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Lectureship created in honor of first SC pediatric surgeon  A new lectureship honoring MUSC pediatric surgeon, H. Biemann Othersen Jr.,  was created to recognize his many achievements and efforts to promote growth and discovery in the field of pediatric surgery.   The H. Biemann Othersen Jr. Endowed Visiting Professorship lecture series began in February with a presentation by Jay Grosfeld, M.D., the Lafayette F. Page Professor and chairman emeritus of the Department of Surgery of the Indiana University School of Medicine.   A native of Charleston, Othersen earned his medical degree from MUSC and joined the faculty full time in 1965 as the first pediatric surgeon in the state. Throughout his career Othersen has served as an advocate for children’s health and pediatric surgical specialists. He has held membership and leadership positions in 30 professional organizations in the local, state, national and international levels, including being president of the American Pediatric Surgical Association, governor of the American College of Surgeons and president of the South Carolina Surgical Association. Othersen has been recognized by a multitude of organizations, including MUSC, the University of South Carolina and the S.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which presented him with its Career Achievement Award.   Grosfeld, the first visiting professor for the Othersen Visiting Professorship, participated in research and clinical presentations by the surgical residents and delivered the lecture, “Neuroblastoma: An Enigmatic Childhood Tumor,” Feb. 16 in the Storm Eye Institute Auditorium.   Grosfeld received a bachelor’s degree in biology and history as well as his medical degree from New York University. Grosfeld has won numerous awards and has published more than 478 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 118 book chapters and eight textbooks. Best known for his expertise in neonatal surgery, pediatric surgical oncology and surgical education, Grosfeld is the chairman of the board of directors of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Foundation, secretary-treasurer of the International Society of Surgery Foundation, and president of the American Surgical Association. Friday, April 27, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.