Traci L Hedrick, MD
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Additional Locations
Bio & Overview
Traci Hedrick, MD, is the Stephen H. Watts Professor of General Surgery and Chief of the Division of General Surgery at the University of Virginia. A nationally recognized colorectal surgeon, she is known for her leadership in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), surgical quality improvement, and multidisciplinary collaboration to advance patient outcomes.
Dr. Hedrick completed her medical degree as valedictorian at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and earned a Master of Science in Clinical Research from the University of Virginia. She completed her general surgery residency and a postdoctoral research fellowship at UVA, followed by a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.
At UVA Health, Dr. Hedrick has served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Operations for the Department of Surgery, Co-Director of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program, and Co-Director of the Digestive Health Service Line. Her research focusing on perioperative optimization, surgical site infection prevention, and patient-centered outcomes has been featured by the American College of Surgeons, the Wall Street Journal and U.S News and World Reports.
A prolific author and invited speaker, Dr. Hedrick has published in the JAMA Surgery, Annals of Surgery, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, and Anesthesia & Analgesia. She is a member of the editorial boards for Annals of Surgery and Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, and serves on national committees for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society of University Surgeons.
Her honors include the UVA Dean’s Clinical Excellence Award, the ASCRS Career Development Award, and recognition among Virginia Business Magazine’s Best Doctors, Castle Connolly Top Doctors, and Newsweek’s America’s Leading Doctors.
Dr. Hedrick is a high-volume surgeon who specializes in the treatment of colorectal conditions such as colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Her special focus is on minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery, laparoscopy, transanal endoscopic surgery and colonoscopy.
Academic Information
- Department
- Surgery
- Academic Role
- Professor
- Division
- General Surgery
- Research Interests
- A focus on improving clinical outcomes in the immediate postoperative period, surgical infections, prevention of surgical site infections and surgical education.
- Gender
- Female
- Languages
- English
- Age Groups Seen
- Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)
- Primary Education
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine
- Residency
- University of Virginia School of Medicine
- Fellowships
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
- Certification
- American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (Colon and Rectal Surgery), American Board of Surgery (Surgery (General Surgery))
Highlights
Dr. Traci Hedrick profile video
[MUSIC PLAYING] TRACI HEDRICK: My name's Traci Hedrick, and I'm a colorectal surgeon here at UVA. How I got interested in medicine originally was-- I'd always planned on being an engineer. My father was an engineer, and I liked math and science. And so that was the plan. And then my grandfather got sick. Just in the course of college, decided that I wanted to be a physician. Originally I wanted to be a pediatrician and rotated on my surgery rotation, not expecting at all to like it, and just really clicked. And it was obvious that that was what I needed to do. I see a variety of patients. Some patients, we're treating something that affects their quality of life. So I try to really key in on what impact that is having on the patients. Other patients, such as those with inflammatory bowel disease, those with cancer, we know what surgery they need. Really a lot of the visit is about putting their concerns or anxiety, fears at bay, explaining to them exactly what's going to happen, getting them involved with the process, and making them feel as comfortable as they can. I also form a very close bond with the patients. And some patients I follow for years. I treat their family members. And so that's something that I really get a lot of enjoyment out of.
Awards
- 2019 Best Bedside Manner Awards, OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine; Second Place, Surgery – Colon and Rectal
- 2018 Best Bedside Manner Awards, OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine; Third Place, Surgery: Colon and Rectal
- 2015 Best Paper, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting
- 2014 Charles Brown Award in Patient Care Quality
- 2012–2014 Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly/US News and World Reports
- 2013 University of Virginia Dean’s Clinical Excellence Award
- 2009 Association Women Surgeons Outstanding Resident Award
- 2009, 2007 Mulholland Resident Teaching Award
- 2007 Academic Achievement Award
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Career Development Award
- American Medical Women's Association Glasgow Memorial Award
- William Dion Outstanding Intern Award
- Curtis Tribble Award for Medical Student Education
- Society of Critical Care Medicine Citation Award Finalist
- Skip Warren Award for Chief Resident
Reviews
241 Patient Satisfaction Ratings
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