Dr. Ceana Nezhat, a world-renowned specialist in endometriosis and minimally invasive surgery, will receive the Harry Reich Award at EndoFound’s 16th annual Medical Conference and Patient Day.
The conference will be on Friday and Saturday, February 28 and March 1. Patient Day will be on Sunday, March 2. Both events will be in the Einhorn Auditorium at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for my efforts by my colleagues,” said Dr. Nezhat, who will also give the keynote presentation on Friday titled “A Call to Action on Early Detection of Endometriosis.”
EndoFound established the Harry Reich Award in 2010. Dr. Reich, now retired, is EndoFound’s former scientific director and a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery. He performed the first laparoscopic hysterectomy, the first pelvic lymphadenectomy for cancer, and the first excision of cul-de-sac endometriosis.
Dr. Nezhat will receive the award with Dr. Paolo Vercellini, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Milan in Italy. They will be the 22nd and 23rd recipients of the award, and Dr. Nezhat will be the third in his family to receive it. His brothers, Dr. Camran Nezhat and Dr. Farr Nezhat, were honored in 2010 and 2016, respectively.
Dr. Nezhat is the medical director of the Nezhat Medical Center in Atlanta. He is also the fellowship director for the Atlanta Center for Special Minimally Invasive Surgery & Reproductive Medicine, medical director of training and education and director of minimally invasive surgery and robotics at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital, and adjunct professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine.
Along with minimally invasive endometriosis surgery, his specialties include infertility and urologic and pelvic reconstruction.
“By dealing with different patients and seeing how endometriosis was affecting their quality of life, my brothers and I knew endometriosis was one of the most misunderstood and underestimated diseases, and it was an area that needed more attention,” Dr. Nezhat said. “That’s how it started for us.”
With more than four decades in medicine, Dr. Nezhat has spent recent years emphasizing early detection of endometriosis.
“This is where my focus is a little different than that of my brothers,” Dr. Nezhat said. “I had a lot of young women coming into my office with endometriosis, and I wanted to create awareness about the importance of early detection.”
In 2020, Dr. Nezhat wrote a book titled Endometriosis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis and Management. He’s co-authored several other textbooks, articles, and book chapters and is a prominent instructor and lecturer. He also has served as president of the American Association of Gynecologists Laparoscopy (AAGL) and Society of Reproductive Surgeons (SRS), and he is on the board of directors for the Medical Association of Atlanta and editor in chief for Atlanta Medicine.
“Dr. Nezhat is very established and does good work,” Dr. Reich said. “He’s probably the best endometriosis specialist in Georgia and one of the nicest guys you can meet.”
The Medical Conference and Patient Day will feature dozens of breakout sessions with many of the top endometriosis experts in the world. Both events are open to the public.
Conference Details
Dates: Friday, February 28 & Saturday, March 1, 2025 - 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Location: Einhorn Auditorium - Lenox Hill Hospital, 131 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10075
Audience: Medical professionals, researchers, and those interested in the latest breakthroughs.
CME Credits: Available for physicians and nurses.
Key Topics
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Imaging & Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis
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Immunological Markers & the Microbiome
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The Gut-Endometriosis Connection
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Genetics, Epigenetics & Family History
Agenda Highlights
Day 1 – Science: Experts will explore molecular pathways, genetics, and the need for early detection in adolescents. Early diagnosis changes endometriosis care by identifying symptoms sooner and enabling more effective treatments.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ceana Nezhat
Day 2 – Surgery: Surgeons will discuss advanced techniques, robotic surgery, and complications in endometriosis surgery. The conference will emphasize how early diagnosis changes endometriosis care, reducing the need for complex procedures and improving patient outcomes.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Paolo Vercellini
The Endometriosis Foundation of America conference planners are:
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Dan Martin, MD – Medical & Executive Director
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Tamer Seckin, MD – Founder & Program Director
Both are leading experts in endometriosis research and treatment.
Register for the Medical Conference
