Alexander Lorenzo Colonna,
MD, MSCI, FACS
Languages Spoken: English, French
Dr. Colonna specializes in Acute Care Surgery which is composed of Trauma Surgery, Emergency General Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care. His clinical practice includes the University Hospital SICU and the University Trauma and Emergency Surgery (UTES) service. Dr. Colonna also has a General Surgery Clinic focused on basic general surgical pathology with a special interest in complex abdominal wall hernias. He is originally from South Carolina and completed his General Surgery Residency at East Tennessee State University. He went on to complete Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowships at Wake Forest University. After a brief detour in private practice, Dr. Colonna joined the faculty at the University of Utah in 2012. Dr. Colonna has been Army Reservist since 2003 and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has completed multiple deployments to the Middle East to serve as a trauma surgeon taking care of the combat wounded. He also serves as the Program Director for the Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowships. Dr. Colonna has a focus on medical education, mentoring medical students going into general surgery, directing the core sub-internship in general surgery, and working with SCC/ACS fellows. His research interests include cost-effectiveness analysis, educational research with a focus on simulation, and acute care surgery/trauma.
Clinical Locations
General Surgery, Area E
801-585-7403
Fax: (801) 587-9370
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Associate Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) American Board of Surgery (Sub: Surgical Critical Care) |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.4/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.5/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.5/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.4/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.4/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
November 07, 2022
University Hospital
I was told I'd meet with the surgeon and it was an assistant who wasn't able to answer my questions because he didn't take part in the sugary. This was my second appointment trying to talk to the surgeon , was told I would, and each time it was someone else.
UofU Patient
May 27, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
I paid an entire copay to be told nothing is wrong and they can't do anything about something that has changed in my body "right now" and to get told that the discoloration in my leg is permanent scar tissue and then was told/asked "sounds good?" No that doesn't sound good. It doesn't look good and it doesn't feel good to be told that you can't do anything for something that has changed in my body and doesn't feel normal. I could have stayed home for that. I'm pissed I paid a copay for that and I almost started crying in my appointment when the ATTENDING literally said those words to me.
UofU Patient
May 22, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
He was fantastic and understanding and took my concerns seriously
UofU Patient
April 25, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
They made me wait over an hour past my initial appointment, and then did not have any of the information that THEY made the appointment to see me about.
UofU Patient
March 02, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
I first spoke with Dr. Megan Wojick (resident) - she was incredibly kind, professional, and a great listener; and she discussed my concerns/questions with compassion. Dr. Colonna (attending) came in next, to discuss additional questions that I had. Both providers were great and I felt that all my questions/concerns were addressed thoroughly. Also really liked the virtual visit format - everything went smoothly and it was great to have a follow-up at home without having to go to the hospital. Many thanks!
UofU Patient
December 17, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Excellent-- exceeded expectations
Dr. Colonna specializes in Acute Care Surgery which is composed of Trauma Surgery, Emergency General Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care. His clinical practice includes the University Hospital SICU and the University Trauma and Emergency Surgery (UTES) service. Dr. Colonna also has a General Surgery Clinic focused on basic general surgical pathology with a special interest in complex abdominal wall hernias. He is originally from South Carolina and completed his General Surgery Residency at East Tennessee State University. He went on to complete Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowships at Wake Forest University. After a brief detour in private practice, Dr. Colonna joined the faculty at the University of Utah in 2012. Dr. Colonna has been Army Reservist since 2003 and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has completed multiple deployments to the Middle East to serve as a trauma surgeon taking care of the combat wounded. He also serves as the Program Director for the Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowships. Dr. Colonna has a focus on medical education, mentoring medical students going into general surgery, directing the core sub-internship in general surgery, and working with SCC/ACS fellows. His research interests include cost-effectiveness analysis, educational research with a focus on simulation, and acute care surgery/trauma.
Academic Locations
School of Medicine
801-585-1436
(801) 587-9370
Research Statement
Education, Simulation, Virtual Reality, App Development
Acute Care Surgery (Trauma, EGS, Critical Care)
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Associate Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) American Board of Surgery (Sub: Surgical Critical Care) |
Research Interests
- Virtual Reality
- Acute Care Surgery
- Education (Medical and Graduate)
- Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Education History
| Graduate Training | University of Utah (Master of Science in Clinical Investigation) M.S.C.I, 2017 |
| Fellowship | Wake Forest University, Department of Surgery Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery Fellow, 2010 |
| Chief Resident | East Tennessee State University, Department of Surgery Surgery Chief Resident, 2008 |
| Residency | East Tennessee State University, Department of Surgery Surgery Resident, 2007 |
| Professional Medical | Medical University of South Carolina Medicine M.D., 2002 |
| Undergraduate | Emory University Major in History; Major in French Literature; Minor in Pre-Med B.A., 1998 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Colonna AL, Robbins R, Stefanucci J, Creem-Regeh S, Patterson B, Engel BT, Fischer A, Nirula R (2022). Trauma bay virtual reality-A game changer for ATLS instruction and assessment. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 93(3), 353-359.
- Senekjian L, Birkas Y, Buhavac M, Dayal S, Mukherjee K, Nygaard R, Pierce S, Buaza G, Sperry J, Eriksson E, Leon SM, Kopelman T, Spadafore P, Kopatsis A, Moore F, Taylor A, Colonna A, Enniss T, McCrum M, Nunez J, Young J, Nirula R (2020). Stop flailing: The impact of bicortically displaced rib fractures on pulmonary outcomes in patients with chest trauma - an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 89(4), 658-664.
- Carlock TC, Barrett JR, Kalvelage JP, Young JB, Nunez JM, Colonna AL, Enniss TM, Nirula R, McCrum ML (2019). Telephone Follow-Up for Emergency General Surgery Procedures: Safety and Implication for Health Resource Use. J Am Coll Surg, 230(2), 228-236.
- Colonna AL, Bellows BK, Enniss TM, Young JB, McCrum M, Nunez JM, Nirula R, Nelson RE (2020). Reducing the pain: A cost-effectiveness analysis of transversus abdominis plane block using liposomal bupivacaine for outpatient laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. 2(2), 75-80.
- Colonna AL, Bellows BK, Enniss TM, Young JB, McCrum M, Nunez JM, Nirula R, Nelson RE (2020). Reducing the pain: A cost-effectiveness analysis of transversus abdominis plane block using liposomal bupivacaine for outpatient laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Surg Open Sci, 2(2), 75-80.
- Colonna AL, Griffiths TM, Robison DC, Enniss TM, Young JB, McCrum ML, Nunez JM, Nirula R, Hardman RL (2019). Cholecystostomy: Are we using it correctly? Am J Surg, 217(6), 1010-1015.
- Byrge N, Heilbrun M, Winkler N, Sommers D, Evans H, Cattin LM, Scalea T, Stein DM, Neideen T, Walsh P, Sims CA, Brahmbhatt TS, Galante JM, Phan HH, Malhotra A, Stovall RT, Jurkovich GJ, Coimbra R, Berndtson AE, OCallaghan TA, Gaspard SF, Schreiber MA, Cook MR, Demetriades D, Rivera O, Velmahos GC, Zhao T, Park PK, Machado-Aranda D, Ahmad S, Lewis J, Hoff WS, Suleiman G, Sperry J, Zolin S, Carrick MM, Mallory GR, Nunez J, Colonna A, Enniss T, Nirula R (2018). An AAST-MITC analysis of pancreatic trauma: Staple or sew? Resect or drain? J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 85(3), 435-443.
- Colonna AL, Byrge NR, Nelson SD, Nelson RE, Hunter MC, Nirula R (2016). Nonoperative management of adhesive small bowel obstruction: what is the break point? Am J Surg, 212(6), 1214-1221.
- Becher RD, Colonna AL, Enniss TM, Weaver AA, Crane DK, Martin RS, Mowery NT, Miller PR, Stitzel JD, Hoth JJ (2012). An innovative approach to predict the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome in patients with blunt trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 73(5), 1229-35.
- Bleicher J, Lambert LA, Scaife, CL, Colonna AL, et al (). Understanding Current Management of Malignant Bowel Obstructions: A Survey of National Opinions. (Epub ahead of print) J Trauma Acute Care Surg.
Book Chapter
- Alexander Colonna, Tyler Pender, Anthony Bacon et al (2021). Preoperative Evaluation and Decision Making. When to Operate and By Which Approach: Tube Cholecystostomy. In DI CARLO, Isidoro (Eds.), Difficult Acute Cholecystitis - Treatment and technical issue (1st Edition, p. 174). Switzerland: Springer.
- Bradley Kuhn, Alexander Colonna (2018). Spine Fracture SCORE Module. In SCORE. www.surgicalcore.org.
- Duletzke, N Colonna, AL (2017). Inguinal and Femoral Hernia- Repair. In Surgical Council on Resident Education - SCORE learning module.
- Colonna A, Volckmann ES, Young J, Wayne Meredith JA, Neumayer LT, Berger ER (2017). General Surgery. In Hoyt DB, Ko CY (Eds.), Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety (p. 4). American College of Surgeons.
- Colonna AL, Meredith JW, Mowery, NT (2011). Myocardial Contusion. In Hall JB, Vincent JL (Eds.). Springer, Berlin: Encyclopedia of Intensive Care Medicine.
- Colonna A, Meredith JW (2011). American College of Surgeons Resouces Document. In Hall JB, Vincent JL (Eds.). Springer, Berlin: Encyclopedia of Intensive Care Medicine.
Letter
Global Impact
Awards & Honors
| Army Commendation Medal Deployment in support of Operation New Dawn 256th Combat Support Hospital Al Asad Airbase, Iraq | Iraq |
| Army Achievement Medal Deployment in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom 1st Forward Surgical Team Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan | Afghanistan |
| Army Achievement Medal Award for Service During Operation Freedom's Sentinel 628th Forward Surgical Team Camp Dahlke, Afghanistan | Afghanistan |
| Army Achievement Medal Deployment in Support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel 848th Forward Surgical Team Camp Dahlke, Afghanistan | Afghanistan |
Presentations
| International Trauma Collaboration - Trauma Resuscitation in Low Resource Area Baylor Global Trauma Collaboration Series | India |