Meet Dr. Matthew Cziep, General Surgeon at Covenant Health Roane

When you need surgery, you want more than skill. You want someone who listens, explains, and cares. At Covenant Health Roane, Matthew Cziep,MD delivers compassionate care every day. 

“I try to do the right thing for patients, even when it’s inconvenient,” Dr. Cziep says. “I explain things in easy-to-understand terms because patients deserve clarity.” 

A Surgeon Who Puts Patients First 

Dr. Cziep’s path to East Tennessee started in Idaho, with stops in Wisconsin, Missouri, and North Dakota before joining Covenant Health. He chose Covenant Health Roane for its strong reputation and collaborative culture. “Everybody is very interested in working together, supporting each other, and trying to get the best outcome for our patients,” he says. 

He loves the variety of procedures in general surgery and has a special interest in foregut surgery. These are surgeries that focus on the upper part of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and the area where the two connect. He often treats hiatal hernias, which happen when the top of the stomach pushes upward into the chest and causes discomfort or heartburn. He also performs anti‑reflux procedures, which help people whose stomach acid repeatedly comes up into the esophagus and interferes with eating, sleeping and day-to-day comfort. 

“These surgeries are technically challenging,” he explains, “but they make a big difference for patients. When someone can eat without pain again or sleep through the night without heartburn, that’s life‑changing.” 

In addition to general and foregut surgery, Dr. Cziep provides surgical care for women diagnosed with breast cancer who choose lumpectomy or mastectomy without reconstruction. He understands that every breast cancer journey is personal, and he takes time to discuss each patient’s options with care and compassion. 

Advanced Technology, Better Outcomes 

Covenant Health is committed to staying at the forefront of medical innovation. At Covenant Health Roane, Dr. Cziep and his team use advanced tools like the SpyGlass device during gallbladder surgery. This technology allows them to remove stones from gallbladder ducts. By offering this technology locally, Covenant Health Roane helps patients get the care they need right here in their community.  

Dr. Cziep and his team also follow the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which improves pain control and helps patients return home sooner. “It’s all about making recovery easier and safer,” Dr. Cziep says. 

Why Choose Covenant Health? 

Covenant Health is East Tennessee’s largest health system, known for advanced technology, expert providers, and convenient care close to home. At Covenant Health Roane, you’ll find excellent nurses, skilled staff and a surgeon who values competence and reliability above all else.  

Covenant Health Roane offers the kind of care where patients feel known, heard and supported. “Though we have the resources of a large system, I feel like we are less of a factory here, more of a mom-and-pop shop,” Dr. Cziep says with a smile. That means patients get expert care without feeling like a number. “Watching someone regain their health and finally feel relief is the most rewarding part of my job, especially after seeing how sick or hurting they were when they first arrived.” 

Ready to take the next step? 
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cziep at (865) 882-2442 or find more expert Covenant Health providers near you.