Department of Surgery announces new vice chair, Bellal Joseph, MD, FACS
College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Surgery
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Surgery proudly announces Bellal Joseph, MD, FACS, as the new vice chair of surgery. He is the Martin Gluck Professor of Surgery and chief of the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns & Acute Care Surgery, as well as chief of the Division of General Surgery at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South Campus.
Joseph brings extensive leadership experience to the role, encompassing all aspects of an academic medical center, including academics, clinical, education, administration and research. He serves as a member of various national associations and committees. He is the current president of the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He has authored over 390 peer-reviewed publications and 30 book chapters. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the United States Department of Defense, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with expertise in traumatic brain injury, resuscitation and factor replacement in trauma patients, frailty as well as equity, diversity and inclusion.
In this new role, Joseph will work in partnership with the department chair, Geoffrey Gurtner, MD, FACS, to assist and guide the departmental strategy, operations and finances to ensure growth and success throughout. “To increase our efficiency in this growth phase of the department, we need help in integrating our 18 new surgeons into the clinical and academic mission of BUMC-T,” says Gurtner, “and I can’t think of a better person to help with this important task than Dr. Joseph.”
Joseph will oversee the vice chairs and division chiefs in the Department of Surgery as well as the educational programs. He will assist in facilitating two-way communication and information dissemination among these senior leaders to keep priorities on track. All departmental missions will be included, and he will help ensure the department is aligned with the institution-level strategy. Joseph looks forward to this new endeavor to help Dr. Gurtner fulfill his vision and take the department to the next level.