The Dean is pleased to make the following announcement:

Derrick J. Beech, M.D. has been appointed Professor and Chair of Surgery at Meharry. The appointment was effective January 1, 2006.

A native of Atlanta , GA , he earned his B.A. degree from Duke University and M.D. degree from the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond , VA. He completed residency training in Surgery at Temple University , Philadelphia , PA and a fellowship in General Surgical Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas .

Dr. Beech boasts a long list of honors including Phi Kappa Phi and AOA Medical Honor Societies and Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery with certification. Dr. Beech has been actively involved in medical education and clinical practice as faculty at Tulane University , New Orleans , LA and most recently as Chief of Surgical Oncology at the University of Tennessee at Memphis , TN. He is a member of multiple national scientific organizations including the American College of Surgeons, American Association of Cancer Education and Cancer Research. He is a respected author in the field of surgery with over 170 manuscripts, book chapters, and abstracts. He has delivered over 80 local and national presentations and served as visiting professor at leading institutions. One of his noted publications is Life's Maze Publications poetry.com. Dr. Beech's research has focused on cancer prevention and control, and large scale clinical trials with a special emphasis on breast cancer.

Dr. Beech is known as a demanding, but highly skilled, competent and compassionate surgeon/ administrator. We are proud to announce the beginning of his tenure as chair and look forward to his shared vision of a dynamic department of surgery. Please join me in congratulating him on his appointment and welcoming him to Meharry.