A ssociation for A ca d emic S u rger y • F A L L 2 0 0 6

New sl e t ter
Pr e si de n t i a l R e p ort - Augus t 2 0 0 6
Report of the Strategic Planning Meeting of the AAS Executive Council
Each year, the Executive Council of the AAS meets to map out a variety of initiatives for the organization.
The guiding principle of these initiatives, first and foremost, is that the AAS will strive to meet the needs
of its members by providing information and opportunities that stimulate young surgeons to successfully
establish their careers in academic surgery. One of the unique aspects of the AAS has been its ability to
allow young members to participate in governance and strategic planning, and with increasing seniority, to
serve in a leadership role within the organization. This provides an important opportunity for members, not
only to shape the future direction of the AAS, but also to network with peers who can provide friendship
and mentoring outside of a member’s parent institution. These relationships can provide significant support
for academic advancement. Given the central role that member input plays in the organization, the
Executive Council discussed ways to facilitate participation by members who may be unfamiliar with the
Dr. Siobhan Corbett governance structure of the AAS. Our goal is to increase the transparency of the election process, thereby
encouraging ALL members who may be interested, to seek an opportunity to participate on a committee, as
a councilor, or as an officer. To address these concerns, the following guidelines will be implemented:

Committee Participation by Election: Currently, participation on five of the AAS’ eight committees
requires that members be elected by those who are present at the annual business meeting (although
In this Issue a member does not need to be present to be elected). These committees are the Education, Issues,
Presidential Report Membership, Information Technology, and Leadership Committees. Traditionally, nominations for these
positions have been solicited at the business meeting. While this is often a lively process, it was thought to
August 2006
disadvantage new members who are uncertain of how the nomination process works. To address this issue,
1 descriptions of the committees’ functions and the expectations for participating members will be posted
on-line. Members who are able to fulfill the obligations for this service will be asked to send an abbreviated
Announcement of C.V. along with a brief statement of interest to the AAS Executive Offices. These will be compiled and
New Award distributed for review to all members who attend the Annual Meeting in order to facilitate the election
process. We will (of course) continue to accept additional nominations during the business meeting.
1 A member may submit a statement of interest to MORE THAN ONE COMMITTEE.

Getting the Most Continued…

Out of the AAS
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NE W AAS STUDENT TRAV EL GRANT
Fall Course
As part of the Association for Academic Surgery’s mission to increase diversity in our
Information
membership, we are pleased to offer the first annual AAS Student Travel Grant. This
3 award will include a $500 stipend, hotel accommodations, and registration for the Academic
Surgical Congress. It will be presented to a medical student from an under-represented
Membership minority. We are soliciting nominations from department chairs and clerkship directors.
Information Eligible candidates should submit an application, a short essay and a letter of support from
their chairperson or clerkship director. The essay should be no more than 300 words in
3 length and focus on the candidate’s commitment to becoming a leader in academic surgery.
The deadline for applications will be October 31, 2006. The winner will be notified no later than
ASC Announcement November 24, 2006. Please visit www.aasurg.org/awards.htm to download the application.
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 Committee Participation by Appointment: Members of the Program and the Development Committees
are appointed by the President of the AAS. The detailed description of the work entailed is provided
“It is the hope of the on-line. Briefly, the Program Committee members review abstracts submitted to the Annual Meeting
and design the program for the meeting in conjunction with the SUS Program Committee members. The
Executive Council that Program Committee also selects abstracts and presentations eligible for awards and reviews manuscripts
implementing these submitted to the JSR. The Development Committee works in conjunction with the officers and our
management company to solicit corporate sponsorship for scholarships and for the annual meeting.
small changes will Interested members can send an abbreviated CV along with a brief description of their area of specialty
directly to the AAS President for consideration.
encourage new member
Election to Councilor Position: The Councilors sit on the Executive Council for a period of two years
participation in the and are involved in important decision-making and strategic planning for the AAS. The Executive Council
AAS, supporting both its meets three times a year, at the Annual Meeting in February, at a summer retreat, and at the ASC in
October. Service on the Executive Council is a significant contribution to the organization and many
continued vitality and AAS leaders have been elected from among the councilors. Currently, there are 10 councilors, one elected
from among the members who joined in each of the past 10 years. The councilor for the incoming new
diversity.” members is elected by mail ballot from three names selected by the Membership Committee. Interested
NEW members should contact the Chairman of the Membership Committee. Every other year, the group
will elect the councilor from a group of names selected by the Nominating Committee. This year, the AAS will
contact members in eligible years to solicit interest, and members will then be selected by the Nominating
Committee from the respondents who indicate that they are willing to take on this responsibility. The election
will occur in the spring.

Election to Officer Position: Officers are elected at the annual business meeting from a slate of nominees
selected by the Nominating Committee. Nominations can also be made from the floor at the business
meeting. Each year, election is held for the President-elect. Every other year, elections are held for the
Secretary and the Recorder, each of which are two-year positions. Every third year, the Treasurer is elected.
Detailed job descriptions for the Officers can be found on line. Interested members can also contact
current officers directly with any specific questions. Those members who would like to serve as an Officer
should send a detailed C.V. plus a statement of interest to the AAS Management Company, who will
forward the necessary information to the Nominating Committee. While prior service in the AAS and/or
demonstration of a commitment to the organization by meeting attendance is strongly considered in the
selection criteria, they are not an absolute requirement.

It is the hope of the Executive Council that implementing these small changes will encourage new member
participation in the AAS, supporting both its continued vitality and diversity.

G e t t i n g t h e M o s t O u t o f t h e AAS
The primary role of the AAS is to develop young academic surgeons. To achieve this objective, the
Association provides opportunities for member involvement that can deepen through different levels:

• Annual Meeting Attendance: At the annual meeting, young surgeons have the opportunity to present
their research and to be exposed to the research of their peers. It is a great chance to meet surgeons from
diverse specialties with similar interests and to develop long-lasting friendships. For more information, visit
www.academicsurgicalcongress.org

• Collaborative Research: Through the Research Collaborative Initiative, members may work together to
investigate research questions, share reagents and techniques, and design multi-institution basic science and
clinical research projects. For more information, visit www.aasurg.org

• Career Development Initiatives: The AAS has developed courses on surgical research, faculty
development, and leadership that can provide members with important tools to facilitate their career
growth. For more information, visit www.aasurg.org

Continued…

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 • Association Service: Through service to the AAS as institutional representatives, councilors, committee
members, committee chairs, and officers, the Association offers young surgeons an opportunity to develop
valuable skills that prepare them to assume leadership roles in academic surgery. For more information, see
Membership the President’s message.
applications can be Increasingly, the Association strives to be inclusive in nature and egalitarian in allowing those with
submitted online at initiative, the opportunity to have an impact. Involvement in the AAS is meant to be a transparent process,
thus encouraging members to participate in the formation of the agenda and policies of the AAS. Of course
www.aasurg.org membership is the first step, and participation at the national meetings is integral. The process of becoming
involved with the AAS committees and council has been difficult for some to navigate; this nomination
process is now being reformatted to ensure its inclusiveness. An important goal of the organization is to
Please remind your keep its members enfranchised and involved. As is stated in the President’s message, anyone interested in
colleagues, residents maximizing their development through the AAS should not hesitate to directly pursue this goal.

and friends.
AAS SURGI C AL RESEAR C H &
C AREER DE V ELO P M ENT C OURSES
TO B E HELD IN O C TO B ER
The Association for Academic Surgery (AAS), an organization devoted to the development of young
academic surgeons, will present the courses “Fundamentals of Surgical Research” an “Career Development” in
parallel on Friday and Saturday, October 6-7, 2006, just prior to the American College of Surgeons Clinical
Congress in Chicago.

The 17th Annual “Fundamentals of Surgical Research” course is designed especially for residents in their
lab year or for any resident or young faculty member interested in surgical research. The course features
lectures on topics such as abstract writing, writing a research application, ethics & informed consent, and
achieving balance.

The 2nd Annual “Career Development” Course is intended to help young surgeons develop the special skills
required to balance the demands of academic surgery and to succeed as new faculty members. The AAS has
designed this course in conjunction with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute & the Burroughs Wellcome
Fund. Specifically, the course will address: 1) Getting Started as an Academic Surgeon, 2) Your First
AAS Academic Appointment: Setting Up to Success, 3) Finding Fuel for Your Academic Program: Where
Is the Money?
Manuscript
Awa r d s For more information, visit www.aasurg.org, contact registration@aasurg.org , or call 310-437-1606, ext 108.

The AAS is offering two

manuscript awards during the
The AAS acknowledges the following companies for their generous support of these courses:
upcoming ASC:

Best overall manuscript

Ethicon, Inc (Principal Supporter)
Best manuscript submitted Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Premier Supporter)
by a new member

Each winner will receive $500,

a certificate, and will be listed
in the ASC program.
The manuscript deadline is
Monday Jan 8th, 2007
11:59 pm CST. You must submit
your papers through the Journal
of Surgical Research’s online
submission site.

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 2ND ANNUAL
ACADEMIC SURGICAL CONGRESS
February 6-9, 2007 • Phoenix, AZ
Register online at www.academicsurgicalcongress.org/registration
AAS President Siobhan A. Corbett and SUS President Richard A. Hodin invite you to attend the
2nd Annual Academic Surgical Congress in scenic Phoenix. Phoenix has more than 300 sunny days
a year and an average temperature of 74 degrees! Meetings will be held at the brand new Phoenix
Convention Center, and the headquarters hotel is the beautiful Hyatt Regency Phoenix, directly across
the street.

Meeting Highlights: • Combined AAS and SUS Panel Discussions

• Scientific Sessions Forum on social and legislative issues
Oral and Oral Poster presentations: Forum on surgical education
Basic Science (cardiothoracic, oncology, • Focused discussion groups
transplant, vascular, GI, trauma/critical
• AAS and SUS new members events
care, pediatric); Clinical Science (trials
and outcomes research); Trends in Surgical • Association of Women Surgeons Program
Education; Emerging Technologies • Social events including family-focused
• Featured Lectures activities
SUS Joel J. Roslyn Lecture • Special Clinical Session on Minimally
AAS Founders’ Lecture
Invasive Surgery

New Phoenix Convention Center

Early Bird Deadline is January 5, 2007

Additional information is available at
info@academicsurgicalcongress.org
Photo courtesy Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau