Welcome to the Department of Surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
Our department stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation: grounded in the values that define who we are and where we are going. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to compassion, collaboration, and service. These are not just words: they are the guiding principles that shape every aspect of our work in patient care, education, and research.
We believe that excellence in surgery begins with people: our colleagues, those we serve, and those we train. Compassion is foundational to our culture. It drives us to treat every patient with dignity, to educate with empathy, and to conduct research that seeks meaningful solutions to real human challenges. We view surgery not merely as a technical discipline, but as a human endeavor—where the best outcomes are achieved through teamwork, respect, and purpose.
Our motto, “High-performing teams motivated by compassion to serve and improve our community,” reflects this philosophy. Whether in the operating room, the classroom, or the laboratory, our surgeons, trainees, and staff are united by a shared commitment to making a difference—locally, regionally, and globally.
We are proud of our role as an academic surgical department that embraces the full spectrum of modern medicine while preserving the timeless virtues of compassion, conscientiousness, and community. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to nurturing a culture where every member of our department is empowered to lead, collaborate, and serve with courage and integrity.
Thank you for your interest in our department. We invite you to explore our programs, meet our faculty, and discover the ways we are working together to transform care, advance knowledge, and shape the next generation of surgical leaders.
Sincerely,
Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS
Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery
University of Connecticut School of Medicine