In a storied medical career filled with accolades and achievements, La Cañada Flintridge resident Dr. Henri Ford has been recognized for two extraordinary honors. Ford, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles vice president and surgeon-in-chief, was recently elected as president of the American Pediatric Surgical Association and he achieved one of the rarest and most prestigious international milestones for a surgeon — an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the organization’s highest award.
“I was truly humbled and appreciative of the honor and it allowed me to pause and reflect on my journey and how blessed I have been to be guided by my mentors and role models,” said Ford, CHLA’s first honorary fellow to be admitted by the Royal College.
As the 48th elected president of the APSA, Ford’s term will run through May 2018. “It is a great honor to have been elected to this position,” said Ford, who also serves as professor of surgery and vice dean for medical education at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is also a member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons. “I look forward to executing APSA’s new strategic plans as we seek to improve access to quality and safe surgical care for all children across the globe.”
Paul Viviano, president and chief executive officer of CHLA, noted that both honors are indicative of Ford’s leadership in the field of pediatric surgery at home and abroad. “It is a moving moment to be honored, not just in the country in which you practice, but also to be honored internationally for your contributions to medicine,” he said.
Ford’s colleagues said they attest to his expertise, leadership and passion. “Working alongside Henri is one of my great privileges at the Keck School,” said Dr. Rohit Varma, dean of the Keck School and director of the USC Roski Eye Institute. “He practices with true devotion to medicine, inspiring faculty and students alike to strive for excellence for the greater good. We are delighted to see him recognized for this on both a national and international scale.”
Ford performs pediatric surgeries several times a year in his homeland. In May 2015, he led a CHLA and Keck Medicine of USC team who made medical history by completing the first separation of conjoined twins in Haiti, a procedure that was followed by CBS News. He also has been crucial in working with leaders to develop the country’s critical care and trauma network. Ford was also acknowledged by the Royal College for playing “a prominent role in organizing and leading medical teams in response to the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti.”
Born in Haiti, Ford, along with his family, fled Haiti’s oppressive regime and came to the U.S. when he was 13 years old. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Princeton, a medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and trained in general surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
