Welcome from the Chair

Implicit in the Michigan Promise is the idea of bringing a new culture to surgery—one that breaks from the hierarchical and authoritarian leadership styles and embraces an inclusive environment. Our future success depends on fostering a space where we can bring forth the very best in each of our faculty, trainees, and staff.

Dr. Justin B. Dimick, Department of Surgery Chair

Welcome to the Department of Surgery at Michigan Medicine! 

I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Department of Surgery. I sought this position because I am dedicated to all three aspects of our mission: caring for patients, advancing research, and training the next generation of surgeons. Michigan is particularly special to me, having studied and worked here for my entire professional career. Michigan is in my blood. It means a great deal to have this opportunity to serve our patients, faculty, staff, and trainees.  

Michigan Surgery has established a tradition of excellence throughout the years, and I intend to continue building upon this legacy. I believe the Department of Surgery at Michigan Medicine is in a critical transition period. The department is in an unique position to lead the nation in an "updated triple threat”: optimizing care in a regional delivery system, translating research into practice as the engine for cutting-edge care, and cultivating a servant leadership mindset among the next generation of trainees. 

Achieving this vision will require us to foster a vibrant culture of diversity, innovation, and continuous learning. To facilitate this culture, we have recently launched a portfolio of faculty and resident development programs we call the Michigan Promise. The Michigan Promise has emerged as a grass-roots effort of passionate champions who believe that we can create a new model for how surgeon-scientists are hired and educated.

Implicit in the Michigan Promise is the idea of bringing a new culture to surgery—one that breaks from the hierarchical and authoritarian leadership styles and embraces an inclusive environment. Our future success depends on fostering a space where we can bring forth the very best in each of our faculty, trainees, and staff.