A practicing surgeon in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Dr. Watson is a leader in applying health care technology to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered medicine. A fourth-generation surgeon and faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Watson practices nearly a third of his own clinical care using telemedicine to increase access and convenience for patients. He also plays a leading role in developing telemedicine strategy and technology across UPMC and serves on the board of the American Telemedicine Association.
As CMIO for the health system’s International and Commercial Services Div., Dr. Watson focuses on international business development and co-manages UPMC Global Care, a program that helps international patients conveniently access UPMC’s world-class care, both through telemedicine and facilities in the U.S., Ireland and Italy.
Dr. Watson is also medical director of the Center for Connected Medicine (CCM), the largest collaborative briefing center in the United States. Founded by UPMC, IBM, General Electric and other leading technology and health care partners, the CCM promotes a new model of health care that seamlessly integrates information technologies to put patients at the center of care. Dr. Watson speaks worldwide about the CCM’s vision for transforming health care.
Dr. Watson attended Trinity College and subsequently received his master’s degree at the University of Oxford. After receiving his medical degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, he completed his surgical training and a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at UPMC, where he specializes in colorectal and inflammatory bowel disease surgery.