Lisa Cunningham, MD

Physician, Assistant Professor

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Make an appointment

614-366-4272
Accepting new patients

Conditions and expertise

  • Robotic Surgery
  • Colorectal Cancers
  • Colon Cancers
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Appendix Cancer
  • Rectal Cancers

View all conditions

Locations

  • Outpatient Care Upper Arlington
  • Talbot Hall
  • Outpatient Surgery

View all locations

Academics and research

Department: Surgery

View my research

About

Gender
Female

Biography

As a colorectal surgeon, I'm passionate about providing patient-centered care and also about educating the next generation of physicians. I'm an advocate for my patients, which means I take the time to listen to their needs and see the best ways to help each patient. I love providing specialty colorectal surgical care at Ohio State's East Hospital because many of our patients come from underserved communities. I operate at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center East Hospital, at University Hospital and at the OSUCCC – James.

I chose to stay in academic medicine because I enjoy teaching and the environment of inquiry and collegiality that is present when it comes to specialized care. The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is the best place to receive treatment, because there are so many excellent physicians here who provide comprehensive, quality care to treat the whole patient, not just the disease. We are on the front lines of research and education, keeping up-to-date with current therapies.

When I'm not at work, I enjoy reading, crocheting, watching movies, gardening, and hanging out with my partner and three cats, Jackson, Grayson and Tyson.

Conditions and expertise

  • Anal Cancers
  • Appendix Cancer
  • Colitis
  • Colon Cancers
  • Colorectal Cancers
  • Colorectal Diseases
  • Crohn Disease
  • Diverticulitis
  • Diverticulitis, Colonic
  • Diverticulum
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Intestinal Volvulus
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Rectal Cancers
  • Rectal Diseases
  • Rectovaginal Fistula
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Ulcerative Colitis

Locations

Talbot Hall

1441 Phale D. Hale Drive
Columbus, OH 43203
614-257-3760

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Credentials

Education

Fellowship - Colon & Rectal Surgery
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019
Residency - Surgery (General Surgery)
University of Florida-Jacksonville Radiology GME, Jacksonville, FL
7/1/2015 - 6/30/2018
Residency - Surgery (General Surgery)
Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL, United States
7/1/2013 - 6/30/2015
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL
5/1/2009 - 5/18/2013

Certifications

  • American Heart Association National Center
    11/19/2024
  • American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery
    11/13/2021
  • American College of Surgeons
    12/13/2019
  • American Board of Surgery
    11/13/2018

Academics and research

In the Ohio State University College of Medicine, I'm an instructor for the Longitudinal Learning Program for first-year medical students, as well as an instructor for third- and fourth-year medical students during surgical rotations. I oversee the combined surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and anesthesia rotation for the third-year medical students in my role as the director of Integration for the Understanding Patient with Reproductive and Surgical Needs (UPRSN) ring. I'm also involved in surgery residents’ and colorectal surgery fellows’ education. I am an associate program director for the General Surgery Residency.

Research interests

  • General Surgery

Academic information

Department:
Surgery
Division:
Colon and Rectal Surgery

More about my research

Ratings and reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

118 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.8 / 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.8 / 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.7 / 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 / 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 / 5

Patient Comments

  • Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

    Very kind. Understands my concerns

  • Reviewed on Oct 06, 2025

    This was my first time seeing the doctor And it's to see if I could have my colon reattached . She was phenomenal. She went through everything. She examined me and went through what the procedure and what she thought about the timeframe she was great.

  • Reviewed on Sep 12, 2025

    Lisa cunningham is a excellent doctor

  • Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

    Very good

  • Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

    Very informative and made things easy for me to understand. Best interaction as a patient at any facility I have ever visited.

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Cunningham has reported no relationships with companies or entities.

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