Holly Richter, PhD, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and urogynecologist at UAB, has been awarded the 2019 Distinguished Surgeon Award by the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS). The award was presented at the 45th annual Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Scientific Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.

The Distinguished Surgeon Award is given to a single individual annually who embodies excellence in gynecologic surgery and who has a nationally and internationally recognized reputation as a surgeon, scientist, mentor and advocate for gynecologic surgery.

"Since its inception in the '60s, the Society for Gynecologic Surgeons has been an advocate for women's gynecologic surgical health and innovator of safer, evidence-based surgical procedures and validated surgical outcomes," Richter said. "Today, the Society represents more than 400 gynecologic surgeons from all surgical subspecialties, so I am deeply humbled to have been recognized with this award."