Robert A. Swendiman
Rating: 5.0 of 5
( out of 26 reviews )

Robert A. Swendiman, MD, MPP, MSCE

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Surgery
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-662-2950
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Eccles Primary Children's Outpatient Services Building

Colorectal Center
81 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-662-1619
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Primary Children's Hospital - Lehi

Pediatric Surgery
2250 N Miller Campus Dr
Lehi , UT 84043
801-662-2950
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Show 1 more location(s)

St. Vincent Healthcare

SCL Health Medical Group - Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic
1232 N 30th St
Billings , MT 59101
406-237-5300
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  • Robert A. Swendiman, MD MPP MSCE is an attending pediatric surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. He has numerous clinical interests, including the management of traumatic injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, chest wall deformities, minimally invasive surgery, and neonatal conditions. He performs a broad spectrum of procedures, including operations for:

    • Appendicitis
    • Hernias
    • Nutritional access
    • Vascular access
    • Gallbladder disease
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Ulcerative colitis
    • Childhood cancers
    • Pectus deformities
    • Esophageal atresia
    • Congenital anomalies

    Dr. Swendiman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He received both his BA and MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Master in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University where he was a fellow at the Center for Public Leadership, and holds a Master of Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) from the University of Pennsylvania. After medical school, he trained at the University of Pennsylvania in General Surgery, and completed his fellowship in Pediatric General Surgery at the University of Utah.

    Dr. Swendiman serves as the Trauma Medical Director for the new children’s hospital in Lehi, UT (PCH – Miller Campus). He also staffs the complex inflammatory bowel disease clinic. He is engaged in clinical research with numerous publications and book chapters.

    When not at the hospital, Dr. Swendiman enjoys spending time with his wife (Brenda) and two children (Luke and Lucy). He is an avid swimmer and college basketball enthusiast.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Surgery (Sub: Pediatric Surgery)
    American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery)

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 5.0 out of 5
    5.0 /5
    ( out of 26 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

    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.

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr Swendiman listened well, was super patient with all of my questions, and related super well to my 12 year old son helping him to feel at ease. 10/10 would recommend him!

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He totally rocks and related very well to our 12 year old son. 10/10 for Dr. Swendiman.

    EXTERNAL SITE
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Doctor Swendiman was the best! I would highly recommend him.

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Didn't question what I was saying and explained things clearly. Didn't discredit any questions I had and took time getting me seen quickly.

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very knowledgeable and compassionate. Really listened and took time to answer all my questions.

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He seemed very pleasant and knowledgeable.

    RIVERTON CLINICS
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Super kind, calm and friendly. Answered questions, and gave us time to understand what would happen during procedures and possible risks. Shared personal and professional examples of situations like ours and gave us options.

    EXTERNAL SITE
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Swendiman was exceptional. He genuinely listened to my son, wife, and me, and we felt he truly cared about our son's well-being. We were fortunate that he was on shift in Lehi when we visited. His morning rounds were a highlight during our hospital stay, and we always looked forward to his visits.

    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He was so nice and explained and listened so well

  • Robert A. Swendiman, MD MPP MSCE is an attending pediatric surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. He has numerous clinical interests, including the management of traumatic injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, chest wall deformities, minimally invasive surgery, and neonatal conditions. He performs a broad spectrum of procedures, including operations for:

    • Appendicitis
    • Hernias
    • Nutritional access
    • Vascular access
    • Gallbladder disease
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Ulcerative colitis
    • Childhood cancers
    • Pectus deformities
    • Esophageal atresia
    • Congenital anomalies

    Dr. Swendiman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He received both his BA and MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Master in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University where he was a fellow at the Center for Public Leadership, and holds a Master of Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) from the University of Pennsylvania. After medical school, he trained at the University of Pennsylvania in General Surgery, and completed his fellowship in Pediatric General Surgery at the University of Utah.

    Dr. Swendiman serves as the Trauma Medical Director for the new children’s hospital in Lehi, UT (PCH – Miller Campus). He also staffs the complex inflammatory bowel disease clinic. He is engaged in clinical research with numerous publications and book chapters.

    When not at the hospital, Dr. Swendiman enjoys spending time with his wife (Brenda) and two children (Luke and Lucy). He is an avid swimmer and college basketball enthusiast.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor
    Academic Divisions Pediatric Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Surgery (Sub: Pediatric Surgery)
    American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery)

    Education history

    Undergraduate Chemistry and Political Science - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill B.A.
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of North Carolina School of Medicine M.D.
    Graduate Training Public Policy - Harvard Kennedy School M.P.P.
    Residency General Surgery - Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Resident
    Diploma Clinical Epidemiology - University of Pennsylvania M.S.C.E
    Chief Resident General Surgery - Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Chief Resident
    Fellowship Pediatric General Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Fellow

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Hatchimonji JS, Swendiman RA, Kaufman EJ, Scantling D, Passman JE, Yang W, Kit Delgado M, Holena DN (2020). Multiple complications in emergency surgery : Identifying risk factors for failure-to-rescue. Am Surg, 86(7), 787-795. (Read full publication)
    2. Hatchimonji JS, Swendiman RA, Seamon MJ, Nance ML (2020). Trauma does not quarantine: violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Surg, 272(2), e53-e54. (Read full publication)
    3. Swendiman RA, Edmondson AC, Mahmoud NN (2019). Burnout in surgery viewed through the lens of psychological safety. Ann Surg, 269(2), 234-235. (Read full publication)
    4. Swendiman RA (2017). Cognitive dissonance in training: A view from the middle. Ann Surg, 265(6), 1062-1063. (Read full publication)
    5. Swendiman RA, Luks VL, Hatchimonji JS, Nayyar MG, Goldshore MA, Nace GW Jr, Nance ML, Allukian M 3rd (2020). Mortality after adolescent firearm injury: effect of trauma center designation.(Epub ahead of print) J Adolesc Health, 68(5), 978-984. (Read full publication)
    6. Swendiman RA, Marcaccio CL, Han J, Hoffman DI, Weiner TM, Nance ML, Chou CM (2019). Attitudes and habits of highly humanistic surgeons: A single-institution, mixed-methods study. Acad Med, 94(7), 1027-1032. (Read full publication)
    7. Latessa RA, Swendiman RA, Parlier AB, Galvin SL, Hirsh DA (2017). Graduates' perceptions of learning affordances in longitudinal integrated clerkships: A dual-institution, mixed-methods study. Acad Med, 92(9), 1313-1319. (Read full publication)
    8. Swendiman RA (2014). Deep listening. Acad Med, 89(6), 950. (Read full publication)
    9. Swendiman RA (2014). See what you cannot see. Acad Med, 89(4), 631. (Read full publication)
    10. Swendiman RA, Latessa RA (2013). Medicine and the arts. Between a rock and a hard place: [excerpt] by Robert A. Swendiman. Commentary. Acad Med, 88(6), 778-9. (Read full publication)
    11. Swendiman RA (2014). Students need exposure to the joys of rural surgery. Bull Am Coll Surg, 99(1), 46-7. (Read full publication)
    12. Swendiman RA (2014). We the living. J Am Geriatr Soc, 62(8), 1594. (Read full publication)
    13. Taylor MA, Lewis AE, Swendiman RA, Fenton SJ, Russell KW (2021). Interest in improving access to pediatric trauma care through telemedicine. J Med Syst, 45(12), 108. (Read full publication)
    14. Salomé C, Salomé-Grosjean E, Park KD, Morieux P, Swendiman R, DeMarco E, Stables JP, Kohn H (2010). Synthesis and anticonvulsant activities of (R)-N-(4'-substituted)benzyl 2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamides. J Med Chem, 53(3), 1288-305. (Read full publication)
    15. Swendiman RA, Goldshore MA, Fenton SJ, Nance ML (2020). Defining the role of angioembolization in pediatric isolated blunt solid organ injury. J Pediatr Surg, 55(4), 688-692. (Read full publication)
    16. Swendiman RA, Vogiatzi MG, Alter CA, Nance ML (2019). Histrelin implantation in the pediatric population: A 10-year institutional experience. J Pediatr Surg, 54(7), 1457-1461. (Read full publication)
    17. Swendiman RA, Abramov A, Fenton SJ, Russell KW, Nance ML, Nace GW Jr, Iii MA (2021). Use of angioembolization in pediatric polytrauma patients with blunt splenic injury. J Pediatr Surg, 56(11), 2045-2051. (Read full publication)
    18. Weber AL, Swendiman RA (2014). Talk to me. Med Teach, 36(11), 1005-6. (Read full publication)
    19. Owei L, Swendiman RA, Kelz RR, Dempsey DT, Dumon KR (2017). Impact of body mass index on open ventral hernia repair: A retrospective review. Surgery, 162(6), 1320-1329. (Read full publication)
    20. Abdallah HO, Zhao C, Kaufman E, Hatchimonji J, Swendiman RA, Kaplan LJ, Seamon M, Schwab CW, Pascual JL (2021). Increased firearm injury during the COVID-19 pandemic: A hidden urban burden. J Am Coll Surg, 232(2), 159-168.e3. (Read full publication)
    21. Swendiman RA, Goldshore MA, Blinman TA, Nance ML (2019). Laparoscopic management of pediatric abdominal trauma: A national trauma data bank experience. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A, 29(8), 1052-1059. (Read full publication)
    22. Landa ST, Cohen JB, Swendiman RA, Wirtalla C, Dempsey DT, Dumon KR (2018). The association of body mass index with postoperative outcomes after elective paraesophageal hernia repair. J Gastrointest Surg, 22(12), 2029-2036. (Read full publication)
    23. Owei L, Swendiman RA, Torres-Landa S, Dempsey DT, Dumon K (2019). Impact of body mass index on minimally invasive ventral hernia repair: an ACS-NSQIP analysis. Hernia, 23(5), 899-907. (Read full publication)
    24. Song Y, Swendiman RA, Shannon AB, Torres-Landa S, Khan FN, Williams NN, Dumon KR, Brooks AD, DeMatteo RP, Aarons C (2020). Can we coach resilience? An evaluation of professional resilience coaching as a well-being initiative for surgical interns. Journal of surgical education, 77(6), 1481-1489. (Read full publication)
    25. Swendiman RA, Hoffman DI, Bruce AN, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Chou C (2019). Qualities and methods of highly effective surgical educators: A grounded theory model. Journal of surgical education, 76(5), 1293-1302. (Read full publication)
    26. Swendiman RA, Jones RE, Blinman TA, Krummel (2021). Disrupting the fellowship match: COVID-19 and the applicant arms race. Journal of surgical education, 78(4), 1069-1072. (Read full publication)
    27. Swendiman R (2015). The Clock on the Wall. Journal of graduate medical education, 7(2), 306. (Read full publication)
    28. Hatchimonji JS, Swendiman RA, Goldshore MA, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Allukian M 3rd, Nace GW J (2020). Pediatric firearm mortality in the United States, 2010 to 2016: A national trauma data bank analysis. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 88(3), 402-407. (Read full publication)
    29. Swendiman RA, Sharoky CE, Russell KW, Goldshore MA, Blinman TA, Nance M (2019). Life-saving interventions in pediatric trauma: A national trauma data bank experience. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 87(6), 1321-1327. (Read full publication)
    30. Swendiman R (2014). Drowning. JAMA pediatrics, 168(3), 203. (Read full publication)
    31. Swendiman RA, Coons BE, Alter CA, Bamba V, Nance ML, Vogiatzi M (2019). Histrelin implantation and growth outcomes in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: an institutional experience. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 4(2), bvz004. (Read full publication)
    32. Acker R, Swendiman RA, Luks VL, Hanna AN, Lee MK, Williams NN, Kelz RR, Lynn J, Aarons C (2022). Pulling back from the brink: a multi-pronged approach to address general surgery resident clinical work hour adherence.2022:S1931-7204(22)00119-2. Journal of surgical education, (Read full publication)
    33. Russell KW, Iantorno SE, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Smith KM, Polukoff NE, Larsen KE, Barnes KL, Bell TM, Fenton SJ, Inaba K, Swendiman R (2023). Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance: A 10-year Evaluation of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    34. Swendiman RA, Scaife JH, Barnes KL, Bell TM, Roach CM, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Russell K (2023). Hanging and Strangulation Injuries: An Institutional Review From a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. Journal of pediatric surgery, (Read full publication)
    35. Iantorno SE, Swendiman RA, Bucher BT, Russell K (2023). Surge in Pediatric Firearm Injuries Presenting to US Children's Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA pediatrics, 177(2), 204-206. (Read full publication)
    36. Fenton SJ, Swendiman RA, Eyre M, Larsen K, Russell K (2023). The Utah Pediatric Trauma Network, a statewide pediatric trauma collaborative can safely help non-pediatric hospitals admit children with mild traumatic brain injury. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    37. Hobson BJ, Lett E, Hawkins LA, Swendiman RA, Nance ML, Dowshen N (2022). Transgender Youth Experiences with Implantable GnRH Agonists for Puberty Suppression. Transgender health, 7(4), 364-368. (Read full publication)
    38. Hatchimonji JS, Luks VL, Swendiman RA, Allukian M 3rd, Nance ML, Nace GW J (2022). Settling the Score: Injury Severity Score Fails to Capture Nuances in Pediatric Trauma. Pediatric emergency care, 38(2), e828-e832. (Read full publication)
    39. Swendiman RA, Russell KW, Larsen K, Eyre M, Fenton S (2024). USE OF A STATEWIDE SOLID ORGAN INJURY PROCOTCOL TO OPTIMIZE TRIAGE, TREATMENT, AND TRANSFER FOR PEDIATRIC ABDOMINAL TRAUMA. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    40. Eldredge RS, Moore Z, Smit J, Barnes K, Norton SP, Larsen K, Padilla BE, Swendiman RA, Fenton SJ, Russell K (2023). A Pediatric Teletrauma Program Pilot Project: Improves Access to Pediatric Trauma Care and Timely Assessment of Pediatric Traumas. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    41. Wallace MW, Kastenberg ZJ, Swendiman RA, Eckhauser AW, Rodriguez-Davalos M, Russell K (2024). Two-Stage Liver Transplantation and Tricuspid Valve Replacement After Blunt Trauma in a Pediatric Patient. The American surgeon, 90(6), 1781-1783. (Read full publication)
    42. Scaife JH, Hewes HA, Iantorno SE, Clinker CE, Fenton SJ, Skarda DE, Kastenberg ZJ, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2024). Optimizing patient selection for ECMO after pediatric hypothermic cardiac arrest. Injury, 111731. (Read full publication)
    43. Latessa RA, Galvin SL, Swendiman RA, Onyango J, Ostrach B, Edmondson AC, Davis SA, Hirsh D (2023). Psychological safety and accountability in longitudinal integrated clerkships: a dual institution qualitative study. BMC medical education, 23(1), 760. (Read full publication)
    44. Clinker C, Scaife J, Basinger C, Barnes KL, Roach C, Lau GA, Norton S, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2024). Routine Urology Consultation and Follow-up After Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma is Likely Unnecessary. Journal of pediatric surgery, 60(2), 161886. (Read full publication)
    45. Scaife JH, Clinker CE, Alexander AJ, Iantorno SE, Eldredge RS, Swendiman RA, Fenton SJ, Russell K (2024). Association of Initiation of Statewide Pediatric Trauma Collaborative and Hospital Preventable Transfer Rates. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162004. (Read full publication)
    46. Wallace MW, Iantorno SE, Moore ZJ, Colton BT, Keeshin B, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2024). Evaluation of New Mental Health Diagnoses After Pediatric Traumatic Injuries at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. The American surgeon, 91(3), 31348241300358. (Read full publication)
    47. Alexander AJ, Iantorno SE, McLaughlin M, McKenzie BA, Foley L, McNeally P, Fenton SJ, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2025). Analysis of Preventable Transfers of Pediatric Trauma Patients From Montana to an out of State Tertiary Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Journal of pediatric surgery, 60(4), 162188. (Read full publication)
    48. Kay AB, Glasgow SL, Kahan AM, Swendiman RA, Kastenberg ZJ, Roach CM, Wan HY, Bollo RJ, Iyer RR, Ravindra VM, Morris DS, Yorkgitis BK, Joseph B, Russell K (2025). Small Change, BIG Impact: Proposal of the Brain Injury Guidelines for Kids (kBIG). Journal of pediatric surgery, 60(8), 162372. (Read full publication)
    49. Cull JN, Jacobson DL, Lau GA, Cartwright PC, Wallis MC, Skarda D, Swendiman R, Schaeffer A (2023). Internal hernia with volvulus after major abdominal reconstructions in pediatric urology - An infrequently reported and potentially devastating complication. Journal of pediatric urology, 19(4), 402.e1-402.e7. (Read full publication)
    50. Wallace MW, Kahan AM, Wan HY, Botha JF, Rodriguez-Davalos M, Bondoc A, Bitterfeld L, Swendiman R, Russell KW, Kastenberg Z (2025). Pediatric liver transplant after traumatic liver injury: An analysis of the multicenter Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data set. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 99(2), 258-263. (Read full publication)
    51. Russell KW, Kahan AM, Eldredge RS, Swendiman RA, Kastenberg ZJ, Kay AB, Rampton JW, Huynh K, Wan HY, Morris DS, Iyer RR, Ravindra VM, Brockmeyer D (2025). An analysis of potential cervical spine clearance in children with computed tomography alone. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    52. Kahan AM, Glasgow SL, Yoder BA, Yang M, Yost CC, Peterson K, Scaife JH, Clinker CE, Arnold E, Fenton SJ, Kastenberg ZJ, Swendiman RA, Short SS, Russell K (2025). Less is more: ECMO utilization and outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162571. (Read full publication)
    53. Kahan AM, Glasgow SL, Yoder BA, Yang M, Yost CC, Peterson K, Scaife JH, Clinker CE, Arnold E, Fenton SJ, Kastenberg ZJ, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2025). Long-term outcomes after muscle flap repair in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A retrospective study at a single institution. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162572. (Read full publication)
    54. Clinker CE, Scaife JH, Kahan AM, Han BK, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2025). Preoperative Echocardiography in Pectus Excavatum: High Rate of Incidental Findings, Low but Clinically Important Yield of Significant Anomalies. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162651. (Read full publication)
    55. Glasgow SL, Scaife JH, Clinker CE, Kahan AM, Wan HY, Kay AB, Martinez DJ, Ravindra VM, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2025). Evaluation of Isolated Skull Fractures in Children. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162766. (Read full publication)
    56. Alexander AJ, Clinker C, Scaife J, Wan HY, Iantorno SE, Beaver T, Robinson B, Acker SN, McLaughlin M, Foley L, McNeally P, Hennessy LV, Mata C, Ibarra A, Fenton SJ, Swendiman RA, McKenzie BA, Robison JA, Russell K (2025). Analysis of preventable transfers from Montana to out-of-state pediatric trauma centers: A multicenter collaboration. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, (Read full publication)
    57. Alexander AJ, Kahan AM, Sorensen J, Boggan MJ, Barnes KL, Wan HY, de Cos V, Kastenberg ZJ, Swendiman RA, Ignacio RC Jr, Russell K (2025). Geographic analysis and socioeconomic factors associated with pediatric window fall injuries in Utah: a nine-year retrospective study. Pediatric surgery international, 41(1), 325. (Read full publication)
    58. Scaife JH, Martinez DJ, Clinker CE, Glasgow SL, Kahan AM, Roach CM, Russell KW, Swendiman R (2025). Discordance in CT interpretations between pediatric radiology overreads and community and adult radiologists reads following traumatic injury. Journal of pediatric surgery, 162765. (Read full publication)
    59. Clinker CE, Scaife JH, Kirkham MS, Kahan AM, Smith KM, Iantorno SE, Iyer RR, Swendiman RA, Russell K (2025). CT catches these too: Characterizing pediatric cervical spine injuries managed with rigid collars. Injury, 57(2), 112930. (Read full publication)

    Editorial

    1. Swendiman RA, Hatchimonji JS, Allukian M 3rd, Blinman TA, Nance ML, Nace GW (2020). Pediatric firearm injuries: Anatomy of an epidemic. Surgery, 168(3), 381-384. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Hoffman DI, Swendiman RA, Chou CM (2020). In reply to Schattner. [Letter to the editor]. Acad Med, 95(3), 327-328. (Read full publication)
    2. Swendiman RA, Goldshore MA, Allukian M 3rd, Nace GW Jr, Nance ML (2021). In reply to "Abdominal angiography is associated with reduced in-hospital mortality among pediatric patients with blunt splenic and hepatic injury: A propensity-score-matching study from the national trauma registry in Japan". [Letter to the editor]. J Pediatr Surg. (Read full publication)