Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2021; 34(05): 269-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729924
Introduction to the Guest Editors

Deborah Susan Keller, MS, MD and Elizabeth Raskin, MD

Scott Steele
1   Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
› Author Affiliations
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Scott R. Steele, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, FPSCRS (Hon)

Deborah Susan Keller is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Surgical Scientist in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. She has just moved to UC Davis from New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York, New York, where she was an Assistant Professor in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery and member of the Cancer Population Sciences Group in the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.

During her 3 years at Columbia, Dr. Keller contributed to several clinical and public health initiatives, including developing the Department's Enhanced Recovery Protocol and creating a centralized online repository to raise awareness and participation in colorectal clinical trials. Her clinical practice specializes in minimally invasive approaches for colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and pelvic floor disorders, including laparoscopic, robotic, and transanal techniques. She has been awarded New York “Best Doctor's” award 3 years running from her patient and peer votes.

She is a dedicated surgical scientist, with research focused on enhanced recovery, new technology to improve surgical quality, functional outcomes, and developing standards for cancer care. Her research was awarded an NCI K-grant, the Columbia University Department of Surgery Junior Faculty grant, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Young Researcher Investigator of the Year award in 2020. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Keller is actively involved in multiple patient advocacy organizations and surgical societies, representing the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI), American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), SAGES, American College of Surgeons (ACS), and Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT). She serves on the editorial boards of Colorectal Disease, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Techniques in Coloproctology, and Surgery. She is also a dedicated educator and mentor, and states her biggest accomplishment is her mentee's success.

Outside of work, Dr. Keller enjoys running, participating in adventure races, painting, and exploring the outdoors with her dog.

Dr. Elizabeth R. Raskin is the Chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery at University of California at Davis (UC Davis) Medical Center. She has served in this position since January 2020. She is also the Director of Robotic Surgical Education and the Rectal Cancer Program Director for UC Davis's nationally accredited program. At UC Davis, Dr. Raskin lends her expertise to the Committees for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, Surgical Site Infection Reduction, NSQIP, and ISCR.

Dr. Raskin completed her general surgery residency at Tufts-New England Medical Center and fellowship training in colorectal surgery at the University of Minnesota. After completing her training, she joined the faculty at University of Minnesota and refined a broad set of technical skills under the mentorship of Dr. Stanley Goldberg. After seven years in Minnesota, Dr. Raskin moved west to California, accepting a position as a staff surgeon in the Department of Surgery and the Chief of Colorectal Surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center and the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Hospital. Dr. Raskin joined UC Davis from the Loma Linda Medical Center.

Dr. Raskin is a master robotic surgeon and renown surgical educator. She brings a wealth of experience in minimally invasive colorectal surgery and complex reoperative abdominal and pelvic surgery to UC Davis. With expertise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in particular complex Crohn's disease, she specializes in bowel conservation and minimally invasive approaches. In addition to IBD, she is an expert in the surgical management of primary and recurrent colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, and functional bowel problems.

As a researcher, Dr. Raskin has specific interests in the population science of diverticulitis, surgical education, and using technology for quality improvement. She has written and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbooks, and presented multiple national and international lectures on a wide array of colorectal topics. Dr. Raskin lectures, teaches and trains surgeons of all levels, allied health representatives, and industry on robotics. She has been honored as Teacher of the Year in Surgery (The Golden Scalpel) multiple times by the surgical residents at Loma Linda Medical Center for her engaging and effective methods.

Dr. Raskin is board certified in general and colon and rectal surgery, and is a Fellow of both the the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS).

Outside of work, Dr. Raskin and her husband are cross-fit devotees, and enjoy running and spending time with their 3 children.



Publication History

Article published online:
03 September 2021

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