About Austin Cannon, MD
Austin Cannon, MD, joined Western Surgical Group in January 2026, bringing specialized expertise in colorectal surgery and comprehensive general surgery to Northern Nevada. Dr. Cannon is a dual board-certified surgeon, certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, with extensive training in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques.
Dr. Cannon earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry Minor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with distinction. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, where he also received an American Medical Association Research Seed Grant to fund a surgical research year. Following medical school, Dr. Cannon completed his General Surgery residency at the University of Utah, including a dedicated surgical research year, and went on to complete his Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University.
Most recently, Dr. Cannon served as a Colorectal and General Surgeon at Intermountain Medical Center and the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he also held adjunct faculty positions with the University of Utah General Surgery Residency and the Colon & Rectal Surgery Fellowship at St. Mark’s Hospital. His commitment to surgical education and mentorship has been a consistent thread throughout his career.
Specialized Training & Expertise
Dr. Cannon has completed advanced training in robotic colorectal surgery, including the Intuitive Colorectal Surgical Fellow Course and Certificate of Robotic Surgery Training. His research comparing robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery outcomes and cost-effectiveness has been presented at national conferences and earned recognition as the Best Resident Presentation at the Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Education & Training
- Fellowship, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 2021–2022
- Residency, General Surgery, University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics, 2015–2021
- Surgical Research Year, University of Utah, 2018–2019
- Doctor of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2010–2015
- Bachelor of Science, Biology with Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006–2010 (Graduate with Distinction)
- Board Certified, American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (2023)
- Board Certified, American Board of Surgery (2021)
Areas of Expertise
- Colorectal Surgery: Surgical treatment for colon cancer, rectal cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), and benign colorectal conditions
- Minimally Invasive & Robotic Colorectal Surgery: Advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques for colorectal procedures
- General Surgery: Comprehensive general surgical care including abdominal surgery, hernia repair, and emergency general surgery
- Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: Surgical management of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and other hereditary cancer syndromes
- Anorectal Conditions: Treatment for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas, and other anorectal disorders
- Emergency General Surgery: Acute surgical conditions requiring urgent intervention
Research & Academic Contributions
Dr. Cannon has an extensive research background spanning surgical oncology, colorectal surgery outcomes, healthcare quality, and patient access. His work has been published in prestigious journals including JAMA Surgery, Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Academic Emergency Medicine. He has presented his research at major national conferences including the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress and the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting.
His research interests include surgical outcomes in familial adenomatous polyposis, cost-effectiveness of robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery, factors affecting patient access to surgical care, and emergency general surgery readmissions. He was awarded the Best Trainee Presentation Award at the 2019 Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Academic Appointments & Teaching
- Former Adjunct Faculty, Colon & Rectal Surgery Fellowship, St. Mark’s Hospital, Salt Lake City (2023–2025)
- Former Adjunct Faculty, General Surgery Residency, University of Utah (2022–2025)
- Former Administrative Chief Resident, University of Utah General Surgery Residency (2020–2021)
- ATLS Instructor Certification (2018–2023)
Certifications & Advanced Training
- American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) Certification
- American Board of Surgery (ABS) Certification in General Surgery
- Intuitive Colorectal Surgical Fellow Course Completion
- Intuitive Certificate of Robotic Surgery Training
- Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) Course
- Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) Certification
- Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Certification
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Instructor
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
Professional Memberships & Leadership
- American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons – Resident and Associate Society
- Former Member, Surgical Outcomes Club (2018–2022)
- Former Surgical Resident Representative, GME Patient Care & Safety Group (2018–2021)
- Former Resident Representative, Graduate Medical Education Committee, University of Utah (2018–2019)
Selected Publications
- McCrum M, Cannon AR, Allen CM, et al. Contributors to Increased Mortality Associated with Care Fragmentation After Emergency General Surgery. JAMA Surgery. 2020;155(9):841-848.
- Cannon AR, Keener M, Neklason D, Pickron TB. Surgical Interventions, malignancies, and causes of death in a FAP patient registry. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Dec 2019.
- Acher AW, Bleicher J, Cannon A, Scaife C. Advances in surgery for pancreatic cancer. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. Dec 2018;9(6):1037-43.
- Cannon AR, Owen MK, Guerrero MS, et al. Palladin Expression is a Conserved Characteristic of the Desmoplastic Tumor Microenvironment. Cytoskeleton (cover article). Aug 2015;72(8):402-11.
Awards & Honors
- 2024-2025: Intermountain’s Top 10% of Patient Satisfaction and Quality
- 2019: Best Trainee Presentation Award, Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting
- 2019: Travel Research Award, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Gastrointestinal Cancers Center
- 2014: AMA Research Seed Grant
- 2006–2010: Dean’s List, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Cannon is committed to providing evidence-based, patient-centered surgical care. His extensive research background informs his clinical practice, ensuring patients benefit from the latest advances in colorectal surgery. He believes in comprehensive communication with patients, taking time to explain diagnoses, treatment options, and expected outcomes in understandable terms. His training in both academic medical centers and the VA health system has given him a deep appreciation for serving diverse patient populations with varying needs and circumstances.
Leadership in Surgical Education
Throughout his career, Dr. Cannon has demonstrated strong commitment to surgical education. As Administrative Chief Resident at the University of Utah, he led resident education initiatives and served on multiple committees focused on graduate medical education and patient safety. His role as adjunct faculty at both the general surgery residency and colorectal surgery fellowship levels reflects his dedication to training the next generation of surgeons. He has served as a discussant at national conferences and has been recognized for excellence in teaching.
Personal Interests
Outside of medicine, Dr. Cannon enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, including skiing, hiking, traveling, and golfing.
Commitment to Northern Nevada
Dr. Cannon brings a wealth of experience in both academic and community practice settings to Western Surgical Group. His dual board certification in general surgery and colorectal surgery, combined with his expertise in minimally invasive and robotic techniques, allows him to offer comprehensive surgical care for a wide range of conditions. Whether managing complex colorectal cancers, treating benign anorectal conditions, or providing emergency general surgery care, Dr. Cannon is committed to delivering the highest quality surgical outcomes while maintaining a compassionate, patient-focused approach.
His research background in patient access and surgical outcomes reflects his broader commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring all patients receive timely, appropriate surgical care. Dr. Cannon is excited to join Western Surgical Group and serve the Northern Nevada community.
