Debra Sudan, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Health System transplant surgeon,
was among 1,491 surgeons around the world who were inducted as fellows
in the American College of Surgeons at the colleges 85th Annual Clinical
Congress held recently in San Francisco.
With 57,000 members, the American College of Surgeons, is the largest
organization of surgeons in the world. By meeting the college’s stringent
membership requirements, fellows of the college have earned the distinguished
designation of “F.A.C.S.,” Fellow, American College of Surgeons. Criteria
for fellowship include graduation from an approved medical school, completion
of advanced training in one of the 13 surgical specialties, and surgical
practice at the same location for at least two years at the time of application.
Before admission into fellowship, the surgeon must further demonstrate
ethical fitness and professional proficiency, and his or her acceptance
must be approved by three-fourths of its Board of Regents.
Dr. Sudan received a bachelors degree in 1985 at Muskingum College
in New Concord, Ohio, and her medical degree in 1989 from Wright State
University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. From 1989 to 1994, she completed
general surgery residency training at Wright State University and in 1992,
trained as a transplant research fellow at New York University, New York
City. Following a transplant surgery fellowship at UNMC from 1994 to 1996,
she accepted a position in 1996 as assistant professor of surgery at UNMC.
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization
of surgeons founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice
and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated
to the ethical and competent practice of surgery and it has become an advocate
for surgical patients.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. Nearly $32
million in research grants and contracts were awarded to UNMC scientists
during the past fiscal year. In addition, UNMCs educational programs are
responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska
than any other institution.