Meet Dr. Charles Chesnut

Dr. Charles Chesnut III, DO, FACS, MSM is a board-certified general surgeon in Las Vegas with extensive experience in general surgery and trauma. He joined Strive Surgery in 2026 and serves as Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at Valley Health System, where he leads the education and training of the next generation of surgeons. He is also the General Surgery Clerkship Director and a Clinical Associate Professor at Roseman University College of Medicine.

Education & Early Career

Dr. Chesnut received his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. He also holds a Master of Science in Management from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College.

Following residency, Dr. Chesnut served as a general and trauma surgeon with the United States Air Force at Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base. During his military service, he was among the surgeons who cared for victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting and participated in humanitarian relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Chesnut has focused on surgical education and leadership. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, and an Advanced Trauma Life Support instructor. He currently serves as Vice-Chief of Surgery and Credentials Chair on the Medical Executive Committee at Henderson Hospital and has held numerous academic and hospital leadership positions throughout his career.

Dr. Chesnut is also actively involved in surgical research and innovation, with more than 20 publications, presentations, and academic contributions spanning surgical outcomes, resident education, trauma care, pain management, and minimally invasive surgery. He is particularly proud of a career-long commitment to advancing surgical care and mentoring future surgeons.