Michael M. Awad, MD, PhD, FACS

Michael Awad, MD, PhD, FACS, was appointed director of surgical simulation in July 2010. His academic interests are primarily in the fields of surgical/medical education, surgical ergonomics and laparoscopic and endoscopic foregut surgery. In surgical/medical education, he has focused on the reformation of surgical residency training in the United States and the transition from medical school to residency. He has previously served as program director for the General Surgery Residency and associate dean for medical student education, and is now the institute director for the Washington University Institute for Surgical Education (WISE). Nationally he serves through leadership positions in the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Board of Surgery/SCORE, the Association of Surgical Education and the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. His research interests have focused on the development of online curriculum development tools; new paradigms in surgical training including OSATS, REACTS, ACES, and the Academy Model; and the ergonomics of operating using laparoscopic, robotic, endoscopic and open surgical platforms. These educational, research and clinical efforts have been supported by a number of grants from federal, society and industry sources.