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Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD

(38 Ratings)

Specializes in: Medical Oncology and Adult Oncology

Harvard Medical School (1998)

Professional interests include: cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and more.

1665 Aurora Court 3rd Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

1-855-824-7262

Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD is a medical oncologist in Aurora, CO specializing in medical oncology and adult oncology. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1998 and has 28 years of experience. Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD is affiliated with UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine and UCHealth Cancer Care - Anschutz Cancer Pavilion.

Office Locations

12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045

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University of Colorado Medicine

1500 Park Central Drive Suite 101
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

(720) 516-1100

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University of Colorado Medicine

1665 Aurora Court 3rd Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

1-855-824-7262

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9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124

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Some issues Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD can help you with:

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“The phase III trial showed a clear benefit with the combination, achieved with a fairly low rate of AEs, particularly grade 3/4 and serious AEs, said ASCO-invited discussant Wells Messersmith, MD,...”—"Combination Slows Metastatic CRC Progression Better Than Single Immunotherapy", MedPage Today, January 2025

“Many doctors on the panel, including the University of Colorado oncologist Wells Messersmith, have said they have never witnessed a 5-FU death.”—"Overdosing on Chemo: A Common Gene Test Could Save Hundreds of Lives Each Year - KFF Health News", KFF Health News, April 2024

“Many doctors on the panel, including the University of Colorado oncologist Dr. Wells Messersmith, have said they have never witnessed a 5-FU death.”—"A quick, cheap test could protect against fatal chemo overdose. Why do few cancer doctors use it?", NBC News, March 2024

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD treated as a medical oncologist in Aurora, CO during 2012 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	226
hospital care	66
inpatient care	66

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	258

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	47
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	68
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2013

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	27
Dementia	0
Cancer	46

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	270

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	77
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	51
From 75 to 84	25
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2014

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	32
Dementia	0
Cancer	47

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	280

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	104

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	176
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	126
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2015

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	39
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	43

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	375

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	62

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	118
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	80
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2016

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	47

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	364

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	80
Female	79

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	134
Black	0
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	39
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2017

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	27
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	43

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	314

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	86
Female	64

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	129
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	96
From 75 to 84	35
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2018

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	46

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	250

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	62

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	102
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	73
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2019

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	30
Dementia	0
Cancer	47

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	285

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	60

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	110
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	72
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2020

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	34
Dementia	10
Cancer	40

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	299

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	77

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	134
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	45
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2021

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	54
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	33
Dementia	0
Cancer	41

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	350

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	65
Female	57

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	98
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	65
From 75 to 84	33
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD in 2022

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	52

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD treated as a medical oncologist in Aurora, CO were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	297
hospital care	66
inpatient care	66

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD.

**Gender**
Male	65
Female	59

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	104
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	29
85 and over	0
Less than 65	2
65 to 74	72

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD treated were hypertension, cancer, ischemic heart disease and high cholesterol.

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	26
Atrial Fibrillation	6
Dementia	0
Cancer	41

Education & Training

Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1998. He completed residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has a state license in Colorado.

Medical School: Harvard Medical School (1998)

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (2001)

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth

University of Colorado Medicine

UCHealth Cancer Care - Anschutz Cancer Pavilion

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 38 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Aurora, CO.

4.97

Overall Rating

(38 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Pfizer Inc.	$8,237 NonCovered Product $6,400	$1,837
Amgen Inc.	$6,600 $6,600
Gilead Sciences Inc	$4,500 $4,500
PFIZER INTERNATIONAL LLC	$3,859 $3,859
Taiho Oncology, Inc.	$2,644 TAS-102 $2,644
Other	$1,239 IMFINZI $50	$1,189

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$19,720
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$6,564
Food and Beverage	$426
Travel and Lodging	$369

Research Payments

Dr. Wells Messersmith, MD has received 486 research payments totaling $7,787,951.

Biography

Dr. Wells Messersmith, who practices in Aurora, CO, Lone Tree, CO, and Highlands Ranch, CO, is a medical specialist in adult oncology and medical oncology. Dr. Messersmith's clinical interests include anal cancer, internal medicine, and pancreatic cancer. He is professionally affiliated with UCHealth and the University of Colorado Medicine. He attended medical school at Harvard Medical School. His medical residency was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Messersmith is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients.