New Zealand surgeon awarded international honour

For Immediate Release August 10 2001

New Zealand surgeon awarded international honour.

One of New Zealand's leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Marsden Bell of Auckland, has been honoured with a Distinguished Service Award from the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

It's only the second time in the Association's 60 year history that this premier award has been conferred. It was awarded to Dr Bell at the international conference of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Durban South Africa, in recognition of his significant contributions to the advancement of the ideals and purposes of the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery internationally.

The International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is the world body of this professional surgical specialty. There are over 70 countries affiliated with the Association and thousands of members.

Dr Bell says it was a very humbling experience receiving the award, and a great achievement for New Zealand and the professionalism of the specialty in this part of the world.

Dr Bell has also been elected chairman of the International Association of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons' Foundation which has trustees in various parts for the world and is responsible for raising funds to support the specialty in various programmes in developing countries. He was also inaugural chairman of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons within the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, a position he held for 10 years, and has recently been honoured by the presentation of the Fellowship in the College.

Dr Bell is director of a number of private companies, has held office in a number of national and international professional bodies including vice president of the Asian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and has lectured in many countries.

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For further information contact Marsden Bell on (09) 520 2749

Prepared by Tom Clarke, Medialink Associates, Auckland (09) 302 3644.

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