Surgeons in South Texas Chapter Issue Challenge to Colleagues

The ACS South Texas Annual Chapter meeting was held in Houston February 29–March 2. From rousing rounds of resident Surgical Jeopardy to an engaging and informative ACS update from ACS First Vice-President Tyler G. Hughes, MD, FACS, the meeting drew more than 185 members.

To further the meeting’s impact, two chapter members and ACS leaders—H. Randolph Bailey, MD, FACS, Vice-Chair of the ACS Foundation Board of Directors, and Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS, Chair of the ACS Board of Governors—came together and challenged the general membership to grow the South Texas Chapter Fund. Drs. Bailey and Kao each offered to match gifts totaling up to $2,500, with the goal of raising $10,000.

Dr. Bailey explained the value of the Chapter Fund and stressed that it is an additional revenue source to provide opportunities for chapter members. Chapters may use the funds raised under the program to cover costs associated with advancing the mission of the chapter/ACS. These may include:

• Educational events
• Grants to cover portions of travel and accommodation for educational speakers
• Research scholarships and fellowships
• Educational grants to cover portions of travel and accommodation expenses to attend events such as Clinical Congress, Leadership & Advocacy Summit, and other chapter-related, national/international events
• Domestic and international guest scholarships and speakers

As a result of their joint effort and generosity, more than $11,000 was raised to support the South Texas Chapter Fund.

The South Texas Chapter Fund is one of 19 Chapter Initiative Funds. If you would like to establish a Chapter Initiative Fund for your local chapter, contact ACS Foundation Director Beth Carona at bcarona@facs.org. To support an existing Chapter Fund, make a gift today!