About Dr. Paulson
Carter Paulson is a Professor of Clinical Surgery at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center.
Education
2010 - 2011
Residency in Colon and Rectal Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2004 - 2010
Residency in Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2003 - 2004
Internship in Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2008
MS - University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Clinical Epidemiology)
2003
MD - University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Medicine)
1999
BS - University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
(Chemistry)
Faculty Appointments
2025 - present
Professor of Clinical Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2020 - 2025
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2019 - 2020
Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2012 - 2019
Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Hospital and Administrative Appointments
2018 - present
Director of Perioperative Services
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2018 - present
Associate Chief of Surgery
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2014 - present
General Surgery Section Chief
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2011 - 2014
Courtesy Staff
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2011 - present
Attending Surgeon
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2011 - 2012
Instructor in Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2007 - 2008
Instructor in Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2003 - 2006
Assistant Instructor in Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Awards
2023
GME Teaching Award of Distinction, Perelman School of Medicine
2019
Best Paper - Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery Annual Research Dinner, May 2019
2018
Best Paper - Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery Annual Research Dinner, Apr. 2018
2008
Jonathan E. Rhoads Research Award
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2008
William Y. Inouye Resident Teaching Award
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2004
Penn Center of Surgical Excellence Scholar Award
Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2003
Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation
American Medical Women’s Association
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2003
I. S. Ravdin Prize, Department of Surgery
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2003
Alpha Omega Alpha
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
1999
Bachelor of Science with Distinction
University of Virginia
1998
Phi Beta Kappa, Junior year inductee
University of Virginia
1995 - 1999
Echols Scholar
University of Virginia
Societies
National/International Societies
2022 - present
VA National Surgery Office (NSO) - General Surgery Surgical Advisory Board
Chair, 2024 - 2027
2019 - present
Association of Women Surgeons
2017 - present
Association for Academic Surgeons
2015 - present
Association of VA Surgeons
2011 - present
American College of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Candidate Member 2011 - 6/2015
Fellow 6/2015 - present
Program Committee - 2015 - 2020
Awards Committee - 2018 - 2021
Awards Committee Vice Chair, 2022 - present
2007 - 2010
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
2006 - present
American College of Surgeons
Resident Member 2006 - 2011
Candidate Member 2011 - 6/2015
Fellow 6/2015 - present
Local
2012 - present
Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Board Member - 7/2018 - 7/2019
Historian - 8/2019 - 8/2020
Secretary - 9/2020 - 5/2021
Publications
Research Publications, Peer Reviewed
- Ra Jin, Paulson E Carter, Kucharczuk John, Armstrong Katrina, Wirtalla Christopher, Rapaport-Kelz Rachel, Kaiser Larry R, Spitz Francis R: Postoperative mortality after esophagectomy for cancer: development of a preoperative risk prediction model. Annals of Surgical Oncology 15(6): 1577-1584, June 2008 Notes: (Epub Apr. 1, 2008).
- Paulson EC, Mitra N, Wirtalla C, Sonnad S, Kelz R, Armstrong K, Mahmoud N: NCI designation predicts improved outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. Annals of Surgery 248(2): 675-686, Dec. 2008.
- Paulson EC, Ra J, Armstrong K, Wirtalla C, Spitz F, Kelz R: Underuse of esophagectomy as treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. Archives of Surgery 143(2): 1198-1203, Dec. 2008.
- Fitzpatrick J Raymond, Frederick John R, Hiesinger William, Hsu Vivian M, McCormick Ryan C, Kozin Elliott D, Laporte Carine M, O'Hara Mary Lou, Howell Elan, Dougherty Deborah, Cohen Jeffrey E, Southerland Kevin W, Howard Jessica L, Paulson E Carter, Acker Michael A, Morris Rohinton J, Woo Y Joseph: Early planned institution of biventricular mechanical circulatory support results in improved outcomes compared with delayed conversion of a left ventricular assist device to a biventricular assist device. Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery 137(4): 971-977, Apr. 2009.
- Roses Robert E, Paulson E Carter, Sharma Anupama, Schueller Jeanne E, Nisenbaum Harvey, Weinstein Susan, Fox Kevin R, Zhang Paul J, Czerniecki Brian J: HER-2/neu overexpression as a predictor for the transition from in situ to invasive breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 18(5): 1386-1389, May 2009 Notes: (Epub Apr. 21, 2009).
- Kelz RR, Tran TT, Hosokawa P, Henderson W, Paulson EC, Spitz F, Hamilton BH, Hall BL: Time of day effects on surgical outcomes in the private sector: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American College of Surgeons 209(4): 434-445, Oct. 2009 Notes: (Epub July 24, 2009).
- Roses Robert E, Foley Paul J, Paulson Emily C, Pray Lori, Kelz Rachel R, Williams Noel N, Morris Jon B: Revisiting the rotating call schedule in less than 80 hours per week. Journal of Surgical Education 66(6): 357-360, Nov./Dec. 2009.
- Paulson E Carter, Wirtalla Christopher, Armstrong Katrina, Mahmoud Najjia N: Gender influences treatment and survival in colorectal cancer surgery. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 52(12): 1982-1991, Dec. 2009.
- Paulson E Carter, Mahmoud Najjia N, Wirtalla Christopher, Armstrong Katrina: Acuity and survival in colon cancer surgery. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 53(4): 385-392, Apr. 2010.
- Fitzpatrick J Raymond, Frederick John R, McCormick Ryan C, Harris David A, Kim Ah-Young, Muenzer Jeffrey R, Gambogi Alex J, Liu Jing Ping, Paulson E Carter, Woo Y Joseph: Tissue-engineered pro-angiogenic fibroblast scaffold improves myocardial perfusion and function and limits ventricular remodeling after infarction. Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery 140(3): 667-676, Sept. 2010 Notes: (Epub Apr. 3, 2010).
- Paulson Emily Carter, Fu Xiaoying, Epstein Andrew J: Location and timing of care for colon cancer patients in the VA Health System. Journal of Surgical Research 183(2): 639-644, Aug. 2013 Notes: (Epub Mar. 16, 2013).
- Smith RK, Broach RB, Hedrick TL, Mahmoud NN, Paulson EC: Impact of body mass index on post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing proctectomy for rectal cancer: A NSQIP analysis. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 57(6): 687-693, June 2014.
- Bruening W, Sullivan N, Paulson, EC, Zafar H, Mitchell M, Treadwell J, Schoelles K.: Imaging tests for the staging of colorectal cancer: Comparative effectiveness review No. 142. (Prepared by the ECRI Institute-Penn Medicine Evidence-Based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2012-00011-I.) AHRQ Publication No. 14-EHC046-EF. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Sept. 2014 Notes: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm.
- Gillern S, Mahmoud NN, Paulson EC: Local excision for early-stage rectal cancer in patients over age 65 years: 2000-2009. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 58(2): 172-178, Jan. 2015.
- Smith Radhika K, Fry Robert D, Mahmoud Najjia N, Paulson E Carter: Surveillance after neoadjuvant therapy in advanced rectal cancer with complete clinical response can have comparable outcomes to total mesorectal excision. International Journal of Colorectal Disease 30(6): 769-774, June 2015 Notes: (Epub Mar. 19, 2015).
- Paulson EC, Ecker B, Datta J, Jeganathan A, Aarons C, Kelz R, Mahmoud N: Lymph node identification following neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: A stage-stratified analysis using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER)-Medicare Database. Journal of Surgical Oncology 112(4): 415-420, Sept. 2015 Notes: (Epub Aug. 6, 2015).
- Paulson EC, Veenstra C, Vachani A, Martin C, Epstein A: Trends in surveillance for resected colorectal cancer. Cancer 121(19): 3525-3533, Oct. 2015 Notes: (Epub June 16, 2015).
- Hall G, Bleier JB, Shanmugan S, Jeganathan A, Epstein A, Paulson EC: Colorectal specialization and survival in colorectal cancer Colorectal Disease 18: O51-O60, Feb. 2016.
- Veenstra C, Vachani A, Ciunci C, Zafar H, Epstein A, Paulson EC: Trends in use of positron emission tomography imaging in surveillance of non-small cell lung and colorectal cancer. Journal of the American College of Radiology 13(5): 491-496, May 2016 Notes: (Epub Jan. 14, 2016).
- Jeganathan A, Shanmugan S, Hall G, Bleier J, Paulson EC: Colorectal specialization increases lymph node yield: Evidence from a national database. Annals of Surgical Oncology 23(7): 2258-2265, July 2016 Notes: (Epub Feb. 8, 2016).
- Newton A, Li J, Mahmoud N, Epstein AJ, Paulson EC: A nomogram to predict lymph node positivity following neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 59(8): 710-717, Aug. 2016.
- Paulson EC, Thompson ET, Mahmoud N: Surgical site infection and colorectal surgery: A prospective analysis of risk factors. Surgical Infections 18(4): 520-526, May/June 2017 Notes: (Epub Feb. 22, 2017).
- Broach R, Paulson EC, Scott C, Mahmoud N: Randomized, controlled trial of two alcohol based preparations for surgical site antisepsis in colorectal surgery. Annals of Surgery 266(6): 946-951, Dec. 2017.
- Khan N, Cole E, Shah Y, Paulson EC: Segmental resection is a safe oncologic alternative to total proctocolectomy in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis and malignancy. Colorectal Disease 19(12): 1108-1116, Dec. 2017.
- Neuwirth MG, Epstein AJ, Karakousis GC, Mamtani R, Paulson EC: Disparities in resection of hepatic metastases in colon cancer. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology 9(1): 126-134, Feb. 2018.
- Chadi SA, Malcomson L, Ensor J, Riley RD, Vaccaro CA, Rossi GL, Daniels IR, Smart NJ, Osborne ME, Beets GL, Maas M, Bitterman DS, Du K, Gollins S, Sun Myint A, Smith FM, Saunders MP, Scott N, O'Dwyer ST, de Castro Araujo RO, Valadao M, Lopes A, Hsiao CW, Lai CL, Smith RK, Paulson EC, Appelt A, Jakobsen A, Wexner SD, Habr-Gama A, Sao Julião G, Perez R, Renehan AG: Factors affecting local regrowth after watch and wait for patients with a clinical complete response following chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer (InterCoRe consortium): an individual participant data meta-analysis. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology S2468-1253(18): 30301-7, Oct. 2018.
- Fieber JH, Sharoky CE, Collier K, Hoffman RL, Wirtalla C, Karakousis GC, Kelz RR, Paulson EC: A preoperative prediction model for risk of multiple admissions after colon cancer surgery. Journal of Surgical Research 231: 380-386, Nov. 2018.
- Concors SJ, Sinnamon AJ, Folkert IW, Mahmoud NN, Fraker DL, Paulson EC, Roses RE: Predictors of metastases in rectal neuroendocrine tumors: Results of a national cohort study. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 61(12): 1372-1379, Dec. 2018.
- Birkett R, O'Donnell M, Epstein AJ, Saur N, Bleier J, Paulson EC: Elective colon resection without curative intent in stage IV colon cancer. Surgical Oncology 28: 110-115, Mar. 2019 Notes: Epub Nov. 13, 2018.
- Concors S, Vining S, Saur N, Roses R, Paulson EC: Combined proctectomy and hepatectomy for metastatic rectal cancer should be undertaken with caution: Results of a national cohort study. Annals of Surgical Oncology 26(12): 3972-3979, Nov. 2019 Notes: Epub June 14, 2019.
- Birkett R, Chamely E, Concors S, Aarons C, Shanmugan S, Saur N, Bleier J, Paulson EC: Overuse and limited benefit of chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer in young patients. Clinical Colorectal Cancer 18(4): 292-300, Dec. 2019 Notes: Epub Apr. 6, 2019.
- Goldshore MA, Mehta SJ, Fletcher W, Tzanis G, Doubeni CA, Paulson EC: An RCT of fecal immunochemical test colorectal cancer screening in veterans without recent primary care. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 59(1): 41-48, July 2020.
- Shannon AB, Goldberg D, Song Y, Paulson EC, Roses RE, Fraker DL, Kelz RR, Miura J, Karakousis GC: Predictors of lymph node metastases in patients with mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma. Journal of Surgical Oncology 122(4): 729-738, Sept. 2020 Notes: Epub June 20, 2020.
- Shannon AB, Mo J, Song Y, Paulson EC, Roses RE, Fraker DL, Kelz RR, Miura JT, Karakousis GC: Does multicenter care impact the outcomes of surgical patients with gastrointestinal malignancies requiring complex multimodality therapy? Journal of Surgical Oncology 122(4): 729-738, Sept. 2020 Notes: Epub June 20, 2020.
- Concors SJ, Murken DR, Hernandez PT, Mahmoud NN, Paulson EC: The volume-outcome relationship in robotic protectectomy: Does center volume matter? Results of a national cohort study. Surgical Endoscopy 34(10): 4472-4480, Oct. 2020 Notes: Epub Oct. 21, 2019.
- Falcone M, Luo C, Chen Y, Birtwell D, Cheatle M, Duan R, Gabriel PE, He L, Ko EM, Lenz HJ, Mirkovic N, Mowery DL, Ochroch EA, Paulson EC, Schriver E, Schnoll RA, Bekelman JE, Lerman C: Risk of persistent opioid use following major surgery in matched samples of patients with and without cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 29(11): 2126-2123, Nov. 2020 Notes: Epub Aug. 28, 2020.
- Robertson DJ, Dominitz JA, Beed A, Boardman KD, Del Curto BJ, Guarino PD, Imperiale TF, LaCasse A, Larson MF, Gupta S, Lieberman D, Planeta B, Shaukat A, Sultan S, Menees SB, Saini SD, Schoenfeld P, Goebel S, von Rosenvinge EC, Baffy G, Halasz I, Pedrosa MC, Kahng LS, Cassim R, Greer KB, Kinnard MF, Bhatt DB, Dunbar KB, Harford WV Jr, Mengshol JA, Olson JE, Patel SG, Antaki F, Fisher DA, Sullivan BA, Lenza C, Prajapati DN, Wong H, Beyth R, Lieb JG 2nd, Manlolo J, Ona FV, Cole RA, Khalaf N, Kahi CJ, Kohli DR, Rai T, Sharma P, Anastasiou J, Hagedorn C, Fernando RS, Jackson CS, Jamal MM, Lee RH, Merchant F, May FP, Pisegna JR, Omer E, Parajuli D, Said A, Nguyen TD, Tombazzi CR, Feldman PA, Jacob L, Koppelman RN, Lehenbauer KP, Desai DS, Madhoun MF, Tierney WM, Ho MQ, Hockman HJ, Lopez C, Carter Paulson E, Tobi M, Pinillos HL, Young M, Ho NC, Mascarenhas R, Promrat K, Mutha PR, Pandak WM Jr, Shah T, Schubert M, Pancotto FS, Gawron AJ, Underwood AE, Ho SB, Magno-Pagatzaurtundua P, Toro DH, Beymer CH, Kaz AM, Elwing J, Gill JA, Goldsmith SF, Yao MD, Protiva P, Pohl H, Kyriakides T; CONFIRM Study Group: Baseline features and reasons for nonparticipation in the colonoscopy versus fecal immunochemical test in reducing mortality from colorectal cancer (CONFIRM) study, a colorectal cancer screening trial. JAMA Network Open 6(7): e2321730, July 3 2023.
Research Publications, peer-reviewed reviews:
- Paulson EC: Biologic therapy and surgery for Crohn's disease. Clinics in Colon & Rectal Surgery 26(2): 128-134, June 2013.
- Smith RK, Paulson EC: Perianal fistulas in patient with inflammatory bowel disease. Seminars in Colorectal Surgery 25(4): 216-220, Dec. 2014.
- Saur N, Paulson EC: Operative management of anastomotic leaks after colorectal surgery. Clinics in Colon & Rectal Surgery 32(3): 190-195, May 2019 Notes: Epub Apr. 2, 2019.
Abstracts (Last 3 years)
- Dominitz JA, Robertson DJ, Beed A, Ahnen D, Boardman KD, Del Curto B, Guarino P, Imperiale TF, Johnson GR, Kyriakides T, LaCasse AJ, Larson M, Lieberman, DA, Provenzale D, Shaukat A, Sultan S, Planeta BM, On Behalf of the CONFIRM Study Group: Longterm annual and biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT) adherence in a multi-center study of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Gastroenterology 162(3 Suppl): S199, May 2022 Notes: Presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022, Philadelphia, PA, May 2022; Dr. Paulson a member of the CONFIRM Study Group.
- Robertson D, Dominitz J, Beed A, Williams A, Boardman K, Imperiale T, Lieberman D, Provenzale D, Shaukat A, Sultan S, Kyriakides T, On Behalf of the CONFIRM Study Group: The association of race and ethnicity on prior colorectal cancer screening test use in a large clinical trial of U.S. veterans. Gastroenterology 162(7 Suppl): S59, May 2022 Notes: Presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022, Philadelphia, PA, May 2022; Dr. Paulson a member of the CONFIRM Study Group.
Editorials, Reviews, Chapters, including participation in committee reports (print or other media)
- Paulson E Carter, Singhal Sunil, Kucharczuk John C, Sterman Daniel H, Kaiser Larry R, Marshall M Blair: Bronchial sleeve resection for posttransplant stricture. Annals of Thoracic Surgery 76(6): 2075-2076, Dec. 2003 Notes: [Case Report]
- Paulson E Carter, Mahmoud Najjia N: Sigmoid colon duplication cysts. The American Surgeon 74(3): 250-252, Mar. 2008 Notes: [Case Report]
- Paulson EC, Kelz RR: Adrenalectomy. Gowned and Gloved Surgery: Introduction to Common Procedures. Roses RE, Paulson EC, Kanchwala SK, Morris JB (eds.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Page: 60-70, 2009 Notes: Chap.19.
- Paulson EC, Mahmoud NN: Colectomy. Gowned and Gloved Surgery: Introduction to Common Procedures. Roses RE, Paulson EC, Kanchwala SK, Morris JB (eds.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Page: 131-144, 2009 Notes: Chap. 16.
- Paulson EC, Roses RE, Morris JB: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gowned and Gloved Surgery: Introduction to Common Procedures. Roses RE, Paulson EC, Kanchwala SK, Morris JB (eds.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Page: 92-101, 2009 Notes: Chap. 12.
- Paulson EC, Sonnad S: Statistics. The Surgical Review: An Integrated Basic and Clinical Science Study Guide, 3rd Edition. Porrett PM, Roses RE, Frederick JR, Kaiser LR (eds.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Page: 60-70, 2009 Notes: Section 1, Chap. 6.
- Paulson EC, Mahmoud NN: Evidence-based decision-making in colon and rectal surgery. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 7th Edition. Yeo C (eds.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Page: 2308-2316, 2013 Notes: Chap. 183.
- Gupta M, Paulson EC, Kelz RR: Statistics and epidemiology. The Surgical Review: An Integrated Basic and Clinical Science Study Guide,4th Edition. Porrett PM, Atluri P, Karakousis G, Roses RE, Drebin JA (eds.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Page: 69-81, 2015 Notes: Section I, Chap. 6.
- Paulson EC, O'Hara M, Mahmoud N: Colorectal cancer. BMJ Best Practices Update 2016 Notes: http://us.bestpractice.bmj.com.
- Kaplan LJ, Paulson EC: Cavitary versus luminal sources of bleeding. Hemorrhagic Shock: Recognition, Pathophysiology and Management. Pascual JL, Cannon JW (eds.). Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Page: 217-232, 2017 Notes: Chap. 12.
- Mahmoud NN, Fry RD, Paulson EC, Shanmugan S, Bleier JIS: Colon and rectum. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biologic Basis of Surgical Disease, 20th Edition. Townsend M Jr. (eds.). Philadelphia: Elsevier, Page: 1312-1393, 2017 Notes: Section X, Chap. 51.
- Paulson EC, Mahmoud N: Quality improvement: Preventing readmission after ileostomy formation. Difficult Decisions in Colorectal Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach. Hyman N, Umanskiy K (eds.). New York: Springer, Page: 503-510, 2017 Notes: Part VII, Chap. 44.
- Paulson EC, O'Hara M, Mahmoud N: Colorectal cancer. BMJ Best Practices Update 2017 Notes: on-line resource (review).
- Paulson EC, Mahmoud NN: Evidence-based decision-making in colon and rectal surgery. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 8th Edition. Yeo C (eds.). Elsevier Health Sciences, Mar. 2018 Notes: Part 5, Chap. 181.
- Concors SJ, Roses RE, Paulson EC: ASO author reflections: Hepatectomy and proctectomy for metastatic rectal cancer: Is a combined approach best for all patients? Annals of Surgical Oncology 26(12): 3980-3981, Nov. 2019 Notes: Epub July 29, 2019 [Invited Commentary]
- Whealon MD, Paulson EC: Benefit or bias: Using retrospective databases to evaluate efficacy of cancer treatments. Colorectal Disease 4(8): 899-903, Aug. 2022.
Books
- Roses RE, Paulson EC, Kanchwala SK, Morris JB: Gowned and Gloved Surgery: Introduction to Common Procedures. Gowned and Gloved Surgery: Introduction to Common Procedures. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2009.