Kirk A. Ludwig

Dr. Kirk A. Ludwig is a distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also serves as Cancer Liaison Physician and holds the Vernon O. Underwood Professorship in Colon Cancer Research. With over three decades of experience in academic medicine, Dr. Ludwig has established himself as a leader in colorectal surgery, surgical oncology, and gastrointestinal motility research. His career spans significant contributions to both clinical practice and academic scholarship, with particular expertise in rectal cancer management, minimally invasive techniques, and quality improvement initiatives.

• B.S. in Biology, John Carroll University (1984)
• M.D., University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1988)
• General Surgery Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin (1988-1994)
• Laparoscopic Colorectal Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1994-1995)
• Board Certified in General Surgery (1995) and Colon and Rectal Surgery (1998)

Dr. Ludwig's research program focuses on advancing the understanding and treatment of colorectal diseases, with particular emphasis on rectal cancer management strategies, surgical outcomes, and innovative approaches to patient care. His early work investigated gastrointestinal motility and neural regulation, establishing foundational knowledge in this field. More recently, his research has expanded to include health services research examining geographic disparities in cancer care, predictive modeling for treatment response using machine learning, and quality improvement initiatives to standardize surgical care. Dr. Ludwig has been instrumental in developing clinical guidelines through his participation in national organizations including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Analysis of Dr. Ludwig's recent publications reveals a strong commitment to addressing practical challenges in colorectal surgery. His work spans clinical outcomes research, surgical technique refinement, patient-centered care innovations, and health policy issues affecting surgical practice. Notably, he has pioneered research on organ preservation strategies for rectal cancer, innovative pain management approaches, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on surgical training and practice. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous multinational studies aimed at establishing quality benchmarks in colorectal surgery.

• America's Top Doctors for Cancer, Castle Connolly (2007-2020)
• Best Doctors in America (2007-2014)
• William Donegan Oncology Research Award (2008)
• Research in Progress Award, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (2009)
• Outstanding Medical Student Teacher, Medical College of Wisconsin (2010-2011)
• Top Surgeon, International Association of Healthcare Professionals (2014)

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Ludwig has made significant contributions to surgical training programs at both Duke University and Medical College of Wisconsin. His leadership as Chief of Colorectal Surgery involves overseeing clinical programs, research initiatives, and educational activities within the division. Dr. Ludwig has been actively involved in developing clinical care pathways and quality improvement initiatives, with a particular focus on standardizing practices to improve patient outcomes. His work on establishing quality benchmarks through multinational collaborations demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field of colorectal surgery globally.

Dr. Ludwig maintains active involvement in multiple research initiatives through his leadership roles in the Cancer Center and participation in national collaborative groups. His laboratory work has evolved from basic science investigations of gastrointestinal motility to clinically applied research addressing real-world challenges in surgical practice. Current projects focus on predictive modeling for treatment response, innovative approaches to pain management, and health services research examining access to high-quality cancer care.