Surgery Research

Advancing Surgical Science to Improve Patient Care

Every significant advance in surgery began with someone who was curious and inquisitive, asked a question, imagined an alternative reality, generated ideas, and turned their ideas into reality to solve a problem.

That same curiosity and drive for excellence is what fuels our robust, diverse research enterprise, which seeks to improve human health and well-being by identifying solutions to challenging problems within and outside of the operating room.

The Division of Surgical Sciences within the Roberta and Stephen R. Weiner Department of Surgery at BIDMC is a community of more than 160 clinical and research faculty at Harvard Medical School and nearly 100 surgical residents and clinical fellows whose roots go back to 1864, establishing it as one of the oldest academic departments of surgery in the nation. The department has a longstanding mission to provide advanced surgical care of the highest quality to those in need, improve health through innovation and discovery and prepare future leaders in American surgery.

At the Division of Surgical Sciences at BIDMC, we believe that research is at the heart of delivering exceptional patient care. As a curious, inquisitive community, we have one of the largest research programs in the country in basic and translational science, as well as in patient-centered and population-based clinical research. Our team of surgeons and researchers work to identify and address challenges in surgical care to offer our patients the latest advancements and exceptional care.

Division Research Areas, Labs & Programs

Our research spans from bench to bedside. We conduct laboratory-based investigations that define the molecular basis of disease; develop novel surgical approaches, tools, and devices; and evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions on large populations of patients. We carry out studies that shed light on disparities in the delivery of surgical care or access to treatment for our most vulnerable citizens.

Interdisciplinary collaboration, partnership, and teamwork are essential to solving complex problems. To accelerate innovation and discovery, we have implemented innovative programs that foster collaboration throughout Boston, in both academia and in the life sciences and medical technology industries.

Our mission is to develop more effective approaches for the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the treatment of disease. Our obligation is to foster an ecosystem where modern medical miracles — small and large — continue to happen.