Eddie K. Abdalla, MD, FACS

Clinical Professor
Department of Surgery
Division of General Surgery
Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery
Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery
Division of Surgical Oncology

Assistant Dean for Strategy and Development
Chair, Department of Surgery

Dr. Eddie K. Abdalla is a board-certified general surgeon, robotic surgeon, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon and surgical oncologist. He is currently Assistant Dean for Strategy and Development and Founding Chairman of Surgery at the Lebanese American University (LAU) and continues to serve as the Founder and Medical Director of the Liver & Pancreas Program at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA.

Education and Training

• MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA 
• Residency in General Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville FL, USA
• Fellowship, Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX USA
• NIH T-32 postdoctoral research fellowship, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX USA
• Fellowship, Hepatobiliary Surgery at Beaujon Hospital, Paris, France 

Clinical and Research Focus

Dr. Abdalla’s clinical and scientific work bridges complex surgical oncology, especially involving the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and neuroendocrine tumors with extensive experience with complex robotic hepatobiliary, pancreatic and wide-spectrum cancer surgery. He continues to perform a full spectrum of general surgery as well.

He is especially known for:

• Major liver resections, including bilateral and multifocal liver tumors. 
• Liver enhancement strategies to allow safer surgery (including portal vein embolization and ALPSS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein Ligation for Staged hepatectomy), arterial and other embolization strategies to enhance safety and resectability in liver tumors.
• Complex pancreatic surgery including pancreatectomy with associated vascular resections
• Integrating surgery with systemic therapies, multidisciplinary cancer care, imaging, and optimizing patient selection. 
• Robotic hepatobiliary, pancreatic, benign and malignant surgery

Leadership and Academic Roles

• Professor and Chairman of Surgery, Lebanese American University 
• Chief of Surgery, LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
• Assistant Dean for Strategy and Development, Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine
• Founder and Medical Director, Liver & Pancreas Program, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Publications, Honors and Professional Affiliations

• Over 150 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and many invited presentations/abstracts. 
• Member of numerous professional societies including:
  • American College of Surgeons (FACS) 
  • Society of Surgical Oncology 
  • Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association 
  • International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association 
  • ASCO
• Awards & honors include:
  • “Compassionate Doctor” Awards, Patients’ Choice Awards 
  • Recognition among Top Doctors by regional and national listings e.g. Castle Connolly 
  • Teaching and clinical excellence awards in faculty roles 

Link to Publications’ list: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/40824735/?sort=date&direction=descending

Key Contributions and Impact

Dr. Abdalla has made significant contributions to expanding surgical options for patients with previously inoperable liver and pancreas tumors by developing techniques and protocols for:

• Enhancing remnant liver function so more extensive resections are possible safely. 
• Promoting multidisciplinary models of cancer care, involving surgery, chemotherapy, imaging, and supportive care. 
• Training and mentoring surgical fellows and residents, particularly in hepatobiliary surgery. 

Current and Future Directions

Dr. Abdalla continues to advance his work as Medical Director at Northside Hospital, with ongoing interests in:

• Refining minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches in complex liver and pancreatic disease.  
• Clinical research into outcomes, safety, and techniques of hepatobiliary surgery, especially in high-risk surgeries.
• Strengthening academic surgery in Lebanon and the wider region through leadership in education and institutional development.