University Surgical Associates is a premier provider of hernia repair services in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Established in 1976 as a focused two-physician practice, the organization has spent the last five decades evolving into one of the largest and most technologically advanced surgical providers in the Southeastern United States.
This month, University Surgical Associates officially celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of medical “firsts” and an unwavering commitment to the Tennessee Valley. Over the last 50 years, the group has been a driving force behind the region’s most significant medical milestones. They performed Chattanooga’s first kidney transplant and introduced the area to advanced endovascular procedures (among many others). Perhaps most importantly, they were the first to bring dedicated trauma, pediatric, colorectal, vascular, and pancreatic surgeons to the community, ensuring area residents can receive high-quality surgical care close to home.
“With change comes great reward, and we have been able to band together as a company and focus on all of the things that we get to do in the future and decide what the practice is going to look like.” Says Katy Duffy, CEO of University Surgical Associates. “Looking ahead to the next 50 years of practice, our mission has and always will be to enrich quality of life for our community through excellent surgical care and education.”
Today, the practice is a large regional operation, with more than 200 employees and a specialized team of over 30 surgeons and advanced practice practitioners. With seven convenient locations across the area, University Surgical Associates partners with all local health systems to ensure patients receive care when and where they need it.
What truly defines University Surgical Associates is its dual identity as both a high-volume surgical practice and a premier academic hub. Through a long-standing partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), University Surgical Associates runs one of the nation's top residency programs. Every year, they graduate six chief general surgery residents, along with specialized fellows in critical care, vascular, and colorectal surgery.
“I think our surgeons, the young doctors that we train, and our leadership team are fantastic, as good as they’ve ever been,” says USA Managing Partner Dr. Ben Dart. “And probably most importantly, the staff. I think the staff that supports us is phenomenal. No one could do what we do without them.”
To celebrate this golden anniversary, University Surgical Associates recently refreshed its brand, introducing a new logo and a modern visual identity that reflects its forward-thinking approach. Throughout 2026, the community will see this new brand featured at events across the region as the practice celebrates its history and looks toward the future.
As University Surgical Associates enters its next 50 years, the mission remains the same: putting the patient at the center of every decision while continuing to lead the region in surgical excellence and education.
To learn more, please visit: https://universitysurgical.com/specialties/hernia-center/
Business Name: University Surgical Associates
Address: 979 E 3rd St ste c320, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone Number: (423) 267-0466
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Name: Jason Skinner
Role: Director of Marketing and Provider Relations
Company Name: University Surgical Associates
Phone: (423) 757-0717
Email: jason.skinner@universitysurgical.com
Website: https://universitysurgical.com/
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Published by: Randy Rohde