Dr. Besner is the 35th recipient of the American Surgical Association's Medallion for Scientific Achievement. She is the third pediatric surgeon and the second woman ever to receive this award.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The American Surgical Association has awarded Gail Besner, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Medallion for Scientific Achievement, the highest honor bestowed by the association. The association gives this award only when a worthy recipient is nominated. Dr. Besner is the 35th recipient, the third pediatric surgeon and the second woman ever to receive this award. This award recognizes Dr. Besner for making significant scientific strides in the field of pediatric surgery, specifically regarding her research contributions for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
“Dr. Besner’s contributions, not only to Nationwide Children’s but to the field of pediatric surgical research at large, are exemplary and a testament to our dedication to changing the lives of children everywhere,” said Dennis Durbin, MD, president of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s. “This award is a well-deserved acknowledgement of her diligent leadership.”
Dr. Besner is the H. William Clatworthy Jr. Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She has been part of Nationwide Children’s faculty since 1991, serving in a variety of leadership roles during her tenure. She is also a principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s. In 2024, Dr. Besner was named the Allen Distinguished Scholar in Pediatric Research at Nationwide Children’s.
“Dr. Besner is only the second recipient of this prestigious award from The Ohio State University since 1977,” said Carol Bradford, MD, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine and vice president for health sciences at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “It is a tremendous honor to be able to celebrate Dr. Besner and her important contributions to not only the field of pediatric surgery, but to the countless families whose lives she has touched.”
Dr. Besner’s research focuses on eliminating necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a debilitating and deadly condition affecting infants born prematurely. In NEC cases, intestinal tissues become inflamed, and in severe cases, there is ischemia and death of the involved intestines. Treatment for NEC often involves surgery to remove the diseased intestines, and in its severe forms the mortality approaches 50%.
“I am incredibly humbled to join the distinguished surgeons who have previously received this honor,” said Dr. Besner. “A treatment for NEC is desperately needed to save these babies, and I remain dedicated to the vital work needed to discover a cure for this devastating disease.”
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 16,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.8 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.