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

2022 SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year: John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS

E. Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, Ross F. Goldberg, MD, FACS

Congratulations to the 2022 SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year, John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, a board-certified General Surgeon based in Ocala, Florida.

The distinct honor was presented during Clinical Congress 2022 at the Annual Business Meeting of Members. Dr. Armstrong was selected based on several criteria, including his unwavering commitment to the College’s advocacy and political efforts. He serves as a member of HPAC, an Advisory Member of the PAC Board, Legislative Committee Member, and Chair of the Committee on Trauma Advocacy Pillar.

Few understand better just how critically important it is to continue to educate and engage with lawmakers in Washington, DC, to effect change and leverage surgery’s voice on Capitol Hill. Special thanks and congratulations again to Dr. Armstrong.

The following top contenders were also recognized for their outstanding participation: Daniel Schaefer, MD, FACS, Marion Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP, James Jeng, MD, FACS, William Kasper, MD, FACS, Krista Kaups, MD, FACS, Mark Dobbertien, MD, FACS, William Kasper, MD, FACS, Steven Schechter, MD, FACS, Nancy Gantt, MD, FACS, Amy E. Liepert, MD, FACS, and Charles B. Rodning, MD, FACS.

Previous Advocate of the Year Recipients

2021: Marion C. W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP

During the Annual Business Meeting of Members at Clinical Congress 2021, the Advocate of the Year award was presented to Marion C. W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP, for her strong commitment to advancing and supporting ACS advocacy activities and programs. 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.

2020: Jay J. Doucet, MD, FACS

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: Sherry Cavanagh, MD, FACS

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: Alan G. Thorson, MD, FACS

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 Courtney Eubanks, Grassroots and PAC Coordinator, at ceubanks@facs.org to learn more about participating in this program.