Newsmakers
Laparoscopy, bariatric expert joins faculty
Dr.
Michael Anthony Edwards has joined the faculty as assistant professor of
surgery and director of the Virtual Education and Surgical Simulation
Laboratory, where he will develop a state-of-the-art facility for surgical
residents, medical students and community surgeons to improve laparoscopic
skills. He is also developing a patient-focused laparoscopic bariatric
program and, as a surgical intensivist, will treat critically ill patients.
Dr. Edwards, who recently completed a minimally invasive and bariatric surgery fellowship at Harvard University’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is a 1998 graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine and completed a general surgery residency, including a year as chief resident, at George Washington University Hospital. During his residency, he completed a research fellowship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He later completed a surgical critical care fellowship at Washington University’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Dr. Edwards’ research interests include bariatric surgery outcomes, obese patients in intensive care, minimally invasive surgery and transluminal surgery. He plans to collaborate with MCG basic scientists to study obesity and the effects of obesity surgery.
His memberships include the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, the Society for Critical Care Medicine and the Society for Black Academic Surgeons.
Mr.
Harrison receives Brödel award
Steven Harrison, chair of the Department of Medical Illustration, has received the 2006 Brödel Award for Excellence in Education from the Association of Medical Illustrators.
The award, which recognizes outstanding educational contributions to the profession, is the highest educational achievement award given in medical illustration. Criteria include continuing contributions to education, presentation of papers and workshops at regional and annual meetings, service to students and association members, and literary contributions to the association’s newsletter and professional journals.
Mr. Harrison has chaired the medical illustration program for 13 years. Before coming to MCG in 1991, he was the artist-in-residence at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
He is a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, the BioCommunications Association, the Vesalius Trust for Visual Communications in the Health Sciences and Alpha Eta National Allied Health Honor Society.
Mr. Harrison earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in medical illustration from MCG. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in art education from the University of Georgia.
Dr.
Khocht receives Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Ahmed Khocht, director of the School of Dentistry predoctoral periodontics program, is the 2006 recipient of the school’s Teaching Excellence Award.
Each year, a committee comprised of former award winners chooses a professor who most exemplifies dedication to the school and its students. Criteria include knowledge, teaching and clinical skills, clinical and scientific competence, teaching methods, professional characteristics and impact on students.
Dr. Khocht spent personal time learning state-of-the-art animation software that allows him to create colorful illustrations and moving images to help students visualize concepts. The 2005 class presented him with an award for the most creative cinematography.
“Dr. Khocht really connects with the students. With his high-tech and informative lectures, he takes difficult material and makes it come to life with his animated, evidence-based lectures. We are very fortunate to have a teacher of his caliber who presents material in an interesting and understandable way,” said School of Dentistry Dean Connie Drisko.
Dr. Khocht came to MCG in 2003 from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, N.J. His research focuses on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of periodontal diseases. He is studying the relationship between altered immune function and periodontitis in patients with Down syndrome.
He is a member of the Georgia Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Association for Dental Research and the American Dental Association.
Dr. Khocht earned a certificate in basic sciences and a bachelor’s degree in dentistry from Alexandria University in Egypt and a master’s degree in dental science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He received a doctorate of dental surgery from Columbia University.