News and Updates
November 2011
Foundation Volunteer Mary H. McGrath receives College’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award
 Mary H. McGrath, MD, MPH, FACS |
The American College of Surgeons Foundation congratulates Mary H. McGrath, MD, MPH, FACS, of San Francisco, CA, as the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Surgeons. The award was presented by the College’s Board of Regents on October 23 during the annual Clinical Congress in San Francisco.
The Board of Regents recognized Dr. McGrath with the College’s highest honor for her “steadfast commitment to the initiatives and principles embodied by the American College of Surgeons,” her numerous contributions to the College through service, her work as a clinical and academic surgeon, and her dedication to improving the quality of surgical patient care. In acknowledging Dr. McGrath’s work as an academic surgeon, the Regents noted her “outstanding clinical and academic contributions to the field of plastic surgery especially in the areas of breast, hand, wound healing, new technologies, and workforce issues made during her appointments.”
A Fellow of the College since 1983, Dr. McGrath now serves on the Foundation’s Corporate and Foundation Relations Committee and previously was a member of the College’s Development Committee. Dr. McGrath currently serves as professor of surgery in the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. For further details of the distinguished career of Dr. McGrath, please visit http://www.facs.org/clincon2011/press/fellows.html.
Foundation Board Members Re-elected during 2011 Clinical Congress
 The American College of Surgeons Foundation Board of Directors |
The American College of Surgeons Foundation is pleased to announce that eight Fellows were re-elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors during their annual meeting at the 2011 Clinical Congress. They are: Charles M. Balch, MD, FACS, of Dallas, TX; Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, FACS, of New York, NY; Norman M. Kenyon, MD, FACS, of Miami, FL; Edward R. Laws, MD, FACS, of Boston, MA; Richard B. Reiling, MD, FACS, of Charlotte, NC, San Francisco, CA; Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, of San Francisco, CA; William F. Sasser, MD, FACS, of St. Louis, MO: and Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS, of Colorado Springs, CO.
Additionally, the newly installed ACS President, Patricia J. Numann, MD, FACS, of Syracuse, NY, has joined the Foundation Board as an Ex-officio member. Members of the Foundation Board provide governance and advocacy, while fulfilling fiduciary obligations on behalf of the Fellowship.
Young Fellow Joins the Foundation’s Annual Giving & Communications Committee
 Suresh Agarwal, MD, FACS |
The most recent addition to the ACS Foundation’s cohort of dedicated volunteers is Suresh Agarwal, MD, FACS, who has been appointed to the Annual Giving and Communications Committee, chaired by William F. Sasser, MD, FACS. Dr. Agarwal is the Chief of Critical Care, Associate Professor of Surgery and Program Director; Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, at Boston University School of Medicine.
A graduate of University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Agarwal completed his internship at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, CT and fellowships at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT (Trauma Surgery), University of Connecticut in Farmington, CT (Surgical Critical Care) and University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (Thoracic Surgery).
Since becoming a Fellow of the College in 2005, Dr. Agarwal has served on the Fellow Committee on Applications and is an ad hoc reviewer of the ACS Journal. At a local level, he also serves on the Legislative Committee and the Committee on Trauma for the ACS Massachusetts Chapter.
The Foundation is delighted to welcome Dr. Agarwal to the Annual Giving and Communications Committee and looks forward to his insightful guidance and support.
Drs. Thomas and Nona Russell Awarded the 21st Distinguished Philanthropist Award
 Dr. Thomas Russell and Dr. Nona Russell |
Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Russell and Dr. Nona Russell, the 21st recipients of the American College of Surgeons Foundation's Distinguished Philanthropist Award, acknowledging individuals whose commitment and service exemplify the ideals and mission of the College. The doctors Russell have been generous and loyal benefactors of the American College of Surgeons, evidenced by more than 100 philanthropic gifts since 1990. Click here to view the full article.
Merits of Medical-Industry Relationships Extolled
 Dr. Thomas P. Stossel |
Another signature event held during Clinical Congress was the 11th annual Medical Industry Breakfast, sponsored by the ACS Foundation. More than 70 College leaders, Foundation volunteers and medical-industry representatives attended the thought-provoking presentation, given by keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas P. Stossel, on the current environment in medical-industry relationships. A Q&A discussion followed.
Prior to the keynote address, Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS, Chair of the Corporate and Foundation Relations Committee, ACS Foundation, presented results of the Foundation’s Survey of Fellows Regarding Industry Relations. "This was an important survey for us to complete because we had no concept of how involved our Fellows were in collaboration with industry," Dr. Stewart said.
During the Medical Industry Breakfast, words of welcome were also offered by Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, Chair of the ACS Foundation Board of Directors, and David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director and ACS Foundation President. Dr. Russell said the ACS Foundation is pleased to sponsor the Medical Industry Breakfast each year to promote discussions on issues of mutual interest to the medical profession and industry.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
October 2011
Foundation Board Member Amilu Stewart receives JMC Alumni Achievement Award
 Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS |
Jefferson Medical College (JMC) has presented Amilu Stewart, MD, FACS, with a 2011 Alumni Achievement Award. Dr. Stewart was honored for her distinguished career as a general surgeon after graduating in 1965 with the first class at JMC that accepted women. Dr. Stewart was also the first mother to receive a medical degree from JMC and the first in her family to become a physician.
The JMC Alumni Achievement Award follows the honor bestowed upon Dr. Stewart by the ACS Board of Regents last year as recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award. Since becoming a Fellow in 1974, Dr. Stewart has served the College in many capacities, including as the Second Vice-President of the College (2003), as a member and officer of the Board of Governors (1993-1999) and as a founding member of the ACS Foundation. Dr. Stewart currently serves as the Foundation’s Secretary and as Chair of the Corporate and Foundation Relations Committee. She also serves on the admissions committee at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Colorado Springs and is volunteering at Peak Vista Community Health Centers to perform office-based surgeries for low-income, uninsured and underinsured patients. The ACS Foundation Board of Directors extends its congratulations to Dr. Stewart in appreciation for all of her service to the profession.
September 2011
Fellows Leadership Society Experiences Strong Growth
During FY2011, the Foundation’s donor recognition group, The Fellows Leadership Society, recorded significant upward mobility. The Fiscal Year 2011 saw 2 individuals move to the Pinnacle Circle ($1,000,000 and above); 1 new Legacy Circle ($100,000-$500,000) member; 2 individuals move into the Presidents Circle ($50,000-$75,000); and 5 individuals move into the Regents Circle ($25,000-$50,000). The Governors Circle ($10,000-$25,000) gained 15 new individual and 2 new corporate members as compared to 8 individuals and 1 corporate member in Fiscal Year 2010.
Thanks to these generous donors for their investment in the College’s programs.
Pinnacle Circle
Dr. and Mrs. Eric T. Lincke
Pon Satitpunwaycha, MD, FACS
Legacy Circle
Elias S. Hanna, MD, FACS
Presidents Circle
The Brennan Family
Dr. and Mrs. David P. Winchester
Regents Circle
Drs. M. T. and A. J. Amirana
Jim and Cindi Chandler
Dr. Chris Cribari, MD, FACS
Dr. and Mrs. Vincent A. Gaudiani
Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. Lynn
Governors Circle
Anthony Atala, MD, FACS
Drs. Dale and Sharon Buchbinder
Drs. Bard and Pamela Cosman
Dr. and Mrs. Eric W. Fonkalsrud
Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Lloyd Glover, Jr.
F. Dean Griffen, MD, FACS
Dr. and Mrs. Brent E. Krantz
Drs. Samuel E. and Annette V. Landrum
Danny R. Robinette, MD, FACS
Alfred N. Rossi, MD, FACS
Gary R. Seabrook, MD, FACS
Ronald F. Sing, MD, FACS
Dr. and Mrs. Elliot W. Strong
†Arie D. Verhagen, MD, FACS
Mallory Williams, MD, FACS
Corporate Governors Circle
Emerson Charitable Trust
Genentech Incorporated
May 2011
Foundation Directors Reach Out to ACS Chapters
Acting on their charge to promote philanthropy within the Fellowship, ACS Foundation volunteers are participating in a series of ACS Chapter and society meetings around the U.S. ACS Chapters provide generous contributions each year to support the mission of the College. During the 2011 fiscal year, over $30,000 was received through Chapter donations.
In April 2011, Dr. William F. Sasser represented the ACS Foundation at the annual meeting in Hawaii of the Southwestern Surgical Congress. May was a busy month for Chapter meetings, and Foundation Directors represented the Foundation at meetings in Ohio (Dr. Richard Reiling); Virginia (Dr. Robert Berry); Northern California (Dr. Thomas Russell); and Michigan (Dr. Charles Lucas). Dr. Amilu Stewart provided energetic advocacy for philanthropy during the joint meeting of the Oregon and Washington ACS Chapters.
During July, Dr. Richard Reiling attends the joint meeting of the North and South Carolina ACS Chapters in Asheville, NC. Dr. Kenneth Sharp represents the ACS Foundation at the Tennessee ACS Chapter meeting in Memphis. The Foundation is grateful to our Board members who give of their time to promote philanthropy among the Chapter colleagues.
April 2011
Kriendler Grant Renewed for Training of Young Surgeons
The need and competition among surgical residents for funding to attend educational courses and programs grows each year. To help provide these opportunities, The Jeannette and H. Peter Kriendler Charitable Trust has awarded the College a grant of $10,000 for the eighth consecutive year. The efforts of Edward R. Laws, MD, FACS, ACS Foundation board member and volunteer, have made this invaluable support possible as the Kriendler Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
The Kriendler Charitable Trust’s funding has been applied as scholarships to enable surgical residents to attend one of four ACS courses designed to engage young surgeons and expose them to opportunities to improve their abilities in areas such as leadership, communication, and research. From the 80-100 applications received annually, between four to six scholarships are awarded competitively by the College’s Resident and Associate Society.
Underscoring the impact of these scholarships, a previous scholarship recipient, Piero Marco Fisichella, MD, wrote, “With the changes in medicine and public and insurance demands for more safety processes in our healthcare system to reduce complications, our practice of evidence-based medicine is evolving. (The scholarship) has allowed me a great opportunity to improve my skills, and has given me the tools necessary to succeed as a leader in surgery.”
Investing in the education of promising young surgeons strengthens the profession and promotes innovation and the exploration of new directions. As such, the Jeannette and H. Peter Kriendler Charitable Trust is continuing as an important and valued partner in the College’s efforts to develop future leaders for the field of surgery.
Revised December 8, 2011