Rich Content and Networking Opportunities
Clinical Congress presents an outstanding opportunity for surgeons to hear from the experts, learn about groundbreaking procedures and research, network with peers from around the globe, and gain both clinical and nonclinical knowledge and skills, which they can put into practice immediately.
The Program Committee, under the leadership of ACS Regent Fabrizio Michelassi, MD, FACS, MAMSE, has developed a cutting-edge scientific program to address critical education and training needs and equip surgeons with the skills they need to achieve the best outcomes in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
“The program this year is very rich, and there will be sessions of interest for everybody, whether they are Panel Sessions, Named Lectures, Meet-the-Expert sessions, or Town Halls,” said Dr. Michelassi. “I encourage each of you to come and reestablish those personal and professional connections that we have enjoyed over the years.”
The theme of Clinical Congress 2022 is Surgeons Sowing Hope, selected by ACS President Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, DFSVS, MAMSE, who has asked all members of the surgical community to enhance recovery, elevate healing, and spread hope for patients, communities, teams, and themselves. This year’s program promises to help surgeons and care teams engender optimism through unbeatable educational programming, with hundreds of sessions across the conference’s 5 days.
From the more than 120 Panel Sessions to the 12 Named Lectures to the dozens of Postgraduate Courses and beyond, Clinical Congress 2022 will offer the best surgical education for surgeons at all career levels, along with wellness activities and social events such as the popular Taste of the City.
“We will have an incredible opportunity for networking with colleagues whom we haven’t been able to see for almost 3 years,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director. “Clinical Congress allows you to literally stand in one place and see friends and colleagues from around the world.”
New Fellows
A highlight of the annual Clinical Congress is the Convocation ceremony, which confers Fellowship upon surgeons who have successfully met the College’s requirements and standards and who are committed to adhering to the ACS motto, “To Heal All with Skill and Trust.” The ceremony, on Sunday evening, also will include recognition of Honorary Fellows, presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, installation of ACS Officers and Officers-Elect, and the Presidential Address.
This year, in addition to the 2022 Initiates, Initiates from 2020 and 2021—who were welcomed into Fellowship virtually because of COVID-19—have been invited to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime honor.
Anton Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS, MAMSE, Chair of the ACS Board of Regents, strongly recommends that Initiates who are able make it to San Diego attend Convocation and Clinical Congress this year. “It’s a moment of pride and a moment of celebration. I think it would be great to celebrate it, all of us together, and have as many people as possible come to Clinical Congress,” he said.
Esteemed Named Lecturers
One of the most popular features of Clinical Congress is the series of Named Lectures, which provide attendees with an opportunity to hear internationally renowned surgeons and figures in healthcare share their perspectives and insights on medicine and surgery. This year, 12 lectures will be offered, with a new Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Lecture added.
“Bariatric and metabolic surgery is so important and widespread today that the Program Committee is making an effort to increase offerings in this particular field—not only for those surgeons who perform the procedures, but also for general surgeons who might be called upon to care for complications,” Dr. Michelassi explained.
The Martin Memorial Lecture, delivered immediately after the Opening Ceremony on Monday, will be given by David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, MAMSE. As the Immediate Past ACS Executive Director, Dr. Hoyt will reflect on the challenges and successes of his 12 years as a leader of the College. Following the lecture, Dr. Hoyt will participate in a meet-and-greet with in-person attendees.
“We will all want to hear Dr. Hoyt’s reflections on a career well-served, supporting all of us in the House of Surgery,” Dr. Turner said.
The Named Lectures will be presented in-person and livestreamed. Each lecture also will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing within an hour after the live presentation.
Other Named Lecture highlights include:
- The Scudder Oration on Trauma, delivered by Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, Immediate Past Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs, who will speak on A Century of Commitment to Optimal Trauma Care: Lessons Learned and Opportunities for the Future
- The Excelsior Surgical Society/Edward D. Churchill Lecture, delivered by David V. Feliciano, MD, FACS, MAMSE, who will recount the Extraordinary Evolution of Surgery for Abdominal Trauma
- The Olga M. Jonasson Lecture, delivered by Omaida C. Velazquez, MD, FACS
Special Sessions
Recent Clinical Congresses have included Special Sessions on timely topics of interest to ACS members, and this year the College will be offering three sessions you won’t want to miss.
The ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators® session, Advancement and Promotion of Surgery Faculty Based on Educational Accomplishments, will address career progression using the framework of scholarship—discovery, integration, scholarship of application, and scholarship of teaching, as well as educational leadership and other contributions.
The Ukrainian Crisis: Surgical Lessons Learned will feature surgeons who have been directly involved in caring for individuals injured in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Panelists will offer firsthand accounts of the unique surgical issues in this conflict, with respect to the types of weapons used, the high casualty rate among civilians, and targeting of hospitals by Russian forces.
Surgeons on the Frontline of Violence will examine the ongoing firearm violence epidemic in the US. This session will feature multiple national leaders who will discuss efforts to address this crisis and reduce morbidity and mortality related to firearm injuries.
