Aaron J. Dawes, MD, PhD, FACS, FASCRS

Colorectal surgeon


Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)

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Additional Languages Spoken:
Spanish

Biography


Dr. Dawes is a board-certified, fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Dawes treats a wide variety of conditions involving the colon, rectum, and anus, always leveraging the latest evidence and technologies. He is fully trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques--including laparoscopic, robotic, and trans-anal minimally invasive surgery--and strives to employ them, whenever possible, in an effort to reduce pain and shorten recovery.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Dawes is a health services researcher, receiving his Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. His research focuses on policy development, measurement, and evaluation for patients with colorectal conditions. He is particularly interested in using data to drive policy interventions aimed at reducing disparities in quality, access, and value.

Prior to joining Stanford, Dr. Dawes completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles followed by a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He has authored articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Cancer, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Health Services Research, and JAMA Surgery. His work has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Press, and HealthDay News.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Dawes received his A.B. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Board Certification: American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery (2021)
  • Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Colon & Rectal Surgery (2020)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery (2019)
  • Residency, University of California, Los Angeles, General Surgery (2019)
  • PhD, Fielding UCLA School of Public Health, Health Policy and Management (2016)
  • Internship, University of California, Los Angeles, General Surgery (2012)
  • MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Medicine (2011)
  • AB, Princeton University, Public and International Affairs (2006)

Honors & Awards
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society, Vanderbilt University (2011)
  • Dr. Ursula Mandel Scholarship, University of California, Los Angeles (2015)
  • Graduate Research Mentorship Award, University of California, Los Angeles (2015)
  • Housestaff Quality Improvement Scholarship, University of California, Los Angeles (2013)
  • Howard A. Reber Golden Scalpel Award for Most Outstanding Performance as Chief Resident, University of California, Los Angeles (2019)
  • Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps/Indian Health Service (2008)
  • School of Medicine Award of Distinction, Vanderbilt University (2011)
  • Specialty Training and Advanced Research Award, University of California, Los Angeles (2014)

Memberships
  • Reviewer's Guild, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum (2019 - 2020)
  • Fellow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (2018 - Present)
  • Member, AcademyHealth (2014 - Present)
  • Member, Surgical Outcomes Club (2013 - Present)
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2010 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Robotic Surgery Committee, Stanford Health Care (2020 - Present)

Publications

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.


Specializing In

Practice Locations


Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Program in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

875 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

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Digestive Health Surgery in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

420 Broadway Street, Pavilion D, 2nd Floor

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 736-5555

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Digestive Health Surgery at 875 Blake Wilbur Drive Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

875 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

420 Broadway Street, Pavilion D, 2nd Floor

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 736-5555

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(47 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.9/5

View Ratings by Category

5.0/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.9/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.9/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.9/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.9/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

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Patient Reviews

(41 reviews)

Exceptional care from start to finish. Dr. Aaron Dawes and the team were attentive, thorough, and reassuring. Highly recommended.
Dr. Dawes and his team members are superb communicators and I couldn’t ask for more in terms of my surgical outcome. Huge kudos to Stanford and Dr. Dawes!
He is an excellent surgeon. Treated me great throughout the entire process.
Felt that the nurse and doctor were caring and gave good information
He is a WONDERFUL doctor and goes out of his way to make sure he addresses questions and concerns!
Dr, Dawes was very thorough and attentive to all of my questions.
The best!!!!
Very thorough and helpful. Great representative of Stanford Medicine>
Excellent people skills and delivered material in a manner that was easy to comprehend.
Highly informed and articulate and therefore very easy to talk to.
Friendly, knowledgable, knew my case and history beforehand, answered all my questions, was not hurried and took the time necessary.
Dr. Dawes & his team are A+ !!!
Dr Dawes is great, Personable and very very smart.
Good communicator,.
Great facilities and doctors
Very informative
From my experience, Doctor Dawes is one of the finest pre-surgery physicians I have used in my lengthy history of cancer treatment. He is personable and engaging. His expertise is remarkable. I elected, with great confidence, to postpone surgery indefinitely after his prescribed tests, physical examinations and consultation. We reviewed a number of scenarios and alternatives, and he explained each clearly. I would undergo any future treatment without hesitation and with unhesitating confidence in any situation, including complications arising during surgery. It is easy to see why Stanford Medical has such a excellent reputation. Doctor Dawes and the entire staff are exactly the way medical treatment experiences should be. He exemplifies that reputation.
His operation on me last December for the colostomy has enabled me to function much better than before the operation including a return of appetite. I have a hernia now and he was very good about explaining about how to make a decision for a hernia operation.
Super nice, kind and doesn't make you feel rushed
Dr. Dawes is very thorough and informative explaining the results of all my previous proceedures.
Dr. Dawes was great!
He explained everything very well and I felt completely confident that he is skilled and competent
This has been the best experience I have had with a GI physician. He was very clear about my choices for treatment and did a suberb hemorrhoid banding that minimized my discomfort. What a great doctor!!
My experience of Doctor Dawes is that he is an attentative and obviosly extremely well qualified and experienced physician. I have complete confidence in his skills. Whatever surgrey I elect if one, I am confident that he will make excellent decisions should any situations arise that are complications or deviations become necessary.
The staff -Particularly Dr. Dawes- were exceptional
Excellent doctor!
Dr. Dawes is amazing! He listens, he is caring, and always goes above and beyond to provide excellent patient care!
I am very happy and totally satisfied with the perfect care given to me.
I am impressed with Doctor Dawes confidence in his mastery of the skills necessary to successfully complete my treatment.
Dr. Dawes was clear when discussing different available options along with pros and cons. He was easy to follow
Dr. Dawes is very thorough with information and very open to any questions I have had. He is great at explaining the information to me in a way I can understand. I would definitely recommend his practice.
Excellent and explaining procedures and what to expect Pleasant and very kind and listens to the patient…
Very caring
I had an excellent discussion with Dr. Dawes on my condition.
Very helpful in explaining the procedure that he will perform.
Dr. Dawes was very professional and I felt he was concerned for my health. I definately felt he wants to help me.
Excellent surgeon. Empathetic with my condition and prepared to address my ongoing condition.
He's the best. Caring and thorough.
Without hesitation I would recommend Stanford Health Care to my friends and family
Dr. Dawes in the GI surgical department is caring and takes the time to go thru detailed explanations of my ongoing surgeries and treatment
He is an incredible caring doctor that always makes me feel listened to. I also feel like he is doing his best to help me and help me understand what is happening and that he cares.

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