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President's Column
"Challenges for the Future"
by Robert H. Dennis II, MD, FACS
Assuming the Presidency of the ACS joint Metropolitan Washington Chapter/Washington Academy of Surgery at this time in our history presents some unique challenges and opportunities. Medicine as a whole is in a state of change, and, if we are to succeed, managing change to our advantage requires us to seek common ground and work together to be inclusive of all. We have recently faced severe financial challenges, which, although not totally resolved, are beginning to show the light at the end of the tunnel. I am fortunate to have a group of outstanding and dedicated Council members and staff working with me to develop strategies for success.
The trend of decreasing membership in local chapters across the country and the "graying" of active members does not bode well for the future if it is not reversed soon. Mentoring of our younger colleagues may be one way to attract younger members by showing them how being a member of the chapter can be beneficial. The relevancy of a society to its members depends on how it interacts in their daily lives and in what ways it is an advocate for their interests. With the many organizations, both local and national, vying for attention and resources, surgeons are not going to join organizations just for the "prestige." Maintaining our membership levels and a viable chapter requires us to be continuously relevant and in tune with what is happening "in the tenches."
Fortunately, the Metropolitan Washington Chapter has a strong Young Surgeons Committee that has demonstrated time and again its unique ability to identify and provide for the needs of young surgeons in our community. The Young Surgeons Committee not only gives us an opportunity to provide relevancy, but is perhaps our best advertisement in recruiting new and younger members who will stay involved and become the chapter leaders of tomorrow.
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