The ACS Tennessee Chapter meeting was preceded on August 7 by the Tennessee Trauma Symposium, which featured a series of presentations on critical topics such as the Tennessee Trauma System, geriatric trauma, burn care, and the management of traumatic brain injury. Additional sessions addressed transfers between Level I and Level III trauma centers, chest trauma, and long-term trauma outcomes and recovery. Although I was unable to attend, chapter members spoke highly of the quality and impact of the symposium.
I was warmly welcomed to the Tennessee Chapter by David Shibata, MD, FACS, President, and Evan Glazer, MD, PhD, FACS, Program Committee Chair. Carmen Solórzano, MD, FACS, President-Elect of the Chapter, also was actively engaged throughout the meeting.
The Friday program opened with a keynote address by Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, who delivered a compelling presentation, “Improving Surgical Quality on the Frontlines.” Parallel sessions followed, led by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), Trauma Care Advisory Council, and Tennessee Committee on Trauma. The day wrapped up with cancer and trauma paper competitions, and a well-attended welcome reception at Paris Station.
On Saturday morning, I presented a detailed update on ACS initiatives, including progress on the Rural Trauma Initiative and efforts by the CoC to develop standards tailored to surgeons in rural hospitals. Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, reported on the ACS Foundation Tennessee Chapter Initiatives Fund and announced a generous offer to match contributions made during the meeting. James M. McLoughlin, MD, FACS, Vice-President of the Tennessee Chapter, provided an update on ACS Political Action Committee activities relevant to Fellows in the state.
The program continued with an engaging session on strategies for successful collaboration with hospital administration, followed by clinical presentations on the management of inguinal hernias, biliary tract disease, and necrotizing soft tissue infections. An attorney with subject-matter expertise reviewed opioid-prescribing regulations set forth by the Tennessee Medical Board. Additional discussions highlighted prominent issues such as medical advocacy in Tennessee and the potential implications of physician unionization.
A particularly impactful presentation, “Health Care Career Challenges: Coaching Can Contribute to Wins?,” was delivered by James Lewis, MD, MEHP, FACS, of The University of Tennessee Knoxville, who addressed the importance of peer support and the availability of resources to safeguard surgeon well-being in the face of professional and personal challenges. This was followed by a thoughtful session on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into surgical practice. The afternoon concluded with a spirited resident debate on whether AI should be incorporated into surgical training, with both sides offering well-reasoned perspectives.
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Chapter of the ACS was an outstanding success, marked by enthusiastic participation from surgeons across the state and strong support from industry partners. Chapter members will look forward to the 2026 meeting.
Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS
President
