Department of
Medical Education

Carl Schmidt, M.D.

A photo of Carl Schmidt.
Carl Schmidt, MD, FACS
Positions
Professor and Chief of Division of Surgical Oncology, Surgery
Chief of Surgical Oncology, WVU Cancer Institute Clinics
Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
Phone
304-293-1258

Name: Carl Schmidt 

Board Certification: Surgery, Surgical Oncology

Medical School: University of Michigan

Residency: Vanderbilt University 

Faculty Rank: Professor 

Special Clinical/Research Interests:

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

Anyone ok – I may be more useful to those interested in surgery or cancer

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

One of the best thing about surgical oncology – there is no “typical day” – all are different

What is the biggest challenge of being a surgeon?

The biggest challenges in surgical oncology are complications of surgery which means feeling like you harmed someone and the uncertainty of outcomes and reality that ultimately many cancers will take someone’s life despite our best efforts. 

How do you foresee surgical oncology changing over the next 20 years?

Biologic and immune therapies will continue to evolve and improve our overall care particularly for advanced cancers. Minimally invasive and robotic surgery will become the standard for many operations.

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

Seek a busy program with complex patients to care for – yet in a place you can make a home and hopefully near people who care about you. Don’t see residency as just a stepping stone or means to an end – it is an important time in the life of any physician.