Department of
Medical Education

Douglas Murken, MD

Name: Douglas Murken 

Board Certification: Surgery (pending 11/16/2020 oral exam), Colorectal Surgery (to test in 2021)

Medical School: Pittsburgh (2012)

Residency: Penn (2019)

Fellowship: Penn (2019) 

Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor 

Special Clinical/Research Interests:

Clinical: IBD, Rectal cancer and organ sparing approaches

Research: Clinical trials, Device/biotech design

Is there a particular population of students (e.g., ethnicity, spiritual, sexual orientation) that you would particularly like to advise?

Those interested in surgery (all-inclusive), particularly general/GI/colorectal surgery

What does a typical day in the life of a surgeon include?

One of the best parts of colorectal surgery is how diverse the days are: 1-2 days a week in clinic where you can do procedures, 1 day a week of small outpatient cases like anorectal procedures and colonoscopies, and 1-2 days of major cases.  It is very fulfilling because we get to collaborate with other specialists on a daily basis (GI, Med Onc, Rad Onc, Radiology, IR) and we establish longitudinal relationships with many of our patients especially those with IBD.

What is the biggest challenge of being a surgeon?

Length of training, although it is without a doubt necessary.

How do you foresee surgery changing over the next 20 years?

More emphasis on minimally invasive approaches.

What advice would you give a student who is considering a surgery residency?

Build a network of supportive faculty who have relationships at other institutions to held advocate for you.

Join surgical societies early, and try to attend national meetings.