Kamel F Muakkassa

generosity changed the lives of everyone around him, died on Sunday at the age

of 62.

Dr. Muakkassa, a supremely skilled neurosurgeon, had a zest for life so profound

that it will live on in all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Dr.

Muakkassa was married to the love of his life, Rola Mansour for 27 years. He

enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children and grandchildren, upon whom

he imparted many of his best qualities, including his giving nature, his unique

love of life, his humor and his wit. Dr. Muakkassa mastered an extraordinarily

wide range of talents and insisted on sharing his expertise by teaching those

around him. Dr. Muakkassa's passions included bridge, golf, tennis, soccer,

swimming, horseback riding, skiing, scuba diving, classical music, playing violin

and piano, orchestral conducting, backgammon, bowling, board games, cooking,

wine expertise, travel and international affairs. All of this was in addition to the

undeniable impact of his life's work: his relentless clinical and humanitarian

achievements in the world of neurosurgery.

As Primary Founder, President and CEO of The Center for Neuro and Spine Inc.

(CNS) and former Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery of Children's Hospital of

Akron, Dr. Muakkassa was a Board Certified Neurological Surgeon who had

been serving the community for over 27 years. He most recently co-founded

Akron General's Neuroscience Institute in 2011, which focuses on the prevention,

diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitations of the disorders of the brain, spine and

peripheral nervous system. Dr. Muakkassa performed more than 8,000

neurosurgical procedures and treated over 10,000 patients and had the uniquely

broad background of addressing both pediatric and adult spine, brain and

peripheral neurological disorders. Dr. Muakkassa advanced the treatment

options in his community by being the very first surgeon in Akron to perform an

Anterior Cervical Diskectomy with Fusion and Plating. Thousands of these

surgeries are now performed here annually. Additionally, Dr. Muakkassa was the

first surgeon to perform cutting-edge awake surgery for treating epilepsy patients

at Akron General Medical Center back in 1986. Other firsts include placing

pumps or spinal electrodes for pain management and spasticity, vagal nerve

stimulators for depression and seizures and untethering complex spina bifida

tumors.

Dr. Muakkassa graduated from The American University of Beirut with a degree

in Medicine in 1974. He went on to complete his residency in General Surgery

where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Muakkassa continued his education with

a residency program in Neurosurgery at The Upstate Medical Center in New

York where he was again elected Chief Resident. Pursuing his pediatric

interests, Dr. Muakkassa studied Pediatric Neurology at Strong Memorial

Hospital and completed his Pediatric Neurosurgery fellowship at the prestigious

Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto where he served as Chief Fellow.

Dr. Muakkassa most recently served as Associate Clinical Professor in

Neurosurgery at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (presently

NEOMED). He also served as Chief of the Neurosurgery division at Barberton

Citizens Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. He is published in peer review

journals and received multiple awards including the Summit County Award of

Excellence for Outstanding Medical Services to the Community, Teacher of the

Year Award and the award for medical services to the Bosnian war victims. He

was also a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons

(AANS) , the Congress of Neurosurgeons (CNS), Summit County Medical

Society, Ohio State Medical Association, International SOCiety of Pediatric

Neurosurgery, Ohio State Neurological SOCiety and the Joint Section on Neuro-

trauma and Critical Care of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kamel devoted considerable

time and resources to charitable organizations. Most notably, he was president of

the Druze Orphans and Charitable Organization, which provides housing,

education and healthcare to Lebanese children in need.

Dr. Muakkassa also supported his wife in volunteer service to the Akron

Symphony, the Ohio Ballet, the Summit County Medical Alliance and the

Women's Auxiliary Board of Akron General Medical Center. Even through

her work, he found ways to give of himself. On one occasion he even

conducted the symphony in support of the arts.

In 2001, a patient named Sara wrote this poem to express Dr. Muakkassa's

spirit of generosity:

"This man they call Kamel has walked upon the sand.

With God in his heart and knowledge in his mind, he journeyed from his

great land.

He met the challenge God set before his life.

Years of study, the marriage to his wife;

Sometimes the endless hours of work cause him to despair.

But, he must meet the challenge, with his great knowledge to share.

Eyes intense, hands gentle and full of grace,

Lead him through the problems that many patients face.

Sometime, before his birth, God gave him a special gift,

That he would work to give mankind a miraculous medical gift.

This man, who has seen the great eagle soar,

And heard the mighty oceans roar,

Must sacrifice his time with family and wife,

To bring healing to others, to restore life.

God smiles gently upon this man.

For he is living in the master plan.

Dr. Muakkassa is survived by his wife, Rola Mansour; his son, Fuad; his

daughter, Leila Muakkassa and husband Wassim Kheireddine; his brother, Dr.

Wael Muakkassa and wife Rima Himadeh Muakkassa; his brother, Dr. Farid

Muakkassa and wife Dr. Rima Ghosn Muakkassa; his sister, Dr. Sahar

Muakkassa; his sister, Dr. Samar Muakkassa Kelly and husband Dr. Peter Kelly;

his sister, Majd Muakkassa Abu-Izzeddin and husband Faisal Abu-/zzeddin; his

grandson, Bassel Kheireddine; his granddaughter, Elle Kheireddine; his eight

nephews Omar, Naji, Camille, Kareem and Ryan Muakkassa, Roger Kelly, Dr.

Christopher Kelly, Jad Abu-Izzeddin; his two nieces, Dr. Nora Muakkassa and

Linda Muakkassa; his brother-in-law, Ramzi Mansour; his sister-in-law, Rania

Mansour Abou Chakra and husband Ayman Abou Chakra and their children,

Ghazi and Rola Abou Chakra. The family will receive friends at Catavolos Funeral Home at 3653 West Market

Street, Akron, Ohio 44333, Wed 3-9 pm. In

lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations: Druze

Orphans and Charitable Organization at P.O. Box 1433, New York, NY 10018,

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stiude.orq