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Acute Care Surgery »  Faculty »  General Surgeons »  Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H.

Hobart W. Harris, M.D., MPH

  • Professor and Chief, Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • Division of General Surgery
  • J. Engelbert Dunphy Endowed Chair in Surgery
  • Director, Center for Hernia Repair & Abdominal Wall
  • Reconstruction
  • Program Director, NIH T32 Training Program in Gastrointestinal Surgery

Contact Information

Academic Office
513 Parnassus Ave, Suite S-549
San Francisco, CA 94143-0104
(415) 514-3891 Phone
(415) 476-8694 Fax
[email protected]
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Education

  • 1975-1979 Harvard College, Cambridge, MA       A.B. Biology
  • 1979-1983 Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA     M.D. Medicine
  • 1983-1984 Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA M.P.H. General Studies

Residencies

  • 1984-1985 University of California, San Francisco Intern Surgery
  • 1985-1993 University of California, San Francisco Resident Surgery

Fellowships

  • 07/1993-12/1993 University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, P.R.C. Hepatobiliary Surgery
  • 02/2005-07/2005 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY ERCP

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Surgery, 1994

Clinical Expertise

  • Acute Pancreatitis
  • Bile Duct Injuries
  • Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Complex Abdominal Surgery
  • Enterocutaneous Fistula
  • Gall Bladder Disease
  • Gastrointestinal Cancer
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • Hepatobiliary Surgery
  • Intra-abdominal Sepsis
  • Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Pancreas Surgery
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Recurrent Hernia
  • Soft Tissue Infections
  • Ventral (Incisional) Hernia

Website Links

Biography

Dr. Hobart W. Harris is an expert in treating surgical infections, diseases of the pancreas and biliary system and abdominal wall hernias, including pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis, complex gallstone disease, intra-abdominal sepsis, serious infections of the skin and soft tissue, and enterocutaneous fistulas. He treats patients with complicated and often life-threatening conditions through the Complex Abdominal Surgery Program. Dr. Harris is also a pioneer and leader in the management and repair of complex ventral (incisional) hernias. Specifically, he is an expert at repairing gigantic ventral hernias, where closure of the defect and reconstructing the abdominal wall requires advanced techniques, such as progressive pneumoperiteum whereby the abdominal wall muscles are first stretched prior to repairing the hernia.

Dr. Harris earned his undergraduate, medical and public health degrees at Harvard University, before completing an internship and residency in general surgery at UCSF. After residency training, he completed a fellowship in Hepatobiliary Surgery at the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital before joining the faculty at UCSF in 1994. Harris is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a member of numerous surgical and scientific societies including the American Surgical Association. 

Research Overview

Dr. Harris is Director of the Infection, Injury and Immunity Lab. His research focuses on surgical infections, innate immunity and the management of complex ventral hernias. He is also an innovator, inventor and entrepreneur in the surgical field.

Research & Funding

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ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1196-1558 Additional info
  • Research Training in Gastrointestinal Surgery
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    Jul 1988
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    Jun 2020
    Principal Investigator
  • Complex Ventral Hernia Repair
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    Jul 2013
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    Jun 2016
    Principal Investigator
  • Lipoproteins and Microbial Immunity
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    Aug 2010
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    Jul 2014
    Principal Investigator
  • Lipoproteins Modulate the Hepatic Response to Endotoxin
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    May 1999
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    Jan 2010
    Principal Investigator
  • General Clinical Research Center
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    Oct 1974
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    Nov 2007
    Co-Investigator
  • CHYLOMICRON REMNANTS &ATHEROSCLEROSIS
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    Nov 1988
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    Jan 0001
    Principal Investigator

Clinical Trials

Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI

Publications

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS FROM A TOTAL OF 110
Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
  1. DeLong MR, Wells MW, Chang IA, Vardanian AJ, Harris H. Data Requirement for Animal-Derived Wound Care Devices: Limitations of the 510(k) Regulatory Pathway. J Am Coll Surg. 2023 Oct 05. View in PubMed
  2. Starr N, Tadesse M, Igwebuike C, Sherefa K, Genetu A, Aregawi Y, Zewdu E, Tamirat D, Desalegn M, Getahun B, Harris H, Zemenfes D. Feasibility of Gastrografin Use for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction in Low-Income Countries. J Surg Res. 2023 Oct 04; 293:239-247. View in PubMed
  3. Dhanani NH, Lee KH, Olavarria OA, Young C, Primus F, Holihan JL, Liang MK, Harris HW. Biologic Versus Synthetic Mesh in Ventral Hernia Repair: Participant-Level Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Trials at Twenty-Four to Thirty-Six Months. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2023 Aug; 24(6):554-560. View in PubMed
  4. Dhanani NH, Lyons NB, Divino CM, Harris H, Holihan JL, Hope W, Itani K, Loor MM, Martindale R, Prabhu A, Reinke C, Roth JS, Towfigh S, Liang MK. Expert Consensus for Key Features of Operative Reports of Ventral Hernia. J Am Coll Surg. 2023 01 01; 236(1):235-240. View in PubMed
  5. Deerenberg EB, Henriksen NA, Antoniou GA, Antoniou SA, Bramer WM, Fischer JP, Fortelny RH, Gök H, Harris HW, Hope W, Horne CM, Jensen TK, Köckerling F, Kretschmer A, López-Cano M, Malcher F, Shao JM, Slieker JC, de Smet GHJ, Stabilini C, Torkington J, Muysoms FE. Updated guideline for closure of abdominal wall incisions from the European and American Hernia Societies. Br J Surg. 2022 11 22; 109(12):1239-1250. View in PubMed
  6. View All Publications

Videos

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  1. Pathway to Product Development

In the News

  • Dr. Stanley Rogers Named Interim Chief of the Division of General Surgery Succeeding Dr. Hobart Harris

    UCSF Department of Surgery - September 01, 2020
    It is with deep gratitude that we announce Dr. Hobart Harris will be stepping down as Chief of the Division of General Surgery, effective August 31, 2020. Dr. Harris has served as Chief of General Surgery with distinction since 2002. He also served in the capacity of Vice-Chair of the Department from 2002-2008 and 2013-2018. He will continue as a Professor of Surgery and active faculty member.  Dr. Harris has received regional and national recognition for his clinical expertise, as evidenced [...]

  • Department of Surgery 2020 Achievement and Education Awards Presented at Surgery Grand Rounds

    UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - July 10, 2020
    The Department of Surgery celebrated the many achievements of our UCSF Surgery trainees and educators at Surgery Grand Rounds on June 10, 2020, recognizing the tireless hard work and extraordinary talent displayed each and every day by these recipients. In addition, there was a tribute to the late Chief Resident Evan Werlin, MD, the inaugural "Evan Werlin Lodestar Award," accepted by his fiancée, Dr. Alyssa Perez. Junior Resident Faculty Teaching Award The award was presented by our interns [...]

  • Hobart W. Harris, MD, MPH Inducted into Gold-Headed Cane Society

    UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - June 20, 2019
    Hobart Harris Golden Cane
    Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., professor and chief of the Division of General Surgery, Hobart W. Harris, MD, MPH, was inducted into the Gold-Headed Cane Society as an Honorary Member for 2019. The ceremony took place on May 20th. Dr. Harris was on one of two UCSF faculty to receive the award this year. The original gold-headed cane has long been a symbol in English medicine. Dr. Andre Campbell of the Department of Surgery presented the award.   Honored to be able to present Dr Hobart [...]

  • Department of Surgery Launches Website for NIH T32 Research Training Grant in GI Surgery

    UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - August 09, 2017
    UCSF 20160630 Shuvoroy 0459
    The UCSF Department of Surgery has launched a new website for its NIH T32 Research Training Program in Gastrointestinal Surgery. The program, led by Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chief of the Division of General Surgery, was originally established in 1987 by Dr. Haile T. Debas, Professor Emeritus of Surgery, a past Chair of the Department of Surgery, and currently Director Emeritus of the UC Global Health Institute (UCGHI).  The T32 Research Training Grant in Gastrointestinal [...]

  • International Symposium on Incisional Hernia Prevention October 19-20, 2017

    Center for Hernia Repair & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction - Richard Barg - July 21, 2017
    International Symposium On Incisional Hernia Prevention
    Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Division of General Surgery and Director of the UCSF Center for Hernia Repair and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, will Chair the International Symposium on Incisional Hernia Prevention, sponsored by the UCSF Department of Surgery, to be held October 19-20, 2017 in San Francisco, CA. UCSF is the leading tertiary referral center in the region for hernia surgery, performing nearly 700 procedures annually, 350 of those for ventral (incisional) hernias [...]

  • Department of Surgery Research Teams Awarded Seed Funding at Inaugural Shark Tank Event

    UCSF Surgical Innovations Program - October 23, 2015
    2015 10 23 15 59 43
    Two (2) Department of Surgery research teams were awarded seed funding totaling $40,000 to accelerate their medical device innovations. The Roboimplant device, an expandable rod for orthopaedic surgery applications, took top honors, with the Sentinel Bandage, a non-invasive technology for wound monitoring, taking second place. The awards were given at the UCSF Surgical Innovations Program's inaugural Shark Tank competition on September 24th at UCSF Mission Bay.  Four teams of finalists pitched [...]

  • Department of Surgery Launches UCSF Center for Hernia Repair & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

    Center for Hernia Repair & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction - Richard Barg - July 01, 2015
    The Department of Surgery has launched a new program, the Center for Hernia Repair and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction. Led by Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chief of the Division of General Surgery, and Director of the Infection Injury and Immunity Lab, the multidisciplinary program provides state-of-the-art treatment for all types of hernias, from the most common to the most technically challenging, such as giant abdominal wall hernias, hernias arising from enterocutaneous [...]

  • Dr. Hobart Harris Cites Benefits of UCSF Entrepreneurship Center in Turning Innovation into Marketable Product

    UCSF Surgical Innovations Program - April 22, 2015
    Hobart Harris 1
    UCSF News reports on the Entrepreneurship Center at UCSF which prepares inventors to launch start-ups and supports innovators seeking to commercialize life-changing inventions. Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chief of the Division of General Surgery, founder of Vitruvian Medical Devices, and a pioneer in the management and repair of complex ventral (incisional) hernias, extols the benefits of the Center's "Lean LaunchPad" course in the development of his company.  Hobart [...]

  • Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III Discusses Relationship between Aviation Safety & Optimal Patient Care

    UCSF Department of Surgery - November 08, 2012
    On November 5th,  Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III spoke to a UCSF audience at Cole Hall on "Leadership in Advancing National Efforts in Patient Safety and Optimal Quality of Care". He was introduced by Hobart W. Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Division of General Surgery, who underscored how Sullenberger's aviation experience has informed patient safety and the evolution of modern clinical practice.Captain Sullenberger spoke at the invitation of Nancy L. Ascher, M.D., [...]

  • Surgeon Stars in Scientist Role: A Conversation with Hobart Harris, MD, MPH

    UCSF General Surgery - July 27, 2007
    Hobart Harris, MD, MPH, leads a double life - maybe even a double, double life if you throw in insignificant moments like eating and sleeping. Yes, he's a hepatobiliary surgeon (the youngest son of a general practitioner). Yes, he's a scientist with his own NIH-funded laboratory. And yes, he's the division chief of General Surgery at UCSF.

  • National Impact of Pioneering Surgical Hospitalist Program

    UCSF General Surgery - June 04, 2007
    Hobart W. Harris - 144x
    At most hospitals nationally, it takes nearly four hours on average before the surgeon on call becomes available, and even longer before the operation is finally begun. At UCSF Medical Center, the goal is for the patient to be seen by a "surgical hospitalist" in less than 30 minutes................"Over the first year of our program, the average waiting time was 20 minutes," says Hobart Harris, MD, Professor of Surgery at UCSF and Chief of the Division of General Surgery. Photo Provided [...]

Patient Stories

  • Mansfield Doi

    Surgery Wellness Program Eases Path to Surgery

    UCSF Center for Surgery in Older Adults (CSOA) - September 23, 2016
    Mansfield Doi
    My father Mansfield Doi was undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, a procedure used to correct a narrowing in the bile ducts. The advantage of ERCP is that it is non-invasive, but after repeated procedures showed limited effectiveness, his UCSF gastroenterologist suggested surgery. He was referred to Dr. Hobart Harris, Chief of the Division of General Surgery at UCSF, who determined that medically he was a candidate for surgery. However, because of his age – my dad is 86 - Dr. Harris encouraged us to coordinate with the UCSF Surgery Wellness Program, which was a[...]
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