Chapter news

Domestic and international chapters of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) met in the last several months to host a variety of activities, including annual meetings, skills competitions, award ceremonies, and more. Following are highlights and photos from these programs.

Domestic chapters

Connecticut Chapter

The Connecticut Chapter congratulates the 2019 state Surgical Skills Competition winning team from the UCONN (University of Connecticut) Health, Farmington, general surgery residency program. The Surgical Skills Competition, the first of its kind in the U.S., was created in Connecticut 12 years ago. The chapter works with its industry partners to use game theory to enhance surgical training.

Photo, from left: Austin Healy, MD, postgraduate year (PGY)-1; Anthony Tran, MD, PGY-4; and Constantine “Dean” Poulos, MD, PGY-2.

Florida Chapter (FL-ACS)

2019 Florida Medical Association (FMA) Annual Meeting, August 11–13, Orlando. The chapter helped move two resolutions through the FMA House of Delegates: FMA Support for Removing Barriers for Medicare Patients to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act and FMA Support of Bleeding Control Kits in Schools and Public Spaces.

Photo, from left: Vic Velanovich, MD, FACS, Governor; Danielle Henry, MD; John Armstrong, MD, FACS, President; William Liston, MD, FACS; Jay Redan, MD, FACS, Governor and President-Elect; Patricia Byers, MD, FACS, Governor; Mark Soliman, MD, FACS; and Mark Dobbertien, DO, FACS, Treasurer and Governor.

Massachusetts Chapter (MCACS)

State Lobby Day, October 8, Boston. More than 50 health care professionals and political leaders participated in the annual tradition, including seven surgery residents. MCACS members met their state legislators and staff to further discuss key issues including the availability of trauma kits in public buildings, access to patient-centered care for opioid use disorders, and coverage for breast and colorectal screenings.

Photo: Massachusetts surgeons and legislators on the grand staircase of the State House.

Minnesota Surgical Society—a Chapter of the ACS

Fall Conference, October 4–5, Minneapolis. The meeting included a session where residents presented to medical students on A Day In the Life of a Surgical Resident and Tips on Transitioning to Residency. The chapter plans to continue this initiative at future meetings.

Photo: Medical students from the University of Minnesota.

International chapters

Germany Chapter

136th Congress of the German Society of Surgery, March 26, Munich. The Germany Chapter sponsored the panel, Interdisciplinary Trauma Management: Establishing the ASSET Course in Germany. At the business meeting, Ankush Gosain, MD, PhD, FACS, presented his report as ACS Traveling Fellow to Germany.

Nigeria Chapter

2019 Clinical Congress of ACS Nigeria Chapter, July 10–13, Lagos.

Pictured: Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi, MBBS, FACS, President (seated sixth from right) and Prof. Emmanuel Ameh, MBBS, FACS, Governor (seated eighth from right) with guests, dignitaries, and Congress attendees.

United Arab Emirates Chapter

First International Congress of the American College of Surgeons United Arab Emirates Chapter, September 12–13, Dubai.

Photo (from left): Ibrahim Turki Tamur, MD, FACS, CABS, FRCS, Treasurer; Basim Alkhafaji, MD, FACS, FRCS, Events and Education Committee Chair; Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, Director, ACS Division of Member Services; Prof. Safwan Taha, MD, FACS, CABS, FRCS, MSMBS, Governor; Bassel Safi, MD, FACS, Membership Committee; and Associate Prof. Haytham N. Elsalhat, MD, FACS, EBSO, MBA, Secretary.

Uruguay Chapter

Annual Uruguay Chapter Meeting, August 17, Montevideo. More than 50 people attended the meeting, with many more participating via a live stream. The main topics covered were trauma, breast, and rectal cancer treatment.

Photo: Chapter members gather together during lunch at the annual meeting.