Welcome to the UW–Madison Department of Surgery, one of the leading surgical programs in the nation, excelling in patient care, surgical education, and surgical research. We are composed of more than 170 full-time faculty across 11 divisions and nearly 200 additional staff who support our mission.
A Perennial Top Tier Research Department!
Our surgeons perform almost 22,000 operations per year for pediatric and adult patients in the specialties of acute care and regional general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, endocrine surgery, minimally invasive surgery, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, surgical oncology, transplant surgery, and vascular surgery.
Training the next generation of surgeons and clinician-scientists is integral in our department, with nearly 120 residents and fellows being trained each year in four residencies and 11 different surgical specialty fellowship training programs.
The Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is in the process of transitioning to a separate department, effective July 1, 2025. Its new department website can be found HERE.
Resident Experience
Wondering what it’s like to be a resident at Wisconsin Surgery? Visit our Resident Experience page.
Wisconsin Surgery: By the Numbers
Exceptional People. Extraordinary Results.
Moving Surgery Forward.
The Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin provides comprehensive educational experiences, groundbreaking research and superb patient care.
UW Surgery Latest News
Dr. Courtney Morgan Awarded Dean’s Teaching Award
Dr. Courtney Morgan, Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery, was awarded the Dean’s Teaching Award at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s (SMPH) Medical Education Day on May 29. The Dean’s …
Postdoc in WiSLiM Lab Receives Funding from UW Distinguished Research Fellows Program
Reji Babygirija, PhD, a postdoctoral scientist in the Wisconsin Surgical Laboratory in Metabolism (WiSLiM), has been awarded a UW Distinguished Research Fellowship. This fellowship program was established by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for …
Welcome Dr. Alison Gareau to the Division of Transplantation
Alison J. Gareau, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplantation and the HLA Lab Director for the Division of Transplantation. Dr. Gareau’s primary responsibility as the HLA Lab Director is to provide …
WiSLiM Lab Receives NIH Funding to Examine How Bariatric Surgery Affects Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Obesity and type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Research in animal models has shown that dietary interventions like calorie or protein restriction can improve metabolic health as well as slow or …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: April 2025
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
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DEI & Well-Being
Learn about the diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being resources in the Department of Surgery.
Information For
Educational Opportunities
- Surgery Grand Rounds
- Voice & Swallow Clinics Lecture Series
- GlovesOn
- Outreach Talks
- Clinical Simulation Program
Our online surgery Grand Rounds are offered each year, September through May, for free CE credit with self-assessment.
Our Voice & Swallow Clinics Lecture Series is comprised of expert lectures recorded live during private offerings held at the UW Voice & Swallow Clinic that you can review to earn CEU credit year round.
Learn more about our Voice & Swallow Clinics Lecture Series.
The GlovesOn goal is to educate the region’s surgeons on techniques available at UW Health to expand and enhance their surgical practice.
Our doctors are available to speak on a variety of surgery topics for your monthly or weekly journal clubs, case conferences, grand rounds and tumor boards.
The UW Health Clinical Simulation Program provides robust and realistic learning opportunities to prepare health care professionals for actual patient care situations. The center offers educational opportunities for students, faculty and staff from UW Health, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, departments across UW-Madison and the community.