Dr. Nicholas D. Harrel, MD, FACS

Media Releases

Tempe St. Luke's Hospital Chief of Surgery Advocates for Patient Education and Comprehensive Care

A distinguished general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery, Dr. Harrel is the Chief of Surgery and Bariatric Medical Director at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He is dedicated to helping patients achieve long-term weight loss success through innovative procedures and patient education.

Graduating from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, Dr. Harrel completed his surgical residency at Creighton University School of Medicine. He further honed his expertise in bariatric surgery at the Abrazo Scottsdale Campus, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. His commitment to excellence is underscored by his affiliation with the Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital, a certified Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program center.

Dr. Harrel’s surgical practice encompasses a range of procedures, including those aimed at addressing difficulties with swallowing and heartburn, alongside his primary focus on bariatric weight loss surgery. He believes that successful weight loss is not just about the surgery itself, but also about empowering patients through education. “Patient education is key to achieving long-term success with weight loss,” says Dr. Harrel. “Understanding the process, the changes required, and the support available is crucial for lasting results.”

In addition to his clinical practice, he is an esteemed teaching professor of surgery for the Mountain Vista General Surgery Residency Program, where he trains the next generation of surgeons. His dedication to education and mentorship is reflected in his recognition as a Top Doc in Phoenix and as an active Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. 

Advocating for a holistic, team-based approach to patient care, Dr. Harrel emphasizes the importance of treating the individual rather than just the disease. This philosophy, combined with his expertise in foregut and bariatric procedures, positions him as a leader in the field of minimally invasive surgery.

When he is not in the operating room, he enjoys cooking and shooting, and he treasures his vacations in Jamaica.

Recommended Articles

• What Conditions Warrant a Hysterectomy?

  Upon reaching reproductive age, the womb (uterus) creates ideal conditions for pregnancy, gestation, and delivery of a baby. But many things can go wrong within the female reproductive system. Development of fibroid masses, outgrowths of the endometrial lining, and excessive vaginal bleeding are...

• Hydrocephalus: What Is It?

  Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in the head. It comes from the Greek words “hydro”, which means water, and “cephalus”, which means head. It is a component of several congenital health problems, but may be caused by head injuries, too. In some cases,...

• What Are the Risks of Gallbladder Surgery?

  Your gallbladder has a very big role in the body during digestion. It is the organ that collects a fluid known as bile, which helps you to digest food. If your gallbladder develops complications, you may need to have it removed. You may also have it removed if you develop gallstones. Gallstones are...

• Everything You Need to Know About Gallbladder Surgery

  Open gallbladder removal, also known as open cholecystectomy, is a surgical operation removing the gallbladder. The objective of the procedure is to offer permanent relief from gallbladder-related problems such as gallstones. During the surgery, a large incision is made in the abdomen and used to...

• An Appendectomy for Appendicitis

  Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a tube-like extension attached to the large intestine. The appendix has no known function, but one thing for certain is that one can live without it with no apparent consequences.Appendicitis is a life and death kind of matter and should be treated...

• What are Cataracts: Get the Facts

  Cataract is the blurring of the lens part of the eye that can lead to complications in vision. Aging is the cause of the common form of cataract. It grows slowly and should symptoms develop they should not be ignored as this condition worsens with time. Congenital defects, previous eye surgery,...