Pancreatic, Liver and Biliary Surgery

uf department of surgery

Pancreatic, Liver and Biliary Surgery

Our primary mission is to provide all patients with streamline access to UF Health cancer specialists and to the full spectrum of high-quality and cutting-edge treatment options.

Steven Hughes, MD

UF Health surgeons provide quality, innovative care to patients with pancreatic, liver and biliary diseases featuring a wide range of advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities for patients with cancers of the anus, appendix, bile ducts, colon, esophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, rectum, retroperitoneum, small intestine and stomach. We are proud to care for patients at UF Health Shands Hospital, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top hospitals for cancer care.

GI Oncology Surgery:

  • Sphincter-preserving surgical procedures
  • Minimally invasive or laparoscopic resection of the colon, esophagus, liver, pancreas, rectum, and stomach
  • Spleen-preserving pancreatic surgery
  • Transhiatal or transthoracic esophagectomy
  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy
  • Minimally invasive esophagectomy

We offer the latest in surgical care for both benign diseases and cancer, including laparoscopic procedures for patients who are candidates for minimally invasive surgery,as well as personalized care and treatments to optimize each patient’s outcomes, and emphasize coordinated care to streamline clinic visits and hospital procedures. As part of our mission, investigative treatments are available for appropriate patients as we strive to continually improve patient care and outcomes. UF Health pancreatic and liver surgeons work closely with gastroenterologists and other specialists from the University of Florida Health Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology Center to provide a comprehensive, compassionate and multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients diagnosed with cancers of the digestive organs.

UF Health pancreatic surgeons care for:

In 2016, the National Pancreas Foundation named University of Florida Health among its first group of National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Centers for excellence in pancreatic cancer treatment. For patients with pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases, there can be inconsistencies in the level of care they receive. The NPF Center designation emphasizes high-quality, multidisciplinary care approaches.

UF Health pancreatic and liver surgeons care for patients from throughout Florida and the nation. Up-to-date volume and outcome data is openly provided during consultation.

Visit the National Institutes of Health or the American Cancer Society. to learn more about pancreatic diseases.

Steven J Hughes

Steven J Hughes MD

Edward M. Copeland, III MD Professor And Chief, Surgical Oncology
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100109
GAINESVILLE FL 32610

Steven J. Hughes, MD, is a professor and chief of surgical oncology at the UF College of Medicine. He also serves as vice chair for the department of surgery.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and graduated from Mayo Medical School. Dr. Hughes then completed a general surgery residency as well as a NIH-Surgical Oncology research fellowship and a surgical critical care residency at the University of Michigan.

His clinical expertise is minimally invasive approaches to hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases including the performance of laparoscopic radical pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple’s procedure).

Dr. Hughes is a past Counselor-at-Large and Chair of the Membership Committee of the Society of University Surgeons. His NIH-funded research focuses on improving our understanding of the biology of pancreatic cancer aiming to discover new methods for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of this terrible cancer.

Thomas E Read

Thomas E Read MD, FACS, FASCRS

Cracchiolo Family Professor And Chief, Gastrointestinal Surgery
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100109
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
1600 SW ARCHER RD RM 6165
GAINESVILLE FL 32610

After 26 years of practice, I still look forward to coming to work every day. I am fortunate to work with a spectacular team at University of Florida/Shands Hospital, where I serve as a professor and chief of the UF Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. In our busy practice, we treat patients for a variety of problems that affect the GI tract including rectal cancer, colon cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s) and colorectal polyps.

I trained on both coasts, graduating cum laude with a bachelor degree in biology from Harvard College in 1984. I received my medical degree with honors from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where I subsequently completed general surgery residency training and a basic science research fellowship. I completed additional specialty residency training in colon and rectal surgery at the Lahey Clinic in 1996.

I benefited from the mentorship of experienced physicians and surgeons during my training, and I believe we should “pay it forward”. Thus, I am dedicated to educating the next generation of physicians, and have served as program director for two colorectal surgery residency training programs, Coursemaster for medical students in surgery, and as ACGME Designated Institutional Official (DIO) responsible for graduate medical education. I have been fortunate to participate in the training of many outstanding physicians, and am grateful to have been the recipient of 22 awards for teaching, education and mentorship.

From a research perspective, we continually push frontiers, trying to advance our understanding of diseases and how best to treat them, and are focused on outcomes from a patient perspective. I have been lucky to be able to share our work (and learn from others), as an invited lecturer at scientific meetings more than 350 times and as a visiting professor at more than 25 institutions.

It takes a dedicated team of people to achieve good outcomes. My partners and our staff of nurses, physician assistants, and technicians should all share in the clinical accolades I have received over the years, such as being named one of America’s Top Doctors and America’s Top Doctors for Cancer by Castle Connolly Medical, Best Doctors in America by Best Doctors Inc., and America’s Top Surgeons by Consumer’s Research Council of America.

I appreciate that my colleagues have trusted me to serve in a variety of leadership roles for organizations that represent our specialty, including as President of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, President of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and as a Governor of the American College of Surgeons. I currently serve as the Executive Director of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Outside of practice, I enjoy underwater photography, which makes living in Florida very appealing.

Subspecialties:
  • Colon and Rectal Surgery
Mark W Johnson

Mark W Johnson MD, FACS

Professor
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100118
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Physical Address:
1600 SW Archer Rd, Rm 6142
GAINESVILLE FL 32610

In just sixth grade, I knew I would be Dr. Johnson. Since that’s come to fruition, I have been recognized by the renowned Best Doctors in America publication and have received the Montague Boyd Award twice, which is given annually to recognize the achievements of academic scholarships and contributions to medical practice and knowledge. In my 25 plus years of practice, I found inspiration in transplant, for the ability to give patients the gift of life.

As a professor of surgery in the division of transplantation surgery, I treat patients at the end stage of liver and kidney disease, diabetes with kidney disease and pancreas, and biliary disease. My clinical interests include liver transplantation, renal transplantation and surgical management of hepato-biliary diseases.

Prior to joining the University of Florida College of Medicine, I worked as chief transplant officer and medical director of transplant services at Wellstar Health System in Marietta, Georgia, as chairman and program director of the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta and as director of both kidney and liver transplant services at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

I earned my medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed a general residency at New England Medical Center in Boston. Afterwards, I completed a clinical and research fellowship in transplantation surgery at Harvard Medical School.

In my free time, I enjoy many outdoor activities, including mountain biking, pickle ball and relaxing at the beach with my kids.

Ali Zarrinpar

Ali Zarrinpar MD, PhD

Professor
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100118
1329 SW 16TH ST STE 2170.1
GAINESVILLE FL 32608
Physical Address:
PO Box 100118
1329 SW 16TH ST STE 2170.1
GAINESVILLE FL 32608

As a professor in the University of Florida Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, I treat patients with liver cancer, liver disease, liver injury, bile duct cancer and bile duct injuries, mostly with surgery or with liver transplantation. Deceased donor transplantation grants me the privilege of making the most of tragedy and wrestling meaning from so many unanswered questions. I see transplantation as a miracle, and it amazes me every time.

My focus as a physician and scientist is on providing individualized care for each one of my patients. Right now, we work on the application of technology we develop in our lab to practical surgical and medical questions. Essentially, our focus is on getting the right drug or care to the right patient in the right amounts at the right times.

Before joining the division of transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery, I graduated with a doctorate degree in biochemistry and a medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. Thereafter, I completed a general surgery residency and a fellowship in multivisceral transplant and hepatobiliary surgery from the University of California, Los Angeles.

On top of providing care for my patients, I am a diplomate in general surgery through the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American Society of Transplantation, dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care. I am also certified in multivisceral transplantation through the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

When not practicing, I enjoy chauffeuring my children to their activities.

Ibrahim Nassour

Ibrahim Nassour MD, MSCS

Assistant Professor

Ibrahim Nassour, MD, MSCS is an assistant professor, with the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. At UF Health, Dr. Nassour specializes in surgeries for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver and bile duct. He has special interest in robotic pancreato-biliary surgery including robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) and in regional therapies for metastatic disease.

Dr. Nassour earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his general surgery residency at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. During his training, he pursued a postdoctoral research fellowship and received a master’s degree in clinical and translational science. Most recently Dr. Nassour received advanced training in complex general surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Dr. Nassour’s research focuses on comparative effectiveness studies that evaluate the role of minimally invasive and robotic surgery as well as the role of neoadjuvant therapy in the management of pancreato-biliary cancers. In addition, he is interested in designing clinical trials that incorporate liquid biopsies and adaptive neoadjuvant therapies in the management of pancreato-biliary malignancies with the goal to improve and optimize the care of cancer patients. His research has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and books.

Dr. Nassour is board certified surgeon by the American Board of Surgery. He is a member of the Association for Academic Surgery, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association and the American College of Surgeons.