Elizabeth (Liz) Berdan, MD, MS, FAAP, FAPSA

Dr. Berdan is a board-certified General Surgeon with subsequent qualifications in Pediatric Surgery from the American Board of Surgery. Having performed over 2,000 pediatric operations, she has consistently achieved top-tier results for her patients. Her peers recognize her for her clinical excellence and tireless focus on patient safety and nominated her to serve on the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital (MBCH) Peer Review Committee. In addition, she was appointed Surgical Director for MBCH's Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Program which cares for the highest-acuity neonatal and pediatric patients. She is a fierce advocate, committed to achieving the best possible outcome for each patient by facilitating open, safe communication that ensures each patient’s concerns are well understood. 

Dr. Liz Berdan’s surgical specialty is caring for the most vulnerable pediatric patients with complex medical and surgical presentations. She provides comprehensive surgical management of neonatal and congenital anomalies, including anorectal malformations, pulmonary malformations and intestinal conditions such as Hirschsprung Disease. Additionally, her surgical expertise extends to infants and children with cancer, IBD, traumatic injuries, chest wall deformities, gastroesophageal reflux, and hernia repair. 

The services Dr. Berdan provides includes:

• Neonatal surgery
• Pediatric General Surgery
• Pediatric Thoracic Surgery
• Pediatric Surgical Oncology
• Pediatric Trauma Care
• Pediatric Colorectal Surgery
• Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgeries
• Prenatal Consultations
• Treatment of Pectus malformations including Operative management
• ECMO / ECLS 

Languages: English

Certification: General Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery

Professional School: Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI) / University of Minnesota - Clinical Research (Minneapolis, MN)

Residency: University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)

Medical Groups: Mary Bridge Children's, MultiCare

Medical Association Memberships:

• American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) - Advocacy Committee, Patient Autonomy and Rights Committee 
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Surgical Section, Advocacy Committee 
• American Medical Women’s Associate Association – Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans. 

Research: In addition to her expertise treating high-acuity pediatric patients, Dr. Berdan is committed to developing practical training for surgeons across specialties to identify and support human trafficked victims / survivors and provide trauma informed care. She has served as President and is the current Physician Chair for Research and Education at American Medical Women’s Association, Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans (AMWA-PATH).

Practice Philosophy: My practice philosophy centers around compassion, expertise, and collaboration, to ensure each child's journey towards a healthier and happier life is filled with the highest level of quality care and support. Having grown up in foster care, I understand firsthand the challenges vulnerable patients can encounter when navigating our convoluted healthcare system. From pre-operative consultations to post-operative follow-ups, I prioritize open communication to ensure patients and their families feel heard and supported. The best results come from a collaborative approach; I work closely with pediatricians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a comprehensive care plan that addresses not only the surgical needs but also the emotional and psychological well-being of young patients and their families. By working together, we can provide a holistic healing experience that nurtures both body and spirit.