Benjamin W. Starnes, MD

Dr. Starnes is a Professor of Vascular Surgery, Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery, and Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has occupied the Alexander Whitehill Clowes Endowed Chair of Vascular Surgery since its inception in 2015 and served as Division Chief since 2007.

He is recognized nationally and internationally for his work in complex aortic pathology and vascular trauma, most notably the management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes.

Prior to accepting his position at the University of Washington, Dr. Starnes spent 15 years in the United States Army as a vascular surgeon serving three combat tours, one in Kosovo and two in Iraq. Dr. Starnes is the principal investigator for one of only a handful of physician-sponsored IDE’s in the United States involving physician modified endografts for treating complex aortic pathology. He has been author or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications with more than a quarter as first author.

He also created and edited the only textbook solely dedicated to the management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. He lives on Mercer Island with his wife and two daughters.