In January, Robert McIntyre, MD, stepped into the role of interim chair of the Department of Surgery, bringing with him a deep commitment to the people who make the department exceptional. Over the past 10 months, McIntyre has provided steady, thoughtful leadership during a period of transition, building on years of contributions to the department's growth and success.
As the department prepares to welcome Michael Englesbe, MD, as its new chair on Nov. 1, colleagues across the department and the UC Health University of Colorado Hospital reflect on McIntyre's lasting impact—and the example he has set for those who will follow.
Robert McIntyre, MD, prepares to open the first Grand Rounds meeting of the academic year in September.
As a surgeon, teacher, and leader, McIntyre has consistently demonstrated a people-first ethos. For McIntyre, that means recognizing that the department's mission extends beyond the patients it serves to the faculty, staff, and colleagues who carry out that mission every day.
“I was going through a tough health journey and shared my situation with Dr. McIntyre. He told me the slogan on our wall, Improve Every Life, doesn’t just apply to patients that walk through our hospital doors, it applies to you and everyone that works here,” wrote Holly Stewart, assistant to the chair of surgery.
That commitment to people shaped McIntyre's approach to leading the department through a period of change. His priority was to provide stability, support his colleagues, and ensure the department continued to reach its goals.
McIntyre speaks to Fernanda Pons-Faudoa, MD, PhD, during a research poster presentation.
“From day one, Robert’s goal was to keep the department moving forward and provide stability until the new chair arrived—a commitment that was evident in his leadership every day,” wrote Stephanie Farmer, MHA, surgery's vice chair of administration.
Kia Washington, MD, professor of surgery and vice chair of access and engagement, describes McIntyre as a leader who “wants the best for the team.” Washington also praised his approachability, his willingness to consider different perspectives, and his impartiality.
Vineet Chopra, MD, MSc, MHM, professor and executive vice dean of clinical, research, and quality in the School of Medicine, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing McIntyre's collaborative approach to problem-solving.
“Robert always approaches things with a balanced perspective, even keel and an eye on solutions. We have spent many hours talking in the late evening about issues and opportunities and in all of these, Robert’s approach to problem solving and partnership has been exceptional,” Chopra writes.
While McIntyre's tenure as interim chair lasted 10 months, his influence on the department's progress extends back many years. Long before assuming the department's top leadership role, he was helping colleagues develop programs, expand research opportunities, strengthen clinical operations, and navigate periods of change.
“Dr. McIntyre and I initiated a GITES [GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery] surgeon-scholars program in 2017, to jump start the research career of Juan-Pablo Idrovo, MD. This year we expanded it to other divisions as a DOS scholars program,” wrote Elizabeth Kovacs, PhD, professor and vice chair of research in surgery.
Kovacs also credits McIntyre with helping to strengthen research funding support. Together, they initiated a contract with a grant finder and writer for the GITES division, and, “under Dr. McIntyre's direction, we expanded this to other divisions within DOS,” says Kovacs.
McIntyre and Elizabeth Kovacs, PhD, at the department's Research Retreat on Oct. 5.
McIntyre's leadership has also been instrumental in supporting clinical divisions during times of significant change. Trevor Nydam, MD, chief of transplant surgery, credits McIntyre with providing critical support during a period of transition for the division, which has hired six new transplant surgeons in the past year.
Nydam describes McIntyre's leadership as direct and pragmatic, balanced by a high degree of emotional intelligence and a willingness to invest the time needed to support his colleagues.
“He will take all the time necessary to sort out any challenge or issue at hand,” Nydam wrote.
Beyond the department, McIntyre's collaborative leadership has helped strengthen quality, patient outcomes, and surgical operations at the UC Health University of Colorado Hospital (UCH).
McIntyre, pictured with Joseph Cleveland, MD, announcing faculty promotions during a department meeting.
“Working closely with our perioperative leadership teams and surgical chairs, Dr. McIntyre has helped maintain a collaborative focus on safe, reliable care and effective perioperative operations,” says Robbie Dumond, MHA, BSN, chief operating officer of the UCH.
Additionally, Dumond says, “his deep institutional knowledge and ability to collaborate effectively with departments across the hospital have been particularly valuable in navigating complex operational needs and fostering alignment.”
President and CEO of UCH, Tom Gronow, Ed.D, MHA, echoes Dumond’s sentiments. “He is always willing to roll up his sleeves and dive into problems as they arise. His deep institutional knowledge from his years of service to CU Anschutz and UCH always adds an important perspective to issues we deal with on a daily basis,” Gronow says.
“We appreciate Dr. McIntyre’s service,” Gronow says.
Whether advancing research, supporting clinical teams, or strengthening partnerships, McIntyre has consistently helped move the department forward by investing in its people.
On Nov. 1, McIntyre will return to his previous role as chief of the GITES division. But the impact of his leadership will extend well beyond his time as interim chair.
Incoming chair Michael Englesbe, MD, says McIntyre has set an aspirational tone.
“The first time I met Dr. McIntyre was on an introductory Zoom call, early in the interview process,” wrote Englesbe. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘Mike, this is an amazing place. These are special people.’ He told me that serving as interim chair has been an absolute privilege—a chance to support these people at a great institution.”
That first conversation captured the people-first philosophy that has guided McIntyre's leadership throughout his career. It also left a lasting impression on the person who will succeed him.
“He represents everything I hope to represent as chair. I will continue to look to him as a role model for the excellence I aspire to support as the new chair of surgery,” Englesbe concludes.
McIntyre asks a question after a research presentation.