We are delighted to announce that the AAGL bestows Honorary Membership to Emeritus Professor Victor Gomel. This special honor is bestowed every 3-5 years to an AAGL member who has demonstrated vision and leadership in our field. Dr. Gomel has been a member of the AAGL since 1973 and served on the Board twice before being elected in 1996 as the Secretary Treasurer which eventually led to his Presidency in 1999.
Born and educated in Turkey, he chose to make Canada his home, interning first at Montreal’s St. Mary’s Hospital and eventually moving to Vancouver where he became Professor and head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of British Columbia. He is internationally known for his pioneering work in microsurgery and operative laparoscopy.
His achievements in Canada are numerous, including introducing laparoscopy, implementing a graduate program in reproductive and developmental sciences, establishing an in-vitro fertilization program in 1981 and helping create the Women’s Health Centre in the BC Women’s Hospital in 1992.
Dr. Gomel has been responsible for raising the level of care for women not only in Canada, but throughout the world. He has exemplified the AAGL’s mission of advancing minimally invasive gynecology worldwide.
He will be honoured at the Opening Ceremony of the 43rd Global Congress on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.