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Cleveland Clinic is pleased to welcome Ajita Prabhu, MD (Staff'16), as the new Chair of the Department of General Surgery. At the same time, we recognize and celebrate the distinguished career of R. Matthew Walsh, MD (S'91), whose leadership, mentorship, and commitment to surgical excellence have shaped the department for decades.

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For more than 30 years, Dr. Walsh has embodied Cleveland Clinic’s founding mission of patient care, innovation, and education. A renowned surgeon, clinician, researcher, and educator, he has influenced countless patients, trainees, and colleagues.

During his tenure as Chair, Dr. Walsh helped advance the Department of General Surgery into an internationally recognized program known for clinical excellence, academic rigor, and a culture of innovation.

As Dr. Walsh retires from his role as Chair, the Department of General Surgery and Digestive Disease Institute have established the R. Matthew Walsh, MD, Research Fellowship. The fellowship is a lasting tribute to his legacy as a surgeon, mentor, and leader.

It will provide a surgical resident with two years of dedicated research experience, including protected time, mentorship, and resources to pursue scientific discovery and advanced academic training. The Walsh Research Fellowship reflects one of Dr. Walsh’s deepest commitments: developing the next generation of surgeon-scientists.

Investments in resident research have been instrumental in strengthening Cleveland Clinic’s general surgery residency program and attracting outstanding future leaders in surgery.

Under Dr. Prabhu’s leadership, the department is entering a new chapter focused on collaboration, mentorship, research excellence, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies. The fellowship serves as a bridge between Dr. Walsh’s legacy and the department’s future. Read more about Dr. Prabhu’s appointment here.

Today, Cleveland Clinic’s general surgery residency has risen significantly in national standing, due in large part to investments like these. Sustaining one Walsh Research Fellow each year requires $300,000 annually, and the return is transformational: stronger research output, top-tier recruitment, and a residency program positioned among the best in the country.

We invite you to help carry forward Dr. Walsh’s legacy and Dr. Prabhu’s vision by investing in the next generation of surgical leaders. A commitment to the R. Matthew Walsh, MD, Research Fellowship is a meaningful way to honor Dr. Walsh’s life’s work while shaping the future of surgical innovation. Thank you for your partnership.

To learn more or make a gift, visit give.ccf.org/rmatthewwalsh.