Partner and Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer: Chris Dodgion, MD, MSPH, MBA, FACS

Christopher Dodgion, MD, MSPH, MBA, FACS, is an associate professor of surgery (trauma and acute care surgery) and associate trauma medical director at Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. A global health advocate, he is driven by the belief that every patient deserves safe, reliable, and timely surgical care. His work focuses on strengthening trauma systems, advancing quality improvement in low-resource settings, and addressing the global surgical workforce shortage through education.

Within ACS H.O.P.E., Dr. Dodgion leads the Hawassa Surgical Training Collaborative Council, working closely with Ethiopian colleagues to ensure training translates into sustainable improvements in patient care. As Vice Chair of the Committee on Global Engagement Education Subcommittee, he was a key architect of the ACS H.O.P.E. Global Health in Surgery Certificate Program, designed to prepare future leaders in equity and system-building.

He has also been central to Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) expansion in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and Kigali, Rwanda, where his teaching reinforces technical skill, preparedness, and a culture of patient-centered safety. Through his leadership, ACS H.O.P.E. continues to grow in ways that safeguard patients while empowering local teams.

Partner Spotlight: Liana Gefter, MD, MPH, and Barry Mann, MD, FACS, and the Health Career Collaborative

Liana Gefter, MD, MPH, and Barry Mann, MD, FACS, serve as the national director and founder of the Health Career Collaborative (HCC), respectively, a long-standing partner of ACS H.O.P.E. Guided by their vision and dedication, the HCC has expanded significantly in recent years, grounded in the belief that strengthening the healthcare workforce begins with investing in the next generation.

The HCC empowers high school students to graduate, pursue higher education, build health literacy, and explore careers in healthcare. By engaging medical institutions, trainees, and professionals to launch and sustain local programs, the HCC nurtures a pipeline of future health leaders. This work is not only about inspiring careers—it is about ensuring that patients and families can trust that there will be a skilled, compassionate workforce ready to meet their needs in the years ahead.

Today, with more than 40 chapters across more than 30 US cities, the HCC offers surgeon educators a meaningful way to give back to their communities. By mentoring students and shaping their path into health professions, surgeons contribute directly to a stronger, more equitable, and patient-centered healthcare system.

To explore opportunities to engage with this mission and connect with a chapter near you, visit the HCC website.