Dr. Charles A Atkinson M.D.

Media Releases

Get to know General Surgeon Dr. Charles A. Atkinson, who serves the population of Arizona. Dr. Atkinson completed his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College where he graduated with distinction as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Sigma Xi Research Society with a Bachelors in Psycho-biology. Wanting to further his education he then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where he graduated with his Medical Degree in 1992, giving him over two decades of experience in his field. After obtaining his Medical Degree he was commissioned as a Captain in the Air Force Medical Reserves. He completed his internship in General Surgery at The University of Pennsylvania, and received the Surgical Scholar Award. He completed his General Surgery training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. After residency, he served as a surgeon in The United States Air Force, completing his active duty service at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson as Chief of General Surgery. Dr. Atkinson is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Arizona Chapter of that same Society. To stay up to date in his field he maintains membership in multiple societies including The Pima County Medical Society, the Tucson Surgical Society, the Southwest Surgical Congress, the American Hernia Society, and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. He currently practices with Agave Surgical Associates and additionally is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Arizona, Midwestern University, and AT Still University medical schools. He teaches both medical students and surgery residents. He is affiliated with Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital and Tucson Medical Center, and serves as a Director of Wound Care at Cornerstone and Curahealth Hospitals. He is the current Chairman of Surgery at TMC, and has also served in that capacity at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the past. His interests lie in the care of benign and malignant breast disease, oncologic and endocrine surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and advanced laparoscopic surgery techniques. General surgeons not only perform surgeries for a wide range of common ailments, but they are also responsible for patient care before, during, and after surgery. They are trained to operate on the alimentary tract (esophagus and related organs), abdomen and its contents, breast, skin and soft tissue, and the endocrine system. In addition, general surgeons are expected to have knowledge and experience in surgical critical care, surgical oncology, and trauma.

Recommended Articles

• What Are the Side Effects of Cholecystectomy?

  Cholecystectomy is a common surgical operation currently performed for the treatment of gallbladder problems. The operation is basically a surgery done to remove the gallbladder. The removal of the gallbladder can be done in two different methods.Methods Used in a CholecystectomyOne of the methods...

• Everything You Need to Know About Anal Fissures

  An anal fissure is a linear tear in the skin of the distal anal canal below the dentate line. Millions of people suffer from painful bowel movements due to anal fissures.This condition is commonly experienced by young people, but it can also be found in grown men and women. The most common symptom...

• 5 Ways to Stay Comfortable After a Gallbladder Surgery

  Gallbladder SurgeryGallbladder removal surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. The procedure is also known as a cholecystectomy. Gallbladder surgery is usually performed to solve problems that are associated with gallstones. Gallstones are hardened deposits of the digestive fluid...

• How is the Recovery for a Cholecystectomy?

  How long does it take for you to recover from a cholecystectomy? The length of the recovery period depends on whether you had a laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. Many people who have keyhole surgery are released from the hospital the same day of the surgery. It may take up to 2 weeks for these...

• What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

  There are a few problems that can affect the digestive tract and cause problems, and they are generally referred to as irritable bowel diseases (IBD). The most common IBDs are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is different from IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which does not cause...

• How to Prepare for an Appendectomy

  What Really Is Appendicitis?To understand the term appendicitis, you need first to understand what the appendix is. The appendix is a small structure that is finger-shaped and located in the abdomen in connection with the large intestines. More specifically, this structure is found on lower right...