- Position
- Assistant Professor, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Surgery
- Phone
- 304-293-7095
Douglas Murken, MD
Name: Douglas Murken
Board Certification: Surgery (pending 11/16/2020 oral exam), Colorectal Surgery (to test in 2021)
Medical School: Pittsburgh (2012)
Residency: Penn (2019)
Fellowship: Penn (2019)
Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor
Special Clinical/Research Interests:
Clinical: IBD, Rectal cancer and organ sparing approaches
Research: Clinical trials, Device/biotech design
Is there a particular population of students (e.g., ethnicity, spiritual, sexual orientation) that you would particularly like to advise?
Those interested in surgery (all-inclusive), particularly general/GI/colorectal surgery
What does a typical day in the life of a surgeon include?
One of the best parts of colorectal surgery is how diverse the days are: 1-2 days a week in clinic where you can do procedures, 1 day a week of small outpatient cases like anorectal procedures and colonoscopies, and 1-2 days of major cases. It is very fulfilling because we get to collaborate with other specialists on a daily basis (GI, Med Onc, Rad Onc, Radiology, IR) and we establish longitudinal relationships with many of our patients especially those with IBD.
What is the biggest challenge of being a surgeon?
Length of training, although it is without a doubt necessary.
How do you foresee surgery changing over the next 20 years?
More emphasis on minimally invasive approaches.
What advice would you give a student who is considering a surgery residency?
Build a network of supportive faculty who have relationships at other institutions to held advocate for you.
Join surgical societies early, and try to attend national meetings.