Proof, if it were needed, that Dundee is leading the world in the field of endoscopic or keyhole surgery, comes from the decision this month by American surgeons to give their first ever lifetime achievement award to a colleague from across the Atlantic at the University of Dundee.
Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri is to receive a highly prestigious American award for his lifetime achievements in the field of endoscopic or "keyhole" surgery which has relieved untold suffering and helped save countless lives.
Sir Alfred, head of the University's department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology, has been selected from a world field of surgeons to receive the first ever George Berci Award - the highest honour possible - from the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
He commented: "To receive this accolade from my fellow surgeons is a wonderful honour and a privilege; and to bring it to the University of Dundee where we continue to deliver Minimal Access Therapy Training to the world's endoscopic surgeons of tomorrow doubles the pleasure."
Sir Alfred, who is currently working closely with Professor Sir David Lane on the development of radical new cancer therapies, will travel to St Louis Missouri to receive the presentation on 21 April. Sir Alfred is known for his skill as a surgeon, innovation in research and as one of the major educators in endoscopic surgery. He has produced more than 25 books more than half of them on endoscopic surgery. He has also produced more than 300 original papers many of them ground breaking work. He has served as visiting professor in more than 30 internationally known universities; is the editor of 10 peer reviewed surgical journals and has served as co-editor in chief for Surgical Endoscopy (European section). Professor Cuschieri was knighted for his services to minimal access surgery in 1998 and his team's work won the University the coveted Queen's Anniversary Prize in the same year.