Dr. Howard Ross has been named chair of surgery/surgeon-in-chief of Hackensack University Medical Center and chair of the Department of Surgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Hackensack Meridian Health announced.
With more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, Ross specializes in minimally invasive surgical approaches to treating colon and rectal cancer, HMH officials said. Ross also provides leading-edge surgical care for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, polyps and other colorectal conditions. His research interests include the adoption of new technologies, surgical outcomes, surgical education and health disparities.
Ross is broadly published and the editor of four noted textbooks.
HUMC CEO Mark Sparta said Ross is a welcome addition.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ross in his new leadership role,” he said. “His expertise and years of experience will be a tremendous asset to Hackensack University Medical Center and the community we serve.”
As chair of surgery/surgeon-in-chief, Ross will actively guide the surgical education of future physicians, teaching the art and science of surgery to residents and medical students.
In addition, he will oversee nine divisions of surgery (bariatrics, breast, colorectal, general surgery, pediatrics, surgical oncology, thoracic surgery, transplant and trauma) taking place in 18 regular operating room suites; four pediatric OR suites; two hybrid OR suites; three plastic & reconstructive surgery OR suites; and 12 suites in HMH’s Center for Ambulatory Surgery. Additionally, Ross will preside over 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms to be housed in the new Helena Theurer Pavilion opening on the campus of Hackensack University Medical Center in 2022.
Ross earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, New York. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Connecticut, and his colon and rectal surgery residency at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. He completed his surgical oncology research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.
Before coming to Hackensack, Ross previously served in various roles at Temple University Health System, Meridian Health System and University of Pennsylvania Health System.
“The appointment of Dr. Ross is a significant addition to our group of specialists,” HUMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Tank said. “We are excited about his plans to continue to build and expand all of our surgical programs, especially transplant, trauma and colorectal surgery, through new techniques and cutting-edge technology.”
