Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy was recognized for his dedication to pancreatic cancer research and patient advocacy.

USF -TGH surgeon Alexander Rosemurgy, MD, was recently honored for his leading expertise and research contributions in the field of pancreatic cancer by the patient-based advocacy organization Pancreatic Cancer Action Network of Tampa Bay.

Dr. Rosemurgy was recognized for his years of dedication to helping patients and families understand and fight the devastating disease Nov. 5 at the local PCAN’s 3rd Annual Auction for Action at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

Dr. Rosemurgy, professor of surgery and medicine and surgical director of the Digestive Disorders Center at Tampa General Hospital, holds the Vivian Clark Reeves/Joy McCann Culverhouse Endowed Chair for Digestive Diseases and Pancreatic Cancer at USF.

He is world renowned for his expertise in resecting pancreatic cancers and has extended the lives of many patients through surgery. Dr. Rosemurgy and colleagues at USF-TGH continue to conduct innovative research in the field of pancreatic research and have published numerous high-impact papers about how to best operate on patients with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is among the top four cancer killers in the United States. Most of the more than 30,000 Americans diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die of it because the symptoms are often so subtle that the disease is far advanced before it is diagnosed.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research — and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

– Photo by Ellen Fiss, Tampa General Hospital