Biography

Adam Alder, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in pediatric and neonatal surgery, including pediatric lung and esophageal surgery, surgical oncology, chest wall reconstruction, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery. 

Dr. Alder earned his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at UT Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital and received advanced training in pediatric surgery through a fellowship at Children's Medical Center and UT Southwestern. He also holds a master’s degree in clinical science from UT Southwestern. 

Certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and pediatric surgery, he joined UT Southwestern in 2005. 

Dr. Alder serves as Director of the Center for Chest Wall Anomalies and Pectus, a collaboration between UT Southwestern and Children's Health that treats patients with chest wall anomalies using all available treatment modalities, including the Nuss procedure, the Ravitch procedure, and other bracing and surgical reconstruction techniques. The center is one of the few in the nation to provide the Dynamic Compression Bracing System, a state-of-the-art treatment for patients with pectus.

Dr. Alder is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Specialty Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He serves on several committees, including the education committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics section on surgery and the research committee for the International Pediatric Endosurgical Group.

Having completed the National Institutes of Health-funded Clinical and Translational Science Awards program, Dr. Alder remains active in research. He is developing the Center for Advanced Research in Surgery, which will focus on clinical research related to pediatric thoracic and general surgery. He is currently focused on identifying the underlying cause of and best treatment for acute appendicitis in children and on improving the care of children and young adults with chest wall anomalies such as pectus excavatum. He has delivered numerous national and regional lectures and has published several academic articles.

Education & Training
  • Other Post Graduate Training - UT Southwestern Medical School (2005-2012)
  • Fellowship - UT Southwestern/Children's Medical Center (2010-2012), Pediatric Surgery
  • Graduate School - UT Southwestern Medical School (2005-2012)
  • Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2002-2009), General Surgery
  • Medical School - Tulane University School of Medicine (1998-2002)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American Pediatric Surgical Society
  • Association for Academic Surgery
  • International Pediatric Endosurgical Group
  • Dallas Medical Society
  • Texas Medical Association
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2022
  • D Magazine Best Pediatric Specialist 2020
Books & Publications
Research
  • Trauma
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Pediatric Solid Tumors
  • Pediatric Endocrine and Thyroid Conditions
  • Pectus Excavatum
  • Pectus Carinatum
  • National Surgical Quality Improvement Program - Ped
  • Clinical Trials and Patient Oriented Research
  • Chest Wall Deformity
  • Center for Advanced Research in Surgery
  • Appendicitis

Clinical Focus

  • Chest Wall Deformity

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Adam Alder, M.D.

Dr. Alder talks about his approach to patient care.