Alexander Geha lectureship in cardiothoracic surgery inaugurated at AUB

The American University of Beirut (AUB) recently celebrated the establishment of the prestigious Alexander S. Geha, MD Lectureship in Cardiothoracic Surgery within the framework of the 46th Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA). The lectureship, which will take place annually, is named after AUB Trustee Emeritus Alexander Geha, cardiothoracic surgery professor at University of California at San Diego and professor and chief emeritus of cardiothoracic surgery at University of Illinois at Chicago. VP/Dean Mohamed H. Sayegh thanked Trustee Geha for his generosity, noting that “lectureships are absolutely critical and essential as they allow us to bring in world-renowned and internationally recognized speakers to MEMA.” In his speech, AUB President Peter Dorman noted that Trustee Geha had advocated and provided tremendous support for the AUB Medical Center. “With his extensive knowledge of medicine and complex operational systems of teaching hospitals like our own, he has contributed enormously to our medical committees,” said Dorman. The inaugural lecture on pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), an operation that removes organized clotted blood from the pulmonary arteries, took place on May 10 and was given Dr. Stuart W. Jamieson, endowed chair, distinguished professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UC San Diego.   Dr. Jamieson is the world leading expert in this surgical treatment of pulmonary hypertension, having performed around 3,000 of these procedures, more than all other surgeons combined. Before introducing Dr. Jamieson, Dr. Geha thanked all the contributors to this endowed lectureship which was principally funded by him and his family, and expressed his hope that such action would entice other AUB medical alumni to establish similar commemorative funding in support of the educational activities of the medical center.  He also indicated that he was honored to be establishing this lectureship at AUB – where he has been involved for more than half of his life.