Metro DC Chapter Spotlights Residents and Surgeons in All Disciplines

Immediate Past-President E. Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, recently attended the ACS Metropolitan Washington DC Chapter meeting, where focus was placed surgeons on all disciplines, as well as the impressive accomplishments of that chapter’s surgical residents. Dr. Ellison provided the following report about his experience:

On May 18, 2024, I had the great honor of attending All Surgeons Day, the annual meeting of the ACS Metro DC Chapter at the College’s 20 F Street Building in Washington, DC.

The chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, and this meeting was the second in-person meeting after the COVID -19 pandemic. It was a well-attended, vibrant, and engaging meeting as shown by the participants. I learned that “All Surgeons Day” refers to the inclusion of all general surgeons, as well as all surgical specialists who make up The House of Surgery. Of the 1,648 members of this chapter, of whom 1,148 are Fellows, more than one-half are in 13 specialties other than general surgery.

I was hosted by Mary O'Donnell, MD, FACS, FASCRS, the current Chapter President, and Chapter Past-President Michele Gage MD, FACS, as well as President-Elect Yewande Alimi, MD, FACS, and the three Chapter Governors: Sharon Bachman, MD, FACS, Jonathan Dort, MD, FACS, and Jennifer Rosen MD, FACS.

Reports were given on advocacy by Lauren Foe, JD, the Committee on Trauma by Christine Trankiem, MD, FACS, the Commission on Cancer by Dr. Gage, and the Board of Governors by Dr. Dort. The latter report included a description of revised ACS statements on the Importance of Workplace Support for Pregnancy, Parental Leave, and Lactation for both practicing surgeons and surgical trainees.

There followed a session of Resident Jeopardy hosted by Dr. Alimi, who would have challenged Alec Trebek as the national host. Remember that the DC Chapter won the contest at the 2023 ACS Clinical Congress in Boston, so they know their stuff! Ohio – get ready!!

The day ended with a resident paper competition and a cocktail reception with the Virginia Chapter. It was a very successful day for all. Thank you for hosting me. IT WAS GREAT!!!

Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, MAMSE
ACS Immediate Past-President