Citation for Prof. Ari Kalevi Leppäniemi, MD, PhD

Prof. Ari Leppäniemi is professor of surgery, Abdominal Center, Meilahti Hospital, and chief, division of emergency surgery and surgical critical care, University of Helsinki, Finland. He also is an adjunct professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Leppäniemi is an internationally recognized leader in the care of the injured patient, critically ill, emergency general surgical patient, and in the reconstruction of the patient with major abdominal compartment syndrome complications.

Dr. Leppäniemi received his education and training in Finland, from the University of Helsinki, with additional diplomas in surgery, medical care catastrophes, international health care, prehospital care, and emergency surgery. He has been recognized and honored for his surgical efforts in global health throughout his career, including the Red Cross Medal, the Police Cross for Distinguished Service, Surgeon of the Year, Military Achievement Medal, and the Faltin Lecture of the Finnish Surgical Society. He has served in multiple roles in his surgical community, including recent tenure as president of the Finnish Society of Surgery and president, European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery.

Dr. Leppäniemi has had a major commitment to global outreach for surgical care in primarily war-torn and natural disaster settings. He has cared for the underserved in Nigeria; been a field surgeon during the civil wars in Cambodia, Sudan, and Afghanistan; and served as a volunteer surgeon in the South Pacific. He directed the Finnish surgical team in support of the severely injured following catastrophes throughout the globe. He also has served as an international consultant to other countries, including Sweden, Hong Kong, and Norway, and has served as a visiting scientist and adjunct professor to the USUHS.

Dr. Leppäniemi is a dedicated clinician, educator, and surgical consultant. He has been a significant contributor to the global development in the care of injury and emergency general surgery. It is indeed a pleasure to introduce him as a well-deserved Honorary Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.