Matthew Boelig, MD

Get to Know Me

Dr. Boelig is a board-certified pediatric general surgeon with a broad clinical practice and an interest in minimally invasive surgery and surgical education. He is the associate program director for the pediatric surgery fellowship and director of the surgical clerkship for medical students at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. 

Why I Treat Children

As a pediatric surgeon, I believe I have the best job in the world. Caring for children is motivating and rewarding. I am fascinated by the ability of children to maintain resilience, hope and kindness of heart in the face of illness. Parents place a sacred trust in us to operate on and care for their children, and for that I am honored and grateful. I am also drawn to the extraordinary breadth of pediatric surgical care, which is unique in the profession of surgery. On any given day, I may care for a pre-term baby in our neonatal intensive care unit, fix an inguinal hernia in a toddler and treat a teenager who has sustained injuries in an accident.  

What I'm Passionate About

Operating on the smallest of patients demands a high level of meticulousness and technique. I am interested in adapting minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and robotic surgery) to pediatric patients in such a way as to minimize pain and scars, to preserve function and to promote a speedier recovery. I am also passionate about family-centered care and understanding the values and priorities of parents regarding the care of their child. My goal is to speak openly and honestly with parents, educate them on pediatric surgical disease and the options for care, and to build a plan together that best meets the needs of the patient and family.

My medical interests include:

• Minimally invasive thoracic/chest and abdominal surgery, including laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
• Robotic Surgery
• Surgery for congenital lung lesions (CPAM, bronchopulmonary sequestration)
• Newborn surgery
• Pediatric surgical oncology (Wilm’s tumor, neuroblastoma)
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
• Congenital abdominal wall defects (gastroschisis, omphalocele)
• Counseling for fetal surgical anomalies
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)  
• Hirschsprung disease
• Anorectal malformations
• Prenatal counseling
• Medical/surgical education

How I Try to Make A Difference

Every child is unique. I approach each patient with an open mind and a commitment to tailoring a surgical plan that fits the patient and family’s needs. I also strongly believe that pediatric surgeons are educators and need to be completely invested in training the next generation of pediatric surgeons. I try to make a difference by focusing much of my time and energy into teaching and training medical students, residents and our pediatric surgery fellow.

Fellowship

• Clinical Research - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2015
• Pediatric Surgery - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Program, 2019

Residency

• General Surgery - University of Pennsylvania Program, 2017

Medical/Dental School

• M.D. - Johns Hopkins University, 2010

Board Certifications

• American Board of Surgery
• American Board of Surgery/Pediatric Surgery