Thomas E. Read, MD, FACS, FASCRS, has been selected as the new chair of the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Surgery Department. Dr. Read comes to JABSOM from the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he served as the Charles and Elise Nail Professor of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Dr. Read is a nationally recognized leader in colorectal surgery, bringing a distinguished record of clinical excellence, academic scholarship, and organizational leadership to JABSOM.
“Dr. Read’s appointment comes at a critical time for JABSOM and our state,” said Dean Sam Shomaker, MD, JD. “His clinical practice is focused on complex abdominopelvic disease, including rectal cancer. He is a renowned colorectal surgeon, filling a crucial need for this type of care in Hawaiʻi. Academically, Dr. Read is passionate about teaching and mentoring junior doctors. His impressive clinical research is focused on the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. I am excited to see how he will lead our Surgery Department into the future.”
The Surgery clinical department is located at The Queen’s Medical Center, which is designated as the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. Dr. Read will become Chief of Surgery of the Queen’s University Medical Group (QUMG).
“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Dr. Read to our Queen’s ‘ohana,” said Rick Bruno, MD, President of QUMG. “We look forward to his leadership and collaboration, as we continue to build the Queen’s surgical program, work with our outstanding group of physicians, and train the next generation of surgeons while delivering excellent health care to the people of Hawai‘i.”
Dr. Read enters this role with an extensive background in research, having published more than 120 original manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and given over 350 invited presentations nationally and internationally. He has served as Coursemaster for medical student surgical education, Program Director for two colorectal residencies, and as the ACGME Designated Institutional Official (DIO).
“It’s a tremendous honor to lead the Surgery Department at JABSOM,” Read said. “I look forward to not only building on the cherished legacy of this department but also contributing to the health of the richly diverse population of Hawaiʻi.”
Dr. Read has served in various leadership roles for organizations representing his specialty, including as President of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and as President and Chair of the Examination Committee of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS). He served as Chair of the Advisory Council for Colon and Rectal Surgery to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and as a Governor of the ACS, representing the specialty of colon and rectal surgery to the College. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the ABCRS and is on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Dr. Read will begin his position on October 27, 2025, succeeding Kenric Murayama, MD, who retired from JABSOM in 2023 after 13.5 years of service. Dean Mikami, MD, has been serving diligently in the interim role since Dr. Murayama’s departure.
