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Nicolas Contreras
Rating: 4.9 of 5
( out of 106 reviews )

Nicolas Contreras, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Salt Lake City
801-646-4111

  • Nicolas Contreras, MD, is a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon with a special interest in robotic thoracic surgery, thoracic oncology, esophageal surgery, complex esophageal reconstruction, and lung transplantation.

    Dr. Contreras' clinical specialties:

    • Thoracic Oncology

    • Robotic Thoracic Surgery

    • Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Esophagus

    • Lung Cancer

    • Mediastinal Tumors

    • Chest wall Reconstruction

    • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

    • Lung Transplantation

    • Bioethics

    Dr. Contreras' research areas of interest:

    • Esophageal Cancer

    • Thoracic Oncology

    • Lung Transplantation

    • Bioethics

    Dr. Contreras graduated top of his class at Gonzaga University, majoring in Biochemistry, then received his MD at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He continued at the Mayo Clinic to complete his General Surgery Residency. During his education and residency, Dr. Contreras received multiple awards recognizing his excellence in clinical and surgical care, including awards as the top surgical intern of his class, best overall surgical resident, and Chief Resident Teacher of the Year. He completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah.

    From Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Contreras speaks English and Spanish. He enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, traveling, and SCUBA diving in his free time. He has also dedicated part of his career to working with underserved communities in Central and South America.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Surgery
    National Board of Medical Examiners

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 4.9 out of 5
    4.9 /5
    ( out of 106 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    August 29, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great physician, very patient, kind, caring, took his time with me explained everything very carefully, amazing customer service! I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Contreras for anybody that needs his services.

    August 09, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Contreras is an amazing Dr. I had concerns about cadaver inside of my body, most people thought I was crazy, but he didn't hesitate to find an option I was comfortable with. He really listens and I can tell that he wants me to be okay. He has also explained my upcoming surgery and requirements very well. He is a doctor I feel comfortable talking to and asking questions and he has set clear expectations for after surgery. Because of the type of Dr he is and his personality, I am not terrified to have surgery like I have been in the past. I also know that it's a very painful surgery so I have an idea of what to expect and I'm appreciative that he has started me on pain management early to help with pain now and post surgery. His honesty about the fact that I may have pain, even after recovery, is helpful. I can tell he really cares for his patients which to me, is just as important as his knowledge and skill.

    July 19, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Compassionate and explains everything so anyone can understand

    June 15, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful doctor.

    June 14, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Highest example of professionalism. Talked to my wife and I in a way that could be understood. Explained fully risks and benefits of surgery.

    June 13, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Nicolas Contreras is an excellent Dr I have told many people about him! Very kind and caring person!!!

    June 02, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Contreras is an exceptional doctor. He was very knowledgeable and took the time to answer our questions.

    April 19, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent doctor and was there to answer any questions if I wanted to ask any

    April 07, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Works alone cannot describe how great Dr Contreras is as a provider. Wish he was my PCP

    See More Patient Comments

  • Nicolas Contreras, MD, is a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon with a special interest in robotic thoracic surgery, thoracic oncology, esophageal surgery, complex esophageal reconstruction, and lung transplantation.

    Dr. Contreras' clinical specialties:

    • Thoracic Oncology

    • Robotic Thoracic Surgery

    • Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Esophagus

    • Lung Cancer

    • Mediastinal Tumors

    • Chest wall Reconstruction

    • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

    • Lung Transplantation

    • Bioethics

    Dr. Contreras' research areas of interest:

    • Esophageal Cancer

    • Thoracic Oncology

    • Lung Transplantation

    • Bioethics

    Dr. Contreras graduated top of his class at Gonzaga University, majoring in Biochemistry, then received his MD at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He continued at the Mayo Clinic to complete his General Surgery Residency. During his education and residency, Dr. Contreras received multiple awards recognizing his excellence in clinical and surgical care, including awards as the top surgical intern of his class, best overall surgical resident, and Chief Resident Teacher of the Year. He completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah.

    From Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Contreras speaks English and Spanish. He enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, traveling, and SCUBA diving in his free time. He has also dedicated part of his career to working with underserved communities in Central and South America.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
    Academic Divisions Cardiothoracic Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Surgery
    National Board of Medical Examiners

    Education history

    Fellowship Cardiothoracic Surgery - University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Fellow
    Chief Resident General Surgery - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science Chief Resident
    Residency General Surgery - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - Mayo Medical School M.D.
    Undergraduate Biochemistry - Gonzaga University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Contreras N, Litle VR (2022). Pulmonary Segmentectomy: Does Virtual Reality Have Bite? Ann Thorac Surg, 115(5), 1255-1256. ()
    2. Contreras N, Litle VR (2022). Follow the Leader? Can Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Follow Non-small Cell Lung Cancer's Lead With Immunotherapy? Ann Thorac Surg, 114(5), e361. ()
    3. Contreras N, Litle VR (2022). Systemic Disease and the Impact on Esophageal Carcinoma Management: The Big Picture. Ann Thorac Surg. ()
    4. Contreras N, Litle VR (2022). Invited Commentary: COVID-19 and Cancer Casualty: Managing Esophageal Cancer. J Am Coll Surg, 235(2), 184-185. ()
    5. Liu S, Contreras N, Krezalek MA, Abd El Aziz MA, Merchea A, Kelley SR, Behm K (2022). Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery: a single institutional experience. Updates Surg, 74(3), 1011-1016. ()
    6. Krezalek MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Parker ME, Kelley SR, Behm KT (2020). Hybrid Robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery Approach to Large and Low-Lying Rectal Polyps. Dis Colon Rectum, 63(7), 1001-1006. ()
    7. Contreras N, Jakub JW (2019). The achilles heel of minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissection: Seroma formation. Am J Surg, 219(4), 696-700. ()
    8. Hernandez MC, Khasawneh M, Contreras-Peraza N, Lohse C, Stephens D, Kim BD, Zielinski MD (2019). Vaccination and splenectomy in Olmsted County. Surgery, 166(4), 556-563. ()
    9. Khasawneh MA, Contreras-Peraza N, Hernandez MC, Lohse C, Jenkins DH, Zielinski MD (2019). Outcomes after splenectomy in children: a 48-year population-based study. Pediatr Surg Int, 35(5), 575-582. ()
    10. Contreras N, Joyce DD, Van Handel AC, Farley DR (2015). Video voiceover feedback: economised surgical skills training. Med Educ, 49(11), 1146. ()