The University Hospital, part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) said it has appointed Dr Verdi J DiSesa as the first chairman of the Department of Surgery and surgeon-in-chief.

Dr DiSesa will lead the development of the department and oversee all surgical activities at the Academic Medical Center.

Dr DiSesa has more than 24 years of experience in academic surgery. He obtained his education and training at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania in the United States and has an international reputation for excellence in patient care, teaching, and research.

Dr DiSesa has been Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Center, which he helped establish in 2001 at The Chester County Hospital in Pennsylvania.

He is certified by the American Boards of Thoracic Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Surgery.

Dr DiSesa's special skills include integrated disease management, valvular heart disease, and transplantation biology.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the American Surgical Association and other major international organisations.

He serves on the editorial boards of several international medical journals such as the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Dr Muhadittha Al Hashimi, deputy chief executive officer of Tatweer Dubai, said: 'We recognise the value of recruiting high calibre specialist physicians for driving the success of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Centre as an entity committed to improving research, education and healthcare in the region.

'The medical centre has demonstrated its standing as a valuable asset for healthcare advancements and a significant contributor to an expanded healthcare workforce.'

Dr Ayesha Abdullah, senior vice president of DHCC, said: 'We believe in the exciting future of the University Hospital and in its solid research capabilities with the leadership of Dr DiSesa.

'Research and educational strength among DHCC partners is critical to the future success of our mission and our region, and we are pleased to welcome Dr DiSesa who will help us accomplish our mission.'

James Kingsbury, CEO of University Hospital, said: 'We are fortunate to have Dr. DiSesa on board, whose knowledge and experience in patient-focused, integrated disease management has gained enormous respect worldwide.

'In his new role at University Hospital, Dr DiSesa's leadership, vision, and experience will contribute significantly to the development of University Hospital’s innovative clinical, research and teaching initiatives.'

Dr DiSesa said: 'It is with great enthusiasm that I take on these responsibilities. Establishing a new Academic Medical Center based on the integrated delivery of patient-centered disease management services will not only prove to be an exciting challenge but also a unique and important step towards improving healthcare delivery.

'My goal is to build a surgery department at the University Hospital that advances this effort by assembling a team of specialists with the knowledge and imagination to offer a full spectrum of integrated surgical services.'

The appointment of Dr DiSesa as the first Chair of Surgery marks a milestone towards the fulfilment of the University Hospital's mission to offer premium, integrated, patient-centered care in an educational and research environment.

The University Hospital will serve as a regional and international centre for advanced medical services, life sciences research, and postgraduate medical education. - TradeArabia News Service