ABOUT US
State-of-the-Art Healthcare
Experienced Medical Professionals
Experienced Medical Professionals
Our mission at Southeastern Surgical Specialists is to provide you with personalized, high-quality care. Each of our surgeons utilizes their advanced skills and state-of-the-art technologies to perform the most minimally invasive surgery as possible. Our aim is to provide the best surgical outcomes and the fastest recovery times for our patients.
Experienced Medical Professionals
Experienced Medical Professionals
Experienced Medical Professionals
Our surgeons are board certified through the American Board of Surgery (ABS). We specialize in breast & skin cancer, colorectal, and hernia surgeries - leveraging laparoscopic and robotic techniques when possible. We only employ top-notch surgeons who ensure each of our patients get the best advice and treatment when under our care.
A Personalized Approach
Experienced Medical Professionals
A Personalized Approach
Concerned about a medical issue that might require surgery? Our goal at Southeastern Surgical Specialists is to improve your overall health and to empower you with an understanding of your condition and a wellness plan. We spend 1:1 time with each patient to ensure your needs are met. Our technical skills are equally matched by our empathy & communication skills.
Our Story
Craig Swafford, MD, FACS
Dr. Craig Swafford is a retired US Navy seal who grew up on a farm in McMinn County. He and his wife Stacey have five children and currently five grandchildren. Upon completing his active duty service to our country in the grueling SEAL teams, he attended medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, TN. After he received his doctorate of medicine, he then completed his general surgery residency training at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
On completion of his residency, Dr. Swafford became a Professor of Surgery with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Chattanooga unit) and established a Rural general surgery residency program in Rhea county, TN and has served the community for nearly 15 years. During this time Swafford has specialized in multiple disciplines specific to rural surgery including colon endoscopy, skin cancer surgery, advanced minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery. Additionally, he has brought state-of-the-art care for breast cancer to the Rhea County community.
Dr. Swafford is board-certified in general surgery which includes surgery for gallbladder disease, colon cancer endocrine (thyroid) surgery, amputations and more. To learn more about the broad-spectrum of surgical problems that Dr. Swafford can treat with state-of the-art-care in the rural general surgery setting, please see: American Board of Surgery's Specialty of General Surgery Defined.
After retiring from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Swafford has now established a new surgical group, Southeastern Surgical Specialists, and plans to devote the remainder of his career to serving the people in the surrounding area of Rhea County.. Intelligence, professionalism, conscientiousness, creativity, courage, and perseverance on behalf of his patients are the hallmarks of Dr. Swafford’s surgical practice.
Please contact our office if you need help with diagnosis or treatment of any surgical problem. Dr. Swafford has established academic relationships with a host of specialty physicians in the region and the surrounding states to assist in the care of all of your surgical needs, including referrals for late stage cancers such as lung, colon and pancreatic.
