MetroHealth Appoints Chair of Department of Surgery

Marie Crandall, MD

The MetroHealth System has appointed Marie L. Crandall, MD, MPH, FACS, as its new Chair of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Crandall was also named the Richard B. Fratianne, MD, Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.  She joined MetroHealth on March 25, 2024.

Dr. Crandall comes from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville. There, she was Chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery and Associate Chair for Research, both in the Department of Surgery; Program Director of the General Surgery Residency; and Professor of Surgery. She also served as Medical Director, Injury Prevention, at UF Health TraumaOne Trauma Center, a Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center.

“I’m excited and honored to have this opportunity,” said Dr. Crandall, a Detroit native who attended medical school in Los Angeles and trained and worked in Chicago before moving to Florida. She says she was drawn to MetroHealth not only because of the reputation of its Trauma Division – including research being done and commitment to supporting the residency program – but also because of the new leadership at MetroHealth who contributed to the success of Sinai Chicago Health System.

“As Chair of Surgery, I want to continue to grow and enhance the diversity of the department with an eye toward being community-focused and expanding partnerships across the region.”

Dr. Crandall has an international reputation as a health services researcher, particularly in the areas of injury risk factors and outcomes, disparities, geographic information systems in trauma research, gun violence, and violence prevention.  In 2022, Dr. Crandall was invited to be a reviewer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Research Grants to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries.

“Dr. Crandall has an international reputation as a researcher and clinical leader in surgical medicine and trauma care,” said MetroHealth President & CEO Airica Steed, Ed.D, RN, MBA, FACHE. “She is also the first female to hold this position in MetroHealth’s nearly 200-year history and will help further our goal of enhancing representation for all in our medical leadership and provider network. Her appointment will enable more women to shatter that glass or even concrete ceiling and see themselves in key leadership roles at this institution and beyond. Her arrival marks a wonderful conclusion to Women’s History Month, and we are fortunate to have a leader of her caliber joining MetroHealth.”

Dr. Crandall has published more than 250 peer-reviewed research articles, and as many book chapters, editorials and other manuscripts.  Dr. Crandall is on the editorial boards of several prominent surgical journals including Annals of Surgery and Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.  She has mentored hundreds of students, residents, and faculty members who have gone on to prominent careers as academic surgeons and physicians. 

“The wealth of experience and deep passion for her work makes Dr. Crandall an excellent fit for MetroHealth,” said Christine Alexander, MD, Interim Executive Vice President/Chief Physician Executive and Clinical Officer. “We are extremely fortunate to have a person of her skill at the helm of the Department of Surgery.”

Dr. Crandall received her medical degree from the University of California – Los Angeles Charles R. Drew School of Medicine. She completed a residency in general surgery at Rush University/Cook County Hospital in Chicago, followed by a trauma/surgical critical care fellowship at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle. Dr. Crandall also earned a Masters in Public Health from the University of Washington.

Dr. Crandall is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and surgical critical care.