(
out of
109
reviews
)
Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South
1950 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City
,
UT
84112
Board Certification
|
American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)
National Board of Medical Examiners
American Board of Surgery
|
Patient Rating
Patients consistently praise Dr. Contreras for clear, thorough explanations and for taking time to answer questions and set realistic expectations. Many highlight his compassion and calming bedside manner, noting they felt listened to and reassured before surgery and supported during recovery. Several reviewers express strong trust in his surgical skill and the care team, crediting him with successful procedures and improved quality of life.
Generated via Patient Reviews
4.9
/5
( out of
109 reviews
)
The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers. The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments |
Surgery
-Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
|---|---|
| Academic Divisions |
Cardiothoracic Surgery
|
| Board Certification |
American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic Surg)
National Board of Medical Examiners
American Board of Surgery
|
Education history
| Undergraduate | Biochemistry - Gonzaga University | B.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Medical | Medicine - Mayo Medical School | M.D. |
| Residency | General Surgery - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science | Resident |
| Chief Resident | General Surgery - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science | Chief Resident |
| Fellowship | Cardiothoracic Surgery - University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine | Fellow |
| Post Graduate Training | Harvard School of Medicine | MSME |
Selected Publications
Journal Article
- Schäfer M, Heiler JC, DiChiacchio L, Ramakrishna S, Tumarkin E, Hill B, Scott A, Raman S, Frye L, Cahill B, Morrell M, Kagawa H, Contreras N, Selzman CH, Goodwin M (2026). The Preoperative Role of Right-Sided Heart Function in Primary Graft Dysfunction After Bilateral Lung Transplantation. The Annals of thoracic surgery,
- Kohn GP, Litle V, Eliya Y, Leng S, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Contreras N, Davies A, Lackner R, Mak KS, Mala T, Markman B, Mukherjee S, Nevala-Plagemann C, Smyth E, Sultan J, Worrell S, Yamamoto S, Wijnhoven BPL, Griffiths E (2026). ISDE guidelines on the management of cT2N0 esophageal cancer. Diseases of the esophagus, 39(2),
- Contreras (2026). Adult Pectus' Augmented Reality. Journal of the American College of Surgeons,
- Schäfer M, Selzman CH, DiChiacchio L, Heiler JC, Ramakrishna S, Tumarkin E, Hill B, Kagawa H, Contreras N, Raman S, Frye L, Cahill B, Morrell M, Goodwin M (2025). Reduced left atrial compliance exacerbates primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 170(6), 1840-1849.
- Schäfer M, Mitzman B, Scaife CL, Magarinos J, Ramakrishna S, Tumarkin E, Hill B, Varghese TK Jr, Contreras (2025). Pre-Operative Reduced Atrial Compliance Is Predictive of Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy. Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.), 42(9), e70298.
- Schäfer M, Contreras N, Ramakrishna S, Zimmerman JM, Varghese TK Jr, Mitzman (2025). Pre-Operative Atrial Deformation Indices Predict Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Lung Resection Surgery. Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.), 42(2), e70105.
- Contreras N, Litle V (2024). Systemic Disease and the Impact on Esophageal Carcinoma Management: The Big Picture. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 117(1), 197.
- Contreras N, Litle V (2023). Pulmonary Segmentectomy: Does Virtual Reality Have Bite?. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 115(5), 1255-1256.
- Liu S, Contreras N, Krezalek MA, Abd El Aziz MA, Merchea A, Kelley SR, Behm (2022). Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery: a single institutional experience. Updates in surgery, 74(3), 1011-1016.
- Contreras N, Litle V (2022). Follow the Leader? Can Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Follow Non-small Cell Lung Cancer's Lead With Immunotherapy?. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 114(5), e361.
- Contreras N, Litle V (2022). Systemic Disease and the Impact on Esophageal Carcinoma Management: The Big Picture. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 117(1), 197.
- Contreras N, Litle V (2022). Invited Commentary: COVID-19 and Cancer Casualty: Managing Esophageal Cancer. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 235(2), 184-185.
- Contreras N, Jakub J (2020). The achilles heel of minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissection: Seroma formation. American journal of surgery, 219(4), 696-700.
- Krezalek MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Parker ME, Kelley SR, Behm K (2020). Hybrid Robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery Approach to Large and Low-Lying Rectal Polyps. Diseases of the colon and rectum, 63(7), 1001-1006.
- Khasawneh MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Hernandez MC, Lohse C, Jenkins DH, Zielinski M (2019). Outcomes after splenectomy in children: a 48-year population-based study. Pediatric surgery international, 35(5), 575-582.
- Hernandez MC, Khasawneh M, Contreras-Peraza N, Lohse C, Stephens D, Kim BD, Zielinski M (2019). Vaccination and splenectomy in Olmsted County. Surgery, 166(4), 556-563.
- Khasawneh MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Hernandez MC, Lohse C, Jenkins DH, Zielinski M (2019). Outcomes after splenectomy in children: a 48-year population-based study. Pediatric surgery international, 35(5), 575-582.
- Contreras N, Joyce DD, Van Handel AC, Farley D (2015). Video voiceover feedback: economised surgical skills training. Medical education, 49(11), 1146.
Review
- Kagawa H, Contreras N, Goodwin M, Frye L, Raman S, Cahill B, Hachem R, Morrell M, Selzman C (2026). Targeting leukocytes, neutrophil extracellular traps and cytokines: A conceptual review to prevent primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation. Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.), 40(2), 100989.
- Shehata DG, Pan JM, Pan Z, Vigneswaran J, Contreras N, Rodriguez E, Sakowitz S, Magarinos J, Pereira S, Wilder FG, Watkins A (2025). Equity and Opportunities in Lung Cancer Care-Addressing Disparities, Challenges, and Pathways Forward. Cancers, 17(8),
- Contreras N, Essig R, Magarinos J, Pereira (2024). Abuse, Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, and Allyship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Thoracic surgery clinics, 34(3), 239-247.
- Contreras N, Varghese TK Jr, Mitzman (2024). Management of Congenital Hernias in Adults: Foramen of Morgagni Hernia. Thoracic surgery clinics, 34(2), 147-154.
Book Chapter
- Contreras N, Jakub JW (2025). Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection. In Tewari M (Ed.), Minimally Invasive Surgery in Cancer: Techniques & Outcomes. New York: Springer Nature.
Commentary
- Savannah Gelhard, Sydney Vincenti, Sara J. Pereira, Nicolas Contrera (2024). Commentary: Disparities in Gender and Diversity Representation Among Surgical Subspecialties: Are we Losing Momentum?. Journal of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery,
Case Report
- Jacob Beiriger, Hilary C. McCrary, Kajsa Affolter, Nicolas Contreras, M (2026). Trancervical Enucleation of Giant Cervicothoracic Esophageal Tumor. Annals of thoracic surgery short reports,
- Valeriya Vasenina, Jessica Magarinos, Brian Mitzman, Thomas K. Varghese, Jr.,Nicolas Contrera (2025). Spontaneous Bilateral Second Rib Fractures After Robotic Thoracic Outlet Surgery: A Rare Complication. Annals of thoracic surgery short reports,
Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast
- Krezalek MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Parker ME, Kelley SR, Behm K (2020). Hybrid Robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery Approach to Large and Low-Lying Rectal Polyps. Diseases of the colon and rectum, 63(7), 1001-1006.
Dr Contreras has great skill and is also very patient and personable in his bedside manner. I feel very fortunate to have had him do my chest repair surgery.
So happy I was associated with Dr Contreras and help to get through a very stressful time. Hats off to the entire staff!
If one requires the care of a Surgeon, Nicolas Contreras is your man ! Praise the Lord !
He was so kind and caring and explained everything in great detail and in ways I could understand.
When I went to Dr. Contreras, I don't know that I had a lot of hope left, but, he gave me that hope back and encouraged me along with his staff to keep moving forward. Two successful surgeries later, I am back to doing everything I never thought possible again. I have my life back thanks to him and his wonderful staff and associates!
Absolutely. Dr Contreras is amazing!
Car Contreras listens and cares deeply about my care and me. I think he is really wonderful and empathetic to my true needs.
Dr Contreras is kind hearted, He has has always given me the impression that he genuinely cares about his patients. Dr Contras definitely checks all the boxes when it comes to the qualites that I look for in a doctor. Not forgetting mention that his team is very good at what they do.
He's very knowledgeable about what the best care is for you He explains everything throughly and is caring and attentive to your needs He never rushes through my appointment instead takes his time to make sure I feel comfortable with the care I'm receiving
Dr Contreras diagnosed me with not just one, but three diseases, concerning my digestive system, two of which are lifelong diseases, and he understood how hard the news was for me to take. He was very compassionate having to deliver such hard news to me. Dr Contreras also explained the three surgeries he will need to perform in a manner easy to understand. I've had two previous surgeries on my digestive system and I trust him 100% to perform these complicated procedures that other doctors have not had success with. I'm so thankful to have found Dr Contreras, knowing I'll have continued care from him for the rest of my life. It's such a blessing to have finally found a physician who has the highly skilled training, experience, and compassion to care for me in the years to come. I wouldn't have had to suffer needlessly through illness and two major surgeries for the last three years if I had found Dr Contreras first. I definitely recommend Dr Contreras.
Couldn't ask for a better lung doctor! He took the time to explain the procedure, keep me informed and aware of risks, calmed fears I had and followed up and through. The team work in his office is the best!! Can't thank them enough for all they did for me.
Very patient and explained everything I needed to know.
Dr. Contreras is awesome. So knowledgeable and kind. Took his time with me and made sure all our questions were addressed. Highly recommend him and his staff.
Excellent doctor and surgeon. I can't express enough good about my experiences with him.
He was extremely responsive to my concerns and friendly. Very knowledgeable and concerned for me. I felt it. Thank you
Dr Contreras treats me like a real person, and has honest concern and care for my health.
After connecting with Dr. Contreras, my surgerys and care were handled amazingly! His team is great, He is awesome, I felt 100 percent comfortable in his care!
Dr. Contreras is and expert surgeon who listens, cares, explains.
I felt like he really cared about me as a person.
Dr. Contreras made me feel very confident that his recommendation for treatment was well thought out and that he had my best interest in mind. Explanations were thorough and understandable. I trust him
Dr Contreras is very caring and compassionate to the people that he sees. He takes time to explain things to you, he went with me to ensure that I felt safe during a procedure that I had by another Dr because I was terrified. He held. My hand made sure I was s under good care He's Al'so Extremely patient with his patients. He's very professional. And I have found. Him to be very honest.
Unlike many doctors he actually listened carefully and was able to help me with his team when I went undiagnosed for over 3 years thank you all.
Dr Contreas is the most caring, incredible surgeon I have been blessed to have care for me. He listens, never making me feel rushed. He explained everything in great ddetail.Despite having some continued issues, he is listening to my concerns and finding the cause. Thank you for everything you are doing for me. I am blessed
Dr. Contreras has been in communication with us from the beginning. The way he and his team have responded to request or reached out to help us has been wonderful.
I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gotten a better, more experienced, more knowledgeable, more personable, more considerate provider.
Dr. Contreras has been great to work with. He is knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. He listens carefully, and makes sure that I understand what is going on.
Amazing Dr! He truly cares. He listens to my concerns and has made me feel as comfortable as I can be about having surgery.
Dr. Contreras is a top notch Surgeon and a wonderful person. He was very thorough in his work and made sure I was taken care of properly.
It is a big comfort to know that they really care about me!
He cares about me.
Great physician, very patient, kind, caring, took his time with me explained everything very carefully, amazing customer service! I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Contreras for anybody that needs his services.
Dr. Contreras is an amazing Dr. I had concerns about cadaver inside of my body, most people thought I was crazy, but he didn't hesitate to find an option I was comfortable with. He really listens and I can tell that he wants me to be okay. He has also explained my upcoming surgery and requirements very well. He is a doctor I feel comfortable talking to and asking questions and he has set clear expectations for after surgery. Because of the type of Dr he is and his personality, I am not terrified to have surgery like I have been in the past. I also know that it's a very painful surgery so I have an idea of what to expect and I'm appreciative that he has started me on pain management early to help with pain now and post surgery. His honesty about the fact that I may have pain, even after recovery, is helpful. I can tell he really cares for his patients which to me, is just as important as his knowledge and skill.
Compassionate and explains everything so anyone can understand
Wonderful doctor.
Highest example of professionalism. Talked to my wife and I in a way that could be understood. Explained fully risks and benefits of surgery.
Nicolas Contreras is an excellent Dr I have told many people about him! Very kind and caring person!!!
Dr. Contreras is an exceptional doctor. He was very knowledgeable and took the time to answer our questions.
Excellent doctor and was there to answer any questions if I wanted to ask any
Works alone cannot describe how great Dr Contreras is as a provider. Wish he was my PCP
He explained everything about my condition in detail. and took time to answer my questions. Was very satisfied with his recommendations.
Very knowledgeable and willing to listen! I considered going to a different hospital where my past surgeon works but Dr Contreras has exceeded my expectations as far as knowledge, understanding and explaining everything so it's easy to understand. He's also very nice which helps ease my anxiety.
Dr. Contreras was great and went over everything with me to make sure I knew my options.
Awesome interactions and I felt very comfortable with him and his staff!
I have absolute confidence in the care he provided. His compassion and care for me as a patient and as a person were obvious during every visit.
I felt that Dr. Contreras listened to my concerns. He explained in detail about what the options were which was very helpful to me. He was very kind and helpful.
When his staff and him spoke to me, I was very with them. And also, I trusted them.
Doctor Contreras is professional, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Dr Contreras was exceptional along with his nurse with all aspects of my appointment.
Great first experience with Dr. Contreras. He made me feel comfortable, eased my mind and explained the next step.
So helpful
He is an exceptional doctor and so hopeful and explaining everything.
He is a kind caring Dr. I would recommend him to anyone!!
He could not have been more informative or more caring. Many of our questions were anticipated and all were answered. We have great confidence in relying on Dr. Contreras for my upcoming surgery.
Dr Contreras was amazing! Best Doctor I have ever seen. Highly recommend.
Dr Contreras is a skilled surgeon. He explain the procedure with clarity and made me feel comfortable submitting to a big procedure.
Dr. Contreras was not only professional and capable but you could also tell that he genuinely cared.
Amazing dr., very knowledgeable, skilled and caring.
Informative and caring. We have complete confidence in allowing him to handle my surgery.
Dr Nicolas Contreras was truly amazing. His expertise was evident. When you submit to a procedure such as my husband's, you want to know you're in the best possible hands. He immediately put our minds at ease. We knew we could trust my husband's life to him.
Was kind and gentle. Made sure I understood what needed to be addressed. Felt lucky he was the Doctor I got
Thank you, Dr Contreras and your team. It is because of HCI and Dr Contreras that I am alive and recovering. He explained everything that was going to happen and was extremely reassuring and compassionate. He made a very scary time in my life feel much more manageable and comfortable. He is brilliant and kind and his patients can tell how much he cares.
He is AWESOME. Very tuned in to explaining everything to me. He has an excellent sense of humor, which helps keep the anxiety down lower.
The best! So thoughtful, thorough and kind. I feel hope for the first time in over a year.
Dr. Contreras is very caring, straight forward and made my husband and I feel like we were in excellent care. He answered all questions about surgery and follow up care. I feel very confident in his care
Dr Contereas is amazing! He described the procedure in terms we could understand. We have a realistic idea of what to expect and the associated risks. Most importantly, he helped instill our confidence in him and Dr Scaife to do the surgery.
I've been seeing Dr. Contreras since December of 2023. He has always taken his time to explain all aspects of my condition thoroughly, including answering any questions I have. He is very clear about next steps and options. I trust him 100 percent with my health.
Excellent provider. Would recommend to anyone.
Made me feel good about his knowledge and now I feel confident of hi abilities
He is absolutely amazing and I am blessed that he is going to be taking care of me. Very impressed and would recommend him to everyone Thank you so much
The Doc is very good
He was very attentive and listened to all my questions as well as answered each one and reassured me about everything. Very caring. He also said he'd make sure that we would stay due to my particular situation until everything was taken care of properly.
Thank you for taking the time to explain everything. We left with the information we need to make a good decision.
I explained it earlier, Dr. Contreras, and all the staff I talked to were all very personable, down to earth and easy to talk to. They talked with and to me, not at me. Dr. Contreras, Sara, Np. and Talmage all seemed to.be the kind to say " Hi [NAME REMOVED]" if I ran into them on the street. That means more to me than anything else. They truly made me feel comfortable and as if they're really concerned for my well being and helping me to have a better quality of life!
I Really Like him, he explained everything so I understood exactly what was happening and what care we will proceed with! I really like him!!
Very kind, he has an amazing talent to treat his patients.. very human..
This is my first time seeing him, I'm really impressed by him he is exceptional!
Dr. Contreras was great! He has a very good bedside manner, personable,& thorough. He explained what was going to take place with surgery & recovery! If I should have to have additional surgery in the future, my choice of surgeons is Dr. Contreras.
Dr. Contreras is a very empathetic, caring doctor. He does a great job explaining health concern, options, and procedures in a way I can understand. He takes his time, is listens to my thoughts about my health.
Dr Contreras is a great guy good doctor gives you all options explains in layman's terms very caring about you
Dr. Contreras, MD is very professional, easy to understand and gave details about upcoming surgery & welcomed my questions with immediate answers. Very personable . I feel very confident in Dr. Contreras care.
Dr Contreras was very good at explaining care and very caring easy to talk with made sure you knew all my options
Dr. Contreras was amazing from my first appointment, through surgery and post-operative care. He took all the time needed to explain my condition and options for treatment. I really appreciated the thoroughness of explaining the surgery and the risks associated with the procedure. He put my mind at ease and was very compassionate. My surgery went great and Dr. Contreras came to my room the next day to check on me and explain how the surgery went. I had a great experience! Thank you Dr. Contreras, I really appreciate your help and kindness!
This was my first time meeting him and he was very respectful and included me in his thoughts process which I appreciated
Dr. Contreras was very kind and thorough in explaining my health diagnosis and the remedy. Super patient and did a great job explaining everything in common terms and answering questions.
Dr. Contreras is a great surgeon and he cares about what I need and tell you like it is !! Awesome person!!
Dr. Contreras is careful to listen and explain. I am confident having him as my doctor.
Amazing thoughtful and caring
He gave me a good explanation and eased my stress.
Dr Contreras was extremely professional and spent time listening to my concerns.
He was very straight forward and helped me understand the different things going into my health recovery plan.
He is a very skillful surgeon, and explain well before the surgery which made me not nervous anymore.
Good listener. Good to show my the CT scan and explain what we were looking at. Very comfortable with him.
He listened to what I had to say.
I am so impressed with Dr Contreras. He is so caring and explained everything to us in such a way that was easy to understand. He listened to concerns and gave good feedback. He shook my moms hand and gave her comfort in knowing that she would be in good care. He made her feel like a valuable human, not just a patient. Im certain his operating skills extend even farther than his bedside manner, which says a lot. I am so grateful she was able to meet him today. Hes an example of all the qualities that should be present in a surgeon.