[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO DR. KAMEL FUAD MUAKKASSA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the life of Dr. Kamel Fuad Muakkassa, a neurosurgeon whose passion, 
intellect and generosity changed the lives of everyone around him, died 
on Sunday at the age of 62.
  Dr. Muakkassa's life was one dedicated to attending lives. A 
supremely skilled neurosurgeon, he had a zest for life so profound that 
it will live on in all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He 
was married to the love of his life, Rola Mansour for 27 years. He 
enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children and grandchildren, 
upon whom he imparted many of his best qualities, including his giving 
nature, his unique love of life, his humor and his wit. Dr. Muakkassa 
mastered an extraordinarily wide range of talents and insisted on 
sharing his expertise by teaching those around him. His passions 
included playing golf and backgammon, travel and international affairs. 
All of this was in addition to the undeniable impact of his life's 
work: his relentless clinical and humanitarian achievements in the 
world of neurosurgery.
  As Primary Founder, President and CEO of The Center for Neuro and 
Spine Inc. (CNS) and former Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery of 
Children's Hospital of Akron, Dr. Muakkassa was a Board Certified 
Neurological Surgeon who had been serving the community for over 27 
years. He most recently co-founded Akron General's Neuroscience 
Institute in 2011, which focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, 
treatment and rehabilitations of the disorders of the brain, spine and 
peripheral nervous system. Dr. Muakkassa performed more than 8,000 
neurosurgical procedures and treated over 10,000 patients and had the 
uniquely broad background of addressing both pediatric and adult spine, 
brain and peripheral neurological disorders. Dr. Muakkassa advanced the 
treatment options in his community by being the very first surgeon in 
Akron to perform an Anterior Cervical Diskectomy with Fusion and 
Plating. Thousands of these surgeries are now performed here annually. 
Additionally, Dr. Muakkassa was the first surgeon to perform cutting-
edge awake surgery for treating epilepsy patients at Akron General 
Medical Center back in 1986. Other firsts include placing pumps or 
spinal electrodes for pain management and spasticity, vagal nerve 
stimulators for depression and seizures and untethering complex spina 
bifida tumors.
  Dr. Muakkassa graduated from The American University of Beirut with a 
degree in Medicine in 1974. He went on to complete his residency in 
General Surgery where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Muakkassa 
continued his education with a residency program in Neurosurgery at The 
Upstate Medical Center in New York where he was again elected Chief 
Resident. Pursuing his pediatric interests, Dr. Muakkassa studied 
Pediatric Neurology at Strong Memorial Hospital and completed his 
Pediatric Neurosurgery fellowship at the prestigious Hospital for Sick 
Children in Toronto where he served as Chief Fellow.
  Dr. Muakkassa most recently served as Associate Clinical Professor in 
Neurosurgery at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine 
(presently NEOMED). He also served as Chief of the Neurosurgery 
division at Barberton Citizens Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. He is 
published in peer review journals and received multiple awards 
including the Summit County Award of Excellence for Outstanding Medical 
Services to the Community, Teacher of the Year Award and the award for 
medical services to the Bosnian war victims. He was also a member of 
the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress 
of Neurosurgeons (CNS), Summit County Medical Society, Ohio State 
Medical Association, International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery, 
Ohio State Neurological Society and the Joint Section on Neuro-trauma 
and Critical Care of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kamel devoted 
considerable time and resources to charitable organizations. Most 
notably, he was president of the Druze Orphans and Charitable 
Organization, which provides housing, education and healthcare to 
Lebanese children in need.
  Dr. Muakkassa, survived by his wife, Rola; his son, Fuad; his 
daughter, Leila and grandchildren, will forever be an accomplished 
Doctor, philanthropist, husband, and father whose dedication to 
medicine, and selflessness will be carried through the legacy he has 
left in the field of medicine.

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