Ahmad Abou Abbass M.D., F.A.C.S.

(877) 541-4673
Ahmad Abou Abbass M.D., F.A.C.S.
Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Clinical Expertise
  • Complex Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic (HBP) Surgery
  • Liver Surgery
  • Pancreas Surgery
  • Biliary and Gallbladder Surgery
  • Complex Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery
Other Languages Spoken
Arabic
Academic Appointments

Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology

Director of Gastrointestinal Robotics, City of Hope Orange County

Research Teams
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Surgery Research
Liver Cancer

Ahmad Abou Abbass, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a nationally and internationally recognized hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon specializing in advanced minimally invasive and robotic techniques. Drawn to medicine for its blend of science, precision and human connection, Dr. Abbass is committed to guiding patients through some of the most pivotal moments of their lives with empathy, clarity and partnership. His clinical work at City of Hope ® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center focuses on complex cancer surgery, where he combines technical excellence with innovative approaches to deliver highly personalized care.

Dr. Abou Abbass is widely respected for his leadership in robotic hepatobiliary surgery, earning global recognition for teaching, proctoring and pioneering surgical innovation. His research explores the future of surgery, including artificial intelligence, image guided surgery and remote proctoring, all aimed at expanding access to expertise and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

He completed medical school at the American University of Beirut, followed by general surgery residency training in Beirut and later at Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University in Detroit. He then pursued fellowship training in liver and transplant surgery at Henry Ford Hospital.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Abou Abbass enjoys family time, biking, photography, traveling and exploring the Southern California food and coffee scene. His multicultural background — Lebanese, Brazilian and American — deeply shapes his global perspective and connection with patients. He speaks Arabic.

Location

Education & Experience

Board Certifications

  • American Board of General Surgery

  • American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS): Liver and Kidney Transplantation

Degrees

  • 2002, Doctor of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • 1998, Bachelor of Sciences in Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Fellowship

  • 2008–2010, Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery Fellowship Training, Henry Ford Hospital / Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Residency

  • 2010–2015, General Surgery Residency Training, Henry Ford Hospital / Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
  • 2002–2007, General Surgery Residency Training, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Professional Experience

  • 2026–Present, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, City of Hope Orange County, Irvine, CA
  • 2026–Present, Director of Gastrointestinal Robotics, City of Hope Orange County, Irvine, CA
  • 2018–2026, Director of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, CA
  • 2017–Present, Da Vinci Surgical System® Robotic Surgery Proctor and Consultant, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Various Locations
  • 2016–2018, Core Teaching Faculty, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital General Surgery Residency Program, Wyandotte, MI
  • 2016–2018, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
  • 2015–2018, Senior Staff Surgeon, Henry Ford Hospital Health System, Detroit, MI

Research

Advancing robotic and minimally invasive cancer surgery; surgical innovation, education, remote proctoring, artificial intelligence and technology driven oncology care.

Awards & Memberships

Memberships

  • American College of Surgeons

  • Alpha Omega Alpha

  • American Society of Transplant Surgeons

  • Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association

  • International Laparoscopic liver society

  • Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic surgeons

Publications

Research

  • Book chapter: SAGES manual of robotic surgery 2024, robotic whipple, in press.
  • Book chapter: Pancreatoduodenectomy for cancer- Minimally Invasive Approach, Complex Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy. In press
  • Mohamad El Helou, MD, MS2,3, Ahmad Abou Abass, MD1, Factors Affecting Console Time in Robotic Whipple Surgeries: A Single Center Experience. Oral presentation at the American College of Surgeons meeting October 2024.
  • Launching Robotic HPB: Insights from the Initial 100 Whipple Procedures, Oral presentation at the Robotic Surgery Collaboration November 2024.
  • Mastering Portal Vein Reconstruction: Navigating the Pathway, Oral presentation at the Robotic Surgery Collaboration November 2024.
  • Robotic Whipple, are we there yet? Oral presentation at the Robotic Surgery Collaboration September 2023.
  • Jillian Angelo, MD, Kelsey Gray, MD, Ashkan Moazzez, MD, Ahmad Abbass, MD, Eric Simms, MD. Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Robotic repair of posteromedial incarcerated Bockdalek hernia with Transabdominal approach. Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
  • 24-month multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concentration-controlled everolimus to eliminate or to reduce tacrolimus compared to tacrolimus in de novo liver transplant recipients. PI Huang, M. Role: sub- investigator.
  • Evaluation of Belatacept as First-line Immunosuppression in de novo Liver Transplant Recipients. PI: Brown, K. Role: sub- investigator.5. A Phase 2 Randomized, Multicenter, Active Comparator-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety & Efficacy of Co-administration of CP-690,550 & Mycophenolate mofetil in de novo Kidney Allograft Recipients. PI: Yoshida, A. Role: sub- investigator.
  • Fleming JN, Abou Abbass A. Hepatorenal syndrome: a comprehensive overview for the critical care nurse. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2010 Sep;22(3):351-68.