Colon & Rectal Surgery

Professor & Division Chief
Wolfgang B. Gaertner, MD, MSc

Adjunct Professors
Stanley M. Goldberg, MD
Ann C. Lowry, MD
Michael P. Spencer, MD, PhD
Judith L. Trudel, MD

Adjunct Associate Professors
Sarah W. Grahn, MD
Christine Jensen, MD, MPH
Mark Y. Sun, MD - Fellowship Program Director

Adjunct Assistant Professors
Pamela L. Burgess, MD
Benjamin P. Crawshaw, MD
Aneel Damle, MD, MS, MBA
Pridvi G. Kandagatla, MD
Alice E. Lee, MD
Janet T. Lee, MD, MPH
Emily F. Midura, MD
Marc C. Osborne, MD
Anne M. Sirany, MD
Melinda E. Stack, MD
Katherine M. Watson, MD

Walter A. Fansler, M.D. established the Section of Proctology at the University of Minnesota in 1916, the first such program in the United States. In 1950, the "modern era" of the University of Minnesota training program in colon and rectal surgery began when William C. Bernstein, M.D., a student of Fansler, worked with Owen H. Wangensteen, M.D., the first Chief of the Department of Surgery, to establish a formal proctology residency at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.

From its inception, Dr. Bernstein created a training program based not only at the University Hospital but also in his own private surgical practice, the Veterans Hospital and the Ancker County Hospital in St. Paul. He recognized the value of serving different populations and wanted to combine the academic and research strengths of the University with a community-based surgical practice. This "town-gown" collaboration remains a hallmark of the University of Minnesota Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Training Program. In 1958, following the retirement of Fansler, Wangensteen promoted Bernstein to the rank of Clinical Professor of Surgery and Director of the Division of Proctology within the Department of Surgery. In 1960, the American Board of Proctology changed its name to the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, thus reflecting the evolution in the scope of practice of the specialty.

In 1972, John S. Najarian, M.D., Chief of the Department of Surgery appointed Stanley M. Goldberg, M.D., to be the Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Over the next 20 years, Goldberg expanded and strengthened the Division following the Bernstein tradition of staffing the University of Minnesota Training Program in Colon and Rectal Surgery with a community-based clinical faculty. Under Goldberg's leadership, the Division faculty expanded and the became internationally recognized for its excellent training program, its postgraduate courses, and its surgical innovations.

In 1992, David A. Rothenberger, M.D. succeeded Goldberg as the Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. In 2004, Robert D. Madoff, M.D. became the the Stanley M. Goldberg, M.D. Chair in Colon and Rectal surgery and was appointed Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery in 2005.

Since its inception, the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Minnesota has trained 213 total CRS fellow graduates, many of whom have become leaders in colon and rectal surgery; 8 of our alumni have served as President of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

The William C. Bernstein, MD Familial Cancer Registry enrolls individuals with cancer in order to identify those families at greater risk for familial or hereditary cancers.

The University of Minnesota has over a 50-year tradition of training surgeons in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery. In the early 1950s, the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery began to offer apprenticeships in the specialty, and since 1956, formal residencies have been awarded. Currently, a one-year postgraduate residency training program in the field of colon and rectal surgery is offered. The program meets the requirements of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Learn more about our Colon & Rectal Surgery Fellowship.

Academic conferences in the Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery are held every Friday morning for approximately two-four hours at the corporate office.

The Department of Pathology at Abbott Northwestern Hospital hosts a bi-weekly pathology conference open exclusively to colon and rectal surgery residents.

June 26-27, 2026

Register today to attend our 84th Annual Course. The 84th Principles of Colon and Rectal Surgery Course at the University of Minnesota is designed to support surgeons at every stage as they transition from training into confident, high-impact practice. This year's theme, Transition to Practice, blends practical wisdom with cutting-edge research from the University of Minnesota Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

The course is organized into focused, high-yield sessions. Day one begins with Years 0--2 in Practice, addressing real-world challenges such as building a practice, managing complications, professional adversity, leadership, and work-life integration. The next session, Hitting Your Stride (Years 2--5), explores how surgeons refine their skills, grow their reputation, develop niche expertise, and position themselves for long-term success. Day two highlights Hot Topics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, featuring updates on innovation, outcomes research, technology, and evolving standards of care, followed by interactive panel discussions with national experts and faculty.

The course also features two distinguished named lectures the Goldberg Lecture by Dr. Mika Varma (UCSF) and the Frykman Lecture by Dr. Josh Smith (MD Anderson). This program offers practical guidance, inspiration, and connection for surgeons committed to excellence in colorectal surgery.