April 1, 2019
Domestic and international chapters of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) met in the last several months to host a variety of activities, including annual meetings, award presentations, advocacy days, and more. Following are highlights and photos from these programs.
Hosted the Annual Regional Meeting of the Idaho, Montana-Wyoming, and Utah Chapters January 25–27 in Sun Valley, ID. Speakers focused on issues that surgeons face in the Mountain West region of the U.S. Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), FCSHK(Hon), 2018–2019 ACS President, attended the meeting and gave an update of the status of the College and a talk about the value of U.S. trauma systems.
Approximately 40 attendees convened January 29–30 in Tallahassee for two Advocacy Days. With a total of 17 legislative visits and five participating societies, key issues discussed with lawmakers included the redress of regulations on opioids (H.B. 21) and scope-of-practice expansion.
The Southern California Chapter hosted its Annual Scientific Meeting January 25–27, in Santa Barbara. J. Craig Collins, MD, FACS (right), 2019 Chapter President, thanks Ninh T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FASBMS, for his service as 2018 President.
TNACS and the Tennessee Committee on Trauma (TNCOT) February 5 hosted the 2019 Advocacy Day/Stop the Bleed™ event in Nashville. More than 50 legislators and staff members received training in bleeding control, and legislators were asked to support legislation requiring bleeding control kits in all Tennessee public schools.
Kuwait Association of Surgeons Conference, November 21–23, 2018, Kuwait City. Dr. Maier and Salman Al Sabah, MBBS, FACS, Kuwait Chapter Governor, with members of the Kuwait Sword Dance Troupe, which performed at the conference.
Chapter leaders testified at the State Capitol on February 11 in opposition to proposed legislation prohibiting hospitals from charging trauma activation fees.
November 28, 2018, networking event for ACS members in the region. Paul Malaspina, MD, FACS, Northwestern Pennsylvania ACS Governor (above, sixth from left), gave a brief update on ACS activities and encouraged attendees to get involved with the local chapter.