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Joel M. Baumgartner, MD

Joel M. Baumgartner, MD

Surgical Oncologist

Medical Degree:  Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Internship: University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO

Residency: University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO

Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Certifications: General Surgery, Surgical Oncology

Expertise: Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and skin

Joel M. Baumgartner, MD is a surgical oncologist with expertise in treatment of cancers of the GI tract and skin. He is board certified in general surgery and completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh with a focus on clinical research, which included additional training in the development and conduct of clinical trials. He has also completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation at UCSD.

Dr. Baumgartner has specific expertise and interest in treating tumours that have metastasized to the abdomen, using a combination of surgery and HIPEC. This treatment involves surgical resection of all peritoneal surface malignancy followed by circulation of heated chemotherapy throughout the abdomen. This technique avoids many of the toxicities associated with systemic chemotherapy, while exposing the abdomen to higher concentrations of chemotherapy. Dr. Baumgartner spent two years working and training at one of highest volume HIPEC centers in the world at the University of Pittsburgh. He oversees the UCSD Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Database and has authored or co-authored several recent papers on staging, treatment of prognosis of patients with peritoneal surface malignancies.

Dr. Baumgartner’s other primary area of practice is in the treatment of skin cancers such as melanoma. He has expertise in the performance of wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsies and complex lymph node dissections.

Dr. Baumgartner serves as the Director of the 3rd Year Medical Student Clerkship within the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego. It is a highly visible leadership role and his responsibilities include overseeing the didactic curriculum, regulatory matters, and the General Surgery core aspect of the experience.

Dr. Baumgartner is a member of numerous societies including the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and is an associate member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American College of Surgeons. His research interests are in clinical trials, HIPEC, melanoma and immunotherapy.

When not at work, Dr. Baumgartner enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and keeping up with his children.

*Please note, Pseudomyxoma Survivor does not endorse individual surgeons or specialists.