Chandler Wilfong, MD
Dr. Chandler Wilfong, MD, FACS, is a board-certified hepatobiliary and general surgeon with advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery and hepatopancreaticobiliary procedures. He has a distinguished record of leadership in surgical innovation, robotic surgery programs, and quality improvement initiatives. A recognized expert in complex minimally invasive and robotic techniques for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies, he brings deep expertise in translating cutting-edge surgical approaches into improved clinical outcomes for patients.
Dr. Wilfong’s expertise aligns directly with the mission of the Breakthrough Treatment Center—to accelerate access to cutting-edge therapies and novel clinical trials for patients facing difficult-to-treat cancers. His leadership in building robust robotic surgery programs and advancing complex oncologic resections will play a pivotal role in expanding the Center’s surgical capabilities, creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and hope for patients across the region.
Before joining OSF, Dr. Wilfong completed an Advanced GI/MIS and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Fellowship at Florida Hospital Tampa. During his General Surgery Residency at SUNY University at Buffalo, he served as Administrative Chief Resident and completed a dedicated research year at Roswell Park Cancer Institute focused on novel immunotherapeutic strategies and isolated limb perfusion for melanoma.
Since joining OSF Medical Group in 2018, Dr. Wilfong has served as Hepatobiliary and General Surgeon and Lead Physician for OSF Medical Group Surgery in Peoria. He is Chairman of the OSF St. Francis Robotics Committee and actively participates on the OSF St. Francis Cancer Committee, Oncology Steering Committee, and Oncology QA Committee. He was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria in 2021.
Dr. Wilfong’s research spans key areas in surgical oncology, including robotic and laparoscopic approaches to hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies, surgical outcomes following complex GI and oncologic resections, and the integration of innovative technologies in cancer surgery.
Research Areas of Interest
- Minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques for hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and upper gastrointestinal malignancies
- Surgical outcomes, learning curves, and quality improvement in complex oncologic resections
- Application of regional and immunotherapeutic strategies in solid tumor management
Education & Training
- Advanced GI/MIS and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Fellowship, Florida Hospital Tampa, Tampa, FL
- Residency in General Surgery (Administrative Chief Resident), SUNY University at Buffalo Department of Surgery, Buffalo, NY
- PGY-3 Research Year, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
- Doctor of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Professional Memberships
- Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA/IHPBA)
- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- American College of Surgeons (ACS) Illinois Chapter of the American College of Surgeons
Selected Publications
The Evolving Landscape of Esophageal Cancer: A Four-Decade Analysis. The American Surgeon. 2019.
Duodenal Adenocarcinoma: Profile and Predictors of Survival Outcomes. The American Surgeon. 2015.