Dr. Khalil Chamseddin

By Angela Patterson

From martial arts to photography, Dr. Khalil Chamseddin has always enjoyed working with his hands. But it wasn’t until he came to UT Southwestern Medical School that he understood how skilled hands could translate to a promising career in medicine.

Born to parents who emigrated from Lebanon to pursue graduate studies, the Carrollton native attended North Hills Preparatory in Irving, and then went on to an impressive undergraduate career at Southern Methodist University. As a biology major/chemistry minor, Dr. Chamseddin won the Senior Excellence in Biological Research Award for his commitment and achievements in scientific research. Knowing he’d long been fascinated by how the human body works, he decided to pursue medicine.

“I have always had an appreciation for biology of cells, anatomy, physiology, and the scientific method,” said Dr. Chamseddin. “Asking questions and making meaningful observations have always intrigued me. I have always enjoyed problem solving in an acute setting – these were all things I found in surgery. The breadth of procedures, the immediate improvement of patients, and the variety of cases I saw during my third year only affirmed my love for surgery.”

Dr. Chamseddin has been honored with the 2016 Hudson-Penn Award for Excellence in Surgery, which recognizes a senior medical student who has demonstrated excellence in the specialty of surgery. The Hudson-Penn Award, established in 1979, is named for Dr. Lee Hudson, chief of surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital when UT Southwestern was founded, and for Robert Penn, Dr. Hudson's brother-in-law. The award recognizes academic achievement, outstanding clinical skills, and a caring attitude toward patients.

The first in his family to pursue medicine, Dr. Chamseddin credits much of his success to strong mentors, including vascular surgeon Dr. Melissa Kirkwood, who Dr. Chamseddin said “exemplifies all the great qualities in a surgeon I would like to have.”

“Khalil is one of the best medical students I have had the pleasure to teach,” said Dr. Kirkwood, an Assistant Professor of Surgery. “His fund of knowledge in vascular surgery and his technical skill in the operating room are excellent. He is extremely compassionate with patients and was well loved by the residents, fellows, and OR nursing teams. He has a passion for clinical research and has worked on several different projects with three upcoming publications and a potential oral presentation at a regional meeting. I could not be happier that Khalil is this year’s recipient of the Hudson-Penn Award.”

Surgical oncologist Dr. Rohit Sharma, an Assistant Professor of Surgery, was also instrumental during Dr. Chamseddin’s tenure, serving as the faculty sponsor for the Wilson Surgical Society.

“Khalil is highly deserving of this award because of his outstanding academic achievements, contributions to the clinical care of surgical patients, and strength of personal character that distinguish him from his peers,” Dr. Sharma said. “I am confident that he will develop into an outstanding surgeon and will continue to uphold the ideals established by this award throughout his surgical career.”

Dr. Sharma also said UT Southwestern was fortunate Dr. Chamseddin matched to the general surgery residency program. The new doctor is equally glad UT Southwestern chose him, especially since his younger brother will be a first-year medical student at the school. After his residency, Dr. Chamseddin said he plans to pursue an academic career and specialize in vascular surgery.