Donald Liu, M.D., Ph.D. Chief, Pediatric Surgery Surgeon-In-Chief, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital

Welcome to The University of Chicago and the Section of Pediatric Surgery. We are proud to be a part of one of America's premier universities and to share with you our rich surgical history matched only by our ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care, research, as well as teaching. In addition, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new University of Chicago Comer Children's hospital with new state of the art surgical suites and recovery rooms.

The Pediatric Surgical Subspecialty group at The University of Chicago performs over four thousand operations each year for a variety of childhood diseases. The clinical faculty offers world renowned expertise in all aspects of pediatric surgical care with complete, well-balanced programs in General Surgery, Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, and Urology.

The hallmark of the Pediatric General Surgery program is a clinical emphasis on minimally invasive surgery. MIS procedures, which are performed in children as small as two pounds, result in less pain, tissue damage, and scarring in children, as well as faster recovery and reduced length of stay. The section annually produces numerous articles on minimally invasive surgery in children in peer reviewed journals, and presents at national meetings techniques which are considered "forefront" technology. In addition to our unique minimally invasive program, the general surgery group performs traditional pediatric surgical procedures ranging in complexity from high index neonatal surgery to routine hernia surgery. The group also manages the largest and busiest Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program in the Chicago land area.

The Otolaryngology group provides a vast range of services ranging in complexity from complicated, innovative endoscopic sinus surgery to traditional myringotomy tubes for otitis media. There is ongoing seminal research in allergic rhinitis supported by NIH funding. The Neurosurgery program supports all aspects of surgery in children including neuro-oncology, neurovascular surgery, functional neurosurgery, epilepsy, and minimally invasive surgery, allowing unprecedented access to innovative treatments. There is ongoing research in hydrocephalus physiology supported by NIH funding. The Orthopedics group performs a wide range of procedures ranging in complexity from complicated scoliosis surgery to routine fracture care. In Urology, a renowned national expert in bladder reconstruction and complex congenital urological anomalies performs a wide range of urological procedures ranging from innovative/complicated urological reconstruction to traditional hypospadius repair.

In addition to our clinical and research activities, we emphasize a rich and vibrant academic environment for the education of medical students, residents, and fellows. We seek to create an environment that will foster the development and growth of medical leaders of tomorrow.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our programs. It is through collaboration with you that we will continue to fulfill our important missions of research, education, and high quality care to our pediatric patients.

Sincerely,

Donald Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Pediatric Surgery
Surgeon-In-Chief,
University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital