Rate My Professor Jonathan Pearl

Jonathan Pearl, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he joined the faculty in 2012. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan (1995, Magna Cum Laude) and an M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine (1999). He completed his General Surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center (1999-2005) and a fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopy and Endoscopy at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (2006-2007). A 13-year veteran of the United States Navy, he served on the USS George Washington and during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Kuwait), earning the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Ribbon, and two Navy Commendation Medals, along with qualifications for Surface Warfare and Fleet Marine Force Warfare Insignias. Currently, he serves as Chief of the Section of Advanced GI and Minimally Invasive Surgery within the Division of General and Oncologic Surgery, Division Chief of General Surgery, Vice Chair of Surgical Services for Quality and Safety at the Midtown Campus, and Chief of General Surgery at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

Dr. Pearl's clinical expertise encompasses complex hernia surgery, advanced laparoscopy, flexible endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery, particularly for patients with recurrent hernias. His research focuses on advanced imaging techniques, intestinal ischemia, and simulation education. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Key publications include "Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and use of laparoscopy for surgical problems during pregnancy" (Surg Endosc, 2011), "SAGES guidelines for the use of laparoscopy during pregnancy" (Surg Endosc, 2017), "Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery: a critical review" (J Gastrointest Surg, 2008), and "Immunocompetent T-cells with a memory-like phenotype are the dominant cell type following antibody-mediated T-cell depletion" (Am J Transplant, 2005). Earlier honors include Phi Beta Kappa (1995), First Prize in the Surgical Residents Competitive Forum (2004), Harry Zehner Traveling Fellowship (2005), and Surgery Resident Teaching Award (2013).