Resident and Trainee Engagement
The program began with a pre-meeting session designed for residents and trainees, featuring a spirited round of Surgical Jeopardy. Approximately 15 residents participated, representing major institutions within the chapter: Northwell Health, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. Three teams, with three residents per team, competed, supported by active participation from senior surgeons who served as judges and mentors.
The level of engagement, camaraderie, and enthusiasm among both trainees and faculty was remarkable. This segment of the meeting served as an outstanding example of how chapters can foster educational engagement, mentorship, and community among their younger members.
Following the resident activity, a business meeting was held with approximately 10–12 members in attendance. While more sparsely attended than other portions of the evening, it was conducted efficiently and demonstrated a dedicated core membership invested in the chapter’s governance and ongoing activities.
Dinner Meeting and Keynote Remarks
The evening concluded with a robust dinner meeting, attended by an estimated 50–60 members and guests. The atmosphere was lively and collegial, with members eager to reconnect after returning from the recent ACS Clinical Congress in Chicago, Illinois.
I had the opportunity to speak for approximately 30–40 minutes. My remarks were directed primarily toward residents and early career surgeons, emphasizing the importance of active membership and participation in the ACS Resident and Associate Society (RAS).
Highlighting the role of RAS as a vital platform for developing leadership skills and the importance of having a voice within the ACS, I cited examples of leaders such as Michael J. Sutherland, MD, MBA, FACS, Senior Vice President of the ACS Division of Member Services, and Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, ACS Executive Director and CEO, who began their involvement in the College through this pathway.
I discussed the membership benefits, emphasizing our development of the strategic pillars on the foundation of operational excellence and our plans as leadership to begin executing on these pillars. In addition, I spoke in detail about how we have embraced advanced technology and data analytics to enhance our overarching goals of delivering excellence in the care of the surgical patient and values to our constituency.
During the discussion period, several members raised thoughtful questions about the value and relevance of ACS membership in the current surgical landscape. The consensus reflected broad appreciation for the College’s role and of the rigor and value of the ACS’s data-driven, outcomes-focused approach to surgical quality and patient safety.
Chapter Vitality and Leadership
A particularly inspiring aspect of this meeting was the chapter’s resurgence of energy and participation following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members candidly shared that the chapter had struggled to sustain engagement in recent years and had nearly folded during the pandemic. Through the dedicated leadership of Dr. Prince and his colleagues, including President-Elect Shahriyour Andaz, MD, FACS, the chapter has experienced a remarkable renewal of spirit. This revitalization is a testament to committed local leadership.
The Brooklyn-Long Island Chapter now holds three meetings per year, each with a unique theme, and reports strong attendance at all events.
Edward M. Barksdale Jr., MD, FACS
ACS Second Vice President
