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Omar M. Ghanem, M.D.

  1. Metabolic Surgeon
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Departments

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

ArabicEnglish

Existing patients

Appointments

Omar M. Ghanem, M.D., is a metabolic surgeon and Chair of the Division of Metabolic and Abdominal Wall Reconstructive Surgery Division at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

His clinical focuses include:

  • Bariatric surgery with a specific focus on complex & re-operative bariatric revisions
  • Minimally invasive median arcuate ligament release surgeries

His research interests include duodenal switch outcomes as well as revisions after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures. He has authored numerous journal articles, book chapters, abstracts, and other written publications.

In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Ghanem is the associate program director of the Mayo Clinic Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowship program. He is the associate editor of the Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases Journal (SOARD), Clinical Obesity Journal and Surgical Innovation Journal. He is also on the editorial board of multiple journals including Annals of Surgery, Obesity Surgery, Surgical Laparoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques (SLEPT) journals. He is the Co-Chair of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Committee at The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Metabolic and Bariatric Committee.

  1. Diabetes
  2. Diaphragmatic hernia
  3. Gastroparesis
  4. Median arcuate ligament syndrome
  5. Metabolic syndrome
  6. Obesity
  7. Weight regain after bariatric surgery
  1. Bariatric surgery
  2. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
  3. Gastric bypass surgery
  4. Laparoscopic surgery
  5. Minimally invasive surgery
  6. Sleeve gastrectomy
  • Metabolic Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Weight Regain after Bariatric Surgery
  • Complex & Re-operative Revisional Bariatric Surgery
  • Bariatric Surgery with Paraesophageal Hernia Repair
  • Diaphragmatic Hernia (Morgagni, Bochdalek)
  • Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome Surgery
  • Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) Surgery
  • Pyloroplasty or Pyloromyotomy
  1. 2017
    FellowRST Minimally Invasive Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2016
    Residency - General SurgeryMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  3. 2010
    InternshipUniversity of Balamand
  4. 2009
    Doctorate of MedicineUniversity of Balamand
  5. 2004
    BachelorAmerican University of Beirut

Certifications

  1. 2016
    General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2025
    ASMBS Foundation (TREO Foundation) Dr. Walter J. Pories Research Award 2025American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  2. 2025
    Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Class of 2025 Teaching Excellence Award Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
  3. 2025
    Department of Surgery 2025 Innovation Award - Novel Suture DeviceDepartment of Surgery
  4. 2023
    Presidential Service of Distinction AwardAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  5. 2022
    SAGES Recognition of Excellence AwardSAGES
  6. 2019
    Physician Recognition Award NomineeMosaic Life Care
  7. 2018
    Physician Teacher of the Year Award NomineeMosaic Life Care
  8. 2017
    Fellow Teacher of the Year AwardMayo Clinic in Rochester
  9. 2015
    Best Research AwardMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  10. 2011
    Best ABSITE Score AwardMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  11. 2011
    Viresh Patel Award Medstar Union Memorial Hospital
  12. 2005
    School of Medicine Dean’s Honor ListUniversity of Balamand

Professional memberships

  1. 2025 - present
    Program DirectorMinimally Invasive Fellowship, Department of Surgery
  2. 2024 - present
    MemberSAGES Patient Involvement Taskforce
  3. 2023 - present
    BOARD Development Commitee LeadASMBS Foundation
  4. 2023 - present
    MemberSurgery Administrative Committee, Department of Surgery
  5. 2023 - present
    Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Commitee Co-ChairSociety for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  6. 2023 - present
    International Task ForceASMBS
  7. 2023 - present
    Program CommitteeASMBS
  8. 2023 - present
    Co-Chair of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery CommitteeSociety of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
  9. 2023 - present
    PanelistASMBS Video Club
  10. 2023 - present
    MemberDepartment of Surgery Innovation Committee
  11. 2022 - present
    International ConsultantBariatric Channel Organization
  12. 2022 - present
    ChairAmerican Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Communications Committee
  13. 2022 - present
    Chair, Communications CommitteeASMBS
  14. 2022 - present
    LeadASMBS Foundation
  15. 2022 - present
    Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Hernia Collaborative Subcommittee ChairSociety for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  16. 2022 - present
    Research Grants CommitteeASMBS Foundation
  17. 2022 - present
    LeadSAGES Bariatric Surgery Committee
  18. 2022 - present
    AdvisorGeneral Surgery Residency Program Clinical Competency Committee
  19. 2021 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Obesity Specialty Council
  20. 2021 - 2022
    Communications Committee Co-ChairAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  21. 2021 - present
    AdvisorMayo Clinic General Surgical Residency
  22. 2021 - present
    Program DirectorAssociate Fellowship, Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Program, Department of Surgery
  23. 2021 - present
    ChairSocial Media Committee
  24. 2021 - present
    Research CommitteeAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  25. 2021 - present
    Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery CommitteeSociety for Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery
  26. 2021 - present
    Abstract ReviewerBariatric and Metabolic Endoscopy Committee of the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO)
  27. 2021 - present
    ChairBariatric Workgroup, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Enterprise
  28. 2021 - present
    Board of DirectorsASMBS Foundation
  29. 2020 - present
    FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
  30. 2020 - 2023
    Executive Committee MemberDepartment of Surgery Research Executive Committee
  31. 2020 - present
    MemberBariatric Workgroup, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Enterprise
  32. 2020 - 2022
    MemberDepartment of Surgery Social Media Workgroup
  33. 2020 - present
    Co-LeadMayo Clinic Social Media Task Force
  34. 2019 - 2023
    RepresentativeAmericas Hernia Society
  35. 2019 - 2023
    Practice Advisory Committee - ChairAmericas Hernia Society
  36. 2019 - present
    Abstract ReviewerSociety of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
  37. 2018 - 2020
    Publications Committee MemberSociety of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
  38. 2018 - 2020
    Facebook taskforce committeeSociety of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
  39. 2017 - 2020
    Vice President of EducationInternational Hernia Collaboration
  40. 2017 - present
    Active MemberSociety of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
  41. 2017 - present
    Active MemberAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
  42. 2017
    Review BoardMosaic Life Care – Healthcare Consulting
  43. 2015
    Education CommitteeMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  44. 2014
    Library CommitteeMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  45. 2013
    Risk Management CommitteeMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  46. 2012
    Library CommitteeMedstar Union Memorial Hospital
  47. 2011
    Infection control committeeMedstar Union Memorial Hospital

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.