Robert Rege

Robert Rege is a distinguished academic surgeon and Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he serves as Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He holds the Hall and Mary Lucille Shannon Distinguished Professorship. With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Rege has held prominent roles, including Chief of Surgical Services at the VA Chicago Medical Center and Tenured Professor of Surgery at Northwestern University. His expertise lies in gastrointestinal surgery, laparoscopic techniques, and gallstone pathogenesis. He pioneered advanced minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy in the Midwest. He has led a long-term NIH-funded research program studying gallstone formation. Dr. Rege is also a pioneer in surgical education, emphasizing competency-based training and the use of simulation for skill development.

Education:

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University (1971)
• MD, The Milton S. Hershey Medical School, Pennsylvania State University (1975)

Research Interests: Dr. Rege’s work focuses on minimally invasive surgery, gallstone pathogenesis, and surgical education. He has contributed to advancements in laparoscopic techniques, including hernia repair, fundoplication, and splenectomy. His research on inflammatory mechanisms in gallbladder disease has advanced understanding of cholesterol crystallization and mucosal responses. He advocates for standardized training programs to enhance surgical competence.

Publications: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles span surgical techniques, gallstone research, and educational methodologies. Recent work addresses intra-abdominal fat assessment, VA academic affiliations, and resident training innovations. His articles emphasize translating research into clinical practice, such as optimizing laparoscopic skill acquisition and evaluating competency metrics.

Awards: The Hall and Mary Lucille Shannon Distinguished Professorship (2001) recognizes his contributions to academic surgery. His leadership in surgical training and innovation has earned institutional and national acclaim.

Grants & Labs: His NIH-funded gallstone research program (since 1983) explores biliary calcium secretion and inflammatory pathways. He collaborates with the Division of Transplantation Surgery and VA Medical Centers, advancing translational research and clinical care.