Surgery Spotlight: Tina Bharani, MD

The Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome Tina Bharani, MD, as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Transplantation. In this feature, Dr. Bharani discusses growing up in India and Qatar, how those experiences shaped her career in surgery, and her excitement about her new position in Minnesota.

Dr. Bharani grew up in northern India in a multicultural, resource-limited household before immigrating to Qatar. Across both countries, she experienced "tremendous linguistic and cultural diversity" due to multiple languages being spoken in her household. “These experiences shape who I am as a physician today,” she explained. “Growing up in a multicultural household with limited resources, I know firsthand the impact a healthcare provider can make, and my own career in medicine was inspired by such providers in India and in Qatar”.

Bharani completed her general surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University before completing fellowships at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her clinical practice focuses on minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, with expertise in metabolic-bariatric surgery, foregut surgery, hernia repair, and complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

As she begins her new role as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplantation, she describes it as her "dream position". "I have always been most excited about making a difference as a surgeon in a tight-knit environment," Dr. Bharani said. She explained that this opportunity will allow her to combine her interest in minimally invasive surgery with her work in perioperative nutrition and comprehensive weight management for individuals undergoing complex transplant and abdominal procedures.

"Minnesota as a state is incredibly culturally and ethnically rich," Bharani shares. She hopes to give back by serving underserved communities across the state and connecting patients to “the best care in metabolism and nutrition, transplantation, and general surgery." Outside of medicine, Dr. Bharani enjoys hiking and looks forward to exploring Minnesota's trails with her husband.