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Faculty Focus: Chad Tracy

Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Chad TracyMeet Chad Tracy, MD, clinical associate professor

What is your hometown?

Kinnelon, NJ

How/when did you become interested in science and/or medicine?

I have always been interested in science but did not decide on becoming a doctor until late in high school.

When did you join the University of Iowa faculty?

2009

How or why did you choose to join the faculty at the University of Iowa?

My parents both grew up in Iowa and I was a competitive wrestler growing up, so naturally I was always a Hawkeye fan. Those roots, and some nudging from my grandparents, are what led me to medical school at the University of Iowa, where I had a fantastic experience. After the remainder of my training, there was a job opening here that I thought would be a great fit for me academically and clinically. Additionally, my wife and I were excited to return to Iowa City to raise our children.

Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?

I’ve been fortunate to have several great teachers and mentors during my training. My two fellowship mentors, Margaret Pearle and Jeffrey Cadeddu, at UT Soutwestern really helped me understand how to balance my clinical and academic pursuits as well as how to be a meticulous surgeon.

How do you see your faculty role impacting medicine and/or science?

My primary goal is to provide the best care that I can to patients in the state of Iowa and surrounding areas by advancing clinical programs and helping to keep Iowa on the leading edge of technology.

What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?

Surgical instrumentation, primarily robotic surgery, has advanced with incredible speed. When I was a student, all prostate cancer surgery and most kidney surgery was performed through an open incision. Now, with advancements in laparoscopic and robotic guidance, more than 80% of these cases are done in a minimally invasive fashion, dramatically improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

What one piece of advice would you give to today's students?

The best way to reach your goals is through hard work and persistence.

In what ways are you engaged in professional activities outside the University (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/ expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagement off campus, etc.)?

I have given community seminars on prostate cancer as well as prostate cancer survivorship as part of our multi-disciplinary men's health clinic. I have also given multiple lectures at UIHC and served as an instructor in several courses at other academic institutions and international meetings.

What are some of your outside (personal) interests?

I enjoy cooking, cross-platform exercise, watching Iowa Sports (particularly wrestling and football) and spending time with my wife and 3 boys.  I also coach my son's flag football team and am currently training for my first obstacle course race (mud run) with the hope to run several more in the next year.

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