Drs. Nona and Thomas Russell

The Fellows Leadership Society (FLS) of the American College of Surgeons Foundation will hold its 23rd annual FLS benefactor recognition luncheon on Monday at the Palace Hotel. The event will begin with a reception for all current FLS members and honorees at 11:15 am, followed by lunch at noon.

This year's luncheon will feature the presentation of the 2011 Distinguished Philanthropist Award to Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, and Nona Chiampi Russell, MD, PhD. The doctors Russell have been generous and loyal benefactors of the American College of Surgeons, evidenced by more than 100 philanthropic gifts since 1990.

Dr. Thomas Russell received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree from Creighton University Medical School, Omaha, NE. Dr. Russell's residency training was interrupted by military service in Vietnam, during which he was a Lieutenant Commander and U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon. Dr. Russell completed his residency training in general surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He was affiliated with the California Pacific Medical Center from 1975 to 1999, and he served as chairman of its department of surgery from 1980 to 1999.

Dr. Nona Chiampi Russell received her medical degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, and her doctorate in microbiology from Stanford University. She is a board-certified internist and board-certified clinical and anatomical pathologist. Dr. Nona Russell was in private practice in San Francisco and retired in 2000. The Russells have two daughters, one a surgical resident at the University of Utah and the other studying to be a veterinarian.

A Fellow since 1979, Dr. Thomas Russell has served the College with distinction as a Governor and a Regent, as well as membership on committees of both Boards. Dr. Russell was Executive Director of the College for 10 years, retiring in 2009. In January 2010, Dr. Russell became Chair of the ACS Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Thomas Russell and Dr. Nona Russell are the 21st recipients of the American College of Surgeons Foundation's Distinguished Philanthropist Award, acknowledging individuals whose commitment and service exemplify the ideals and mission of the College. The FLS was established in 1988 to recognize those individuals and organizations whose service and philanthropy provide a margin of excellence to the College's programs.

Additional information regarding membership in the Fellows Leadership Society and engagement with ACS Foundation is available at the FLS Hospitality Center in the Moscone Center. Or visit the Foundation's website at http://www.facs.org/acsfoundation.