Chelsea F Cardell, MD, MS

Chelsea F. Cardell, MD, is a surgical oncologist who cares for patients with cancers of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, stomach, and intestines. She has special expertise in managing metastatic disease to the liver, and she often uses minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches for hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal malignancies. “I specialize in robotic techniques to minimize pain and improve recovery for patients after surgery,” she says.

Dr. Cardell is committed to providing more patients with access to surgeries that may offer a cure, particularly for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Her goal is to help patients return to their everyday lives and systemic treatments as quickly as possible. “Connecting with patients and working to develop treatment plans that align with their goals is my favorite part of my job,” she explains. “That we are a team and will be together every step of the way” is how she reassures patients and their families throughout every phase of care.

Her research focuses on developing reliable, evidence-based pathways to improve outcomes for individuals undergoing complex cancer surgery. She has shared her expertise in numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, contributing to the field of surgical oncology and offering new insights into advanced cancer treatment strategies. Dr. Cardell also served as a clinical scholar-in-residence at the American College of Surgeons, where she led national quality initiatives, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-funded Improving Surgical Care and Recovery program and the ACS Quality Verification Program.

Dr. Cardell completed her general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center and then pursued fellowship training in complex general surgical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She believes in multidisciplinary collaboration with other specialists to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, personalized treatment that best meets their needs.