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M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Intercultural Cancer Council. This award recognizes those who have made standout contributions to cancer prevention, treatment, and education in minority and economically disadvantaged communities.
In 1992 he was named the Charles R. Drew Professor in Surgery, becoming the first endowed chair in the history of Howard’s Department of Surgery. Three years later, in 1995, he was elected the first African American president of the American College of Surgeons. In 1998, he became
chairman of the steering committee of the National Dialogue on Cancer. He was
the chairman of the board of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation from 2002 to 2007 and also 2011 to 2012. Moreover, he served as chair of the President’s Cancer Panel from 2002 to 2011 (appointed by President George W. Bush and reappointed by President Barack Obama).
He has received 14 honorary degrees from American universities. Dr. Leffall was also an honorary fellow from the following organizations: The West African College of Surgeons, the Société Internationale de Chirurgie, College of Surgeons of South Africa, the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Chirurgie (German Surgical Society), and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Even given his almost innumerable accomplishments, Dr. Leffall held true to his passion and love for education. He repeatedly stated in interviews that teaching medical students and residents the principals of surgery and oncology was one of the joys of his vocation. Enjoying a tenure as a faculty member at Howard, spanning over 5 decades.
Black History Month 2021 I Surgeon Highlight