Advocate of the Year

A Cut Above the Rest

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year recognition program tracks how engaged surgeon advocates utilize tools and take action via SurgeonsVoice online. Top advocates establish and maintain relationships with legislators, helping to advance health policy priorities.

The Advocate of the Year will be recognized during the annual Clinical Congress, featured in the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, and invited to participate in other advocacy-related activities.

To be eligible for recognition, you can:

• Attend the annual Advocacy Summit
• Serve on an ACS committee
• Attend in-district meetings
• Host a site visit/facility tour/training
• Present on the value of ACS advocacy efforts
• Join state chapter lobby days
• Contribute to ACS publications
• Participate in press/op-ed opportunities
• Provide advocacy testimonials
• Recruit surgeon advocates
• Share advocacy-related content via social media
• Become an issue expert

2021 SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year: Marion C. W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP

The 2021 SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year, Marion C. W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP, was announced at the Annual Business Meeting of Members at Clinical Congress 2021. Dr. Henry, a board- certified general and pediatric surgeon based in Chicago, IL, was selected for her strong commitment to advancing and supporting ACS advocacy activities and programs.

Dr. Henry understands the critical role that surgeons can play to help effect change in Washington, DC, and across the country. Recognizing the importance of educating lawmakers about critical issues impacting surgery, Dr. Henry regularly contacts Congress via SurgeonsVoice, and supports the ACS Professional Association’s (ACSPA) political action committee, ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC. Dr. Henry also regularly attends the annual ACS Leadership and Advocacy Summit.

Further, Dr. Henry leads by example, serving as a member of the ACS Health Policy Advisory Council (HPAC) and the Advisory Council for Pediatric Surgery, in addition to her involvement with multiple national committees centered on surgical education, women in surgery, and pediatric surgeons.

The following runners up were also recognized for outstanding participation: Amalia L. Cochran, MD, FACS; Mark A. Dobbertien, DO, FACS; James W. Fleshman, MD, FACS, FASCRS; Nancy L. Gantt, MD, FACS; Steven Schechter, MD, FACS; and, Hunter B. Wessells, MD, FACS..

Previous Advocate of the Year Recipients

2020

During Clinical Congress 2020, the Advocate of the Year award was presented to Jay J. Doucet, MD, FACS, for his commitment to the College’s advocacy and political efforts, particularly through his involvement with the ACS Health Policy Advisory Council (HPAC).

The following runners up were also recognized for outstanding participation: John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS; Shannon M. Foster, MD, FACS; Soha Ghossaini, MD, FACS; Marion C.W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP; Atul N. Jani, MD, FACS; Krista L. Kaups, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP; Deborah A. Kuhls, MD, FACS; Joe H. Patton MD, FACS; and Kristan Staudenmayer, MD, MS, FACS.

2019

During Clinical Congress 2019, the Advocate of the Year award was presented to Sherry Cavanagh, MD, FACS, for her commitment to the College’s advocacy and political efforts, particularly through her involvement with the ACS Health Policy Advisory Council (HPAC). 

The following runners up were also recognized for outstanding participation: Stephanie Bonne, MD, FACS; Mark A. Dobbertien, DO, FACS; Tanaz Ferzandi, MD, FACS; Marion C.W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP; Meghana Kashyap, MD; Amy E. Liepert, MD, FACS; James W. Suliburk, MD, FACS; Alan G. Thorson, MD, FACS; and Brett Tracy, MD.

2018

During Clinical Congress 2018, the inaugural Advocate of the Year award was presented to Alan G. Thorson, MD, FACS, for his commitment to the College’s advocacy and political efforts, particularly through his involvement with the ACS Commission on Cancer.

The following runners up were also recognized for outstanding participation: Amanda Arrington, MD, FACS; Annabel Barber, MD, FACS; Amalia Cochran, MD, FACS; Charles Coren, MD, FACS; Mark Dobbertien, MD, FACS; Ross Goldberg, MD, FACS; Marion Henry, MD, FACS; Mark Kashtan, MD; Amy Liepert, MD, FACS; Joshua Mammen, MD, FACS; Katherine McHugh, MD; Subhasis Misra, MD FACS; Alisha Reiss, MD; and Brett Tracy, MD.

Learn More

Contact Katie Oehmen, Senior Manager, Political and Grassroots Engagement, at koehmen@facs.org to learn more about participating in this program.