Hackensack University Medical Center Welcomes Howard M. Ross, M.D. as Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief

Hackensack University Medical Center is proud to welcome nationally recognized Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Howard M. Ross, M.D., as Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief of Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr. Ross also serves as professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

With more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Ross specializes in minimally invasive surgical approaches to treating colon and rectal cancer.  Dr. Ross also provides leading-edge surgical care for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, polyps, and other colorectal conditions. His research interests include the adoption of new technologies, surgical outcomes, surgical education and health disparities.  Dr. Ross is broadly published and the editor of four noted textbooks, including Robotic Approaches to Colorectal Surgery & Minimally Invasive Approaches to Colon and Rectal Disease.

Before his appointment at Hackensack University Medical Center, Dr. Ross served in various roles at Temple University Health System, Meridian Health System, and University of Pennsylvania Health System. Most recently he was Vice Chair, Department of Surgery; Professor and Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery; and Program Director for the General Surgery Residency at Temple University Health System.

As Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Ross will oversee 9 Divisions of Surgery that include

Bariatrics; Breast; Colorectal; General Surgery; Pediatrics; Surgical Oncology; Thoracic Surgery; Transplant; and Trauma taking place in 18 regular operating room suites; 4 pediatric OR suites; 2 Hybrid OR suites; 3 plastic & reconstructive surgery OR suites; and 12 suites in our Center for Ambulatory Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Ross will preside over 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms to be housed in the new Helena Theurer Pavilion opening on the campus of Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center in 2022.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ross in his new leadership role,” said Mark Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. “His expertise and years of experience will be a tremendous asset to Hackensack University Medical Center and the community we serve.”

Dr. Ross earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, New York. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Connecticut, and his colon and rectal surgery residency at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. He completed his surgical oncology research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.

“The appointment of Dr. Ross is a significant addition to our group of specialists,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., chief medical officer, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. “We are excited about his plans to continue to build and expand all of our surgical programs, especially Transplant, Trauma and Colorectal surgery through new techniques and cutting-edge technology.”

As Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Ross will actively guide the surgical education of future physicians, teaching the art and science of surgery to our residents and medical students.

Dr. Ross is a fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.  He has served as president of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery and the New Jersey Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery.   Dr. Ross has received numerous honors, including Top Doctor recognitions, Physician of the Year from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and multiple student and resident teaching awards.

“I am thrilled to join the team at Hackensack University Medical Center’s renowned Department of Surgery, and I look forward to working with each of my colleagues to provide collaborative, high-quality care for our patients,” said Dr. Ross.