Fabrizio Michelassi, M.D.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
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Fabrizio Michelassi, M.D, F.A.C.S., is a world-renowned, board-certified gastrointestinal surgeon with a strong expertise in the surgical treatment of gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers as well as inflammatory bowel disease. He is the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor of Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Surgeon-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Dr. Michelassi was recently featured in a story about his pioneering crohns surgery on the award-winning ABC-TV documentary series, "NY Med". To view the episode please click here: nymedshow.com/episodes/episode-8
A prolific author of more than 250 papers, book chapters and abstracts, Dr. Michelassi has contributed new insight in the surgical treatment of pancreatic and colorectal cancers, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. He has pioneered the development of important new techniques that ensure better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients with rectal cancer and ulcerative colitis. These techniques have resulted in a greater percentage of patients avoiding permanent stomas and maintaining urological and sexual function. His recognized expertise in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer has led many patients to seek his counsel; in turn, Dr. Michelassi has contributed new knowledge to this field through clinical trials. His experience and expertise in treating Crohn's disease led him to develop a novel bowel-sparing procedure, now known as the Michelassi strictureplasty, designed to avoid sacrificing large amounts of bowel at the time of surgery and facilitating quiescence of the acute disease affecting the diseased intestinal loops. He has edited a book on operative strategies in inflammatory bowel disease and has produced eleven instructional movies for surgeons on the surgical treatment of complications of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Internationally renowned as an outstanding clinician, researcher and teacher, Dr. Michelassi has delivered many named and keynote lectures across the country; has been invited to be a visiting professor at 75 national and international institutions; and has delivered over 300 national and international presentations. He is Associate Editor of the Annuals of Surgical Oncology and serves on the editorial board of five prestigious medical journals including: the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Surgery, The British Journal of Surgery, Digestive Surgery and Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology. A recognized leader in the gastrointestinal surgical field, Dr. Michelassi has been appointed to many international and national task forces and panels.
Dr. Michelassi has served as President of the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Illinois Surgical Society, the Spencer Surgical Society, the Western Surgical Society, the Central Surgical Association, the Society of Surgical Chairs, and the New York Surgical Society. He has served as Secretary of the Society of the Alimentary Tract and SSAT Foundation and as director of the American Board of Surgery. A member of more than 45 professional societies in the United States and internationally, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons and he is Chair of the Committee on Clinical Congress Programs of the Advisory Council for General Surgery of the American College of Surgeons. He has served as Vice-President of the International Society of Digestive Surgery and he is currently a Director of the James IV Association of Surgeons, Inc.
Dr. Michelassi has earned numerous awards for his innovative contributions to advancing the treatment of digestive diseases, including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Award, the American Cancer Society Cancer Development Award and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. His research on Crohn's disease has been funded by the International Organization of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and his research on the genetics of gastrointestinal cancer has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society. He has been repeatedly recognized by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine and Chicago Magazine as one of the "Best Doctors in America." He was named as one of "America's Top Doctors" by US News & World Report. He was chosen as one of "American's Top Surgeons" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, and has been selected as one of New York's "Super Doctors" every year since 2008, an honor accorded to just 5 percent of all New York physicians. Dr. Michelassi was named to "Who's Who in America Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs" in 2012.Born in Pisa, Italy, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pisa School of Medicine, Dr. Michelassi completed his internship and surgical residency at New York University and a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University. In 1984, he joined the faculty of the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago. He became Section Chief of General Surgery in 1994, tenured Professor in 1995, Vice Chair of the Surgery Department in 2000 and the Thomas D. Jones Professor of Surgery in 2001. He also served as Director of the Surgical Oncology Fellowship from 1988 through 1995 and Director of the General Surgery Residency Program from 1997 through 2004. He moved to his current position at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in 2004. In 2012, he was awared the Faculty Teaching Award for "Excellence in Surgical Teaching and Outstanding Commitment to Resident Education," awarded by the 2011-2012 Chief General Surgery Residents of the Department of Surgery, NYP/Weill Cornell.
For more information about Dr. Michelassi's innovative surgical treatment for Crohn's Disease click on www.cornellsurgery.org/pro/services/colon-rectal/ssis.html.
For Dr. Michelassi's biography on the ABC-TV "NY Med" website, click here:
nymedshow.com/doctors-nurses/fabrizio-michelassi-md
For Dr. Michelassi's publications, click here
