Souryal, a 1977 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, is a nationally and internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon who not only works on professional athletes but provides free medical assistance to amateur athletes as well.

The son of an immigrant who came to the United States in the 1960s, Souryal did not speak any English until the age of 10. His father, Sam Souryal, is a professor of criminal justice at SHSU.

Souryal began distinguishing himself while at SHSU, serving as a senator in the Student Government Association, president of the Lowman Student Center Program Council, helping to establish a chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduating in three years.

When he was accepted at the University of Texas—San Antonio, one of three medical schools that accepted him, he was the first SHSU graduate to be admitted to medical school in several years.

As an orthopedic surgeon, he writes on orthopedic medicine for professional journals and lectures throughout the world on knee injuries.

Souryal is director of the Texas Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Group in Dallas and was the team physician for many professional athletic teams. He is currently in his 14th year as head team physician for the Dallas Mavericks basketball team.

He also hosts a radio show for ESPN radio called “Inside Sports Medicine” since 2002 and is writing a book entitled “The Weekend Warrior's Guide To Sports Injuries.”

“Tarek has not forgotten, and will never forget, his modest beginning,” a nomination letter said. “He is a great philanthropist; he offers medical assistance (for free) to several high schools in and around the Dallas area and refuses to charge those who cannot pay for medical attention.”

He expanded his philanthropic endeavors in 2004, when he established the Texas Sports Medicine Foundation, a charitable organization to help financially disadvantaged high school athletes with medical bills.

He and his wife, Karen, have three children.