Reappointment of Ronald DeMatteo, MD, as Chair of the Department of Surgery
January 20, 2023
To:Penn Medicine Faculty, Students, and Staff
From:J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, EVP/Dean
Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO, UPHS
Re: Reappointment of Ronald DeMatteo, MD, as Chair of the Department of Surgery
We are pleased to announce the reappointment of Ronald DeMatteo, MD for a second six-year term as chair of the Department of Surgery. The reappointment follows a review process that included an extensive self-study, followed by an internal committee review, and an external review by three leaders in the field of Surgery.
The review affirmed the reputation of the Department of Surgery as among the very best in the nation. Building upon its long tradition of excellence in patient care, research, and education, the department has continued to evolve and expand under Dr. DeMatteo’s leadership. The department’s outstanding faculty has grown in size and expertise across all missions. Among the many achievements during Dr. DeMatteo’s tenure as chair are the successful recruitment of forty-four stellar junior and mid-level faculty members, including notable increases in the proportion of faculty members who are women and those who are underrepresented in medicine among the faculty.
Strong nationally recognized programs distinguish all areas of the department’s academic and clinical missions. The review highlighted the department’s exceptional delivery of clinical care, citing prompt and efficient surgical services and strengths in the effective use of telemedicine and Advanced Practice Practitioners since the onset of the pandemic. The department’s strong research mission has grown significantly under Dr. DeMatteo’s leadership, currently ranked #4 nationally in federal funding and having grown to $18 million from $7 million in 2017. At the same time, the department maintains a robust educational ecosystem, training some of the most talented medical students, residents, and fellows in the country.
Numerous clinical, research, and educational initiatives launched during Dr. DeMatteo’s first term have positioned the department for future growth and expanded impact. Notably, the Center for Surgical Health has been an extremely successful program that engages medical students and the surgical faculty in providing access to excellent surgical care in the West Philadelphia Community.
The valuable feedback provided during this review will enable Dr. DeMatteo and Penn Medicine leadership to continue to enhance the Department of Surgery's track record of excellence in all missions. It is our firm belief that Dr. DeMatteo will continue to elevate both Penn Medicine and the University, and we ask that you join us in congratulating him on his reappointment.