Surgery Division Grand Rounds Series
Join us as we honor the Department of Surgery's 100 years of excellence in surgical innovation, education, and patient care through a special Grand Rounds series that highlights each division. Each month will feature an alumni guest speaker who will speak on the history of each division.
Upcoming Presentations
Part I | Emory Cardiothoracic Surgery: Where We Are Going and the Impact of Superspecialization
Presented by Michael Halkos, MD, MSc
December 18, 2025 | 7:00 - 7:30 AM
The Division Grand Rounds Series lecture for the Centennial Grand Rounds Series will continue with Part 1 presented by Emory University's Cardiothoracic Surgery Division chief, Dr. Michael Halkos.
Dr. Halkos is a Professor of Surgery and an academic cardiac surgeon-scientist with expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, specifically in robotic mitral valve surgery and robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery, hybrid coronary revascularization, and hybrid atrial fibrillation ablation. He was the Department of Surgery's first faculty member to receive an NHLBI K-23 Award, and currently serves as principal investigator for multiple industry- and NIH-sponsored trials.
Grand Rounds may be attended in-person in the Emory University Hospital Auditorium or virtually via Zoom.
Part II | A History and Review of Emory Plastic Surgery
Presented by Albert Losken, MD, FACS
December 18, 2025 | 7:30 - 8:00 AM
The Division Grand Rounds Series lecture for the Centennial Grand Rounds Series will continue with Part 2 presented by Emory University's Plastic Surgery Division chief, Dr. Albert Losken.
Dr. Losken is the Program Director of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Emory University where he has taught since 2002. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Losken has garnered special recognition for his contributions to the field of plastic surgery: his peers voted him one of Atlanta’s Top Doctors, and he has been named Teacher of the Year at Emory three times, most recently in 2012. He is also an Honorary Clinical Tutor for the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Grand Rounds may be attended in-person in the Emory University Hospital Auditorium or virtually via Zoom.
Previous Presentations
Division Highlights Schedule: August 2025 – June 2026
Date |
Scheduled Divisions |
Speakers |
|
| August 28, 2025 | OMFS | Pediatric | Drs. Bouloux and Clifton |
| December 18, 2025 | Cardiothoracic | Plastic | Drs. Halkos and Losken |
| February 26, 2026 | Vascular | Transplant | Dr. Duwayri and Drs. Pearson and Larsen |
| April 9, 2026 | Colorectal/Surgical Oncology | Grady | Drs. Staley and Delman |
| June 11, 2026 | General Surgery | VAMC | Drs. Lin and Massarweh |
Letter from Our Chair
Dear Department of Surgery Faculty, Staff, and Alumni,
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Emory Department of Surgery, it is both an honor and a privilege to reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us to this centennial milestone. Our department's legacy is built upon a foundation of pioneering leadership, groundbreaking innovations, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research.
The Department of Surgery has existed as a clinical unit since 1925, when it began providing services at Emory University Hospital and in 1930, Dr. Daniel C. Elkin became the first official Chair of the Department of Surgery.
To commemorate this significant 100-year milestone, we have launched several initiatives that honor our rich history and look forward to our future. We have established the William C. Wood Endowment Fund, paying tribute to Dr. William C. Wood's transformative leadership from 1991 to 2009. This fund will support our mission to lead in surgical innovation and care. Our Centennial Tribute Book is being developed to chronicle the department's journey, capturing the stories and achievements that have defined us. Additionally, our Centennial Grand Rounds series will feature division highlights and esteemed alumni speakers, celebrating our legacy and inspiring future advancements. We look forward to sharing more exciting developments as we continue to honor our past and shape the future of surgery.
As we honor our past, we also look forward to the future with a renewed dedication to advancing surgical care, fostering innovation, and training the next generation of surgical leaders. The legacy of excellence established by our predecessors continues to inspire our mission and vision for the years ahead.
Our Centennial milestone is a testament to the unwavering support, dedication, and vision of our alumni, supporters, and the broader Emory community. This historic achievement would not have been possible without the contributions of countless individuals—surgeons, staff, trainees, patients, and partners—who have helped shape the Department of Surgery over the past century. We are deeply grateful to those who have played a role in building our legacy, advancing our mission, and laying the foundation for the next hundred years of innovation, excellence, and service in surgery.
On behalf of Emory Surgery and the hundreds of dedicated faculty and staff who continue to advance its mission, we invite you to join us in celebrating our first 100 years—and in looking ahead to the next century of excellence together.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Sweeney
Joseph Brown Whitehead Professor and Chair
Department of Surgery
Emory University School of Medicine
