Published on December 16, 2024
Longtime Owensboro Surgeon Dr. Chris Glaser to Retire After 31 Years of Service
Dr. Chris Glaser, a respected general surgeon and pioneer in breast cancer treatment, will retire on December 31 after 31 years of dedicated service to Owensboro Health and its community. Known for his passion, innovation and tireless dedication to patient care, Dr. Glaser reflects on a career that has touched countless lives.
Dr. Glaser joined Ohio Valley Surgical Specialists (which became Owensboro Health Surgical Specialists in 2013) in 1993 after deciding to pursue a career where he could build lasting relationships with patients. "I never had any intention of making a quick stop," he shared. "Half the joy of this job is establishing yourself, seeing patients over and over again and helping their families."
Throughout his career, Dr. Glaser became a leading advocate for oncoplastic breast surgery, an approach that prioritizes both the eradication of cancer and the preservation of a woman’s emotional and physical well-being. "Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the body," he explained. "It impacts self-confidence, relationships and every facet of life. The more you can do to prevent those scars—inside and out—the better."
In addition to his surgical work, Dr. Glaser has played a significant role as an educator, teaching medical students and physicians about innovative techniques in breast cancer surgery. His dedication to advancing the field earned him recognition as one of the first U.S. surgeons to adopt new technologies like the BioZorb implantable tissue marker.
As for what’s next, Dr. Glaser plans to enjoy retirement with his wife, their four grandchildren, and plenty of outdoor activities. "Every minute of my life for the last 37 years has been planned," he laughed. "I’m looking forward to freestyling it for a while."
While he admits he’ll miss working, he knows it’s time to pass the torch. "This is a hard job," Dr. Glaser said. "It takes a toll, but I’ve been lucky to work in the greatest place there is. Owensboro Health has been my home, and I’m proud of what we’ve built here."
Dr. Glaser leaves behind a legacy of excellence, compassion and unwavering commitment to his patients. His influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire the next generation of healthcare providers at Owensboro Health.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.