The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Camran R. Nezhat, M.D., a pioneer in reproductive and laparoscopic surgery from Palo Alto, Calif., with the Distinguished Service Award. Established in 1938 as one of the AMA's highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award is presented for meritorious service in the science and art of medicine.

Dr. Nezhat was chosen by the AMA as an exceptional innovator and trailblazer whose significant contributions have revolutionized modern day surgery. He is best known for inventing video-assisted endoscopy and was the first to perform groundbreaking advances in minimally invasive surgical procedures that have helped millions of patients around the globe.

"Innovation is a key driver in transforming health care and Dr. Nezhat's pioneering work has fundamentally changed contemporary surgery and opened a path for surgeons around the world to help their patients", said AMA President Susan R. Bailey M.D. "He continues to push the leading-edge of advanced procedures and the development of the safest, most efficacious technologies to enhance patient care and improve outcomes."

Described as the father of modern operative laparoscopy, Dr. Nezhat's surgical breakthroughs include the first video-laseroscopy for the treatment of endometriosis, first laparoscopic treatment of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy, first laparoscopic appendectomy performed in the United States, and many other innovative procedures.

His works has not only changes surgical procedures in gynecology and reproductive medicine, but inspired and influenced advances in colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and urology surgery.

Dr. Nezhat is an American success story. Born in a small rural town in Iran, Dr. Nezhat is a naturalized citizen of the United States. After graduating from Tehran University School of Medicine, he completed his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dr. Nezhat is director of the Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery. His academic appointments include clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of California at San Francisco, and adjunct clinical professor of surgery and obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University.

The AMA presented the award to Dr. Nezhat during the November 2020 Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates