Dr. Alexander Chiu, assistant professor in the Division of Endocrine Surgery, was awarded the UW Health Rising Star Clinical Practice Award at the Physician Excellence Awards Reception on May 20.
The UW Health Rising Star Clinical Practice Award recognizes UW Health’s most skilled and dedicated physicians who demonstrate exceptional performance in education, clinical practice, regional services or leadership and a commitment to the mission, vision and values of UW Health. Awardees provide exceptional patient and family centered care with a commitment to quality and patient safety and have demonstrated sustained service for two to five years as a faculty member at UW Health.
Dr. Chiu is the only endocrine surgeon at UW Health with robotic surgery privileges and has meaningfully expanded minimally invasive treatment options for diseases of the adrenal, parathyroid and thyroid glands. He is the creator and clinical leader of the Robotic Adrenalectomy Program and the founder of the UW Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Program, introducing a cutting edge, nonsurgical option for thyroid nodules.
Patients say Dr. Chiu explains their diagnosis more clearly than any provider they have seen, helping them feel informed, reassured and actively involved in decision making. The trust he inspires extends equally to his colleagues. One provider shared, “My own family member recently needed surgery, and I requested that they see Dr. Chiu. I have the utmost faith in the care that he will provide.”
Dr. Chiu’s calm, respectful presence and thoughtful approach are matched by seamless collaboration across a multidisciplinary team. He works closely with partners across surgical and medical specialties to streamline evaluation pathways, coordinate care and combine procedures when appropriate—reducing anesthesia exposure and improving outcomes for patients with complex endocrine conditions. His leadership led to the creation of a multidisciplinary adrenal clinic and streamlined systems for timely evaluation and follow up of incidentally discovered adrenal nodules.
In addition to his clinical excellence, Dr. Chiu maintains an active research portfolio focused on health disparities, access to endocrine surgical care and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve outcomes for underserved patients. Additionally, he has applied for an NIH K Award. Dr. Chiu’s work has earned national recognition, including the prestigious Paul Lo Gerfo Grant from the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.