Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties

The Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties encompasses the broad specialty of surgery along with anesthesiology and emergency medicine.

Message from the ChairFazlur Zahurullah, MD, MBA

Welcome to the Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford.

This is a large academic surgery department dedicated to education since its inception in 1972. It has steadily grown during the past four decades. Our strength is in the ever-increasing number of volunteer and part-time faculty who are extremely generous in sharing their knowledge, expertise, experience and practice facilities for education. They are highly committed to educate the future physicians of this city, state and county.

Our educational programs are designed to offer a strong foundation of basics at the junior level and build further on this foundation at more senior levels. A multitude of educational and skills training activities are aimed toward producing well-educated, compassionate and caring physicians with excellent clinical skills, judgment, technical abilities and attributes of professionalism. As one progresses from junior to more advanced levels, opportunities become available for elective assignments in specialties. Many of our faculty are also engaged in research and, therefore, opportunities may be available to get involved.

We are particularly eager and excited to counsel, guide and assist those who want to pursue a career in any one of the many specialties under our oversight.

Fazlur R. Zahurullah, MD, MBA, FACS
Chair and Clinical Professor
Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties

Mission

The primary mission of the Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties is to provide a foundation of learning experiences and a supportive environment in which third- and fourth-year medical students can acquire an understanding of basic principles of surgical diagnosis and treatment for general surgery, the surgical sub-specialties, anesthesiology and emergency medicine. This foundation of knowledge and certain skills are designed for all medical students, regardless of the discipline they may ultimately select. It will include opportunities to encourage the development of skills necessary to become a lifelong independent learner as well as the development of skills and attitudes expected of a physician. Another component of our mission is to provide surgical exposure and experience to the trainees of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Family Medicine Residency Program. The department constantly searches for innovative methods to ensure the accomplishment of these goals.

A secondary mission is to develop research into clinical surgical care and educational methodology followed by dissemination of innovative findings. This will be of benefit to the department, the campus, the college, the university and the community at large. Above all, this will benefit our patients who rely on our competence, capability, care, compassion and professionalism.

Specialties

General Surgical Specialties:

  • General surgery
  • Colon/rectal surgery
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Surgical critical care
  • Surgical oncology
  • Vascular surgery

Surgical Specialties:

  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Otolaryngology
  • Urology

Anesthesiology:

  • Cardiac anesthesia
  • Obstetric anesthesia
  • Pediatric anesthesia

Emergency Medicine

Administration

Chair:

Fazlur R. Zahurullah, MD, MBA, FACS
Chair and Clinical Professor
Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties

Associate Chair of Educational Affairs:

Kamana Mbekeani, MD, MBA, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery

Surgery Clerkship Director:

Ashlea Canady, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Clinical Professor of Surgery

Medical Education Program Specialist:

Kristen Abbott
Room A225
Office Number: 815-395-5592

Office Support Specialist

Debi Giesler
Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties and Health Sciences Education
Office number: 815-395-5651

Contact Us

University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties
1601 Parkview Ave., S324
Rockford, IL  61107

Phone:           (815) 395-5651

FAX:               (815) 395-5918