Steven Rothenberg, MD Honored With SAGES Pioneer in Surgical Endoscopy Award for 2015

DENVER, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has honored Steven Rothenberg, MD, pediatric surgeon and Chair of Surgery, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver, CO, as the "SAGES Pioneer in Surgical Endoscopy" for 2015.

This award is given periodically to a physician whose efforts have substantively changed and improved the field of endoscopy. Past recipients include pioneering surgeons who have developed new surgical techniques, created innovative instruments or have fostered the growth of minimally invasive surgery through mentoring and clinical education. (These include Dr. Karl Storz, founder of Storz Endoscopy, Dr. Leon Hirsch, founder of US Surgical, Dr. Robert Anderson, founder of Valleylab in Boulder, and Dr. Jeff Ponsky, Former Surgeon in Chief at Case Western Reserve and now at The Cleveland Clinic.)

Although SAGES has a primary focus on the advancement and development of new, less-invasive surgical techniques in adults, Dr. Rothenberg joined SAGES 20 years ago while at the same time working with a group of pediatric surgeons to develop the International Pediatric Surgery Group (IPEG). He was instrumental in bringing the two organizations together to share information and common goals for surgical advancements.

Dr. Rothenberg has performed many of the first surgeries in the world using endoscopic/minimally-invasive techniques and developed many of the ones that are in use today. He has performed the first thoracoscopic repair of a tracheo-esophageal atresia in a neonate, the first thoracoscopic lobectomy in a child in the world and first Duodenal atresia repair in an infant in the US.

He trains other surgeons throughout the US and is a Professor of Surgery at Columbia University in New York where he teaches regularly. He also teaches extensively internationally and continues research to document the clinical outcomes of this surgical approach. Dr. Rothenberg has led the study and development of techniques for minimally invasive surgery for congenital disease in neonates, especially in the treatment of congenital lung disease and esophageal atresia. He has worked with National Jewish Health in Denver to study the relationship between gastric reflux (GERD) and reactive airway disease in children.

The award was presented to Dr. Rothenberg at the SAGES Annual Scientific Session and Postgraduate Course on April 15 in Nashville, TN.

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Related Links

http://www.rockymountainhospitalforchildren.com