Best General Surgeons in Fort Collins
Updated September 19, 2024
Introduction to General Surgery in Fort Collins
Overview of general surgery and its importance in healthcare
General surgery is a medical specialty that focuses on abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, as well as the thyroid gland. It also deals with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft tissue, trauma, peripheral vascular surgery and hernias.
General surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, including appendectomies, cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals), hernia repairs, breast surgeries, and various gastrointestinal surgeries. They also play a key role in the diagnosis and management of complex medical conditions that may require surgical intervention.
The landscape of general surgery in Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado, boasts a robust community of general surgeons. Based on the provided data, there are at least 20 general surgeons practicing in the area, offering residents a variety of options for their surgical needs.
The city is well-equipped with surgical facilities, including notable hospitals such as Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center. These institutions provide state-of-the-art surgical care and support the work of the city's general surgeons.
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List of General Surgeons in Fort Collins
American Board of Surgery
Washington University Barnes Jewish Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 2017)
Virginia Mason Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 2016)
University of Colorado (Undergraduate School, 2004)
University of Colorado, Boulder (Undergraduate School, 2004)
English
Spanish
Medical Center of the Rockies
Critical Care Surgery
General Surgery
JC
Dr. John Collins
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English, Afrikaans
Colo Affil Hosps (Internship Hospital, 1974)
Stanford University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1973)
English
Afrikaans
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Amy Reppert
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Colorado School of Medicine (Medical School, 2011)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Michael Harkabus
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of California at San Francisco (Residency Hospital, 1992)
Letterman Army Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1987)
Indiana University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1986)
Indiana University (Undergraduate School, 1982)
English
Banner North Colorado Medical Center
General Surgery
Dr. Kenna Williams
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Medical School, 1986)
English
Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Pulaski
General Surgery
EH
Dr. Elizabeth Holl
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY / MERITCARE HOSPITAL CONSORTIUM (Medical School, 2015)
English
Banner McKee Medical Center
General Surgery
SH
Dr. Spencer Hansen
5.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
NEW YORK Medical College (Medical School)
English
French Hospital Medical Center
Medical Center of the Rockies
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Dr. Thomas Chiavetta
4.8
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Ohio State University (Medical School, 1981)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
KH
Dr. Kaitlin Heisel
4.6
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Medical College of Wisconsin (Medical School)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. James Dickinson
4.6
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Nc Hosps (Residency Hospital, 1998)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Internship Hospital, 1994)
University of Kansas School of Medicine (Medical School, 1993)
University of Kansas / Main Campus (Undergraduate School, 1989)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Breast Surgery
Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Samuel Saltz
4.6
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
Maricopa Integrated Health Syst (Residency Hospital, 2010)
Maricopa Integrated Health Syst (Internship Hospital, 2006)
Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (Medical School, 2005)
English
Banner Fort Collins Medical Center
General Surgery
Dr. Michael Roller
4.5
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO / MAIN CAMPUS (Medical School, 1995)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Stefan Pettine
4.4
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER (Medical School, 1992)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Jerome Collins
4.2
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University Cape Town (Residency Hospital, 1983)
University Colo Health Scis Center (Internship Hospital, 1979)
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (Medical School, 1978)
Grinnell College (Undergraduate School, 1974)
English
Banner McKee Medical Center
General Surgery
Dr. Robert Vickerman
4.2
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Iowa (Residency Hospital, 2000)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Medical School, 1995)
University of Wisconsin / Madison (Undergraduate School, 1991)
English
Banner North Colorado Medical Center
General Surgery
JH
Dr. John Hunter
4.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Texas at Dallas (Medical School, 2000)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Craig Clear
3.9
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English, Spanish
Exempla St Joseph Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1993)
St Joseph Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1993)
University of Colorado At Denver (Medical School, 1992)
English
Spanish
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Dr. James Downey
3.7
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
University of Colorado (Internship Hospital, 1993)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Dr. Charles Bellows
3.7
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Tulane (Residency Hospital)
Tulane|Tulane University (Fellowship Hospital, 1998)
Medical College OF PA|Medical College of Pennslyvania (Medical School, 1995)
English
Lutheran Medical Center
General Surgery
Dr. Robert Quaid
3.6
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English, Spanish
American Board of Surgery
Butterworth Hospital (Residency Hospital)
Butterworth Hospital (Fellowship Hospital, 1994)
Butterworth Hospital|Spectrum Health - Butterworth Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1991)
Indiana University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1990)
English
Spanish
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
Critical Care Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Maurice Roulhac
2.7
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Geisinger Medical Center (Fellowship Hospital)
Uf Shands (Residency Hospital)
English
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital
Vascular Surgery
General Surgery
TC
Dr. Thomas Coopwood
2.5
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
Baylor Hosps (Residency Hospital, 1970)
Baylor Affil Hosps (Internship Hospital, 1964)
Ben Taub City Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1964)
Baylor University (Medical School, 1963)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
RN
Dr. Rachael Nemcic
1.0
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Female
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI / MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 2010)
English
Poudre Valley Hospital
General Surgery
American Board of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine (Fellowship Hospital, 2007)
University of Texas Health Center (Internship Hospital, 2002)
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Medical School, 2001)
Rice University (Undergraduate School, 1997)
English
Banner North Colorado Medical Center
General Surgery
CZ
Dr. Christopher Zimmermann
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Northshore University Healthsystem Evanston Hospital
General Surgery
RH
Dr. Richard Hohm
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Long School of Medicine (Medical School, 1970)
English
General Surgery
JP
Jeremy Patten
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
English
General Surgery
TD
Todd Dudley
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
English
General Surgery
SL
Scott Lesser
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
English
General Surgery
Medical Technology
DT
Dana Tasler
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
English
General Surgery
TM
Dr. Travis Mason
N/A
Fort Collins, CO
Sex
Male
Languages
English
American Board of Surgery
English
Banner North Colorado Medical Center
General Surgery
Factors to Consider When Choosing a General Surgeon in Fort Collins
Qualifications and Credentials
Board Certification
- American Board of Surgery certification
- Importance of board certification in ensuring quality care
Educational Background
- Medical school and residency information
- Additional fellowships or specialized training
Experience and Specialization
Years of Practice
- Consideration of surgeons' experience levels
- Balance between experienced surgeons and those with recent training
Areas of Expertise
- Subspecialties within general surgery
- Matching surgeon's expertise to patient needs
Patient Reviews and Ratings
Star Ratings
- Analysis of Healthgrades star ratings
- Consideration of number of reviews
Patient Feedback
- Importance of reading detailed patient reviews
- Identifying patterns in patient experiences
Hospital Affiliations
Quality of Affiliated Hospitals
- Evaluation of hospitals in Fort Collins area
- Importance of hospital quality for surgical outcomes
Location and Accessibility
- Convenience of hospital locations in Fort Collins
- Consideration of travel time for follow-up care
Top-Rated General Surgeons in Fort Collins
Dr. Jason Tcheng
Background and Qualifications
- Board certified by American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery
- Specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery
- Affiliated with Banner McKee Medical Center and Banner North Colorado Medical Center
Patient Ratings and Reviews
- Perfect 5.0-star rating
- Limited number of reviews (1 star count)
Dr. Christian Dennis
Educational Background and Expertise
- Fellowship at Washington University Barnes Jewish Hospital
- Residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center
- Specializes in Critical Care Surgery and General Surgery
Patient Feedback
- 5.0-star rating based on 4 reviews
- Affiliated with Medical Center of the Rockies
Dr. Michael Harkabus
Experience and Qualifications
- Residency at University of California at San Francisco
- Over 30 years of experience since medical school graduation in 1986
- Board certified by American Board of Surgery
Patient Satisfaction
- 5.0-star rating from 4 patient reviews
- Affiliated with Banner North Colorado Medical Center
Dr. Susan Wcislak
Specializations and Certifications
- Focuses on Endocrine Surgery and General Surgery
- Board certified by American Board of Surgery
Patient Reviews
- 4.9-star rating based on 30 reviews
- Affiliated with Poudre Valley Hospital
Dr. Thomas Chiavetta
Background and Experience
- Graduate of Ohio State University Medical School in 1981
- Board certified by American Board of Surgery
- Over 40 years of experience in the field
Patient Feedback
- 4.8-star rating from 20 patient reviews
- Affiliated with Poudre Valley Hospital
Additional Considerations for Selecting a General Surgeon in Fort Collins
Communication style and bedside manner
Importance of clear communication
- Discuss the significance of surgeons who can explain complex procedures in understandable terms
- Highlight the value of surgeons who take time to answer patient questions
Assessing compatibility during consultations
- Recommend scheduling initial consultations to evaluate surgeon-patient rapport
- Suggest considering the surgeon's empathy and listening skills
Language considerations
Multilingual surgeons in Fort Collins
- Mention Dr. Christian Dennis and Dr. Robert Quaid who speak both English and Spanish
- Note Dr. Craig Clear's ability to communicate in Spanish
Importance of clear communication in patient's preferred language
- Emphasize the benefits of having a surgeon who speaks the patient's primary language
- Discuss the availability of translation services if needed
Availability and scheduling
Wait times for appointments
- Discuss the importance of timely surgical interventions
- Suggest inquiring about typical wait times for non-emergency procedures
Emergency availability
- Highlight the significance of choosing a surgeon with emergency care capabilities
- Mention the importance of understanding the surgeon's on-call schedule
Insurance and financial considerations
In-network providers
- Advise patients to verify if potential surgeons are in-network with their insurance
- Suggest contacting insurance providers for a list of covered general surgeons in Fort Collins
Cost estimates and financial assistance options
- Recommend requesting cost estimates for planned procedures
- Discuss the availability of financial counseling or payment plans at local hospitals