Visiting Professors

Throughout the year, the Department of Surgery is honored to welcome surgical leaders as named visiting professors. The Grasberger Research Symposium Lecture and Visiting Professorship, established in 1990, is named in memory of Robert C. Grasberger, MD, an outstanding graduate of our training program who passed away in 1987. In addition, for more than 30 years, the Section of Acute Care and Trauma Surgery has hosted the George H. Clowes, Jr., MD, Trauma Lecture and Visiting Professorship. Dr. Clowes had a very distinguished career, which included directing medical education at the Fifth (Harvard) Surgical Service at Boston City Hospital, precursor to Boston Medical Center, and leading the metabolic division of the Sears Surgical Laboratory at the hospital.

The Smithwick Visiting Professorship in Vascular Surgery takes place twice a year, with luminaries in vascular surgery from across the country and beyond sharing their expertise with department members and surgery trainees. Dr. Reginald Smithwick, for whom the professorship is named, served as Chair of Surgery for nearly 20 years at Boston City Hospital before retiring in 1963. He was a pioneer in the treatment of hyertension and was widely known in the medical community for his contributions to the treatment of vascular disease.

Peter J. Mozden, MD, had a long and illustrious career at Boston University, including establishing the first Section of Surgical Oncology in the United States, at University Hospital. Among his many achievements was national recognition for his expertise and accomplishments in the field of cancer education. In 1989, the Peter J. Mozden, MD, Visiting Professorship in Surgical Oncology was established in 1989 at the time of his passing.

Established in 2020, The Department of Surgery Health Equity Visiting Professorship brings trailblazing surgeons to the Boston University/Boston Medical Center campus.