UA News

Renowned colorectal cancer surgeon Alfred M. Cohen, MD, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, has been appointed clinical professor of surgery at The University of Arizona Department of Surgery. He also joins University Physicians Healthcare and the Arizona Cancer Center.

Dr. Cohen comes to the UA from the Lucille P. Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, where he served as director and chief executive officer. For 15 years he directed the colorectal cancer program in New York City at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Previous to that, he was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Cohen is best known for his pioneering work in enhancing the quality of life for patients with rectal cancer. He perfected surgical techniques to minimize the need for colostomy bags, nerve preservation to prevent postoperative sexual and urinary problems, and internal pouch techniques to improve bowel function.

A graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Cohen trained in surgery and cancer surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Cancer Institute. He has published almost 300 articles, is the author of a major textbook in the field, was president of the Society of Surgical Oncology and has chaired the Commission on Cancer at the American College of Surgeons.

"Dr. Cohen is the newest member of our highly qualified and growing staff of outstanding surgeons," said Rainer Gruessner, MD, chairman of the UA Department of Surgery. "As part of the surgical oncology team, Dr. Cohen brings a wealth of experience and expertise that greatly expands the program's abilities to provide patients the full range of surgical treatments for benign and malignant colorectal diseases."