Dr. Edward E. Mason has been awarded the Medallion for the Advancement of Surgical Care by the American Surgical Association. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their seminal contributions in clinical surgery or surgical education that have truly established new benchmarks or paradigms. Dr. Mason was recognized for this honor at the 133rd Annual Meeting of the ASA in Indianapolis, Indiana in April 2013 for his lifelong leadership in the fight against obesity and its associated health problems, including the development of the gastric bypass surgery and vertical banded gastroplasty. Considered the "father of obesity surgery," his significant contributions to the field continue to change lives.

Dr. Mason, professor emeritus in the Department of Surgery, spent more than 50 years and nearly his entire medical career at The University of Iowa. He and his wife, Dordana, a retired University of Iowa dietician, devoted their lives to the fight against obesity. To continue their legacy, the Dr. Edward and Dordana Mason Professorship was established to support the research of a distinguished UI faculty member in the field of obesity and related health conditions.

http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/Surgery/surgery_newsarticle.aspx?id=16261