Kirk Caddell, MD, FACS

Dr. Kirk Caddell is a board-certified general surgeon with clinical interests in trauma and emergency general surgery, abdominal wall hernias, surgical nutrition as well as resident training, education and mentorship. Dr. Cadell earned his undergraduate and master’s degree through Montana Technical University in Butte, MT. He completed an additional master’s degree at University of Texas, San Antonio in San Antonio, TX. He attended medical school at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, OR. He relocated to NC for his residency at University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Caddell completed Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM) and Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposures in Trauma (ASSET) courses through the American College of Surgeons. He is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves for the 848th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment.

Dr. Caddell believes it is critical to understand that what is a normal day for a surgeon is often the worst day for a patient since surgery is typically a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and risk for a patient. That in mind, Dr. Caddell approaches each interaction with compassion and empathy, providing necessary information about diagnoses and treatment options to provide patients the knowledge necessary to share in decision-making and planning.

Additionally, he takes his preparation for cases seriously, laying the groundwork for the inevitable contingency. No procedure is considered “routine,” and each day will provide its challenges no matter how many procedures surgeons do.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Caddell is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals. As an active participant over the years in the education of general surgery residents and emergency medicine fellows, as well as active duty and contracted medics and surgeons working in austere combat environments, Dr. Caddell finds fulfillment in igniting his passion for surgery in others. He is also a fierce advocate of process & quality improvement, developing and implementing validated protocols and processes that transform outcomes for surgery patients.

Outside of work, Dr. Cadell enjoys exercising; camping; fishing; going to the beach; reading; and hanging out with his best friend and wife, Kim, as well as their son, Ozzie.