“Glances of true beauty can be seen in the faces of those who live in true meekness.”
—Henry David Thoreau
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD, although one of colorectal surgery’s most celebrated surgeons, exudes great humility and gregariousness, and he was thrilled to welcome us into his world. Beyond his surgical mask lies an idiosyncratic mystique. There, too, exists a demure soul that emanates from humble beginnings. Born and raised in Ukraine, he credits much of who he is today to home life and his upbringing. He learned while in Ukraine how to be strong, how to make the most of situations, and—from his mother and father—the significance of family.
Dr. Umanskiy, who joined the Department of Surgery 15 years ago, attributes much of his success to mentors like Neil H. Hyman, MD, Chief of Colon & Rectal Surgery. The pair’s deep connection and mutual respect is admirable to all who know them. According to Dr. Umanskiy, he would not be where he is today without the support, camaraderie and mentorship of Dr. Hyman.
After talking more to him and peeling back the nerves that are oftentimes erected by the lights, cameras and call for action, we found Dr. Umanskiy to be a witty, down-to-earth and adventurous family man. Although as meek as anyone can be about it, he revealed that he is a competitive sailor in the Chicago area and detailed his journey in that endeavor. He was able to dig deep and correlate how surgery is much like sailing: how he has used the sport to form lifelong bonds and make himself a stronger person, surgeon and father. When he isn’t on the raging waters battling merciless winds (and racing to the finish line), he can be found mentoring trainees, executing complex treatments and spending time with his family.
We were privileged to be recipients of his graciousness and learn more about his wholehearted commitment to innovation, discovery and building solid patient unions. Dr. Umanskiy is proud of where he comes from and who he has become, and is eager to enhance the future of surgery.
This is Konstantin Umanskiy, Behind the Mask.
Colon & Rectal Surgery
The Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine is nationally recognized for its surgeons’ expertise in treating complicated benign and malignant disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, pelvic floor disorders and anorectal disorders. We are at the forefront of surgical innovation and highly skilled in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless pre-, peri-, and post-operative experience for every patient.
Neil H. Hyman, MD
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Section of Colon & Rectal Surgery
Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center
Learn More & Contact
faculty listing
Professor of Surgery
Roger D. Hurst, MD, Professor of Surgery
Neil H. Hyman, MD, Professor of Surgery; Chief, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD, Professor of Surgery; Program Director, Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Surgery
Benjamin Shogan, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery
Kinga Skowron Olortegui, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery; Associate Program Director, Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency Program
faculty honors
Kinga Skowron Olortegui, MD, was elected to the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence as a Junior Faculty Scholar.
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD, moderated a session on Surgical Management of IBD at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting. He was elected President of the Illinois Surgical Society for a two-year term.
faculty promotions
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD, Associate Professor to Professor, effective November 1, 2022
select publications
Umanskiy K. Section Editor, Anastomotic Complications. Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery. (in print) 2021.
Umanskiy K, Hyman NH. Large Bowel Obstruction. Mastery of Surgery, 8th edition. Wolters Kluwer (in print).
Umanskiy K, Messaris E. Dermatology and Pruritus Ani. ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery, 5th Edition, Springer.
Runde J, Erondu A, Akiyama S, Traboulsi C, Rai V, Glick LR, Yi Y, Ollech JE, Cohen RD, Skowron KB, Hurst RD, Umanskiy K, Shogan BD, Hyman NH, Rubin MA, Dalal SR, Sakuraba A, Pekow J, Chang EB, Rubin DT. Outcomes of Ileoanal Pouch Anastomosis in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Are Worse in the Modern Era: A Time Trend Analysis Outcomes Following Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2022 Jan 18:izab319. Online ahead of print.
Akiyama S, Ollech JE, Traboulsi C, Rai V, Glick LR, Yi Y, Runde J, Olivas AD, Weber CR, Cohen RD, Olortegui KBS, Hurst RD, Umanskiy K, Shogan BD, Rubin MA, Dalal SR, Sakuraba A, Pekow J, Chang EB, Hart J, Hyman NH, Rubin DT. Histopathology of Colectomy Specimens Predicts Endoscopic Pouch Phenotype in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2022 Mar 14. Online ahead of print.
Rubio GA, Hurst RD, Umanskiy K, Shogan BD, Hyman N, Olortegui KS. Neoadjuvant Therapy for cT2N0M0 Rectal Cancer? J Gastrointest Surg. 2022 Feb;26(2):479-482. Epub 2021 Sep 10.
Yi Y, Sossenheimer PH, Erondu AI, Skowron KB, Rai V, Singer JM, El Jurdi K, Hyman NH, Rubin DT. Using Wearable Biosensors to Predict Length of Stay for Patients with IBD after Bowel Surgery. 2022. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 67: 844-853.
Olortegui KS, Graham A, Hyman N. Staging Considerations for the Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis. 2022. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 26(7): 1531-1536. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11605-022-05317-w.
Olortegui KS and Angelos P. Surgeons and Professionalism: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go. 2022. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. https://journals.lww.com/journalacs/Abstract/9900/Surgeons_and_Professionalism__Where_We_Are_and.246.aspx.
Skowron Olortegui KB, Fernandez Olortegui C. 2022. Can Professionalism be Taught During Residency? Difficult Decisions in Surgical Ethics –An Evidence-Based Approach. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-84625-1_14.
Skowron Olortegui KB. 2022. Commentary on “Invited Commentary for Anal Sparing Surgery: Pushing the Limits of Patient Autonomy.” Difficult Decisions in Surgical Ethics –An Evidence-Based Approach. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-84625-1_26.
Feldt SL, Keskey R, Krishnan P, Hyman NH, Shogan BD. Is previous postoperative infection an independent risk factor for a postoperative infection after a second unrelated abdominal operation? Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2022. Epub ahead of print.
Gaertner WB, Burgess PL, Davids JS, Lightner AL, Shogan BD, Sun MY, Steele SR, Paquette IM, Feingold DL. The American society of colon and rectal surgeons clinical practice guidelines for the management of anorectal abscess, fistula-in-ano, and rectovaginal fistula. Diseases of the colon and rectum. 2022;65(8):964-985. PMID 35732009.
Morgan RB and Shogan BD. The science of anastomotic healing. Seminars in colon and rectal surgery. 2022;33(2). ISSN 1043-1489.
Williamson AJ, Jacobson R, Praagh van JB, Gaines S, Koo HY, Lee B, Chan WC, Weichselbaum R, Alverdy JC*, Zaborina O*, Shogan BD*. Enterococcus faecalis promotes a migratory and invasive phenotype in colon cancer cells. Neoplasia. 2022;27(100787). PMID 35366466. *co-senior authors.
Brajcich BC, Benson AB, Gantt Jr G, Eng O, Marsh RW, Mulcahy MF, Polite BN, Shogan BD, Yang AD, Merkow RP. Management of colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations from a statewide multidisciplinary cancer collaborative. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2022;125(4):560-563. PMID 34820843.
Liauw SL, Son CH, Shergill A, Shogan BD. Circulating tumor-tissue modified HPV DNA analysis for molecular disease monitoring after chemoradiation for anal squamous cell carcinoma: a case report. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2021;12(6):3155-3162. PMID 35070439.
Jaferi MD, Nfonsam V, Shogan B, Hyman N. Why do anastomoses leak? Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2021;25(10):2728-2731. PMID 34508294.
Anderson DI, Keskey R, Ackerman MT, Zabroina O, Hyman N, Alverdy JC, Shogan BD. Enterococcus faecalis is associated with anastomotic leak in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Surgical Infections. 2021;22(10):1047-1051. PMID 34255574.
Zhang LM, Schuitevoerder D, White MG, Feldt S, Krishnan P, Hyman N, Shogan BD. Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation is associated with prolonged recurrence-free survival following surgery for colorectal cancer. J Surgical Oncology. 2021;124(7):1106-1114. PMID 34310702.
Jacobson RA, Williamson A, Wienholts K, Gaines S, Hyoju S, Goor H, Zaborin A, Shogan BD, Zaborina O, Alverdy JC. Prevention of anastomotic leak via local application of tranexamic acid to target bacterial-mediated plasminogen activation: a practical solution to a complex problem. Annals of Surgery. 2021;274(6):1038-1046. PMID 31851007.
residents & fellows
View the Colon & Rectal Surgery Residents and Fellows here.