Michael R. Fenlon
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Michael R. Fenlon, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

University of Utah Hospital

General Surgery, Area E
50 N Medical Dr
Salt Lake City , UT 84132
801-585-1618
Get Directions

Transplant Center

Transplant Center
50 N Medical Dr
Salt Lake City , UT 84132
801-587-2965
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Michael Fenlon, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon with specialized expertise in both adult and pediatric transplant and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. His clinical practice spans the full spectrum of abdominal organ transplantation, including liver, kidney, and pancreas, as well as complex HPB surgery and general surgery. Dr. Fenlon is known for his innovative approach to solving complex surgical problems and his commitment to improving outcomes for patients with the most challenging conditions.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Fenlon provides advanced surgical care for a broad range of conditions and procedures, including:

  • Liver transplantation (adult and pediatric)

  • Kidney transplantation (adult and pediatric)

  • Pancreas transplantation

  • Multiorgan abdominal transplant surgery

  • Living donor transplantation

  • Pediatric abdominal organ transplantation

  • Hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery

  • Hepatic Resections (Open, Robotic)

  • Biliary Revisions

  • Choledochal Cysts

  • Congenital Porto-Systemic Shunts (Abernethy Malformation)

  • Porto-Systemic Shunting

  • Extra Hepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis

  • Liver Tumors

  • Short Bowel Syndrome

  • Normothermic Machine Perfusion (OrganOx Metra and TransMedics OCS).

  • Robotic surgery

Education and Training

Dr. Fenlon completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Southern California, where he discovered his passion for transplant surgery. During training, he also completed a dedicated research fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, focusing on biliary atresia and the pathophysiology of post-Kasai portal fibrosis.

He went on to complete a comprehensive fellowship in abdominal organ transplantation and HPB surgery at Georgetown University Hospital, one of the nation’s most robust programs for adult and pediatric transplant care. He received additional specialized training in pediatric multiorgan transplant and complex HPB surgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, affiliated with Northwestern University.

Dr. Fenlon holds ASTS certification in liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestine transplantation as well as hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery.

Research and Innovation

A passionate innovator, Dr. Fenlon’s research focuses on expanding access to organ transplantation through the use of normothermic machine perfusion. This technology enhances organ preservation and helps expand the donor pool, offering hope to more patients in need of transplants. He is also engaged in efforts to improve transplant outcomes across all age groups, with a particular focus on pediatric patients.

Patient-Centered Surgical Care

Dr. Fenlon is committed to compassionate, individualized care. He partners closely with patients and families, ensuring they understand their options and receive the best treatment plan for their unique needs. Known for his problem-solving mindset and dedication to clinical excellence, Dr. Fenlon brings both technical precision and deep empathy to every case.

Personal Interests

Outside of medicine, Dr. Fenlon enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Surgery

Michael Fenlon, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon with specialized expertise in both adult and pediatric transplant and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. His clinical practice spans the full spectrum of abdominal organ transplantation, including liver, kidney, and pancreas, as well as complex HPB surgery and general surgery. Dr. Fenlon is known for his innovative approach to solving complex surgical problems and his commitment to improving outcomes for patients with the most challenging conditions.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Fenlon provides advanced surgical care for a broad range of conditions and procedures, including:

  • Liver transplantation (adult and pediatric)

  • Kidney transplantation (adult and pediatric)

  • Pancreas transplantation

  • Multiorgan abdominal transplant surgery

  • Living donor transplantation

  • Pediatric abdominal organ transplantation

  • Hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery

  • Hepatic Resections (Open, Robotic)

  • Biliary Revisions

  • Choledochal Cysts

  • Congenital Porto-Systemic Shunts (Abernethy Malformation)

  • Porto-Systemic Shunting

  • Extra Hepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis

  • Liver Tumors

  • Short Bowel Syndrome

  • Normothermic Machine Perfusion (OrganOx Metra and TransMedics OCS).

  • Robotic surgery

Education and Training

Dr. Fenlon completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Southern California, where he discovered his passion for transplant surgery. During training, he also completed a dedicated research fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, focusing on biliary atresia and the pathophysiology of post-Kasai portal fibrosis.

He went on to complete a comprehensive fellowship in abdominal organ transplantation and HPB surgery at Georgetown University Hospital, one of the nation’s most robust programs for adult and pediatric transplant care. He received additional specialized training in pediatric multiorgan transplant and complex HPB surgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, affiliated with Northwestern University.

Dr. Fenlon holds ASTS certification in liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestine transplantation as well as hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery.

Research and Innovation

A passionate innovator, Dr. Fenlon’s research focuses on expanding access to organ transplantation through the use of normothermic machine perfusion. This technology enhances organ preservation and helps expand the donor pool, offering hope to more patients in need of transplants. He is also engaged in efforts to improve transplant outcomes across all age groups, with a particular focus on pediatric patients.

Patient-Centered Surgical Care

Dr. Fenlon is committed to compassionate, individualized care. He partners closely with patients and families, ensuring they understand their options and receive the best treatment plan for their unique needs. Known for his problem-solving mindset and dedication to clinical excellence, Dr. Fenlon brings both technical precision and deep empathy to every case.

Personal Interests

Outside of medicine, Dr. Fenlon enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
Academic Divisions Transplant & Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery
Board Certification
American Board of Surgery

Education history

Undergraduate Major: Human Biology Minor: Humanities - University of California, San Diego, Revelle College B.S.
Undergraduate Study Abroad - UC Center Madrid
Professional Medical Medicine - University of California, Irvine School of Medicine M.D.
Residency Categorical General Surgery - University of Southern California Resident
Fellowship Pediatric Surgery - Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Research Fellow
Residency Categorical General Surgery - University of Southern California Resident
Fellowship Multiorgan Abdominal Transplant and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery - Georgetown University Hospital Fellow
Fellowship Pediatric Transplant and Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery - Lurie Children¿s Hospital of Chicago, McGaw Northwestern University Fellow

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Kelley-Quon LI, Shue E, Burke RV, Smith C, Kling K, Mahdi E, Ourshalimian S, Fenlon M, Dellinger M, Shew SB, Lee J, Padilla B, Inge T, Roach J, Marwan AI, Russell KW, Ignacio R, Fialkowski E, Nijagal A, Im C, Azarow KS, Ostlie DJ, Wang (2022). The need for early Kasai portoenterostomy: a Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium study. Pediatric surgery international, 38(2), 193-199.
  2. Hough M, Fenlon M, Glazier A, Short C, Fernandez GE, Xu J, Mahdi E, Asahina K, Wang K (2021). Urea-based amino sugar agent clears murine liver and preserves protein fluorescence and lipophilic dyes. BioTechniques, 70(2), 72-80.
  3. Fenlon M, Short C, Xu J, Malkoff N, Mahdi E, Hough M, Glazier A, Lee C, Asahina K, Wang K (2020). Prominin-1-expressing hepatic progenitor cells induce fibrogenesis in murine cholestatic liver injury. Physiological reports, 8(14), e14508.
  4. McLaughlin CM, Barin EN, Fenlon M, Azen C, Deakers TW, Stein JE, Bliss DW, Upperman JS, Jensen A (2019). Symptomatic catheter-associated thrombosis in pediatric trauma patients: Choose your access wisely. Surgery, 166(6), 1117-1121.
  5. Zagory JA, Fenlon M, Dietz W, Zhao M, Nguyen MV, Trinh P, Adoumie M, Park A, Xu J, Mahdi E, Glazier A, Malkoff N, Mavila N, Wang KS, in conjunction with the Childhood Liver Disease Research Networ (2019). Prominin-1 Promotes Biliary Fibrosis Associated With Biliary Atresia. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 69(6), 2586-2597.
  6. Golden J, Zagory JA, Fenlon M, Goodhue CJ, Xiao Y, Fu X, Wang KS, Gayer C (2018). Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy in the diagnosis of biliary atresia in children with hyperbilirubinemia. The Journal of surgical research, 228, 228-237.
  7. McLaughlin C, Zagory JA, Fenlon M, Park C, Lane CJ, Meeker D, Burd RS, Ford HR, Upperman JS, Jensen A (2018). Timing of mortality in pediatric trauma patients: A National Trauma Data Bank analysis. Journal of pediatric surgery, 53(2), 344-351.
  8. Nguyen MV, Zagory JA, Dietz WH, Park A, Fenlon M, Zhao M, Xu J, Lua I, Mavila N, Asahina K, Wang K (2017). Hepatic Prominin-1 expression is associated with biliary fibrosis. Surgery, 161(5), 1266-1272.
  9. Zagory JA, Dietz W, Park A, Fenlon M, Xu J, Utley S, Mavila N, Wang K (2017). Notch signaling promotes ductular reactions in biliary atresia. The Journal of surgical research, 215, 250-256.
  10. Zhang L, Murray F, Zahno A, Kanter JR, Chou D, Suda R, Fenlon M, Rassenti L, Cottam H, Kipps TJ, Insel P (2008). Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase profiling reveals increased expression of phosphodiesterase 7B in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(49), 19532-7.

Review

  1. Goodhue C, Fenlon M, Wang K (2017). Newborn screening for biliary atresia in the United States. Pediatric surgery international, 33(12), 1315-1318.

Letter

  1. Song A, Fenlon M, Kelley-Quon LI, Gong CL, Yieh L, Friedlich P, Chapman R, Lakshmanan (2021). Readmissions in neonatal ECMO survivors: a pediatric health information system database analysis. Journal of perinatology, 41(7), 1777-1781.