NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading liver and pancreatic cancer specialist Dr. Dmitri Alden has been named an Honorary Foreign Member of the French National Academy of Surgery (L'Academie Nationale de Chirurgie). He will be officially invested at the Academy's 2014 Solemn Ceremony on January 22 in Paris.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140116/NY47846 )

The Academy is the oldest and most distinguished surgical institution in France, established in 1731 by the royal surgeon for King Louis XV. The Academy's members - both French and international - are selected from the top surgeons in all surgical specialties.

Of the Academy's current 464 members, only 13 are Americans. Foreign members are chosen from the leading surgeons across the globe, and elected by the Academy's Board of Directors.

Dr. Alden completed extensive training in hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation at the Pirogov Medical Institute, (now the Moscow State Medical University) in Russia, and in Paris under the "founding father" of current liver surgery, Professor Henri Bismuth, at the Paul Brousse Hospital HepatoBiliary Center. He earned diplomas in advanced surgical studies from the University of Nantes and University of Paris, and completed a surgical residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, part of the New York Medical College.

After completing his education, Dr. Alden has dedicated his life to fighting liver and pancreatic cancer. One of the most recognized surgical oncologists in the world, he has performed over 3500 surgeries in the past 11 years and has been named in America's Top 100 Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America.

Dr. Alden works at the forefront of medical innovation, treating the most complex cancers with advanced surgical procedures and techniques. He performs liver, bile and pancreatic surgery at Lenox Hospital in New York City and runs a state-of-the-art practice in Manhattan.

Dr. Alden said, "I feel honored that my work has been recognized by such an old and prestigious organization. Medical science truly has no borders. The long-standing collaboration between the US and France has led to many advancements in the field of surgery and transplantation. In my mind, this recognition is another step in strengthening our relationship that ultimately will continue to bring new developments in the field of surgery, will serve our patients and will save lives around the world."

SOURCE Dr. Dmitri Alden