Dr. Kaufman has continued to be at the forefront of innovation in colorectal surgery. His practice has constantly evolved to provide his patients with the best surgical technology and the most up-to-date peri-operative care. In 2008, he was the first surgeon in California (and on the entire west coast) to perform a single port laparoscopic colon resection. He was an early adopter of minimally invasive surgery from single port colon resection to laparoscopic surgery, and most recently robotic surgery. Dr. Kaufman brought an enhanced recovery after surgery program to Huntington Hospital that has allowed patients to recover and heal faster, use less opioids, and reduce their postoperative lengths of stay without any increase in complications or readmissions.
About Dr. Kaufman
Howard S. Kaufman, M.D.
Dr. Kaufman has continued to teach and advise general surgery residents at Huntington Hospital over the past 17 years in the practice of colon and rectal surgery. He has mentored several residents through countless research presentations given locally and nationally resulting in publications in numerous academic journals.
Dr. Kaufman’s research efforts have paralleled his clinical interests and expertise. He has published over 67 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 18 book chapters and has given numerous presentations of his work at major national and international meetings. He currently serves as the Clinical Director of the Colorectal Research Program at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes.
Dr. Kaufman has contributed to multiple committees at Huntington Hospital including the Surgical Quality Committee, the Quality Management Committee, and the Cancer Committee. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Cancer Services, Chair of the Cancer Committee, and Cancer Liaison Physician to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Dr. Kaufman is a member of several national surgical societies and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He has also served as a scientific advisor to many surgical device corporations and has participated in national and international investigations of new surgical technologies.
Dr. Kaufman has served as a Governor on the American College of Surgeons and is currently the State Chair to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Degrees
- 2004 – M.B.A. Johns Hopkins University School of Professional Studies in Business and Education, Baltimore, MD
- 1988 – M.D. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- 1984 – B.S. Biology and Physics, Haverford College, Haverford, PA
Residency
- 1994 – Registrar in Surgery, Colorectal Surgery Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- 1989-1994 – Resident, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- 1994-1995 – Chief Resident, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Fellowship
- 1995-1996 – Alimentary Tract Surgery Fellow, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- 1990-1992 – Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Baltimore, MD
- 1988-1995 – Fellow in Surgery. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Baltimore, MD
Internship
- 1988-1989 – General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Awards
- James N. Gamble Award, Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, CA, 2017
- Clinical Teacher Award, Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, CA, 2013
- Southern California Super Doctors, 2012-2017, 2021
- America’s Top Surgeons, 2012-2013
- Top Docs in San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena Magazine 2008-2015
- Barry Wood Medical Student Research Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1988
- Resident’s Clinical Research Award, American College of Surgeons, Maryland Chapter, 1991
- George D. Zuidema Surgical Research Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1992
- Upjohn Achievement Award for Clinical Research, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and John Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1993
