Atlanta, June 11, 2009 - During its 116th annual convocation in Hilton Head, SC last week, the Georgia State Medical Association (GMSA) honored a nationally recognized surgeon and two former presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) for their exemplary contributions.
James F. Densler, M.D., MSM adjunct clinical associate professor of Surgery, received the Distinguished Service Medallion, which is the highest award given by GMSA. Densler received national attention when he performed a brilliant operation on a 7-month-old infant with the absence of bile ducts. The Atlanta Constitution was so impressed that they named him a "miracle worker" in the May 17, 1974 editorial edition. He served as convention co-chair from 1974 to 1977 when GSMA did not have an executive director. He also gave numerous scientific presentations to the GSMA quarterly magazine and the Journal of the National Medical Association.
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., received the Distinguished Service Award in appreciation of his outstanding service as MSM's founding dean and president, cabinet member and national medical leader. Sullivan served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under George H. W. Bush. He is now president emeritus of the MSM.
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., was recognized for his outstanding contributions with the Distinguished Service Award as a past president of MSM, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, 16th U.S. Surgeon General and a national medical leader. In addition, Clive O. Callender, M.D., chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Howard University School of Medicine and chief of Transplant Surgery also received the Distinguished Service Award.