What a Simple ‘S’ Means to Us Here at the New DDSI

By Conor Delaney, MD, PhD, Chair, Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute

Changing our name from the Digestive Disease Institute to the Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute (DDSI) may not seem terribly newsworthy. I admit, it is a subtle change, but it is truly significant. My guess is that many of you do not know that our historic and respected Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Institute included renowned general and breast surgeons, in addition to our esteemed colorectal surgeons, gastrointestinal surgeons and gastroenterologists. That fact, coupled with the pediatric surgery team recently coming into the fold, and the presence of our acute care and trauma surgeons, meant we needed to more outwardly recognize the important role these surgeons play in our institute.

The name change also reflects our serious commitment to improving value, outcomes and quality in healthcare. Combining surgical subspecialties under the DDSI umbrella will contribute significantly to improving efficiency, enhancing and accelerating our ability to share knowledge and information, and advancing techniques and technology both in the operating room and in postsurgical recovery – all of which ultimately benefit our patients.

As my colleague Stephen Grobmyer, MD, Director of the Breast Center and Co-Leader of the Cleveland Clinic Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program, notes, “We share a common mission with the DDSI to provide the best in breast cancer care for patients in Northeast Ohio and around the world. Working together makes that mission even more achievable.”

Please join me in welcoming Cleveland Clinic pediatric surgeons into to the DDSI family, celebrating our progress, and toasting our new name.

Dr. Hull’s appointment

One additional piece of news for you. I’m extremely pleased to announce that Tracy Hull, MD, has been selected to serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Colorectal Surgery. Dr. Hull joined the Cleveland Clinic staff in 1993 after completing fellowship training here. A gifted surgeon, Dr. Hull is respected by her patients and her peers alike for her skill, expertise, compassion and professionalism.

Dr. Hull earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from The Ohio State University, and completed surgical training at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse before coming to Cleveland. In addition to her surgical practice, she is a professor of medicine in the Lerner College of Medicine, and has many national leadership roles in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Dr. Hull replaces Feza Remzi, MD, who stepped down from chairmanship to devote more time to his surgical practice. Dr. Remzi, an accomplished and valued member of the Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, led the world-renowned Colorectal Surgery Department for eight years.

Feel free to contact me. Your feedback is welcome any time.