a more in-depth look at our department. Additionally, I would be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Please contact me at the address below or e-mail me at  feltisb@etsu.edu