Best of Best Review recognises Dr. Eliel N. Arrey, MD, PhD, MBA as the Best Emerging General Surgeon in the Lewis-Clark Valley of 2026, highlighting a physician whose approach to surgery brings together patient centred care, surgical innovation, medical education, research, leadership, and a strong commitment to serving patients close to home.

A Vision For Surgical Care Close To Home

For Dr. Eliel Arrey, becoming a general surgeon is only part of a larger professional vision. His goal is to help expand access to advanced surgical care in the Lewis Clark Valley while maintaining the personal relationships that can make a difficult medical experience more manageable for patients and families.

His professional interests include minimally invasive and robotic surgery, breast disease, breast oncology, and advanced surgical technologies. His own website also highlights his interest in breast surgery, breast oncology, oncoplastic surgery, robotic surgery, medical education, and healthcare administration.

The vision is straightforward. Patients should not automatically have to travel to a major metropolitan centre to access sophisticated surgical care when appropriate services can be developed closer to the communities where they live.

"Advanced surgical care shouldn't automatically mean traveling hours away from home. My goal is to bring exceptional, innovative surgery closer to the patients and families who live right here in the Lewis Clark Valley," Dr. Arrey said.

Combining Surgical Training With Innovation

Dr. Arrey completed his Doctor of Medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and completed general surgery residency training at Morehouse School of Medicine at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

His professional preparation extends beyond conventional medical training. He also holds an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration and a PhD in Organizational Leadership. During his surgical training, he completed the Cedars Sinai LEAP Fellowship, an executive leadership programme focused on healthcare leadership, innovation, quality improvement, and transformation.

That combination has shaped the way Dr. Arrey thinks about surgery. Clinical expertise remains central, but he also considers how healthcare systems can improve, how teams can work more effectively, and how emerging technologies can be incorporated responsibly.

Robotic And Minimally Invasive Surgery

Surgical technology is an important part of Dr. Arrey's professional interests.

His published professional materials highlight robotic surgery and minimally invasive techniques, while his website features examples of robotic assisted procedures including cholecystectomy with intraoperative ICG cholangiography and robotic assisted femoral hernia repair.

The appeal of minimally invasive surgery is not simply technological. For patients, surgical innovation matters when it can be appropriately applied to their individual circumstances and contribute to a better overall surgical experience.

Dr. Arrey approaches technology as a tool that should support clinical judgement rather than replace the human relationship between surgeon and patient.

"Technology can make us better surgeons, but it should never replace the human side of medicine. I want my patients to know that I see the person before I see the diagnosis," he said.

A Researcher Focused On Better Surgical Care

Research forms another important part of Dr. Arrey's professional identity.

His scholarly interests have included surgical access, breast cancer disparities, robotic surgery, surgical education, and healthcare innovation. His published work has appeared in journals including the Journal of Surgical Oncology, American Surgeon, Histopathology, Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, and Journal of Neuro Oncology.

His official professional biography also highlights research involving minimally invasive hernia repair, breast cancer disparities, pediatric neurosurgery, and skull base osteosarcoma.

This research driven perspective complements his clinical work by encouraging continual learning and careful consideration of how surgical practices can evolve.

For an emerging surgeon, that commitment to scholarship represents more than an academic achievement. It reflects an interest in understanding the evidence behind modern surgical practice and contributing to the broader conversation around improving patient care.

Leadership Beyond The Operating Room

Dr. Arrey's experience also extends into healthcare leadership and military medicine.

He serves as a Senior Medical Officer in the United States Army, an experience that has reinforced values including discipline, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and service.

His leadership background has also been shaped by his healthcare administration education and the Cedars Sinai LEAP Fellowship. Together, these experiences have encouraged him to consider surgery from both a clinical and organisational perspective.

"My research, military service, leadership training, and business background have all taught me the same lesson: excellence is never an individual accomplishment. It comes from building great teams, continually improving, and staying focused on the people we serve," Dr. Arrey said.

An Educator As Well As A Surgeon

Medical education is another significant part of Dr. Arrey's career.

His professional biography states that he has more than a decade of education experience and has worked as a lecturer, anatomy faculty member, medical author, USMLE question writer, and medical ethics author. He currently serves as a lecturer for Kaplan's USMLE Step 2 CK and Step 3 programmes.

His website also identifies teaching roles involving anatomy, neuroanatomy, surgery, and medical education.

This commitment to education extends the impact of his work beyond individual patient encounters. By teaching students and medical professionals, Dr. Arrey contributes to the development of future healthcare providers while continuing to deepen his own understanding of medicine.

Patient Partnership At The Centre

Despite his academic, research, military, and leadership credentials, Dr. Arrey describes patient relationships as central to his philosophy.

He believes patients should understand their treatment options and participate actively in decisions about their care. That approach is particularly important in surgery, where patients and families may have significant concerns about procedures, recovery, risks, and what comes next.

His goal is to combine evidence based medicine and advanced surgical techniques with communication, compassion, and respect.

"For me, success is when a patient can receive outstanding surgical care close to home, surrounded by the family, community, and support system that matter most to them," he said.

Building A Future For The Lewis Clark Valley

The Best Emerging General Surgeon in the Lewis-Clark Valley of 2026 recognition reflects more than Dr. Arrey's medical credentials. It reflects his broader vision for what surgical care can become within the region.

The Lewis Clark Valley already has established surgical services designed to provide care close to home, including general surgery and procedures involving minimally invasive and robotic approaches. TriState General Surgery lists procedures across areas including breast surgery, colon and rectal surgery, gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, diagnostic laparoscopy, and other general surgical conditions.

Within that healthcare environment, Dr. Arrey's stated ambition is to contribute to continued development of advanced surgical capabilities while preserving accessibility and personal care.

"I didn't come here simply to practice surgery. I came with a vision to help build something lasting, a centre of excellence that this community can trust and be proud to call its own," he said.

The recognition reflects a professional philosophy that brings together innovation and humanity. For Dr. Arrey, advanced surgery is not simply about adopting new technology. It is about using appropriate tools, building strong teams, continuing to learn, and ensuring patients remain at the centre of every decision.

About Dr. Eliel Arrey

Dr. Eliel N. Arrey, MD, PhD, MBA is a general surgeon with professional interests in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, breast disease, breast oncology, and surgical innovation. His background includes medical training, healthcare administration, organisational leadership, research, medical education, and service as a Senior Medical Officer in the United States Army.

He is also an experienced medical educator and has contributed to surgical scholarship and medical history education. His professional website provides additional information about his clinical interests, research, educational work, and professional activities.

Learn more at elielarrey.com, or connect with Dr. Arrey on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For professional inquiries, email elielarrey@gmail.com. 

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