Biographical summary
Dr. Thiels is a cancer surgeon and researcher who specializes in the surgical management of patients with sarcomas, pancreatic cancer, and metastatic colon cancer. He also has extensive training and experience in the treatment of appendiceal cancers, neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic cysts, gastric cancer, and GIST. Dr. Thiels has special expertise in multimodality treatment of advanced or metastatic cancers, in which surgery is combined with radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Dr. Thiels utilizes minimally invasive techniques to perform a variety of operations (including robotic surgery) and is trained in the placement and management of Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Chemotherapy for the management of unresectable liver tumors.
Dr. Thiels' lab focuses on improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and those with rare and advanced cancers.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Abdominal surgery
- Cancer treatment
- Cholecystectomy
- Cytoreductive surgery
- Gastrectomy
- Hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy
- HIPEC
- Irreversible electroporation
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Liver resection
- Microwave ablation for cancer
- Minimally invasive cancer surgery
- Minimally invasive liver surgery
- Minimally invasive pancreas surgery
- Pancreatectomy
- Pancreatic enucleation
- Robotic surgery
- Splenectomy
- Whipple procedure
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2021
Chief Fellow - Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- 2019
ResidencyMayo Clinic
- 2016
Research Scholar - Surgical Outcomes Research FellowshipMayo Clinic
- 2013
Doctor of Osteopathic MedicineKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
- 2013
MBA - Healthcare AdministrationRockhurst University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2022
Complex General Surgical OncologyAmerican Board of Surgery
- 2019
General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2024
Excellence through Teamwork AwardMayo Clinic
- 2023
Young Alumni Achievement AwardKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB)
- 2020
Dr. Murray F. Brennan/David and Monica Gorin Sarcoma FellowMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/Weil Cornell New York Presbyterian
- 2020
Chief Fellow, Department of Surgery
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- 2018
Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship AwardMayo Clinic
- 2018
H.K. Gray Travel Award Mayo Clinic
- 2017
Nygaard AwardMayo Clinic
- 2017
Inlow AwardMayo Clinic
- 2014
Balfour AwardMayo Clinic
- 2013
Student DO of the Year AwardCouncil of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents
- 2013
Outstanding Senior AwardKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
- 2013
Robert B. Cotter Award in SurgeryKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
- 2010
Dr. Vernon Hayes Physicians Hall of Sponsors ScholarshipKansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Professional memberships
- 2023 - 2026
Member of the Minnesota Associate Board of AmbassadorsState of Minnesota, American Cancer Society
- 2023 - 2026
Network Co-ChairMinnesota Cancer Alliance
- 2023 - 2024
Executive Board Member and Program ChairMinnesota Surgical Society
- 2023
MemberBold. Forward. Unbound in Rochester.
- 2023 - present
MemberSurgery Peer Review Research Committee
- 2023 - present
Commiittee MemberMidwest Surgical Quality Subcommittee
- 2023 - present
Committee MemberRochester Patient Safety Subcommittee
- 2023 - present
MemberConnective Tissue Oncology Society
- 2022 - 2023
Committee MemberKern Center Diversity Science TaskForce
- 2022 - 2023
MemberCancer Pragmatic Trials Working Group
- 2022 - 2023
Review Panel MemberRochester Commitment Against Racism (RCAR)
- 2022 - 2023
MemberKern Center Diversity Science TaskForce
- 2022 - present
Committee MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center Pragmatic Trials Working Group
- 2022 - present
Commiittee MemberRochester Commitment Against Racism (RCAR)
- 2017 - 2024
Opioids Taskforce MemberAmerican Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
- 2017 - 2019
Advisory Task Force for Opioids and Surgery MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2017 - 2019
Cancer Surgery Standards Program, Content Development Committee MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2017 - present
MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
- 2016 - present
MemberAmericas Hepatobiliary Association (AHPBA)
- 2016 - present
MemberPancreas Club
Publications
Research activities