Dr. Tierney’s care philosophy is to provide personalized attention to every patient, taking time to listen and understand their unique situation and medical needs so that he can provide compassionate and comprehensive care. Dr. Tierney strives to provide high-quality, patient-oriented care with minimally invasive techniques.
Fellowship-trained in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery and interventional endoscopy, Joshua S. Tierney, MD, performs a broad spectrum of complex upper gastrointestinal surgery and endoscopy. His main interest is in the treatment of pancreatic diseases such as pancreatic malignancy, cystic neoplasms, and acute/chronic pancreatitis. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, completed his residency in general surgery at Vanderbilt University, and his fellowship at the University of Louisville. During his schooling, he earned numerous awards and accolades, including membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. In his free time, Dr. Tierney enjoys being with his family as well as partaking in numerous outdoor activities such as trail running, mountain biking, and fly fishing.
Patients experiencing great outcomes with robotic Whipple procedure
A less-invasive surgery option is now available for Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and pancreatic cancer patients at UCHealth. Dr. Joshua Tierney, a UCHealth surgeon in northern Colorado, offers robotic Whipple procedures for qualifying patients. The robotic procedure is equivalent to an open Whipple procedure but with added benefits. Also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Whipple procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, duodenum, distal bile duct and gallbladder. The traditional method of this specialized surgery involves cutting open the abdomen to get to the pancreas. The less-invasive robotic Whipple procedure involves five tiny incisions in the abdominal area to access the pancreas. UCHealth patients who have had robotic surgery have shorter hospital stays, a faster recovery, less surgical pain and reduced narcotic dependency. Good candidates for robotic procedure are those patients with a low BMI and smaller tumors. Dr. Tierney is the only UCHealth surgeon providing the robotic Whipple procedure in northern Colorado. He is fellowship-trained in HPB surgery and interventional endoscopy. He earned his medical degree from Indian University School of Medicine, completed his residency in general surgery at Vanderbilt University, and his fellowship at the University of Louisville.
Locations
970.203.7250
970.619.6094Qualifications and experience
- Specialties
- Surgery, Cancers, Cancers - Biliary Cancer, Cancers - Cancer Surgery, Cancers - Colorectal Cancer, Cancers - Gastroenterologic Cancer (Colon, Stomach, Esophageal, Liver), Cancers - Living with Cancer, Cancers - Pancreatic Cancer, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Complex General Surgical Oncology, Digestive System - Biliary Surgery, Digestive System - Gastrointestinal Surgery, Digestive System - Hernia, Digestive System - Pancreas Surgery, Digestive System - Surgical Endoscopy, Digestive System - Therapeutic Endoscopy, Emergency Care, Endocrine System (Hormones) - Adrenal Diseases, Endocrine System (Hormones) - Endocrine Cancer (Parathyroid, Adrenal, Carcinoid), Endocrine System (Hormones) - Pancreatitis, Endocrine System (Hormones) - Thyroid Cancer, Endocrine System (Hormones) - Thyroid Disease, Endocrine System - Adrenal Diseases, Failed Prior Surgery, Surgery - Laparoscopic Surgery, Surgery - Major Liver Surgery (Hepatobiliary) , Surgery - Robotic Surgery, Surgery - Trauma and Acute Care , Surgical Critical Care
- Gender
- Male
- Languages spoken
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English
- Education
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Bachelor of Science
Purdue University (2006)
Doctor of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine (2011)
- Clinical interest for patients
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Pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cysts
Pancreatitis
Biliary disease, strictures, choledocolithiasis
Biliary reconstruction
Reflux, peptic ulcers, esophageal motility disorders
Gastroparesis, upper GI functional disorders
Hernias
Interventional endoscopy with ERCP
Minimally invasive surgery
Trauma and general surgery
- Research interest for patients
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Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic denervation
Pancreatitis
Endoscopy
Surgical workforce issues
- Insurance
- UCHealth strongly encourages you to consult with your health insurer to determine accurate information about your coverage and benefits for a particular health care service provided at a UCHealth facility. Read more here.