Colon & Rectal Surgery at the University of Louisville -- Faculty & Staff

Michael H. McCafferty, MD Michael H. McCafferty, M.D.

"I am careful to respect that patients are people -- just like I am or my family members -- and I try to treat them accordingly," says Michael H. McCafferty, M.D., assistant professor of surgery, Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery.

Previous Practice
Dr. McCafferty's career as a surgeon spans two decades. For 17 years, he served as Attending Surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside and St. Francis Medical Center. He was also on the staff of The Western Pennsylvania Hospital's Department of Surgery.

In 2002, McCafferty decided to make the University of Louisville the next step in his career as a senior colorectal surgeon. "I believe the U of L Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery has established a dynamic program, and I am proud to be a part of it," he says.

Clinical Focus
McCafferty's special interest is colorectal cancer -- specifically the hereditary colorectal cancers -- including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

Since joining the Section, he has been collaborating with physicians at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center to establish a hereditary cancer center, which will offer patients cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, genetic testing, and recommendations for cancer screening and treatment. The center will also serve as an educational resource for patients and their families, as well as healthcare workers.

In addition, he focuses his efforts on improving the quality and safety of surgical care. He oversees the residents' Quality Improvement Conference and a monthly quality and safety meeting for nurse managers at the University of Louisville Hospital. He also serves on the Quality and Safety Committee for American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and is secretary of Quality Surgical Solutions — a quality improvement organization in Louisville founded by Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD.

Professional Organizations
McCafferty is a fellow/member of many scientific organizations, including:

American College of Surgeons
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Association of VA Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons

among others. He also serves on the editorial board of the "The American Surgeon."

Medical Training
McCafferty completed his medical training and general surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in his native Pennsylvania. In 1984, he traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, for a one-year colorectal surgery residency at the renowned Cleveland Clinic.

A champion of medical education and a patient advocate, McCafferty was chosen by his surgery residents to receive the 2005 Robert L. Fulton Award in recognition of his clinical skill and expertise.

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