Department of Surgery
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Specialties

Charles Patrick Shahan, MD, MS

Associate Professor

  • Trauma Medical Director
  • Division of Acute Care & Regional General Surgery
  • Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs

shahan@surgery.wisc.edu
(608) 262-6246

Education

  • MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • MS, Epidemiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • General Surgery Residency, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, University of Texas Health Science Center

Clinical Specialties

Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Shahan’s practice is in caring for trauma, surgical critical care, and emergency general surgery patients.

Research Interests

Dr. Shahan’s primary research interest is the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, such as stress disorders and depression, after trauma and emergency general surgery. In particular, he works on identifying patients most at risk for developing mental health issues after trauma and emergency surgery, and studying the optimal timing and methods to intervene. His goal is to improve mental health outcomes and demonstrate the ways that doing so can enhance quality of life during recovery.

Recent Publications

  • Diagnostic utility of a CT upper gastrointestinal protocol for the detection of gastroduodenal leaks.
    Moeller AR, Lee MH, Lubner MG, Pickhardt PJ, Shahan CP, Toia GV
    Abdom Radiol (NY) 2026 Aug 03;
    [PubMed ID: 42545483]

  • Adjudication instrument for infection in critically injured trauma patients.
    Junak M, Zhang H, Faust H, Haleem A, Hammel L, Saddler C, Shahan CP, Werner NL, Kisat MT
    Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2026; 11(3): e002106
    [PubMed ID: 42404873]

  • Performance of Postoperative Imaging for Leak Detection Following Repair of Upper Gastrointestinal Perforation.
    Junak M, Joshi D, Rendell VR, Toia GV, Shahan CP
    J Surg Res 2026 Feb; 318: 188-192
    [PubMed ID: 41547331]

  • Patient-Reported Outcomes and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Emergency General Surgery.
    Shahan CP, Nishtala M, Matabele MM, Zarzaur BL
    J Surg Res 2024 Oct; 302: 317-323
    [PubMed ID: 39121799]

  • MultiCenter Study of Intra-Abdominal Abscess Formation After Major Operative Hepatic Trauma.
    Smith AA, Cone JT, McNickle AG, Mitchao DP, Kostka R, Martinez B, Schroeppel T, Cavalea A, Shahan CP, Axtman B, Braverman MA, Multi-Institutional Trial Liver Study Group
    J Surg Res 2024 Mar; 295: 746-752
    [PubMed ID: 38147760]

All Publications on PubMed