Christopher Gitzelmann, MD, Chief of Pediatric Surgery, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Associate Professor of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Christopher Gitzelmann, MD, was awarded his medical degree from the University of Zurich Medical School in 1991. From there, he successfully completed his residency in general surgery at the University Hospital of Zurich. Following this training, Dr. Gitzelmann pursued a post-doctoral pediatric surgery research-fellowship at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, where he focused on the benefits of laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery. He then went on to complete his pediatric surgery fellowship at the University Children's Hospital of Zurich.
Dr. Gitzelmann later held the faculty positions of Attending Pediatric Surgeon; Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery; and Co-Director of Neonatal, Abdominal and Thoracic Surgery. In addition, he acted as a consultant within the Department of Intensive Care and Neonatology at the University Children’s Hospital of Zurich.
After joining the Golisano Children’s Hospital and the University of Rochester in early 2010, Dr. Gitzelmann brought with him an expertise in highly specialized neonatal and pediatric laparoscopy. Specifically, he specializes in the reconstruction of congenital malformations of the newborn, minimally invasive laparoscopic treatment of anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung’s disease. In addition to these subspecialized procedures, Dr. Gitzelmann treats all pediatric general surgery diseases.
Dr. Gitzelmann’s commitment to excellence and quality in surgery led him to the position of Director of Quality, Safety and Outcomes for the Department of Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. There, he served as the Surgeon Champion for the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for both pediatric and adult surgery and co-chaired the Pediatric Surgical Services Quality council.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Gitzelmann, built and maintained the only Upstate NY Bowel Management Clinic. This clinic serves children with chronic constipation from surgical and non-surgical diseases and assists with rehabilitation after surgery. He has published many articles and abstracts as well as given oral presentations and guest lectures. Dr. Gitzelmann is a member of numerous professional societies including: American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, European Club for Pediatric Burns, Swiss Society of Pediatric Surgeons, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, and European Union Pediatric Surgery Association.
In addition to English, Dr. Gitzelmann speaks German, Swedish, French and Italian.
Philosophy:
Patients and their families first.
