The Department of Surgery

Melissa S. Phillips, MD, FACS

Professor
Division of General Surgery

Clinical Focus

Abdominal wall reconstruction and complex hernia repair; Surgical endoscopy with a focus on advanced endoscopic techniques for the management of the post-surgical complications; Minimally invasive GI surgery; Single incision surgery

Research Focus

Abdominal wall reconstruction and complex hernia repair; Surgical endoscopy; Surgical education

Education

Medical School
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Internship
General Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA

Residency
General Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA

Fellowship
Laparoendoscopic Surgery, University Hospitals, Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

Certification

American Board of Surgery

Professional Affiliations

American College of Surgeons
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Association of Women Surgeons
Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
University of Virginia Gold Humanism Honor Society
American Hernia Society
Knoxville Academy of Medicine
Tennessee Medical Association

Current Publications

Budney S, Kleppe K, Mancini M, Mancini G, Phillips M, McKnight C, Griepentrog J, Reinhorn M, Fafaj A, Blake KE.
Chronic groin pain after Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair: Partially absorbable light-weight mesh versus conventional light-weight versus heavy-weight mesh. Hernia. 2025 Sep 17;29(1):275. doi: 10.1007/s10029-025-03469-7.

Current Presentations

Khomutova A, Budney S, Phillips M, Mancini G, Mancini M, Kleppe K, Fafaj A, Blake KE. Comparing quadratus lumborum and transversus abdominus plane blocks for pain control after open ventral hernia repair. Presented at American Hernia Society; 2025 Sept - 4; Nashville, TN.

Park J, Murdock P, Miya-Hildebrand G, Phillips M, McKnight C, Russ A, Vaghaiwalla T. The impact of applicant signaling on the general surgery match process: A single institution experience. Presented at Central Surgical Association; 2024 June - 6; Louisville, KY.

Shepherd M, Phillips, M. Situs inversus gallbladder and management of bile leak with use of ICG Presented at Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2023 annual meeting; 2023 March - 29; Montreal, Canada.

Daigle HJ, Phillips MS. Is it a "stretch" to recommend routine fascial closure of 8 millimeter robotic trocar sites? Presented at Society of Robotic Surgery; 2022 June-29; Orlando, Florida.

Cunningham D, Phillips M. Is It a ‘Stretch’ to Recommend Routine Fascial Closure of 8 Millimeter Robotic Trocar Sites? Presented at Society of Robotic Surgery Annual Meeting; 2022 June-30; Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Phillips M, Cook R. Evaluation of Biliary Hyperkinesia and Symptom Relief after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Presented at 2022 Annual Residents Research Day; 2022 June-10; Virtual.

Phillips M. 101 Ways to Repair an Umbilical Hernia Intuitive. Presented at Woman in Surgery Career Symposium; 2022 June-4; Clearwater Beach, FL.

Phillips M. Biliary Disease Following Gastric Bypass Intuitive. Presented at Woman in Surgery Career Symposium; 2022 June-4; Clearwater Beach, FL.

Phillips M. Parastomal Hernia: What Surgery for Which Surgeon? Presented at Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons; 2022 March-16; Denver, CO.