Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., MD, Dean, Wayne State University School of Medicine, recently received an HonoraryS Fellowship in the International College of Surgeons (ICS) at a special ceremony held during the college’s 40th North American Federation Congress.

Honorary Fellowship in the International College of Surgeons is limited to surgeons who, by virtue of their commitment to medicine and surgery, share national and international repute. As a nationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon and medical school administrator with vast experience in medical education and research, Dean Mentzer epitomizes the basic fundamentals and foundation of ICS, which is the global advancement of surgical excellence and knowledge.

“His advocacy for organ donation and awareness along with his continued current research interests for organ transplantation and organ preservation will ultimately achieve new heights in the surgical arena,” according to the ICS. “Certainly, Dean Mentzer, a recognized leader in his own profession--will inspire others, as he himself has done--to give of themselves to bring health and well-being to the people of our world.”

ICS World President Fidel Ruiz Healy of Mexico City, and United States Section President Dr. Sibu Saha, of Lexington, Ky., presided over Dean Mentzer’s induction into the ICS. One of 25 current honorary fellows nominated by the US Section and approved by the ICS Parent Body, Dean Mentzer joins the distinguished register of honorary fellows that includes such notable physicians as Drs. Denton Cooley, Michael DeBakey, Basil Pruitt, Jr., Howard and Georgeanna Jones, Earl Bakken, Francis Robicsek, John Sciarra and Vincent Gott.

ICS founding member, Dr. Max Thorek envisioned the college as a “channel through which surgical knowledge would flow quickly and easily to all parts of the world, not only as a source of encouragement and inspiration for the ambitious youth of the surgical profession, but also as a force for international understanding.” Recognizing that Dean Mentzer--60 years later--was living this vision won him the nomination and unanimous approval for this distinct title

The Wayne State University School of Medicine recently announced the appointment of Valerie M. Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., as vice dean for hospital relations and clinical affairs and senior advisor to the chairman/CEO of the University Physician Group.

Previously, Dr. Parisi served as chief academic officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, after serving as dean of medicine, overseeing 20 departments and more than 4,000 employees. Her extensive background includes leadership roles in obstetrics and gynecology in academic medical environments in Texas, New York and North Carolina.

"As we develop our strategic plan to enhance regional health-care partnerships in Southeast Michigan, we need a national expert in innovation to be with us at the forefront," said Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., M.D., dean, WSU of Medicine." Dr. Parisi will play a key leadership role in moving our School forward."

Born and raised in New York, Dr. Parisi entered the first seven-year medical degree class at Brown University at age 16. After earning her M.D., she received an M.P.H. from the University of California-Berkley and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina. Her research interests have been in control of fetal placental circulation and mechanisms of perinatal asphyxia. She is the author of more than 60 scientific articles and books and has served on the teaching faculty of the executive M.B.A. program at Rice University.

The School of Medicine is an integral component of WSU’s drive to obtain a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. The goal is to become a national model for urban centers for clinical and translational research.

To achieve that goal, it’s paramount that members of the institution at all levels collaborate in the planning process to create a new, dynamic entity that will jump-start multidisciplinary and translational research. To learn more about this endeavor, visit the CTSA website at www.ctsa.wayne.edu.

There you’ll find details about what the CTSA is, what the NIH expects from an institution competing for an award, upcoming meeting schedules and contacts to get involved.