Maria Rachel Baimas-George, MD

“Transplant surgery offers the unique privilege of caring for both children and adults. Each operation is a profound opportunity to restore life.”

Dr. Maria Baimas-George is a board-certified general and abdominal transplant surgeon, specializing in liver, kidney and living-donor transplantation for both adult and pediatric patients.

She chose transplant surgery not only for its unrivaled technical challenges, but also for the wonder of watching a new organ “pink up” and work instantly. These are moments she describes as the most challenging and magical in the operating room.

Dr. Baimas-George is an assistant professor of surgery and transplant surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters spanning transplant surgery, surgical innovation and patient education, and her research has been recognized nationally and internationally.

Her work has earned multiple awards for surgical excellence, research innovation and health literacy advancement. Notable honors include the Gold Scalpel Award for Surgical Excellence from Tulane University School of Medicine, the 23rd Annual Health Literacy Award from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement and the Atrium Health Silver Touchstone Award. During fellowship, she was the inaugural recipient of the Michael Chapman Endowed Award, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and innovation, and she was nominated to serve as a patient experience leader for the enterprise, focusing on communication and empathy in patient care.

Dr. Baimas-George is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Strength of My Scars books. The medically accurate, illustrated series was developed with subspecialists and includes more than 40 titles designed to comfort and educate patients and families. Used nationwide by hospitals, nonprofits and transplant centers, the books have been shown through a randomized controlled trial to improve comprehension, reduce anxiety and enhance satisfaction.

Her research focuses on health literacy, patient education and organ-preservation science, including normothermic machine perfusion for DCD livers. She was principal investigator on a Donor Alliance Foundation grant measuring how illustrated books improve transplant outcomes, and prior work through the Academic Enrichment Fund expanded the approach to pediatric and neonatal populations.

Dr. Baimas-George received her bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at Colgate University. She received her medical degree and Master of Public Health (MPH) in global health systems and development at Tulane University. She completed residency in general surgery at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center and a fellowship in abdominal transplant surgery at the University of Colorado, where she trained in complex adult and pediatric liver and kidney transplantation and served as the inaugural endowed Trafton-Snyder Fellow.

In her spare time, she enjoys working out, relaxing with her husband and cats and unwinding with a good show or novel. Most of all, she loves creating new stories, especially turning late-night sketch sessions into resources that make medical journeys less intimidating and more empowering for children and families.