Edward E. Cornwell III, MD, FACS
Presented by Mallory Williams, MD, FACS and Tolulope Oyetunji, MD, MPH, MBA
Dr. Edward E. Cornwell III is a native of Washington DC and is currently the LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. Professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine and former Chair of the Department of Surgery (serving for 13 years in that position) and Interim Dean. He is the Vice President of the American Surgical Association and has previously served as President of the Southeastern Surgical Congress, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, and Surgical Section of the National Medical Association. He is also a former Secretary of the American College of Surgeons and Scudder Orator.
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H. Leon Pachter, MD, FACS
Presented by L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), MAMSE and John K. Saunders, MD, FACS
H. Leon Pachter, MD, FACS is the George David Stewart Professor of Surgery and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Surgery at NYU Langone Heath. While Dr. Pachter was the director of the Trauma and Shock Unit at Bellevue Hospital, his innovative methods changed the surgical world’s thinking to the approach and management of severe injuries to the liver and the spleen. He has perfected a number of life-saving techniques over the years, among them a method of salvaging severely damaged livers and spleens that drastically reduced the mortality rate for such injuries. Of his multiple notable achievements, the one he is most proud of is being elected as an honorary member to “The Society for Black Academic Surgeons,” in recognition of his efforts in the area of diversity. Dr. Pachter still maintains an active surgical practice, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, particularly of the adrenal glands.
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Valerie W. Rusch, MD, FACS
Presented by Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD, FACS
Dr. Valerie Rusch, vice chair of clinical research and the Miner Family Chair in Intrathoracic Cancers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is a highly respected surgeon and pioneer in the field of thoracic surgery. She has been a key leader in advances in multimodality treatment of lung cancer, including mesothelioma, with a particular impact in establishing the critically important role of surgery, and the value of the surgeon voice in clinical trial design, enrollment and maximizing patient outcomes. One of the first women in the United States to be board certified in cardiothoracic surgery, she has been a pioneer in nearly every facet of her career. She was an early member of the Southwest Oncology Group, the Lung Cancer Surgery Group, and the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group with participation in the creation and design of iconic clinical trials which have helped define modern management of thoracic malignancies. She has also established an amazing legacy with outstanding service as chief of the thoracic service at Memorial Sloan Kettering, council member for the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons, and ultimately the 100th President of the American College of Surgeons—all landmark roles which have defined leadership in our field.
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John L. Tarpley, MD, FACS
Presented by Fiemu Nwariaku, MBBS, FACS and Michael G. Sarr, MD, FACS
Dr. John ("Tarp") Tarpley has been a world-recognized educator in global surgery as well as one of the top recognized program directors in general surgery training programs here in the United States. He is truly an innovator, educator, inspirational bellwether, and a wonderful Icon in Surgery of the United States. Dr. Tarpley's incredible educational skills have allowed him to train numerous surgeons both nationally and internationally. Tarp not only talks the talk but has walked the walk with his 15 years as a medical missionary in Nigeria and three yeas “after retirement” running the University of Botswana department of surgery.
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