Protected: Our History

George J. Farha, MD and S. Jim Farha, MD

It was 1963 when George J. Farha, MD, established his private surgical practice in Wichita, Kansas, and the following year when his brother S. Jim Farha, MD, joined him. In 1967, the two brothers added a third surgeon to their practice, David E. Street, MD, beginning the formation of Wichita Surgical Specialists.

Its founders never set out to establish a large practice. In fact, their goal was pragmatic: To recruit the best surgical specialists they could find so that the people of Wichita did not have to leave town every time they needed surgery. At one time, Wichita Surgical Specialists was among the largest private surgical groups in the nation. The Farha brothers played a major role in Wichita’s development as a medical hub, and were instrumental in recruiting surgeons who performed the first kidney, heart and pancreatic transplants in Wichita.

Dr. George Farha served as chairman of the Wichita Surgical Specialists board until 1998. He was also among the founders of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita in 1971, where he taught for more than three decades. Drs. George and Jim Farha were passionate about teaching, and saw it as an investment in the quality of medical education. In 1998, the WSU Foundation established the George J. & S. Jim Farha Pre-Med Student Endowed Scholarship.

Their contribution to the Wichita community and the medical industry is beyond measure, and we are proud to continue this legacy. Today, Wichita Surgical Specialists is led by Dr. George and Dr. Jim’s nephew, Alex Ammar, MD.

We are grateful for the trust and support of our patients and the Wichita community throughout our many years, and will continue to meet the surgical needs of our patients for years to come.

History of Wichita Surgical Specialists in Kansas

1963

George J. Farha, MD, establishes his private surgical practice

1964

S. Jim Farha, MD, joins his brother George in surgical practice.

1967

David E. Street, MD, joins the Farhas in their practice, marking the beginning of Wichita Surgical Group, P.A.

1995

Wichita Surgical Specialists logo.

Wichita Surgical Group, P.A., is renamed Wichita Surgical Specialists, P.A.

1996

Mid-Kansas Ear, Nose & Throat Associates merges with Wichita Surgical Specialists.

2000

Wichita Surgical Specialists establishes a new subdivision, Breast Care Specialists, focusing on the treatment of women with breast disease.

2007

Wichita Surgical Specialists establishes a new subdivision, Vein Care Specialists, treating patients who suffer from venous disease.

2011

Wichita Surgical Specialists establishes a new subdivision, Plastic Surgical Specialists, offering patients comprehensive reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.