Tracey A. Dechert, MD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Tracey A. Dechert, MD, is Chief of Acute Care and Trauma Surgery at Boston Medical Center and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (CASM). Appointed Chief in 2022, Dr. Dechert is the first woman to be named Surgical Trauma Chief at a Level 1 adult trauma center in Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Dechert completed her residency in general surgery at the Medical College of Virginia and a fellowship in the Department of Traumatology and Surgical Critical Care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Dechert’s research interests are focused on injury prevention; health services research, including social determinants of trauma, surgical equity, and advocacy; and surgical education. In 2014, Dr. Dechert’s passions and interests led her to create Socially Responsible Surgery (SRS), which she cofounded with a CASM medical student. SRS identifies opportunities and fosters engagement in leadership, research, and collaboration in the training, development, and promotion of surgeons committed to surgical equity. The topic of surgical equity falls under a broader recognition that social responsibility and social accountability need increased attention in medicine. This includes equal access to surgical care, eliminating healthcare disparities, and increasing patient advocacy. Since its founding, SRS has grown to be a national organization, with chapters at institutions across the country. SRS chapters are committed to their local communities as well as advocating for change in underserved communities nationally and internationally. SRS empowers medical students, residents, and faculty to combine their interest in surgery with this commitment.

Publications

  • Published 9/16/2025

    Dechert TA, Love-Craighead A, Kotagal M, Smith RN, Dicker RA. Meaningful Community Partnership: Recommendations from the Improving Social Determinants to Attenuate Violence Workgroup of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. J Am Coll Surg. 2025 Oct 01; 241(4):704-710. PMID: 40454689.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/10/2025

    Beaulieu-Jones BR, Smith SM, Kobzeva-Herzog AJ, Nofal MR, Abou-Ezzi M, Melici M, Desai P, Fefferman A, Dechert TA, Janeway MG, Sanchez SE. Association of houselessness and outcomes after traumatic injury: A retrospective, matched cohort study at an urban, academic level-one trauma center. Injury. 2025 May; 56(5):112214. PMID: 39966000.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/6/2025

    Smith SM, Kobzeva-Herzog A, McGillen P, Castagne-Charlotin M, Davies J, Sanchez SE, Dechert T, Brahmbhatt TS, Theodore S. Internalized Shame Experiences and Burnout in General Surgery Residents. J Surg Educ. 2025 Apr; 82(4):103447. PMID: 39919584.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/21/2025

    Janeway MG, Cornell E, Smith SM, Buck AK, Neufeld M, Weinberg J, Talutis SD, Jreige N, Liang V, Munzert T, Dechert T, Sanchez SE, Allee L. Disparities in Rehabilitation Services for Victims of Violence. J Surg Res. 2025 Feb; 306:317-326. PMID: 39842045.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/15/2024

    Smith SM, Counihan D, Stolarski A, Buck AK, Janeway M, Saillant NN, Torres C, Dechert T, Scantling D. Gentrification, gun violence, and disparities in access to care for shooting victims. Am J Surg. 2025 Jun; 244:116149. PMID: 39753464.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 68 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Websites

Education

  • Temple University, MD
  • Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, BA

View all profiles