GI Surgery
Overview
Welcome to the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Welcome to the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, where our mission is to deliver transformative care through surgical innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational excellence.
Our division is comprised of a highly specialized team focused on the surgical treatment of complex gastrointestinal conditions. We lead the region in foregut surgery (esophageal and gastric), advanced surgical endoscopy, bariatric surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction. We are proud to offer the largest academic robotic surgery program in Florida, and we were the first academic center on the West Coast of Florida to implement the DaVinci DV5 robotic platform.
Our team has pioneered numerous “first” procedures in the Tampa Bay region, earning a reputation for delivering state-of-the-art, minimally invasive solutions to even the most challenging conditions. We are also the busiest academic center in Florida for robotic bariatric surgery and a top referral center for esophageal disorders, working closely with the USF Health Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing.
We pride ourselves on multidisciplinary collaboration—with experts in gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, oncology, radiation oncology, and vascular surgery—to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. Our abdominal wall and complex hernia program is integrated with the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative, and our motility program offers specialized care supported by pelvic floor physical therapy.
Our commitment to education is reflected in our Foregut and Bariatric Surgery Fellowships, both of which offer immersive training in advanced techniques. We also support an active research program through our Surgical Outcomes Research Team (SORT), engaging learners in clinical and basic science investigations that are shaping the future of GI surgery.
As our division continues to grow, we remain deeply committed to advancing care, education, and discovery—not only in Tampa Bay, but nationally.
Christopher DuCoin, MD, MPH, FASMBS, FSAGES, FACS
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Vice Chair, Clinical Operations
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
About Our Division
The Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is a nationally recognized center for advanced surgical care, education, and innovation in the treatment of complex digestive disorders. Our multidisciplinary team includes fellowship-trained surgeons with subspecialty expertise in foregut surgery (esophageal and gastric), bariatric surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, advanced surgical endoscopy, and robotic-assisted procedures.
Our faculty collaborate closely with colleagues in gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and vascular surgery to provide fully integrated and individualized care for patients with challenging diagnoses—including gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, paraesophageal hernias, complex obesity, and recurrent or complicated abdominal wall hernias.
We are proud to be regional pioneers in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. Our division leads the largest academic robotic surgery program in Florida and was the first academic institution on the West Coast of Florida to implement the Da Vinci DV5 robotic platform. This leadership in technology has allowed us to introduce numerous first-in-region procedures and expand access to safer, less invasive options for patients across the state.
Within Tampa General Hospital (TGH), our surgeons play an integral role in the Digestive Diseases Institute (DDI)—which is ranked #1 in Florida and #19 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The DDI brings together a multidisciplinary network of specialists to provide high-volume, evidence-based care for gastrointestinal diseases in a highly coordinated and patient-centric setting.
Centers & Programs
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Our Center for Esophageal Disorders is the busiest in the state of Florida and recently ranked #1 with the US News and World Report. We treat every esophageal pathology, from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Barrett’s Esophagus to Esophageal Cancer. This is done in close collaboration with the USF Health Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing. This partnership with world-renowned gastroenterologists provides us the ability to quickly diagnose which leads to an earlier treatment plan. We were also awarded one of the first Foregut Fellowship programs by the Fellowship Council, allowing us the opportunity to train future surgeons.
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The Section of Bariatric Surgery stakes the claim at being the busiest robotic academic bariatric program in the state of Florida. The program is comprised of surgical, medical, and endoscopic treatment options. The surgical robotics program offers all types of surgery, from standard gastric sleeve and bypass, to duodenal-switch procedures. Recently this team performed weight loss surgery on a heart failure patient who has now lost enough weight that he is finally listed for a transplant. The Endoscopic Program is cutting-edge and offers a litany of procedures that can not be done surgically.
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The Center for Abdominal Wall Surgery & Complex Hernia Repair offers a variety of treatment options for the hernia pathology, such as, robotic, laparoscopic, open hernia repair, abdominal wall surgery, component separation, and totally extraperitoneal approaches.
Our Center also assists in patients suffering from chronic pain following previous hernia procedures. We can assist in both conservative treatments for chronic pain, such as nerve injections, to surgical interventions such as nerve resections.
Most importantly, we evaluate the patients’ medical history, surgical history, imaging, post-operative goals, and the need for preoperative optimization and create a care-plan tailored to each patient’s specific situation.
All of our surgeons in the Center for Abdominal Wall Surgery & Complex Hernia participate in the ACHQC (Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative).
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The Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center is committed to diagnosing, treating, and researching lower GI motility disorders. Our world-class program is led by a team of highly-skilled and extensively trained experts, encompassing gastroenterologists, GI surgeons, psychologists, and dieticians. As part of the region's largest academic medical center, we collaborate closely with various specialized care teams within USF Health, including pelvic floor physical therapists, to provide a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to care.
Education and Fellowship Training
Education is central to our mission. The Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery is actively involved in teaching USF medical students, general surgery residents, and fellows in Foregut and Bariatric Surgery. Our Foregut Surgery Fellowship was among the first in the country to receive Fellowship Council accreditation, and we remain a destination for training the next generation of leaders in GI surgery.
Beyond formal training, our faculty offer continuing medical education to community physicians and host 12+ high school to graduate-level students each summer through a structured internship program designed to introduce future healthcare leaders to careers in medicine and research.
Research and Innovation
Our clinical and academic work is supported by the Surgery Outcomes Research Team (SORT)—a thriving research engine within the division. With more than 50 active members, including medical students, residents, and faculty, SORT conducts clinical trials, outcomes studies, and translational research that aligns closely with our surgical priorities.Current research initiatives explore:
- Innovations in robotic surgery
- Comparative outcomes of minimally invasive techniques
- Enhanced recovery protocols for bariatric and foregut procedures
- Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux, motility disorders, and hernia recurrence
- Health disparities in surgical access and outcomes
Our team regularly publishes peer-reviewed studies, presents at national and international surgical meetings, and brings bench-to-bedside innovation through translational science efforts. This dual focus on clinical excellence and scientific advancement ensures our patients receive not only today’s best care—but tomorrow’s breakthroughs as well.
Contact Us
Educational Programs
If you are interested in our educational programs, please contact:
Christopher DuCoin MD, MPH, FASMBS, FSAGES, FACS
Program Inquiries
For program inquiries, please contact:
Sean Gill
Residency/Fellowship Program Administrator