Rachel R. Kelz, MD, MSCE is the William Maul Measey Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery with an active endocrine surgery practice and formal training in health services research. She serves as Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, Director of the Center for Surgery and Health Economics in the Department of Surgery, and the Surgeon Champion for the ACS NSQIP at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Kelz has focused her research on the improvement of surgical outcomes and reduction of disparities for patients with benign and malignant surgical conditions through the use of innovative investigation and the development of novel education techniques. She has received private and public grant support for her research, has authored numerous chapters and more than 195 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Kelz has edited two books on surgical quality and safety. She is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging.
Dr. Kelz has received numerous awards for her work, including the Gordon P. Buzby Award for leadership, the Mentorship Award from the Department of Surgery, and the Christian R. and the Mary F. Lindback Award for distinguished teaching from the Provost’s office at the University. The Lindback is the most prominent educational award given by the University.
Dr. Kelz received a BS in Mathematics from Union College, her MD from Yale University, and a MS in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, Dr. Kelz received an Executive MBA from The Wharton School.
