UToledo Surgeon Named President of American College of Surgeons Ohio Chapter

UToledo Surgeon Named President of American College of Surgeons Ohio Chapter

After decades of involvement and leadership roles within the American College of Surgeons, UToledo's Dr. Munier Nazzal has been named president of the organization's Ohio Chapter, where he will represent surgeons across the Buckeye state while advocating for policies that support both physicians and patients.

Nazzal is a professor, chief of vascular surgery and vice chair of education and research in The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. He began his one-year term as president in May after serving on the chapter's executive committee for the past five years. Before that, he spent six years as the Ohio governor for the American College of Surgeons.

Founded more than a century ago, the American College of Surgeons is one of the nation's largest organizations dedicated to improving the quality of surgical care through education, advocacy and professional standards.

"We represent the surgeons in many organizations," Nazzal said. "We actually try to take a stand on things. For example, surprise billing. We take a stand on that, that we are here for the patients, not only to make patients pay."

As chapter president, Nazzal said his priorities include continuing advocacy efforts at the Ohio Statehouse, educating young surgeons on employment and contract negotiations while also ensuring surgeons have a voice in healthcare policy discussions.

"We will mediate the time between the surgeons and the patients and the insurance companies to make sure everybody is well represented," he said.

Nazzal has spent more than 26 years at UToledo, where he balances patient care, research and education. He credits the University's academic environment for allowing faculty to pursue clinical care, research and innovation while supporting their professional growth.

As he begins his term, Nazzal hopes to encourage more surgeons to become involved with the organization and contribute to its advocacy efforts.

"Usually, it falls on the shoulders of a few people to continue the work," he said. "I really urge all the surgeons to be part of the American College of Surgeons. It's very important. If we don't really stand for our rights as surgeons, nobody will."