The Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (MCACS) recently announced the winner of its 7th Annual Resident Essay Competition. To be considered for the competition, residents must be in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved Massachusetts surgery residency training program and submit a brief essay on the role of advocacy in health care and why they want to attend the ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit, May 19–22 in Washington, DC.
The MCACS Council selected Samuel Enumah, MD, a postgraduate year-2 (PGY-2) resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, as the winner. In his essay, Dr. Enumah wrote, “My interest in health policy and advocacy started during my research year in Rwanda when I was working closely with the Rwandan Ministry of Health’s emergency medical services team. I returned home with a renewed passion to develop tools to support domestic and global health policies. This scholarship opportunity will support my career by providing me with a deeper understanding of the development and maintenance of health policies.” Dr. Enumah also is a recipient of a 2018 Resident and Associate Society of the ACS Leadership Scholarship Award. Megan Janeway, MD, a PGY-3 resident at Boston Medical Center, received an honorable mention.
Northern California Chapter (NCCACS) pursues advocacy and educational efforts
During the 40th annual California Medical Association lobby day on April 22, 2017, in Sacramento, CA, the three California chapters, joined by Jon Sutton, Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, organized a Stop the Bleed® event to raise awareness among California legislators on this important initiative. Surgeons and members of the California legislature attended a Stop the Bleed training session, which took place in a hearing room within the capitol.
The NCCACS is working with all program directors in Northern California to encourage resident participation at its annual meeting in April 2018. The chapter is keeping registration at $25, and many new sessions have been added for trainee presentations in clinical and scientific research to encourage resident participation.
Venezuela Chapter shows resilience in challenging times
The Venezuela Chapter of the ACS has shown resilience during challenging times in Venezuela. Dedicated Venezuelan Fellows continue to attend Clinical Congress and contribute to the educational programming, while also conducting their own local events. In June 2016, the Venezuela Chapter hosted an educational session with more than 150 attendees that included topics such as the benefits of becoming a Fellow of the College, Electronic Clinical Records—Benefits and Options, TAPP [transabdominal preperitoneal] versus TEP [totally extraperitoneal] Laparoscopic Hernioplasty, Acute Pancreatitis Management, and Nonoperative Management of Acute Appendicitis. This educational session took place in conjunction with the XXXIII Sociedad Venezolana de Cirugía Clinical Congress.
In March 2017, the Venezuela Chapter held an annual chapter meeting with 75 attendees. Session topics included Safe Cholecystectomy—The Importance of a Culture of Safety; Pathogenesis and Avoidance of Biliary Injury; “The How to”: Open and Laparoscopic Subtotal Cholecystectomy; and Bile Ducts Glowing in the Dark. The determination of Venezuela Chapter Fellows has led to continued participation in College events and activities, as well as encouragement of young surgeons in Venezuela to become Fellows of the College.
