Tara Kent MD

Tara Sotsky Kent, MD, MS, is an accomplished academic surgeon, educator, and researcher specializing in pancreatic and biliary surgery. She serves as Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and holds key leadership roles at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, including Program Director of the General Surgery Residency Program and Associate Clerkship Director for Surgery. Her clinical expertise focuses on the treatment of pancreatic cancer, benign and premalignant pancreatic lesions, pancreatitis, and other complex hepatobiliary conditions, with a commitment to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered surgical care.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Kent is an active outcomes researcher whose work centers on improving the care experience for pancreatic surgery patients. Her research examines challenges associated with transitions from inpatient to outpatient care, utilizing database analyses, qualitative research, and survey-based methodologies to identify opportunities for process improvement. Collaborating with colleagues at the Institute for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, she is advancing initiatives that enhance patient and family education, improve access to care, and promote more patient-centered approaches throughout the surgical journey.

Dr. Kent is also deeply dedicated to surgical education and workforce development. As Residency Program Director, she leads efforts to train and mentor the next generation of surgeons while continuously evaluating and strengthening residency curricula and learning environments. Her educational scholarship explores the impact of regulatory changes on surgical training, effective teaching strategies in operative and clinical settings, trainee development as educators, and innovative approaches to curriculum design. Through her combined contributions to patient care, research, and medical education, Dr. Kent continues to shape the future of academic surgery and surgical training.