Clinical Congress 2021 Highlights

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) hosted its second successful Virtual Clinical Congress October 23−27, 2021, with approximately 9,000 physician, resident, trainee, medical student, allied health care professional, and other registrants from around the world. The 2021 Clinical Congress Program included a broad array of Named Lectures by renowned leaders and experts, Special Sessions, timely Panel Sessions focusing on clinical and nonclinical topics, Scientific Forum presentations on the latest advances in surgery, Video-Based Education Sessions, Meet-the-Expert Sessions, Didactic Postgraduate Courses, and the didactic components of the Surgical Skills Postgraduate Courses. The Postgraduate Courses included an innovative, longitudinal, three-part model to enhance retention and transfer of newly acquired knowledge and skills. The program of the virtual Clinical Congress will be available on demand through September 2022, and continuing medical education credit may be claimed through February 1, 2022.

Convocation

The ACS welcomed a record-breaking 2,350 Initiates to ACS Fellowship at the 2021 virtual Convocation October 24. Initiates from the classes of 1996 and 1971 celebrated 25 and 50 years, respectively, of Fellowship.

The 102nd President of the College, Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), DFSVS, MAMSE, was installed at Convocation. An esteemed vascular surgeon, Dr. Freischlag is dean, Wake Forest School of Medicine, chief executive officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and chief academic officer of Atrium Health Enterprise, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Freischlag’s Presidential Address centered on #SurgeonsSowingHope through enhanced recovery after surgery.

Quan-Yang Duh, MD, FACS, a preeminent general surgeon who has built a long-lasting career at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), was installed as the First Vice-President. At UCSF, Dr. Duh is professor of surgery, division of general surgery, and chief, section of endocrine surgery. He also is attending surgeon, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco.

The Second Vice-President is Richard A. Lynn, MD, FACS, RPVI, a general vascular surgeon in Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Lynn operated in private practice in West Palm Beach from 1976 to 2013, when he retired. During his career, he also served as director, Vascular Laboratory of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach (1981–2013); and clinical assistant professor of surgery (2008–2013) and associate professor of surgery (2013–2014), Florida International University College of Medicine, Miami.

David P. Winchester, MD, FACS, former Medical Director, ACS Cancer Programs, received the Distinguished Service Award, the College’s highest honor given annually. The award recognizes “his vision and dedication in developing a national accreditation program related to the alignment of the highest standards and quality of care in the treatment of breast cancer and rectal cancer” and acknowledges “his exemplary leadership of the College’s many cancer program initiatives.”

L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, MAMSE, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), received the ACS Lifetime Achievement Award. An esteemed Fellow of the College since 1989, Dr. Britt is a Past-President of the ACS (2010−2011). At present, he serves on the Regents’ Anti-Racism Committee. He is a founding member of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, was Co-Chair of the Steering Committee that created the Academy, and serves on its Special Committee to Address Challenges and Opportunities Relating to Surgery Residency Training during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He was Chair (2008−2009) and Vice-Chair (2006−2008) of the Board of Regents. As an ACS Regent (2000−2009), he served on and chaired the Central Judiciary Committee (2001−2006 and 2003−2006, respectively) and the Nominating Committee of the Fellows.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Paul Kendall (P.K.) Carlton, Jr., MD, FACS, received the ACS Distinguished Military Contribution Award. The award recognizes Dr. Carlton’s outstanding contributions to the field of surgery while serving in the U.S. military. He is the third recipient of the award in the College’s 108-year history.

The Resident and Associate Society of the ACS recognized Matthew D. Neal, MD, FACS, as the Outstanding Mentor of the Year (see article, page 98). Dr. Neal is the Roberta G. Simmons Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and director, Pittsburgh Trauma Research Center, PA.

M. Margaret “Peggy” Knudson, MD, FACS, San Francisco, CA, received the sixth annual Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award. Dr. Knudson is professor of surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF); adjunct professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD; and medical director, Military Health System Strategic Partnership ACS (MHSSPACS). The award was developed by the ACS Women in Surgery Committee and recognizes significant contributions to the advancement of women in the field of surgery.

Ten international surgeons were conferred Honorary Fellowship in the ACS. They are:

• Prof. Christiane Josephine Bruns, MD, director, department of general, visceral, tumor, and transplantation surgery, University of Cologne, Germany, and vice-director, Comprehensive Cancer Center CIO Koln-Bonn
• Prof. Luis M. Chiva, MD, PhD, professor of gynecology and medical ethics and director, department of obstetrics and gynecology, University of Navarra, Spain
• Prof. Dan M. Fliss, MD, an otolaryngology–head and neck surgeon and professor, department of otolaryngology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
• Prof. Chuan-Gang Fu, MD, PhD, chairman and professor, department of surgery, department of colorectal surgery and department of gastroendoscopy, Shanghai East Hospital, Peoples Republic of China, and chair, Chinese Society of Anorectal Surgeons
• Sir Selwyn Michael Griffin, MB BS, FRCSEng, MD, FCSHK, FRCSEd, OBE, FRCSGlasg(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCSSriLanka(Hon), FASI(Hon), FRACS(Hon), president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and former consultant esophagogastric cancer surgeon at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
• Prof. Mousa A. R. Khoursheed, MD, FACS, FRCSGlasg, professor of surgery, department of surgery, and faculty of medicine, Kuwait University, Safat
• Prof. Luke P. H. Leenen, MD, PhD, FACS, FEBS(EmSurg)(Hon), professor, trauma and emergency surgery and intensive care, Utrecht University, Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Prof. Michael Ka Wah Li, BBS, MB BS, MRCS, LRCP, FRCSEd, FRCSEng, FCSHK, FHKAM, director, minimally invasive and robotic surgery development, and honorary consultant in general surgery, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Peoples Republic of China
• Prof. Guy John Maddern, MB BS, PhD, MS, MD, FACS, FRACS, FAAHMS, past-director, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures–Surgical; past-chair, International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment; and past-director, Basil Hetzel Translational Research Institute, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Prof. Oscar Traynor, MB BCh, BAO(Honors), MCh, FRSCI, FRCSGlasg(Hon), professor, postgraduate surgical education, and dean, postgraduate surgical education and training, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Opening Ceremony

At the Opening Ceremony, ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, announced a new initiative—To Heal All with Skill and Trust. Now, more than ever, is the time for surgeons to recommit to the profession’s values, Dr. Hoyt said. Building on its 100-year foundation of leadership, this campaign renews the College’s promise to patients and our communities and challenges surgeons to recommit to the fundamental ethos of surgery, salute and reignite their dedication and purpose, and rededicate themselves to the leadership role they must play.

Named Lectures

Clinical Congress featured 11 Named Lectures, starting with the Martin Memorial Lecture, which Anthony S. Fauci, MD, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, and a member of the White House COVID-19 Response Team, Washington, DC, delivered. His presentation was titled COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Remaining Challenges.

Other Named Lectures were:

• Bruce W. Lytle, MD, FACS, chairman, department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH, presented the John H. Gibbon, Jr., Lecture: Coronary Bypass Surgery: An Operation Like No Other.
• Edward C. Benzel, MD, FACS, chairman, department of neurosurgery, and medical co-director, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Spine Research Laboratory, delivered the Charles G. Drake History of Surgery Lecture: The Evolution of Modern-Day Spine Surgery: Conflict, Compromise, and Collaboration.
• Melina R. Kibbe, MD, FACS, FAHA, dean, University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, and chief health affairs officer, UVA Health, Charlottesville, gave the I. S. Ravdin Lecture in the Basic and Surgical Sciences: Targeted Nanotherapeutics for Vascular Diseases and Beyond.
• Heidi Nelson, MD, FACS, Medical Director, ACS Cancer Programs, delivered the Herand Abcarian Lecture: 100 years of Quality: Lessons for the Next 100 Years.
• Allan D. Kirk, MD, FACS, MAMSE, David C. Sabiston, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Surgery; chair, department of surgery; professor of surgery; professor in pediatrics; and professor, department of immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, gave the Excelsior Surgical Society/Edward D. Churchill Lecture: American Surgery: First Doctor, Last Doctor.

• Lenworth M. Jacobs, Jr., MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, MAMSE, director, Trauma Institute, Hartford Hospital; professor of surgery and professor of traumatology and emergency medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington; and Medical Director, ACS STOP THE BLEED^®, delivered the Scudder Oration on Trauma: Trauma, Education, Communication, and Implementing Change.
• Andrea A. Hayes, MD, FACS, FAAP, chair, department of surgery, Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, presented the Olga M. Jonasson, MD, Lecture, Grit in Spite of Adversity in the Pursuit of Excellence.
• Michele Harper, MD, an emergency physician in New York, NY, and author of The Beauty in Breaking, presented the John J. Conley Ethics and Philosophy Lecture: Call It by Its True Name: Forms, Textures, and Implications of Anti-Black Racism in Medicine.
• Raghu Ram Pillarisetti, OBE, MS, FRCSEng, FRCSEd, FRCSGlasg, FRCSI, FACS, founder, chief executive officer, and director, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad, India; director, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad; director, international affairs, Great Eastern Medical School, Srikakulam, India; and chairman, academic advisory board, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, delivered the Distinguished Lecture of the International Society of Surgery: Disrupting Breast Health Care in India.
• Lisa A. Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, Immediate Past-Second Vice-President of the ACS and a surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, presented the Commission on Cancer Oncology Lecture: Genetics and Genomics in the Study of Breast Cancer Disparities.

Special Sessions

The virtual Clinical Congress 2021 featured three Special Sessions that took place Monday, October 25, through Wednesday, October 27. These sessions were:

Surgery Residency Training beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™ kicked off the Special Sessions and highlighted perspectives from the Academy regarding future transformational changes in surgery residency training that will result from the work of the Academy’s Special Committee to Address Challenges and Opportunities Relating to Surgery Residency Training during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Leaders of the Subcommittees and the Editorial Review Group of the Academy’s Special Committee described the work of their groups, and leaders of the Academy shared their vision for the future. Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FASCME, MAMSE, and Dr. Britt, cofounders of the Academy, moderated the program.

Should COVID-19 Vaccination Be Mandatory? was the topic of debate at the second Special Session. With the rapid evolution of new and potentially more virulent or more contagious variants, the issue of vaccination has received significant national attention. This timely session featured a point-counterpoint debate by experts on surgical ethics as to whether vaccination against the coronavirus (COVID-19) should be mandatory. The session was moderated by Sharmila Dissanaike, MD, FACS, FCCM, professor and Peter C. Canizaro Chair, department of surgery, and assistant medical director, Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock; and ACS Regent Linda C. Phillips, MD, FACS, Truman G. Blocker, Jr., MD, Distinguished Professor and chief, department of surgery, division of plastic surgery; and professor, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.

Late-Breaking Quality Initiatives in Surgery featured ACS leaders who discussed four Quality Programs being released by the College: The ACS Quality Improvement Course: The Basics; the Quality Verification Program; the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program; and the ACS Value-Based Surgery Program, THRIVE (Transforming Healthcare Resources to Increase Value and Efficiency). This session highlighted these new programs and how surgeons can further improve the care they provide through participation in these initiatives. Zara Cooper, MD, MSc, FACS, Kessler Director, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Surgery and Public Health, Boston, MA, and Rachel R. Kelz, MD, MSCE, MBA, FACS, professor of surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, moderated the session.

Scientific Forum

The Committee for the Owen H. Wangensteen Scientific Forum dedicated the 2021 Scientific Forum to Stanley W. Ashley, MD, FACS. Dr. Ashley is recognized as an outstanding educator and researcher, as well as a respected surgical leader and sought-after mentor. Dr. Ashley is the Frank Sawyer Professor of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. He has served as program director of the general surgery residency and chief of surgery, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates/Atrius Health; vice-chairman of the department of surgery; and, most recently, chief medical officer and senior vice-president for medical affairs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Practicing surgeons, residents, and medical students were recognized for their contributions to advancing the art and science of surgery. Individuals honored with the 2021 Owen H. Wangensteen Scientific Forum Excellence in Research Awards include: Julia L. Nugent, MD; Adriana C. Panayi, MD; Kevin T. Lynch, MD; Jillian W. Bonaroti, MD; James C. Etheridge, MD; Ryan Howard, MD; Frances Y. Hu, MD, MSc; Sarah Jane Commander, MD; Joshua E. Rosen, MD, MHS; Brett L. Ecker, MD; Yuyu Luo, MM; Wooram F. Jung, MSc; Modupeola Diyaolu, MD; Celia Short, MD; Ruth Tevlin, MB BAO BCh, MRCSI, MD; Cura A. Liebert, MD; Madhuri B. Nagaraj, MD, MS; Eihab N. Abdelfatah, MD; Megan M. Harper, MD, MS; Gregory T. Kennedy, MD; Stas Amato, MD; Mark E. Berry, MD; Kaylin Beister, BS; and Anand Brahmandam, MBBS.

A total of 911 abstracts, including 77 late-breaking clinical trials abstracts, were submitted and reviewed. Six late-breaking clinical trials abstracts, 494 posters, and 808 oral presentations were accepted.

Other awards and honors

Five surgeons received the 2021 ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism Awards. The awards are determined by the ACS Board of Governors Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup and are administered through the ACS Operation Giving Back program.

• Seng-Feng Jeng, MD, FACS, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, received an International Surgical Volunteerism Award for his nearly 20 years of volunteerism in Vietnam, where he performs cost-free reconstructive surgery and teaches local surgeons and health care teams in an under-resourced health system.
• Brent A. Senior, MD, FACS, an otolaryngologist in Chapel Hill, NC, received an International Surgical Volunteerism Award for his decades of work in providing otolaryngologic surgery services and education in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam. Dr. Senior is the Nathaniel and Sheila Harris Distinguished Professor and chief, division of rhinology, allergy, and endoscopic skull base surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill.
• Rochelle Dicker, MD, FACS, a trauma and critical care surgeon in Los Angeles, CA, received the Domestic Surgical Volunteerism Award for her efforts to develop firearm injury prevention education, support for victims of firearm violence, and advocacy for firearm injury reduction-based legislation, particularly through the San Francisco Wraparound Project.
• Rami Kantar, MD, MPH, a general surgery resident, University of Maryland Medical System–R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, received the Resident Volunteerism Award for his work to provide logistical support, surgical and clinical services, and capacity building with the Global Smile Foundation, which offers comprehensive cleft care in surgically underserved countries.
• Chandrakanth Are, MBBS, FACS, FRCS, the JL & CJ Varner Professor of Surgical Oncology & Global Health, and vice-chair of education, department of surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, received the inaugural Academic Global Surgeon Award for his efforts to create and sustain various global curricula and programs in surgical oncology in low- and middle-income countries.

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) announced the winners of its annual Cancer Research Paper Competition. In the Clinical Research category, Sarah Kaslow, MD, a surgery resident at New York University Langone, New York City, received first place for her paper “Patient- and hospital-level determinants of guideline-adherent care have a significant impact on overall survival for patients with gastric cancer: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.” Michael Poulson, MD, MPH, a surgery resident at Boston University School of Medicine/Boston School of Public Health, MA, received second place for his paper “Segregation, colorectal cancer, and socioeconomic mediators: A structural equation modeling approach.” Daniela Cocco, MD, a research fellow at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Phoenix, AZ, received third place for her paper “Can axillary lymph node dissection be omitted in patients with limited clinically node positive breast cancer?”

In the Basic Science category, David Hanna, MD, a resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, is one of two first-place winners for his paper “RSL3 induces ferroptosis via GPX4 inhibition in papillary thyroid cancer?” The other first-place winner is University of Iowa, Iowa City, surgery resident Garett Steers, MD, for his paper “Epigenetic changes in pancreatic cancer with pharmacologic ascorbate.”

The three first-place winners each received a $1,000 honorarium plus an invitation to present their research at the fall CoC meetings and record and post their presentations on the ACS Cancer Programs website. In addition, they are eligible for publication in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). Second- and third-place winners each received $500 and an invitation to record and post their presentations on the ACS Cancer Programs website. They also are eligible for publication in JACS.

The CoC recognized outstanding leaders in the Cancer Liaison Program, including four CoC State Chairs and 10 Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs).

The State Chair Outstanding Performance Award recognizes individuals who exhibit outstanding leadership and innovation, and who make significant contributions to the improvement of cancer care in a state or region. The following CoC State Chairs received the award in recognition of their work during 2020 (all MD, FACS): Richard Bold, Northern California; Amanda Kong, Wisconsin; Richard White, North Carolina; and Peter Wu, Washington State.

The following individuals received the CLP Outstanding Performance Award:

• Samuel Carvajal, MD, FACS, Adventist Health, Glendale, CA
• Babak Eghbalieh, MD, FACS, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills, CA
• David Mullins, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, Princeton Community Hospital, WV
• Sangeetha Prabhakaran, MBBS, FACS, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque
• Tracy Rauch, MD, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• Anthony Strawn, MD, FACS, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, VA
• Raquel Wagman, MD, The Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
• Michael Whalen, MD, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC
• Jason Wilson, MD, MBA, FACS, Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Palm Harbor, FL
• Anthony Yang, MD, MS, FACS, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL

The National Safety Council Award for Service to Safety was awarded to Susan M. Briggs, MD, MPH, FACS, a general and trauma surgeon and director, International Trauma and Disaster Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and associate professor of surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston. Dr. Briggs has been active, both nationally and internationally, in trauma and disaster relief activities with the U.S. government and nongovernmental agencies such as Project Hope and the American Refugee Committee. She is the Supervising Medical Officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency/National Disaster Management Services Specialty Medical Teams, including the International Medical Surgical Response Teams, and was one of the founders of the Metro-Boston Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Sponsored by the National Safety Council and nominated by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the ACS Committee on Trauma, the award recognizes outstanding service to safety by surgeons or surgical organizations.

The ACS History and Archives Committee presented the first- and second-place awards for the annual History of Surgery Poster Competition. The first-place winners were Allison Oliva, Edward Gerald Chekan, MD, FACS, and Justin Barr, MD, PhD, Duke University, Durham, NC, for the poster Beecher’s Bombshell: How One Man’s Article Revolutionized Medical and Surgical Ethics. The second-place winner was John M. Becker, MD, a general surgeon at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, MI, for The Right to Operate: An Example of Medical Censorship for Political Affiliation during the McCarthy Era.

The ACS Resident Award for Exemplary Teaching was presented to Rebecca Williams-Karnesky, MD, PhD, MA. Dr. Williams-Karnesky is chief resident in general surgery at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, and recently completed a master of arts in educational psychology at UNM. Established in 2003, the ACS Resident Award for Exemplary Teaching is presented annually to recognize excellence in teaching by a resident and to highlight the importance of teaching in residents’ daily lives. Nominations for the award are submitted to the ACS Division of Education by general surgery and other specialty training programs, and the recipient is selected by an independent review panel of the Committee on Resident Education.

The recipient of the 2021 Jameson L. Chassin Award for Professionalism in General Surgery is Bernadette J. Goudreau, MD, MS. Dr. Goudreau is chief resident in general surgery at the University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, Health System. She has been an active researcher since her undergraduate years at the University of Notre Dame, IN, and recently completed a master of science in clinical research at UVA. Established in 2013, the Jameson L. Chassin, MD, FACS, Award for Professionalism in General Surgery is given in recognition of Dr. Chassin, who was a skilled surgeon, remarkable teacher, and productive scholar in New York City. The award is given to a chief resident in general surgery who exemplifies the professionalism that Dr. Chassin personified throughout his career: compassion, technical skill, and devotion to science and learning.

Caitlin Hicks, MD, associate professor of surgery, division of vascular surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, received the Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson II Promising Investigator Award. Dr. Hicks completed her surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where she was the first person to participate in the Early Specialization Program, completing her training in six years. She stayed on as faculty at Johns Hopkins after her training, and was recently promoted to associate professor after only two-and-one-half years on faculty. Dr. Hicks is the associate fellowship director for the Johns Hopkins Vascular Surgery Fellowship and the director of research for the Johns Hopkins Diabetic Foot and Wound Clinic. Her clinical practice focuses on complex limb salvage, carotid disease, and open aortic surgery.

The 2021 recipient of the ACS SurgeonsVoice Advocate of the Year Award is Marion C.W. Henry, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP, professor of surgery at The University of Chicago Medicine, IL, who serves on multiple national-level committees involving surgical education, women surgeons, and pediatric surgeons. Within the ACS, Dr. Henry leads by example, serving as a member of the Advisory Council for Pediatric Surgery and through her support of the ACS Professional Association’s Political Action Committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC). Established in 2018, the Advocate of the Year program recognizes top surgeon advocates who work to advance important health policy priorities, establish and maintain relationships with legislators, and participate in other advocacy-related activities.

The Committee on Medical Student Education recognized the following students as first- and second-place winners in their respective categories at the Medical Student Program e-Poster Session:

• Basic Science: Mardeen S. Karim and Brennan Gagen, both from Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
• Clinical Science: Mokhshan Ramachandran, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA; and Nina M. D’Amiano, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
• Education, Innovation, and Outcomes: Itai Palmon, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI; and Lily Owei, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting of Members convened October 27, with Dr. Freischlag presiding. The following individuals presented reports: L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, Chair of the Board of Regents; Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, Chair of the Board of Governors; Dr. Hoyt; E. Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, Chair, Board of Directors, ACS Foundation; and William G. Cioffi, Jr., MD, FACS, Chair of the Board of Directors of the ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC.

The Officers-Elect for 2021−2022 also were approved. They are: Dr. Ellison, President-Elect; Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, the Hiram C. Polk, Jr., Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, KY, and director of surgical quality, Norton Children’s Hospital, First Vice-President-Elect; and Anne G. Rizzo, MD, FACS, system surgical chair and president, surgical services, Gutherie Clinics in northern Pennsylvania and south-central New York, professor of surgery, Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, Virginia Commonwealth, Richmond, and University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Second Vice-President-Elect.

The Board of Regents also installed new members and elected new leaders at its adjourned meeting. Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH, FACS, MAMSE, is the new Chair of the ACS Board of Regents. Dr. Sidawy is Professor and the Lewis B. Saltz Chair of the Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC. In his role as Chair, Dr. Sidawy will work closely with the ACS Executive Director and will chair the Regents’ Finance and Executive Committees. Linda G. Phillips, MD, FACS, was elected as Vice-Chair of the Board of Regents. Dr. Phillips is Truman G. Blocker, Jr., MD, Distinguished Professor and chief, department of surgery, division of plastic surgery, and professor, school of medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.

Newly elected members of the Board of Regents include the following:

• Carol L. Brown, MD, FACS, FACOG, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
• James W. Fleshman, Jr., MD, FACS, FASCRS, chief of surgery; the Sparkman Endowed Professor and Chairman, department of surgery; and professor of surgery, department of surgery, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas
• Andrea A. Hayes, MD, FACS, FAAP, professor and chair, department of surgery, Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC
• Mark Savarise, MD, MBA, FACS, clinical associate professor; medical director, outreach and network development; and section chief, community general surgery, department of surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
• Shelly D. Timmons, MD, PhD, FACS, FAANS, chair of neurological surgery, and the Betsey Barton Chair, department of neurological surgery, and co-director, Neuroscience Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
• Philip R. Wolinksy, MD, FACS, FAAOC, FAOA, professor and chief value officer, University of California Davis Medical Center

Regents reelected for additional terms include:

• James C. Denneny III, MD, FACS, Alexandria, VA (third term), otolaryngology−head-and-neck surgeon
• Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, FACS, MAMSE, St. Louis, MO (third term), general surgeon
• Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM, MAMSE, Ann Arbor, MI (second term), general surgeon
• Linda G. Phillips, MD, FACS, Galveston, TX (third term), plastic and reconstructive surgeon
• Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, MAMSE, Nashville, TN (second term), general surgeon
• Anton N. Sidawy, MD, FACS, MAMSE, Washington, DC (third term), vascular surgeon

New Officers were elected to lead the Board of Governors Executive Committee, as follows:

• Chair: Danielle Saunders Walsh, MD, FACS, FAAP, CPHQ, founder and director, Pirate Surgery, PLLC, Greenville, NC
• Vice-Chair and Advocacy Pillar Lead: Ross F. Goldberg, MD, FACS, district medical group vice-chair of surgery and specialty ambulatory medical director; chief, division of general surgery; director, robotic surgery program; and director, minimally invasive and hepatic surgery, Valleywise Health, Phoenix, AZ
• Secretary: Oscar D. Guillamondegui, MD, MPH, FACS, chief, division of trauma and surgical critical care; medical director, trauma intensive care unit; professor of surgery; director, Multidisciplinary Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic; and Carol Ann Gavin Directorship in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Vanderbilt University Health, Nashville, TN

New Board of Governors Executive Committee Pillar Leads include:

• Diversity Pillar Lead: Cherisse D. Berry, MD, FACS, associate trauma medical director, New York City Health and Hospitals, Bellevue
• Communications Pillar Lead: Shannon M. Foster, MD, FACS, a trauma, critical care and acute care surgeon who transitioned after 12 years in academic medicine to both clinical work and providing nonclinical administrative support to Level I and Level II trauma centers in Pennsylvania
• Quality Pillar Lead: Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS, MAMSE, professor, department of surgery, and division chief, division of acute care surgery, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
• Education Pillar Lead: Deepak G. Nair, MD, MS, MHA, RVT, FACS, assistant professor of surgery (vascular), Florida State University Medical School, Sarasota, and chief, vascular surgery, Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Member Services Pillar Lead: Maie A. St. John, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chair, department of head and neck surgery; Thomas C. Calcaterra, MD, Chair in Head and Neck Surgery; and co-director, University of California Los Angeles head and neck cancer program

Member engagement activities

A new program, Morning Brew, premiered at Clinical Congress 2021, providing attendees with the opportunity to hear Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, then-ACS Executive Director-Elect and Director, ACS Division of Member Services, speak with special guests over coffee to discuss the day’s Clinical Congress educational sessions and interesting engagement opportunities.

Clinical Congress attendees also had the chance to join other colleagues with the same interests and hobbies. Each night of October 25–27, free Hobby Rooms were available for enthusiasts of sports, cars, cooking, music, and more.

A Mastering Mixology course also was offered, providing attendees with the opportunity to learn how to make three new cocktails, perfect for the home bartender.

Clinical Congress 2022

Clinical Congress 2022 is scheduled to take place October 16−20 in San Diego, CA. Details regarding the educational program, registration, housing, and transportation will be posted on the ACS website as the information becomes available.