Morcos receives Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Patient Choice Award

By Roman Petrowski, McGovern Communications
Jacques Morcos, MD, poses with the Proestakis family while holding the Patient Choice Award at the Joe Niekro Foundation Knuckle Ball Gala. The group stands together in formal attire in front of a stage backdrop displaying the event logo.

Jacques Morcos, MD, is the 2026 winner of the Patient Choice Award from the Niekro Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Foundation.

Patients and families impacted by brain aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations have recognized Jacques Morcos, MD, for his dedication to compassionate care and long-term patient support, naming him the recipient of the Niekro Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Patient Choice Award.

The honor recognizes a neurological medical professional for their ongoing efforts in the long-term support of patients and families and is nominated by the foundation’s survivor community.

“If there is such a thing as the ultimate ‘prize’ that physicians can receive, it is undoubtedly the gratitude and recognition from their patients. After all, this is the only thing that matters in this vocation of ours. All the rest is vastly less relevant,” Morcos said. “Being nominated by Mijali Proestakis and receiving the Niekro Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Patient Choice Award is humbling. I am indebted to him for the recognition and to the Niekro Foundation for the work they have done over the last 20 years in promoting brain aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation awareness, as well as supporting meaningful research in these topics.”

Morcos serves as co-director of UTHealth Houston Neurosciences. He is also professor, John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Distinguished Chair, and director of the Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery Program and Fellowship at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He obtained his medical degree from the American University of Beirut in 1985.

His clinical and research expertise includes skull base and complex brain tumors, endoscopic skull base surgery, microvascular decompression, and all aspects of cerebrovascular surgery, including bypass surgery for complex aneurysms, Moyamoya disease, arteriovenous malformations, cavernomas, and carotid endarterectomy.

Morcos has held leadership positions in organized neurosurgery both nationally and internationally. He previously served as president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the World Federation of Skull Base Societies, the World Federation of Skull Base Societies Congress, the Madjid Samii Society of International Neurosurgery, the North American Skull Base Society, the Society of University Neurosurgeons, and the World Association of Lebanese Neurosurgeons.

Morcos is passionate about microneurosurgery and education, having lectured and taught around the world. He has given more than 1,000 invited presentations and has held more than 100 visiting professorships. Morcos has authored 230 peer-reviewed publications and has trained 25 cerebrovascular and skull base fellows.