Surgical Services

This department offers

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Colorectal surgery
  • Foregut surgery
  • General surgery
  • Gynecological surgery
  • Heart & vascular surgery
  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Plastic surgery
  • Spinal surgery
Patient preparing for surgery

A 150-year legacy of outstanding care

The surgery program at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado upholds a 150-year+ legacy of outstanding care and is also the home to Colorado's oldest general surgery residency. The program is defined by its comprehensive scope and commitment to excellence, featuring an expert team of board-certified surgeons and utilizing advanced robotic technologies like the da Vinci® Surgical System and Mako SmartRobotics™.

Call: (303) 812-2000

Trusted surgical excellence for life-changing results

Saint Joseph specializes in complex surgical areas, including high-performing services ensuring patients benefit from a long-standing tradition of expertise and surgical innovation. These include:

  • Bariatric and foregut surgery
  • Colorectal surgery
  • Heart and vascular care
  • Orthopedic surgery (hip and spine)
  • Surgical oncology

Coordinated care with on-campus partners

As part of Intermountain Health, Saint Joseph Hospital is fully integrated with several on-campus surgical practices and physicians.

Saint Joesph Hospital consistently ranks as one of the top hospitals in the nation.

Surgical Services FAQs

Find answers about surgical specialties, surgeon credentials, procedure volumes, advanced technologies, and insurance at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Saint Joseph Hospital specializes in a wide range of surgical services, including complex procedures across several major medical disciplines, including:

  • Heart and vascular surgery
  • Bariatric surgery (weight loss) 
  • Gastroenterology surgery
  • General surgery
  • Gynecological surgery
  • Reconstructive and plastic surgery
  • Orthopedic and spine surgery
  • Surgical oncology (cancer surgery)
Saint Joseph Hospital has one of the largest credentialled medical staffs of top surgical specialists in the Denver area. The are currently more than 400 surgeons and surgical advanced practice professionals who treat patients at the hospital and more than 120 who are part of Intermountain Health’s fully integrated medical group.
Find a surgeon
Yes. The surgical team at Saint Joseph Hospital includes board-certified surgeons across numerous specialties.
Yes, the team at Saint Joseph Hospital includes fellowship-trained surgeons across numerous specialties. This means they have completed additional, specialized training beyond their residency, making them experts in a specific subspeciality.
Saint Joseph Hospital performs approximately 12,000 surgical procedures annually, representing a significantly higher volume of cases compared to many other hospitals. This high volume reflects the hospital’s extensive experience and exceptional expertise in delivering surgical care.
As technology and care practices advance, there are several types of surgical procedures that no longer require a hospital stay and can be safely performed on an outpatient basis. Saint Joseph Hospital works closely with Denver Surgery Center to provide patients with the most appropriate level of care as directed by their provider.

Saint Joseph Hospital is consistently recognized for being among the top 5% of hospitals in the nation per Healthgrades and is currently ranked at the No. 2 hospital in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report. For surgical care specifically, U.S. News & World Report has rated the following surgical specialties at High Performing:

  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Gynecological Cancer Surgery
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
  • Aortic Valve Surgery
  • Pacemaker Implantation
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
  • Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
  • Hip Replacement
  • Knee Replacement

Saint Joseph Hospital holds several quality program accreditations from the American College of Surgeons, including:

  • Commission on Cancer (CoC) – Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program
  • Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) - Comprehensive Center
  • National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
Saint Joseph Hospital uses several advanced techniques for minimally invasive surgery, which can lead to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times, including the da Vinci® Surgical System for robot-assisted surgery and Mako SmartRobotics™ for precision in procedures like joint surgery.
In addition to having some of the top surgeons in the Rocky Mountain region, Saint Joseph Hospital’s nationally recognized surgical residency programs help set St. Joe’s apart by establishing a culture of continuous quality improvement, advanced technical training, and collaborative, evidence-based care. This ultimately elevates the entire surgical department, leading to safer care, fewer complications, and better overall results for patients.
Most insurance plans require a referral from a PCP before surgery, and in many cases, a referral from a PCP will help expedite care and confirm the need for surgery. Always be sure to check your insurance coverage for eligibility requirements and care coverage.

Saint Joseph Hospital accepts most major insurance plans, but please be sure to check with your insurance provider to verify your individual coverage and responsibilities.

Additionally, starting in 2025, Kaiser Permanente reduced its presence at Saint Joseph Hospital, so KP members are encouraged to check with their HMO administrators first before pursuing care on their own.

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Last reviewed by Jason Johnson, MD on 12/29/25.