Fegan Family Professor of Surgery

Fegan Family Professor of Surgery
Name	Fegan Family Professor of Surgery
Established	2004
Holder	David W. Rattner
Holder label	Current Chairholder
Department	Harvard Medical School
Faculty	Department of Surgery
Institution	Massachusetts General Hospital

Fegan Family Professor of Surgery is an endowed professorship in surgery at Harvard Medical School based within the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Established in 2004 through the philanthropy of the Fegan family, the chair supports a distinguished academic surgeon who leads in clinical care, research, and education. The position represents one of the highest honors in the field of surgery at one of the world's premier medical institutions.

History and establishment

The chair was formally inaugurated in 2004 following a generous endowment from the Fegan family, long-time benefactors of medical advancement and Harvard Medical School. The creation of this professorship was part of a broader initiative to strengthen academic leadership within the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham system. Its establishment coincided with a period of significant expansion in minimally invasive surgery and translational research at the hospital. The endowment was designed to provide perpetual support for a preeminent surgeon-scientist, ensuring innovation in surgical disciplines for future generations.

List of chairholders

The inaugural holder of the professorship was David W. Rattner, a renowned surgeon specializing in gastrointestinal surgery and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. Appointed in 2004, Rattner previously served as Chief of the Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and is a recognized authority on diseases of the pancreas and bile ducts. His tenure has been marked by leadership in developing new surgical techniques and training fellows at both Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. As of the present, Rattner remains the sole and current holder of this distinguished chair.

Selection and appointment process

The appointment to the Fegan Family Professor of Surgery follows the rigorous academic protocols of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Candidates are typically leading figures in their surgical subspecialty, with national recognition from organizations like the American College of Surgeons and a substantial record of peer-reviewed research. The search committee comprises senior faculty from the Department of Surgery, representatives from the hospital's executive leadership, and often includes members from the Harvard Medical School dean's office. Final appointment requires approval from the President and Fellows of Harvard College, the university's governing corporation, underscoring the position's significance.

Role and responsibilities

The chairholder serves a multifaceted role as a master clinician, an innovative researcher, and a dedicated educator. Clinically, they maintain an active practice at Massachusetts General Hospital, often focusing on complex cases within their subspecialty, such as hepatobiliary surgery or surgical oncology. Academically, they are expected to lead a robust research program, securing grants from institutions like the National Institutes of Health and publishing in journals such as the Annals of Surgery. A core responsibility is the mentorship of surgical residents, clinical fellows, and postdoctoral researchers, shaping the next generation of leaders in fields like trauma surgery and transplant surgery.

Endowment and funding

The professorship is funded by a permanent endowment established by the Fegan family, managed under the auspices of Harvard University's financial office. The endowment's proceeds provide crucial, flexible funding for the chairholder's academic activities, which may support pilot research projects, laboratory personnel, advanced surgical equipment, or educational symposia. This financial stability allows the professor to pursue high-risk, high-reward investigations without sole reliance on external grants, fostering innovation in areas like robotic surgery and regenerative medicine. The endowment exemplifies the critical role of private philanthropy in advancing academic medicine at institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital.

Notable contributions and impact

Under the leadership of its chairholder, the professorship has been associated with significant advancements in surgical science. Notable contributions include pioneering work in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and the refinement of techniques for managing pancreatic pseudocysts. The chair's influence extends through the training of numerous surgeons who have assumed leadership roles at other major institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Research emanating from this position has directly impacted clinical guidelines set by societies like the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, improving patient outcomes globally in gastrointestinal surgery.

Category:Harvard Medical School Category:Massachusetts General Hospital Category:Academic chairs and professorships Category:American surgeons