Welcome to the Ruth J. & Maxwell Hauser and Harriet & Arthur H. Aufses, Jr., M.D., Department of Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Over the past year, our Department has experienced unprecedented growth across all of our various clinical, research, and education programs. We have seen significant growth in faculty, hospital discharges, research programs and in both clinical and research revenues. This message from our Chairman, provides a glimpse of the various aspects of expansion within our world renowned Department of Surgery. Several of these key areas include:

• This year the Department has added six new faculty members.
• The creation of a new Department of Surgery Melanoma Program, with enhanced treatments of this common and deadly disease using immunotherapy protocols.
• Our Center for the Surgical Treatment of Liver Cancer (the largest program in the country) offers many patients hope for a cure.
• Introduction of our new state of the art practice office suites. Each suite is uniquely designed for a surgical specialty and targets patient
• Opening of the new Department of Surgery Conference Center. This technologically advanced conference room allows for complete interactive OR training sessions, and live video conferencing.
• Installation of the Storz OR minimally invasive operating rooms. This high tech system allows for state-of-the-art imaging and interactive training sessions during surgery.
• Establishment of a Department of Surgery Advisory Board and development of a Friends of Surgery Group which builds a critically important connection with our donors and contributors within our Department.
• Continued dedication and expansion of our Department of Surgery's Global Health Program.

Through ongoing sponsorship we have been able to send our faculty and students to the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Peru and other international locations to provide much needed medical care and training. It is through these highlighted areas and many more that enable our Department of Surgery to be at the leading edge in patient care, education, and research. As the Chair of this Department, I am exceedingly proud of our continued growth and sustained excellence. I invite you to see for yourself what makes Mount Sinai's Department of Surgery so special. Exceptional programs. Exceptional leaders. Exceptional surgical care.