search
Dr. Herbert Chen earned his Bachelor of Science degree with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University in 1988, followed by his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha in 1992. He went on to complete his general surgery residency and subsequently a fellowship in surgical oncology and endocrinology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Chen currently serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Surgeon-in-Chief of the UAB Hospital and Health System, and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. He is Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Biomedical Engineering, and holds the Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair. His clinical focus includes endocrine surgery, and he is recognized as a pioneer of radio-guided parathyroid surgery.
His laboratory investigates thyroid and neuroendocrine cancers and has secured over $36 million in extramural funding. He also serves as the American Cancer Society MEN2 Thyroid Cancer Professor. In addition, Dr. Chen is Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Surgery and has held leadership roles across numerous academic societies, including serving as President of the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons Foundation, the Association for Academic Surgery, the Society of Clinical Surgery, the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, and Surgical Biology Club II.
Dr. Chen has mentored more than 130 trainees—including faculty, post-doctoral fellows, residents, medical students, and undergraduates—and is widely known for his dedication to teaching and guiding the next generation of surgical leaders. He has published more than 670 original research articles and reviews and has edited 28 textbooks. Dr. Chen is also recognized for his commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.