Dr. Kin Assumes Leadership of Colorectal Section

December 15, 2025

After a national search, Stanford Surgery's next Chief of Colorectal Surgery will be Dr. Cindy Kin.

"Dr. Kin is a national leader in colorectal surgery and has a compelling vision that will make our Colorectal Surgery program one of the best in the country," wrote Division Chief Electron Kebebew in his announcement to the faculty. "She has built an amazing comprehensive clinical practice and been an exceptional mentor and sponsor of medical students, residents, and junior faculty."

A graduate of Stanford's General Surgery Residency Program, Kin completed a fellowship in colorectal surgery at Cleveland Clinic before returning to Stanford in 2012. In addition to assuming the role of Department Wellness Director in 2023, she has a diverse scholarship portfolio encompassing prehabilitation, perioperative optimization, and strategies to improve short- and long-term health for surgical patients through health behavior changes.

Kin is taking over from Dr. Andy Shelton, who has ledthe section for the last seven years.

"I have big clogs to fill. Andy Shelton has been the most amazing chief, and I will strive to be like him: fair, practical, transparent, supportive, advocating, available, efficient," said Kin. "I'm grateful for my fellow colorectal surgeons, who are the best colleagues and friends that anyone could imagine, and they make coming to work feel like being in a sitcom. My goal is to elevate them so Stanford Colorectal Surgery can continue to fulfill its potential as a leading academic, clinical, and educational program."

Media Contact

Rachel Baker
Director of Communications

Bio

As the Director of Communications for Stanford Surgery, Rachel Baker tells the stories of her department's faculty, staff, and trainees. With the help of an amazing team of content creators, she produces and curates original articles, photos, videos, graphics, and even podcasts.She works personally with each division, center, program, and lab within her purview to define their audience and reach their goals while maintaining a consistent brand voice. She hosts quarterly professional development workshops open to all AEM web authors--please email her if you'd like to join! She also offers both 1:1 and group education to faculty and residents on a variety of topics including media training, using social media to advantage, and presentation refinement. Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a focus on photography from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A transplant from the DC-area, she still misses foliage and argyle but has happily adopted the official NorCal hobbies of visiting wineries, hiking local trails, and eating avocado.

About Stanford Surgery

The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:

• pioneering cutting-edge research, 
• developing the next generation of leaders, and 
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion. 

To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu

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