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Lisa M McElroy

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Surgery, Abdominal Transplant Surgery
DUMC 3512, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am an abdominal transplant surgeon with a health services research lab focused on understanding how complex health care processes and large multidisciplinary teams affect outcomes of high cost, high acuity patients.  I have a master's degree in health services and outcomes research methodology with supplemental training in health disparities research methods, engineering methods for healthcare system and process assessment, organizational behavior theory and change management, and implementation science.

As my research has progressed, an emerging theme has been the interplay between biologic and social risk, which each contribute to a patient’s ultimate success but receive disproportionate consideration in anticipation of and in response to subpar outcomes. I am currently involved in several efforts that build on this concept and employ an approach to health equity research that accounts for center and organizational-level characteristics when examining differences in care based on social determinants of health. 

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor of Surgery · 2021 - Present Surgery, Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Surgery
Onyekwere E. Akwari Assistant Professor of Surgery · 2022 - Present Surgery, Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Surgery
Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2020 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published February 24, 2023
A Fair Process: Lisa McElroy Strives to Make Transplant Selection More Equitable

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Recent Publications


Do Patients Think it's Worth Waiting for a Kidney? Evidence from a Discrete-Choice Experiment.

Journal Article Patient · September 4, 2025 OBJECTIVE: Nearly 30% of kidneys from deceased donors are discarded annually in the USA. A recent study indicated that a significant number of patients would accept lower-quality kidneys to avoid long waits. We expand on previous work to assess how the dis ... Full text Link to item Cite

ACG Clinical Guideline: Perioperative Risk Assessment and Management in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Journal Article Am J Gastroenterol · September 3, 2025 This guideline presents a comprehensive approach to perioperative risk assessment and management in patients with cirrhosis. Recognizing the unique surgical risks in this population, the guideline emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to preoperative eva ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029

Living donor liver transplant in minority populations

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · 2023 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


Northwestern University · 2014 M.S.
Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine · 2009 M.D.