Northwest Louisiana Medical Society honors transplant surgeon on medical mission in Iraq
Local transplant surgeon Dr. Gazi Zibari made history when he accepted the Northwest Louisiana Medical Society Distinguish Service Award via a Zoom call from Shreveport to Iraq where he is on a medical mission.
The society's invitation said "Join us for a Cocktail party - A Night to Celebrate," for 100 at Superior's Steakhouse private dining room. During the evening, eleven 50-year physicians were recognized and NLMS officers for 2024, were recognized, including, the incoming President Dr. Eric Bicknell and President-Elect Bart Wagner.
But, the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award is always the star of this show and in 2023, the recipient, Zibari, was in Iraq.
Zibari arrived in the United States as a refugee from Iraq after high school. He returns annually to Iraq for medical mission work and that is one of the many reasons he deserves the award, said 2023 Society President Dr. Ed Morgan.
At LSU Health, Shreveport, Zigari is the director of the John C. McDonald Transplant Center and serves as president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Medical College of Surgeons.
"He is a renowned clinical surgeon and does international charity work," said Morgan, adding, " Dr. Zibari is a great credit to our profession" as he thanked him for joining the meeting via Zoom at 3:30 a.m., Iraq time. The festivities continued when Society Historian Dr. Jeff White announced the 50-year physicians.
They include four members of the first class to graduate from LSU Med School in 1973: Dr. Kenneth Harrison, president of the class: Dr. Tim H. Hart, Dr. David D. Cooksey and Dr. Billly Washburne.The other 11: Dr. Anil Chhabra, Dr. Neera Chhaba, Dr. Philip Cole, Dr. Robert Holladay IV, Dr. Gordan Mead, Dr. Linda Nall, and Dr. Tommy Mook.
In his presidential talk, Bicknell said, in part, that society members have great challenges ahead.
Other NLMS officers: Drs. Kamel Brakta, secretary, and James Morris,treasurer. Four new board members: Drs. Joe Bocchini, John Carter,Neelima Chintapallli and Paul Perkowski.
No, doubt, the crowd was enjoying the evening's festivities for when weslipped out the doors around 9 a.m., we noticed that attendees wereback at their tables seated, again sipping drinks from the bar, fillingplates from the buffet and chattering as though the party was justbeginning. They included the Bicknell gang: Drs. Eric, Ryan, Scott andwives, in order, Amy, Jane and Denise ensconced in a middle-of-the-roomtable.
Dinner notes: Dr. Larry Allen, whose wife Lori regretted, was showingvia cell phone, photos of his grandchild to pals in the crowd. Receivingapplause for work well done: NLMS Executive team Director Brandi Gaitanand assistant Sandy Cagle; and Argent Trust officials Gary Moore andTim Quinn, society supporters for many years and the 11th year theyhave sponsored the officer installation, said Morgan.
More heavy hitters on the reservation list: Dr. James and LenCiaravella, Margaret Crittell, Dr. Judd and Judy Chidlow, Dr. DesaiHimanshu, Dr. Deborah Fletcher, Dr. Jane Futterer, Dr. Rick and KristiMichael, Dr. Stephen White, Anita White, Dr. David and DonnaCavanaugh, Dr. Carl and Sylvia Goodman, Dr. Phillip and Alma Rozeman,Dr. Tom and Tracy Pressly, Dr. Gary and Judy Madden, Mary Pat Morgan,Dr. Christina Notarianni, Dr. Craig and Alice Springmeyer, Dr. Stevenand Mona Conrad, Diane Wagner, Drs. Miles and Jane Sugar, Lee Stewartand Dr. Forrest Wall, a seven-year member of the NLMS board and whoMorgan thanked for being an active and supportive member of the boardand society's efforts.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Northwest Louisiana Medical Society honors transplant surgeon
