UT Physician Wins Distinguished Surgeon Award

The Houston Surgical Society has named Richard J. Andrassy, M.D., the Distinguished Houston Surgeon for 2006.

Richard J. Andrassy, M.D.

Andrassy, associate dean for clinical affairs at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, received the award May 10 during a dinner at Trevisio’s Restaurant. The executive committee of the Houston Surgical Society nominates members for the award, which is given annually to a surgeon who has made significant contributions to the medical field.

“Dr. Andrassy has achieved local and national distinction in surgical treatment of pediatric tumors, with special emphasis on surgical nutritional support, and related physiologic and immune responses to major trauma,” said Kamal G. Khalil, M.D., president of the Houston Surgical Society.

“He is a recognized leader in the training of general surgical and pediatric surgical residents,” Khalil said. “Also, his contributions to the surgical community here in Harris County have been instrumental in fostering communication between academic and the private surgical practitioners.”

Andrassy, surgeon-in-chief at Memorial Hermann Hospital, is holder of the Denton A. Cooley, M.D., Chair in Surgery and professor and chairman of the UT Medical School’s Department of Surgery.

Andrassy joined the UT Medical School faculty in 1985 as professor and division director of pediatric surgery. Since 1995, he has been the chairman of the Department of Surgery. While leading that department, he also served as interim chairman in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1996. He has been a member of the Houston Surgical Society since 1988. Andrassy, chief of pediatric surgery at the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, has served as a consultant in surgery to the U.S. Surgeon General since 1981.

He also is a member of the Board of Governors for the American College of Surgeons.

An award-winning teacher at the UT Medical School, Andrassy has been the lead author or co-author of more than 230 scientific publications related to pediatric and adult surgery.

Other UT Medical School faculty members who have won previous Distinguished Houston Surgeon awards include James “Red” Duke, M.D., the John B. Holmes Professor in the Clinical Sciences; Frank Moody, M.D., professor and former chair of the Department of Surgery; and O. H. “Bud” Frazier, M.D., clinical professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.

By Meredith Raine, Public Affairs