Over the course of my 22 years here, I have been continually inspired by the spirit of camaraderie, collaboration, and compassion that defines our team.

As the chair of the department I oversee administrative leadership, education, research, and clinical care of the MCOM Department of Surgery, provide leadership for the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Operating Room Governance Committee, and serve as a member of the TGH Clinical Service Lines for the Heart-Vascular Institute, Oncology, Transplant, and Gastroenterology. 

Our department is more than a collection of divisions and specialties—it is a dynamic, inclusive community united by a shared mission: to make life better for our patients, our learners, and the communities we serve.

Full Chair's Welcome from - Dr. Murray L. Shames

With over $2.4 million in NIH funding and a growing portfolio of active clinical trials, our Department ranks #50 in the Blue Ridge Institute rankings for surgery. Our Division of Surgical Research leads multidisciplinary investigations in inflammation, injury, vascular biology, and cancer therapeutics. We are especially proud of our NIH T32 training program, which supports the next generation of surgeon-scientists in critical care and trauma research.

Education is at the heart of our mission. We train more than 60 residents and fellows annually across multiple residency and fellowship programs. Our curriculum, grounded in mentorship, simulation, and real-world clinical volume, prepares graduates not only for board certification, but for impactful leadership in both academic and community settings. Our faculty consistently earn top teaching honors, and our students continue to match into competitive surgical programs nationwide.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is our primary teaching hospital, and our other affiliate hospitals are Moffitt Cancer Center, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, James A. Haley VA, Florida Orthopedic Institute, and many others.