David Gourlay, MD, FACS, FAAP

Surgeon-in-Chief

David Gourlay, MD, FACS, FAAP, was named Surgeon-in-Chief and the Marie Z. Uihlein Chair in Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Wisconsin in September 2022, but has been a part of our campus community since 2006. He serves as Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and has made a notable impact as the former Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery within the MCW Department of Surgery and as Medical Director of Trauma at Children’s Wisconsin.

Dr. Gourlay has helped lead Children’s Wisconsin to verifications as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, the top distinction from the American College of Surgeons recognizing the skills and dedication of our pediatric experts and the full spectrum of our trauma care. As Division Chief, he has led a team of faculty, physician assistants and nurse practitioners collectively performing more than 3,000 cases a year.

Dr. Gourlay’s research interests include studying methods for improving surgical quality and outcomes, and better treating pediatric trauma. He has served as a site reviewer for both the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and American Academy of Pediatrics - NICU Verification Program. Dr. Gourlay has advanced knowledge through his scientific endeavors, including publishing more than 165 articles, abstracts, original papers, book chapters and reviews, and has presented more than 140 local, regional, national and international lectures and workshops.

He also has demonstrated a deep commitment to the education mission as the recipient of MCW's T. Michael Bolger, JD, Standing Ovation Award in 2014 and the Outstanding Medical Student Teacher Award in 2015.

In addition to his medical accomplishments, Dr. Gourlay has a distinguished military service record with the U.S. Army, including six deployments in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Over his military career he earned numerous service achievement medals, NATO awards and campaign stars. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 2015.

Dr. Gourlay earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California – Santa Barbara and his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He also has completed the Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers Program from Harvard School of Public Health.

Together with his wife Christine and three kids, Dr. Gourlay enjoys playing tennis, Alpine skiing and spending time in his wife’s native Vermont.