Tim Pitchford Bariatric Surgeon MD

Dr. Timothy Pitchford has quietly been doing his job as a Marshfield Clinic general surgeon in the Chippewa Valley since 2000. Highly regarded by his patients and colleagues, now others are recognizing what we have known for years. A national organization called the Surgical Review Corporation in 2013 bestowed upon Dr. Pitchford an honor no other general surgeon can boast of in the upper Midwest: a “Surgeon of Excellence” designation in metabolic and bariatric weight reduction surgery. “It’s a reflection of the care and the product we provide patients who need this kind of surgery,” says Dr. Pitchford. “A lot of work goes into receiving this certification, such as demonstrating a record of superior safety and excellent outcomes.” Dr. Pitchford, who earned his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is quick to credit his Marshfield Clinic colleagues for helping him garner this prestigious honor. Achieving it required years of work history that measured patient volumes and quality of outcomes. Working collaboratively with Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Dr. Pitchford met requirements related to patient education, standardized pre and post-surgical procedures, and effective support systems.   “This is definitely a surgery that requires a team effort,” Dr. Pitchford says. “It’s a great honor to receive this designation.”

• Wen Hui Tan — Milwaukee, WI