Effective January 2025, Brian Yorkgitis, DO, PA-C, FACS, assumed the role of division chief of acute care surgery in the Department of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. Based out of two of Indiana’s busiest Level I Trauma Centers, Yorkgitis is committed to advancing the division’s reputation as a national leader in clinical care, research and education.
“My goal is to build the premier acute care surgery division in the country,” said Yorkgitis. “As division chief, my vision is to lead in delivering exceptional patient care, pioneering innovative research and providing world-class education for the next generation of surgeons. We aim to set the benchmark for acute care surgery programs, not only in the United States but globally.”
While Yorkgitis has inherited a team of highly skilled surgeons and healthcare professionals, one of his goals as division chief is to foster a culture that feels like family while strengthening connections with the local community.
“I want to continue to cultivate a family-oriented culture within our team while expanding and enhancing the services we provide both in the hospital and throughout the community,” said Yorkgitis. “Community engagement is a top priority, and I’m excited to connect with people both inside our hospitals and across the greater Indianapolis area. We have an exceptional team of surgeons and surgeon-scientists dedicated to improving emergency surgical care and continuously pushing the boundaries to deliver better outcomes every day.”
Yorkgitis joins the Department of Surgery after a distinguished tenure at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, where he served as associate professor, associate chair of surgery, and held leadership roles including pediatric trauma and PICU medical director, associate adult trauma medical director, and associate medical director for TraumaOne flight and critical care transport. He also served as the tactical physician for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. During his time in Florida, he became a recognized leader in acute care surgery, driving significant advancements in patient care, trauma services, and community engagement.
“During my time in Jacksonville, I’m most proud of achieving ACS verification as a Level I Adult Trauma Center and a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, which reflected the teamwork and dedication we had in delivering exceptional care to our patients and community,” said Dr. Yorkgitis. “We also developed a comprehensive spinal cord injury program, introducing diaphragm pacemakers to help patients wean off ventilators, which is one of their greatest challenges.” He added, “Our expertise grew to make us an international referral center for spinal cord injuries, and I’m excited to bring that same level of innovation here to establish our division as a global leader in this field.”
From a research perspective, Yorkgitis is focused on advancing trauma and emergency general surgery care throughout Indiana by leading prospective, multi-center trials. His work aims to address care coordination challenges, optimize patient outcomes, and develop innovative, evidence-based strategies to bring specialized care closer to patients’ homes.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to drive improvements in both trauma care and emergency general surgery by refining how care is delivered across Indiana,” said Yorkgitis. “Timely, coordinated care is essential, especially in complex cases, and I’m passionate about ensuring patients have access to the best possible treatment—whether they’re in Indianapolis or in more remote areas. By leveraging research and collaboration, we can strengthen the entire system and provide expert care where it’s needed most.”
A Pittsburgh native, Yorkgitis is accustomed to the Midwest weather having spent much of his career in the Northeast before moving to Florida. He’s excited to return to a region with changing seasons and has been grateful for the strong support he’s received during his brief time with the department.
“The support from the residents, staff, and faculty has truly stood out to me,” he said. “Even in my short time here, it’s clear that this department is full of dedicated individuals who are passionate about patient care and creating a collaborative, positive environment.”
You can learn more about Brian Yorkgitis, DO, PA-C, FACS, and the Division of Acute Care Surgery here.
