Dr. Charles J. Yeo stands as a preeminent figure in the field of surgical oncology, renowned for his transformative contributions to hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery. He currently serves as the Samuel D. Gross Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, while also holding the position of Senior Vice President and Chair of Enterprise Surgery at Jefferson Health. A distinguished alumnus of Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude with an A.B. in Biochemistry, Dr. Yeo earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1979, receiving the prestigious Upjohn Achievement Award and being elected to both Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa. Following his surgical residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University in 1985, rising to Professor of Surgery in 1996 and expanding his academic influence to the Department of Oncology in 1997 before assuming his current leadership roles at Jefferson.
Dr. Yeo's pioneering research in pancreatic cancer surgery has revolutionized treatment protocols for some of the most challenging malignancies, with his work on the Whipple procedure establishing new standards of care that have dramatically improved patient outcomes worldwide. His extensive scholarly output has garnered over 122,000 citations, reflecting the profound impact of his contributions to surgical oncology and hepatobiliary medicine. As director of the Pancreatic Cancer Interdisciplinary Working Group at Johns Hopkins, he spearheaded comprehensive approaches that integrated surgical innovation with multidisciplinary cancer care, significantly advancing the field's understanding of complex pancreatic pathologies. The clinical implementation of his surgical techniques has directly benefited countless patients while providing the foundation for ongoing improvements in cancer surgery worldwide.
Beyond his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Yeo has profoundly shaped the future of surgical oncology through his leadership in professional organizations and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of surgical innovators. As Co-Director of the Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, he continues to drive forward-thinking approaches that integrate cutting-edge technology with surgical excellence to tackle previously intractable cancer challenges. His influential role extends to national advisory positions where he helps set research priorities and clinical standards for pancreatic cancer treatment across the United States. Dr. Yeo's ongoing work promises to further transform surgical oncology through the development of minimally invasive techniques and personalized treatment strategies that will continue to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients worldwide.
