With a deep commitment to academic medicine, patient-centered care, and surgical excellence, Matthew Hutter, MD, MPH, MBA, brings nationally recognized leadership to his new role as Chair of UTMB’s Department of Surgery.
Dr. Hutter arrives with a strong track record in surgical quality and safety, with a clear vision to elevate the department’s impact across UTMB’s missions of clinical care, research, education, and innovation.
“Clinical excellence is the foundation,” he emphasizes. “If you don’t have that, you stop and go back until you do. And that is why we’re here: to provide the best care possible.”
Dr. Hutter’s arrival follows a distinguished career at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Over three decades there, he built programs in surgical quality improvement and led national efforts to enhance patient outcomes.
At Harvard Medical School he served as the inaugural Codman-Warshaw Endowed Chair and founded the Codman Center for Clinical Effectiveness in Surgery. He was Director of the MGH Weight Center, the Section Chief in Metabolic and Bariatric, and created and led the Quality and Safety Program for the MGH Department of Surgery.
Dr. Hutter’s history with the linked institutions began even earlier; he earned his bachelor’s degree and medical degree at Harvard, and he completed his General Surgery residency at MGH. He served as the “Super Chief” Resident at MGH and was one of the first Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Fellows at MGH.
“I’ve been in Boston my whole life,” he says. “The OBGYN who delivered me taught me how to deliver babies at the same medical school. I scrubbed in for my first surgery at a sink I used for 32 years.”
With deep roots at Harvard and MGH, Dr. Hutter’s move to UTMB marks more than just a change in scenery – it is the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Since his arrival in early September, he has been intentional about listening, learning, and building meaningful connections across the institution.
“I want to meet the people who make this place great, understand the culture, and identify opportunities for growth,” he says.
He sees exciting potential in expanding surgical services across UTMB’s campuses – from Clear Lake and League City to Angleton-Danbury and Galveston – ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of the community.
He also appreciates the unique opportunities that come with UTMB’s island and coastal locations and the diverse patient populations it serves.
“This institution has a storied history and a commitment to serving some of the most underserved populations, including TDCJ. That mission deeply resonates with me,” he says.
Dr. Hutter also holds a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health, and a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Business Management.
His leadership journey includes serving as President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and holding the distinction of being the longest-serving Surgeon Champion for the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP).
Combined with his MBA training, these experiences have shaped a robust foundation in leadership, strategic thinking, and change management. Today, he is poised to guide the UTMB Department of Surgery forward with vision and purpose.
“Everything I’ve done has led to this moment,” he says. “I’m here to preserve and advance the academic mission in the face of today’s healthcare challenges.”
 | Matthew Hutter, MD, MPH, MBA, serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery at UTMB Health. Learn more about the Department of Surgery at UTMB Health. |