I was privileged to attend the meeting of the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, which was held August 16–18 at the King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island. A total of 121 surgeons, residents, and medical students attended the meeting.
Friday included Obesity Day programming and sessions by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) and Committee on Trauma. The CoC session focused on cancer in young people. There were presentations on breast, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, followed by recommendations for screening and advocacy. This was followed by a CoC Resident Paper Competition.
The Trauma Symposium consisted of an update on the Georgia Committee on Trauma and an excellent Resident Trauma Paper Competition.
Saturday, after an inspiring presidential address by Jyotirmay Sharma, MD, FACS, I provided an update on ACS activities with a focus on Georgia’s initiatives. Then there was an excellent panel during which residents attempted to “stump the chairs” with presentations of complex clinical cases.
Later in the day there was a General Surgery Resident Paper Competition and a hernia panel with specific recommendations for different types of hernia repairs. This was followed by a presentation from a former member of the Georgia Composite Medical Board about professional boundaries.
ACS Regent Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, then made a presentation about the Georgia Chapter Initiative Fund, which was very well supported during the meeting.
Saturday night there was an informal dinner on the grounds of the King and Prince Resort, during which families could participate. The beachfront view, perfect weather, and relaxed atmosphere produced a delightful evening.
On Sunday there was a Women in Surgery breakfast. The meeting then continued with the keynote address by Daniel A. Pollock, MD, who had extensive experience serving as a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He spoke about surgery’s role in public health.
Also on Sunday morning, Alicia Register, MD, FACS, moderated a panel about advocacy as it relates to the difficulties rural surgeons encounter in arranging for a higher level of care. Rural surgeons experienced in managing these challenges, a member of the administration at Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia, and a former Georgia State Senator participated.
The meeting concluded with the business meeting of the Georgia Society.
Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS
ACS President-Elect
