News From the College

Enhanced recovery” protocols are changing surgical patients’ perioperative care and improving outcomes, according to an article in the March 30 issue of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

WSJ journalist Laura Landro, who writes “The Informed Patient” column, interviews Traci Hedrick, MD, FACS, co-author of a study published online at https://www.facs.org/media/press%20releases/jacs/colorectal0205 in February in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Hedrick’s team at the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, found that when used in colorectal-surgery patients, enhanced recovery contributed to reducing length of hospital stay by 2.2 days compared with a control group. Furthermore, complications were reduced by 17 percent, patient satisfaction with pain control increased by 55 percent, and overall estimated cost savings was $7,129 per patient. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP^®) is pursuing an initiative for increased acceptance of enhanced recovery protocols throughout surgery. Profiled in the article is a positive patient care enhanced recovery experience at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. In addition, “Kaiser Permanente Northern California is currently rolling out the enhanced recovery protocol in its 21 medical centers, focusing first on colorectal surgery and hip fracture patients. It plans to expand the program soon to total joint replacement,” Ms. Landro reports.

Ms. Landro writes of this “national initiative led by experts including Julie Thacker, [MD] assistant professor of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and medical director of the enhanced recovery program at Duke University Hospital, which has been able to reduce hospital stays and readmissions with the approach.”

For details on ACS NSQIP’s role in enhanced recovery, contact: [email protected].

Read the full text of the article and view the news video online at http://tinyurl.com/l3pmrvd.

Enhanced recovery” protocols are changing surgical patients’ perioperative care and improving outcomes, according to an article in the March 30 issue of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

WSJ journalist Laura Landro, who writes “The Informed Patient” column, interviews Traci Hedrick, MD, FACS, co-author of a study published online at https://www.facs.org/media/press%20releases/jacs/colorectal0205 in February in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Hedrick’s team at the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, found that when used in colorectal-surgery patients, enhanced recovery contributed to reducing length of hospital stay by 2.2 days compared with a control group. Furthermore, complications were reduced by 17 percent, patient satisfaction with pain control increased by 55 percent, and overall estimated cost savings was $7,129 per patient. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP^®) is pursuing an initiative for increased acceptance of enhanced recovery protocols throughout surgery. Profiled in the article is a positive patient care enhanced recovery experience at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. In addition, “Kaiser Permanente Northern California is currently rolling out the enhanced recovery protocol in its 21 medical centers, focusing first on colorectal surgery and hip fracture patients. It plans to expand the program soon to total joint replacement,” Ms. Landro reports.

Ms. Landro writes of this “national initiative led by experts including Julie Thacker, [MD] assistant professor of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and medical director of the enhanced recovery program at Duke University Hospital, which has been able to reduce hospital stays and readmissions with the approach.”

For details on ACS NSQIP’s role in enhanced recovery, contact: [email protected].

Read the full text of the article and view the news video online at http://tinyurl.com/l3pmrvd.

Enhanced recovery” protocols are changing surgical patients’ perioperative care and improving outcomes, according to an article in the March 30 issue of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

WSJ journalist Laura Landro, who writes “The Informed Patient” column, interviews Traci Hedrick, MD, FACS, co-author of a study published online at https://www.facs.org/media/press%20releases/jacs/colorectal0205 in February in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Hedrick’s team at the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, found that when used in colorectal-surgery patients, enhanced recovery contributed to reducing length of hospital stay by 2.2 days compared with a control group. Furthermore, complications were reduced by 17 percent, patient satisfaction with pain control increased by 55 percent, and overall estimated cost savings was $7,129 per patient. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP^®) is pursuing an initiative for increased acceptance of enhanced recovery protocols throughout surgery. Profiled in the article is a positive patient care enhanced recovery experience at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. In addition, “Kaiser Permanente Northern California is currently rolling out the enhanced recovery protocol in its 21 medical centers, focusing first on colorectal surgery and hip fracture patients. It plans to expand the program soon to total joint replacement,” Ms. Landro reports.

Ms. Landro writes of this “national initiative led by experts including Julie Thacker, [MD] assistant professor of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and medical director of the enhanced recovery program at Duke University Hospital, which has been able to reduce hospital stays and readmissions with the approach.”

For details on ACS NSQIP’s role in enhanced recovery, contact: [email protected].

Read the full text of the article and view the news video online at http://tinyurl.com/l3pmrvd.

The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery will host its North American launch of Global Surgery 2030 May 6, at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA.

Global Surgery 2030 will examine the Commission’s key findings on surgical care and universal public health measures and the role of stakeholders in building a movement for equitable, sustainable health systems.

Paul Farmer, MD, co-founder of Partners In Health, will deliver the keynote address at the day-long session. Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, the current president of the World Bank Group, will address the gathering via a video presentation, and panel discussions of surgical issues and public health matters will follow. ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, will be among the participants in the discussions.

View the agenda online at http://www.globalsurgery.info/global-surgery-2030/. Register online at http://goo.gl/j1olRS. Registration is free and open to the public. An update on the Lancet Commission’s activities and its executive summary appear in the April and June 2015 issues, respectively, of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, available at http://bulletin.facs.org/.

The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery will host its North American launch of Global Surgery 2030 May 6, at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA.

Global Surgery 2030 will examine the Commission’s key findings on surgical care and universal public health measures and the role of stakeholders in building a movement for equitable, sustainable health systems.

Paul Farmer, MD, co-founder of Partners In Health, will deliver the keynote address at the day-long session. Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, the current president of the World Bank Group, will address the gathering via a video presentation, and panel discussions of surgical issues and public health matters will follow. ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, will be among the participants in the discussions.

View the agenda online at http://www.globalsurgery.info/global-surgery-2030/. Register online at http://goo.gl/j1olRS. Registration is free and open to the public. An update on the Lancet Commission’s activities and its executive summary appear in the April and June 2015 issues, respectively, of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, available at http://bulletin.facs.org/.

The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery will host its North American launch of Global Surgery 2030 May 6, at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA.

Global Surgery 2030 will examine the Commission’s key findings on surgical care and universal public health measures and the role of stakeholders in building a movement for equitable, sustainable health systems.

Paul Farmer, MD, co-founder of Partners In Health, will deliver the keynote address at the day-long session. Jim Yong Kim, MD, PhD, the current president of the World Bank Group, will address the gathering via a video presentation, and panel discussions of surgical issues and public health matters will follow. ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, will be among the participants in the discussions.

View the agenda online at http://www.globalsurgery.info/global-surgery-2030/. Register online at http://goo.gl/j1olRS. Registration is free and open to the public. An update on the Lancet Commission’s activities and its executive summary appear in the April and June 2015 issues, respectively, of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, available at http://bulletin.facs.org/.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2015, October 4-8 in Chicago, IL, will offer more than 100 Panel Sessions from leading experts. With the goal of fostering high-quality surgical care, these innovative sessions will cover a range of multispecialty topics of interest to surgeons, including the following:

• The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery: Evidence and Solutions for Achieving Health, Welfare, and Economic Development

• Women’s Health Day Panel Sessions:

–Gynecology for the Non-Gynecologic Surgeon

–The Surgeon’s Role in Treating Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

–Cardiovascular Disease: It’s Not Just About Men

–What’s New in Body Contouring and Reconstructive Surgery

–Managing Pelvic Floor Disorders

• 10 Hot Topics in Clinical Care


• Challenging Paradigms in the Management of Breast Cancer: Is Less Surgery Really Better?

• Thoracic Aortic Disease Management: From the Aortic Valve to the Bifurcation

• Managing the Unexpected Adnexal Mass

• Challenging Trauma Lessons from the Experts

• New Horizons in Skull-Based Surgery

• Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Gastrointestinal Surgery: The SMART Approach

• Modern Management of the Mangled Extremity

Watch for the ACS Clinical Congress 2015 Program Planner and the online registration site, which will become available in June.

Visit the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/clinical-congress or contact [email protected] to get more information.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2015, October 4-8 in Chicago, IL, will offer more than 100 Panel Sessions from leading experts. With the goal of fostering high-quality surgical care, these innovative sessions will cover a range of multispecialty topics of interest to surgeons, including the following:

• The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery: Evidence and Solutions for Achieving Health, Welfare, and Economic Development

• Women’s Health Day Panel Sessions:

–Gynecology for the Non-Gynecologic Surgeon

–The Surgeon’s Role in Treating Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

–Cardiovascular Disease: It’s Not Just About Men

–What’s New in Body Contouring and Reconstructive Surgery

–Managing Pelvic Floor Disorders

• 10 Hot Topics in Clinical Care


• Challenging Paradigms in the Management of Breast Cancer: Is Less Surgery Really Better?

• Thoracic Aortic Disease Management: From the Aortic Valve to the Bifurcation

• Managing the Unexpected Adnexal Mass

• Challenging Trauma Lessons from the Experts

• New Horizons in Skull-Based Surgery

• Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Gastrointestinal Surgery: The SMART Approach

• Modern Management of the Mangled Extremity

Watch for the ACS Clinical Congress 2015 Program Planner and the online registration site, which will become available in June.

Visit the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/clinical-congress or contact [email protected] to get more information.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2015, October 4-8 in Chicago, IL, will offer more than 100 Panel Sessions from leading experts. With the goal of fostering high-quality surgical care, these innovative sessions will cover a range of multispecialty topics of interest to surgeons, including the following:

• The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery: Evidence and Solutions for Achieving Health, Welfare, and Economic Development

• Women’s Health Day Panel Sessions:

–Gynecology for the Non-Gynecologic Surgeon

–The Surgeon’s Role in Treating Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

–Cardiovascular Disease: It’s Not Just About Men

–What’s New in Body Contouring and Reconstructive Surgery

–Managing Pelvic Floor Disorders

• 10 Hot Topics in Clinical Care


• Challenging Paradigms in the Management of Breast Cancer: Is Less Surgery Really Better?

• Thoracic Aortic Disease Management: From the Aortic Valve to the Bifurcation

• Managing the Unexpected Adnexal Mass

• Challenging Trauma Lessons from the Experts

• New Horizons in Skull-Based Surgery

• Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Gastrointestinal Surgery: The SMART Approach

• Modern Management of the Mangled Extremity

Watch for the ACS Clinical Congress 2015 Program Planner and the online registration site, which will become available in June.

Visit the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/clinical-congress or contact [email protected] to get more information.

The Surgical History Group (SHG) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has issued a call for abstracts for the inaugural ACS SHG Poster Presentation at Clinical Congress 2015, October 4−8 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The College encourages submissions from ACS Fellows, Retired and Senior Members, International Fellows, Resident and Associate Society Members, and Medical Student Members with an ACS sponsor. The deadline for abstract submissions is 5:00 pm CDT, Friday, May 29.

The posters should examine the historical impact on the development of today’s ACS surgeon. The authors of posters chosen for display will receive continuing medical education credit and will be notified by July 15. View the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/about-acs/archives for set-up and presentation guidelines as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Submit abstracts and additional questions to Adam Carey, MA, MLIS, ACS Archivist and SHG Coordinator, at [email protected]. Abstracts must be limited to 250 words. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The Surgical History Group (SHG) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has issued a call for abstracts for the inaugural ACS SHG Poster Presentation at Clinical Congress 2015, October 4−8 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The College encourages submissions from ACS Fellows, Retired and Senior Members, International Fellows, Resident and Associate Society Members, and Medical Student Members with an ACS sponsor. The deadline for abstract submissions is 5:00 pm CDT, Friday, May 29.

The posters should examine the historical impact on the development of today’s ACS surgeon. The authors of posters chosen for display will receive continuing medical education credit and will be notified by July 15. View the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/about-acs/archives for set-up and presentation guidelines as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Submit abstracts and additional questions to Adam Carey, MA, MLIS, ACS Archivist and SHG Coordinator, at [email protected]. Abstracts must be limited to 250 words. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The Surgical History Group (SHG) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has issued a call for abstracts for the inaugural ACS SHG Poster Presentation at Clinical Congress 2015, October 4−8 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The College encourages submissions from ACS Fellows, Retired and Senior Members, International Fellows, Resident and Associate Society Members, and Medical Student Members with an ACS sponsor. The deadline for abstract submissions is 5:00 pm CDT, Friday, May 29.

The posters should examine the historical impact on the development of today’s ACS surgeon. The authors of posters chosen for display will receive continuing medical education credit and will be notified by July 15. View the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/about-acs/archives for set-up and presentation guidelines as well as answers to frequently asked questions. Submit abstracts and additional questions to Adam Carey, MA, MLIS, ACS Archivist and SHG Coordinator, at [email protected]. Abstracts must be limited to 250 words. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) had another successful year in 2014, and the College leadership and staff are working to ensure that we make even greater strides in 2015.

The ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy got a boost in June 2014 when Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, and Patrick Bailey, MD, FACS, joined the Washington Office team as Medical Directors of Quality and Advocacy, respectively. These surgeons are playing a leading role in positioning the ACS as a leader in the health policy, legislative, and regulatory arenas.

To address surgeons’ ongoing concerns regarding Medicare physician payment, the ACS has worked closely with Congress to develop legislation that would repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. More than 200 ACS members from 44 states participated in 229 meetings on Capitol Hill April 1, 2014, as part of Leadership & Advocacy Summit, and the SGR was a key topic of discussion. Unfortunately, passage of the SGR Repeal Act was derailed because of funding challenges, and another temporary patch, which expires April 1, 2015, was put in place. The ACS continues to urge Congress to pass the SGR Repeal Act in this legislative session.

Other issues on the ACS health policy agenda include averting a provision in the final rule on the Medicare physician fee schedule that would convert 10- and 90-day global codes to 0-day codes, medical liability reform, and graduate medical education.

We are looking forward to taking Operation Giving Back in a new direction under the leadership of Medical Director Girma Tefera, MD, FACS. Dr. Tefera will be responsible for coordinating the College’s response to disasters worldwide, developing programs and opportunities for surgeon volunteers, communicating the work of the OGB, and increasing the College’s recognition among other global organizations.

In addition, the ACS and the U.S. Military Health System have entered into a 3-year strategic partnership that will encourage collaboration with respect to training and education, research, quality improvement, and combat readiness and disaster preparedness. M. Margaret (Peggy) Knudson, MD, FACS, is the Medical Director of this initiative.

Enthusiasm for leadership training among young surgeons and chapter officers remains high, More than 425 of these individuals participated in the leadership portion of the 2014 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, which featured sessions on best practices for chapters, mentoring, and emotional intelligence The next Summit will take place April 18-21.

The 2014 Initiates class was one of the College’s largest, totaling 1,640. To further boost membership, we have launched a Young Surgeons Marketing Campaign – Realize the Potential of Your Profession – and a Show Your Pride campaign.

The College also has launched a nationwide ACS Education and Training Campaign to communicate that ACS Education and Training are the cornerstones of excellence, transform possibilities into realities, and instill the joy of lifelong learning.

Many of the College’s recent education efforts have centered on assisting surgeons – particularly young surgeons – in career transitions. To address ongoing concerns regarding surgical training, the ACS has appointed a Committee on Residency Training (“Fix the Five”).

To help young surgeons shift from residency to practice, the ACS has developed the Transition to Practice (TTP) Program, which provides individuals who have completed five years of general surgery training with the opportunity to serve as a junior partner in a surgical practice. Presently, the TTP Program is being pilot-tested at 10 sites. In addition, the ACS has partnered with the Association of Program Directors in Surgery and the Association for Surgical Education to create a Surgery Resident Prep Curriculum for medical students transitioning to residency.

The ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2014 at its annual conference in New York. A record-breaking 1,200 representatives from nearly 600 hospitals attended. Furthermore, the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) will honor ACS NSQIP® with the 2014 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award later this month. The Eisenberg Award recognizes the major achievements of individuals and organizations in advancing patient safety and quality of care.

Another quality improvement activity has now been completed after three years of work – the development of comprehensive guidelines that define the resources needed to perform safe, effective pediatric operations. These standards were published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The College also is developing a Quality Manual that will be useful in guiding chief surgical quality officers as they attempt to implement quality improvement and patient safety programs in their institutions. Additionally, the ACS Clinical Research Program (ACS CRP) has completed the manuscript for Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery.

The Committee on Trauma has been actively involved in government efforts to establish guidelines for emergency medical services in mass-casualty events, including hemorrhage control. In a related effort, the Hartford Consensus, led by ACS Regent Lenworth Jacobs, Jr., MD, FACS, has articulated a framework for increasing survivability in mass shootings, known as THREAT: 1) threat suppression, 2) hemorrhage control, 3) rapid extrication to safety, 4) assessment by medical providers, and 5) transport to definitive care.

Among the Commission on Cancer’s (COC’s) most significant accomplishments in 2014 was the development of a framework for oncology medical home standards. In addition, the COC held its first legislative briefing in 2014 and issued a written response to the Institutes of Medicine report, Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.

The College is providing more opportunities for surgeons to communicate with each other and for the ACS to communicate with the membership. The ACS Communities, now totaling 92, launched in July 2014, providing an interactive platform for surgeons to share their views, interests, and concerns. Shortly thereafter, the College launched a new, easy-to-navigate website, www.facs.org, which has been well-received.

In 2014-2015, the ACS Inspiring Quality tour has made stops in Northern California, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa, Utah, and Sacramento, CA. At these meetings, we have continued to communicate to policymakers how ACS Quality Programs reduce spending and improve outcomes.

With these programs and solid leadership, the College is well-positioned to lead efforts to ensure that surgical patients receive optimal care. Your continued support is appreciated and your active involvement is strongly encouraged.

Dr. Hoyt is the Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons, Chicago.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) had another successful year in 2014, and the College leadership and staff are working to ensure that we make even greater strides in 2015.

The ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy got a boost in June 2014 when Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, and Patrick Bailey, MD, FACS, joined the Washington Office team as Medical Directors of Quality and Advocacy, respectively. These surgeons are playing a leading role in positioning the ACS as a leader in the health policy, legislative, and regulatory arenas.

To address surgeons’ ongoing concerns regarding Medicare physician payment, the ACS has worked closely with Congress to develop legislation that would repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. More than 200 ACS members from 44 states participated in 229 meetings on Capitol Hill April 1, 2014, as part of Leadership & Advocacy Summit, and the SGR was a key topic of discussion. Unfortunately, passage of the SGR Repeal Act was derailed because of funding challenges, and another temporary patch, which expires April 1, 2015, was put in place. The ACS continues to urge Congress to pass the SGR Repeal Act in this legislative session.

Other issues on the ACS health policy agenda include averting a provision in the final rule on the Medicare physician fee schedule that would convert 10- and 90-day global codes to 0-day codes, medical liability reform, and graduate medical education.

We are looking forward to taking Operation Giving Back in a new direction under the leadership of Medical Director Girma Tefera, MD, FACS. Dr. Tefera will be responsible for coordinating the College’s response to disasters worldwide, developing programs and opportunities for surgeon volunteers, communicating the work of the OGB, and increasing the College’s recognition among other global organizations.

In addition, the ACS and the U.S. Military Health System have entered into a 3-year strategic partnership that will encourage collaboration with respect to training and education, research, quality improvement, and combat readiness and disaster preparedness. M. Margaret (Peggy) Knudson, MD, FACS, is the Medical Director of this initiative.

Enthusiasm for leadership training among young surgeons and chapter officers remains high, More than 425 of these individuals participated in the leadership portion of the 2014 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, which featured sessions on best practices for chapters, mentoring, and emotional intelligence The next Summit will take place April 18-21.

The 2014 Initiates class was one of the College’s largest, totaling 1,640. To further boost membership, we have launched a Young Surgeons Marketing Campaign – Realize the Potential of Your Profession – and a Show Your Pride campaign.

The College also has launched a nationwide ACS Education and Training Campaign to communicate that ACS Education and Training are the cornerstones of excellence, transform possibilities into realities, and instill the joy of lifelong learning.

Many of the College’s recent education efforts have centered on assisting surgeons – particularly young surgeons – in career transitions. To address ongoing concerns regarding surgical training, the ACS has appointed a Committee on Residency Training (“Fix the Five”).

To help young surgeons shift from residency to practice, the ACS has developed the Transition to Practice (TTP) Program, which provides individuals who have completed five years of general surgery training with the opportunity to serve as a junior partner in a surgical practice. Presently, the TTP Program is being pilot-tested at 10 sites. In addition, the ACS has partnered with the Association of Program Directors in Surgery and the Association for Surgical Education to create a Surgery Resident Prep Curriculum for medical students transitioning to residency.

The ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2014 at its annual conference in New York. A record-breaking 1,200 representatives from nearly 600 hospitals attended. Furthermore, the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) will honor ACS NSQIP® with the 2014 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award later this month. The Eisenberg Award recognizes the major achievements of individuals and organizations in advancing patient safety and quality of care.

Another quality improvement activity has now been completed after three years of work – the development of comprehensive guidelines that define the resources needed to perform safe, effective pediatric operations. These standards were published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The College also is developing a Quality Manual that will be useful in guiding chief surgical quality officers as they attempt to implement quality improvement and patient safety programs in their institutions. Additionally, the ACS Clinical Research Program (ACS CRP) has completed the manuscript for Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery.

The Committee on Trauma has been actively involved in government efforts to establish guidelines for emergency medical services in mass-casualty events, including hemorrhage control. In a related effort, the Hartford Consensus, led by ACS Regent Lenworth Jacobs, Jr., MD, FACS, has articulated a framework for increasing survivability in mass shootings, known as THREAT: 1) threat suppression, 2) hemorrhage control, 3) rapid extrication to safety, 4) assessment by medical providers, and 5) transport to definitive care.

Among the Commission on Cancer’s (COC’s) most significant accomplishments in 2014 was the development of a framework for oncology medical home standards. In addition, the COC held its first legislative briefing in 2014 and issued a written response to the Institutes of Medicine report, Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.

The College is providing more opportunities for surgeons to communicate with each other and for the ACS to communicate with the membership. The ACS Communities, now totaling 92, launched in July 2014, providing an interactive platform for surgeons to share their views, interests, and concerns. Shortly thereafter, the College launched a new, easy-to-navigate website, www.facs.org, which has been well-received.

In 2014-2015, the ACS Inspiring Quality tour has made stops in Northern California, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa, Utah, and Sacramento, CA. At these meetings, we have continued to communicate to policymakers how ACS Quality Programs reduce spending and improve outcomes.

With these programs and solid leadership, the College is well-positioned to lead efforts to ensure that surgical patients receive optimal care. Your continued support is appreciated and your active involvement is strongly encouraged.

Dr. Hoyt is the Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons, Chicago.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) had another successful year in 2014, and the College leadership and staff are working to ensure that we make even greater strides in 2015.

The ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy got a boost in June 2014 when Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, and Patrick Bailey, MD, FACS, joined the Washington Office team as Medical Directors of Quality and Advocacy, respectively. These surgeons are playing a leading role in positioning the ACS as a leader in the health policy, legislative, and regulatory arenas.

To address surgeons’ ongoing concerns regarding Medicare physician payment, the ACS has worked closely with Congress to develop legislation that would repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. More than 200 ACS members from 44 states participated in 229 meetings on Capitol Hill April 1, 2014, as part of Leadership & Advocacy Summit, and the SGR was a key topic of discussion. Unfortunately, passage of the SGR Repeal Act was derailed because of funding challenges, and another temporary patch, which expires April 1, 2015, was put in place. The ACS continues to urge Congress to pass the SGR Repeal Act in this legislative session.

Other issues on the ACS health policy agenda include averting a provision in the final rule on the Medicare physician fee schedule that would convert 10- and 90-day global codes to 0-day codes, medical liability reform, and graduate medical education.

We are looking forward to taking Operation Giving Back in a new direction under the leadership of Medical Director Girma Tefera, MD, FACS. Dr. Tefera will be responsible for coordinating the College’s response to disasters worldwide, developing programs and opportunities for surgeon volunteers, communicating the work of the OGB, and increasing the College’s recognition among other global organizations.

In addition, the ACS and the U.S. Military Health System have entered into a 3-year strategic partnership that will encourage collaboration with respect to training and education, research, quality improvement, and combat readiness and disaster preparedness. M. Margaret (Peggy) Knudson, MD, FACS, is the Medical Director of this initiative.

Enthusiasm for leadership training among young surgeons and chapter officers remains high, More than 425 of these individuals participated in the leadership portion of the 2014 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, which featured sessions on best practices for chapters, mentoring, and emotional intelligence The next Summit will take place April 18-21.

The 2014 Initiates class was one of the College’s largest, totaling 1,640. To further boost membership, we have launched a Young Surgeons Marketing Campaign – Realize the Potential of Your Profession – and a Show Your Pride campaign.

The College also has launched a nationwide ACS Education and Training Campaign to communicate that ACS Education and Training are the cornerstones of excellence, transform possibilities into realities, and instill the joy of lifelong learning.

Many of the College’s recent education efforts have centered on assisting surgeons – particularly young surgeons – in career transitions. To address ongoing concerns regarding surgical training, the ACS has appointed a Committee on Residency Training (“Fix the Five”).

To help young surgeons shift from residency to practice, the ACS has developed the Transition to Practice (TTP) Program, which provides individuals who have completed five years of general surgery training with the opportunity to serve as a junior partner in a surgical practice. Presently, the TTP Program is being pilot-tested at 10 sites. In addition, the ACS has partnered with the Association of Program Directors in Surgery and the Association for Surgical Education to create a Surgery Resident Prep Curriculum for medical students transitioning to residency.

The ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2014 at its annual conference in New York. A record-breaking 1,200 representatives from nearly 600 hospitals attended. Furthermore, the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) will honor ACS NSQIP® with the 2014 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award later this month. The Eisenberg Award recognizes the major achievements of individuals and organizations in advancing patient safety and quality of care.

Another quality improvement activity has now been completed after three years of work – the development of comprehensive guidelines that define the resources needed to perform safe, effective pediatric operations. These standards were published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The College also is developing a Quality Manual that will be useful in guiding chief surgical quality officers as they attempt to implement quality improvement and patient safety programs in their institutions. Additionally, the ACS Clinical Research Program (ACS CRP) has completed the manuscript for Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery.

The Committee on Trauma has been actively involved in government efforts to establish guidelines for emergency medical services in mass-casualty events, including hemorrhage control. In a related effort, the Hartford Consensus, led by ACS Regent Lenworth Jacobs, Jr., MD, FACS, has articulated a framework for increasing survivability in mass shootings, known as THREAT: 1) threat suppression, 2) hemorrhage control, 3) rapid extrication to safety, 4) assessment by medical providers, and 5) transport to definitive care.

Among the Commission on Cancer’s (COC’s) most significant accomplishments in 2014 was the development of a framework for oncology medical home standards. In addition, the COC held its first legislative briefing in 2014 and issued a written response to the Institutes of Medicine report, Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.

The College is providing more opportunities for surgeons to communicate with each other and for the ACS to communicate with the membership. The ACS Communities, now totaling 92, launched in July 2014, providing an interactive platform for surgeons to share their views, interests, and concerns. Shortly thereafter, the College launched a new, easy-to-navigate website, www.facs.org, which has been well-received.

In 2014-2015, the ACS Inspiring Quality tour has made stops in Northern California, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa, Utah, and Sacramento, CA. At these meetings, we have continued to communicate to policymakers how ACS Quality Programs reduce spending and improve outcomes.

With these programs and solid leadership, the College is well-positioned to lead efforts to ensure that surgical patients receive optimal care. Your continued support is appreciated and your active involvement is strongly encouraged.

Dr. Hoyt is the Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons, Chicago.

The American College of Surgeons, along with a coalition of trauma advocates, succeeded in ensuring that two important trauma bills have been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 647, the Access to Life Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act, at http://goo.gl/w7Naq9 were reintroduced by Reps. Mike Burgess (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX). H.R. 647 reauthorizes language from the Public Health Service Act to fund trauma centers—funding that is set to expire this fiscal year. Meanwhile, H.R. 648 reauthorizes Trauma Care Systems Planning Grants, which support state and rural development of trauma systems, as well as pilot projects for implementing and assessing regionalized emergency care models.

The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee convened a hearing on several public health bills in January and followed up with a mark-up in early February that included the trauma bills. Both bills were passed out of committee by voice vote. The full committee has scheduled a mark-up of the same public health bills, including the trauma bills, which are again expected to be passed out of the full committee by voice vote. The House is then expected to bring pieces of trauma legislation to the House floor sometime soon after. Discussions are still ongoing with the Senate at this time; however, former champions of the legislation—Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI)—have expressed interest in being the lead sponsors of the legislation on the Senate side.

The American College of Surgeons, along with a coalition of trauma advocates, succeeded in ensuring that two important trauma bills have been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 647, the Access to Life Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act, at http://goo.gl/w7Naq9 were reintroduced by Reps. Mike Burgess (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX). H.R. 647 reauthorizes language from the Public Health Service Act to fund trauma centers—funding that is set to expire this fiscal year. Meanwhile, H.R. 648 reauthorizes Trauma Care Systems Planning Grants, which support state and rural development of trauma systems, as well as pilot projects for implementing and assessing regionalized emergency care models.

The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee convened a hearing on several public health bills in January and followed up with a mark-up in early February that included the trauma bills. Both bills were passed out of committee by voice vote. The full committee has scheduled a mark-up of the same public health bills, including the trauma bills, which are again expected to be passed out of the full committee by voice vote. The House is then expected to bring pieces of trauma legislation to the House floor sometime soon after. Discussions are still ongoing with the Senate at this time; however, former champions of the legislation—Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI)—have expressed interest in being the lead sponsors of the legislation on the Senate side.

The American College of Surgeons, along with a coalition of trauma advocates, succeeded in ensuring that two important trauma bills have been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 647, the Access to Life Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act, at http://goo.gl/w7Naq9 were reintroduced by Reps. Mike Burgess (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX). H.R. 647 reauthorizes language from the Public Health Service Act to fund trauma centers—funding that is set to expire this fiscal year. Meanwhile, H.R. 648 reauthorizes Trauma Care Systems Planning Grants, which support state and rural development of trauma systems, as well as pilot projects for implementing and assessing regionalized emergency care models.

The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee convened a hearing on several public health bills in January and followed up with a mark-up in early February that included the trauma bills. Both bills were passed out of committee by voice vote. The full committee has scheduled a mark-up of the same public health bills, including the trauma bills, which are again expected to be passed out of the full committee by voice vote. The House is then expected to bring pieces of trauma legislation to the House floor sometime soon after. Discussions are still ongoing with the Senate at this time; however, former champions of the legislation—Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI)—have expressed interest in being the lead sponsors of the legislation on the Senate side.

Several institutions participating in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Transition to Practice (TTP) Program still have TTP Associate positions available for the 2015–2016 academic year. Interested residents and recent residency graduates are encouraged to review the program profiles on the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/program/ttp and submit their curriculum vitae to [email protected] with a list of institutions to which they have an interest in applying.

The ACS Division of Education launched the TTP Program in 2013 in response to the identified need for additional surgical training for general surgeons leaving residency. The program is intended to bridge the gap between residency and independent practice. TTP Associates experience increasing autonomy throughout the year in a broad-based clinical setting, build their competence and confidence in general surgery, develop practice management skills, and gain practical experience for the next phase of their careers. Working closely with experienced surgeons, TTP Associates have the ability to concentrate on specific areas within general surgery to refine operative skills based on their career goals.

Several institutions participating in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Transition to Practice (TTP) Program still have TTP Associate positions available for the 2015–2016 academic year. Interested residents and recent residency graduates are encouraged to review the program profiles on the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/program/ttp and submit their curriculum vitae to [email protected] with a list of institutions to which they have an interest in applying.

The ACS Division of Education launched the TTP Program in 2013 in response to the identified need for additional surgical training for general surgeons leaving residency. The program is intended to bridge the gap between residency and independent practice. TTP Associates experience increasing autonomy throughout the year in a broad-based clinical setting, build their competence and confidence in general surgery, develop practice management skills, and gain practical experience for the next phase of their careers. Working closely with experienced surgeons, TTP Associates have the ability to concentrate on specific areas within general surgery to refine operative skills based on their career goals.

Several institutions participating in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Transition to Practice (TTP) Program still have TTP Associate positions available for the 2015–2016 academic year. Interested residents and recent residency graduates are encouraged to review the program profiles on the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/education/program/ttp and submit their curriculum vitae to [email protected] with a list of institutions to which they have an interest in applying.

The ACS Division of Education launched the TTP Program in 2013 in response to the identified need for additional surgical training for general surgeons leaving residency. The program is intended to bridge the gap between residency and independent practice. TTP Associates experience increasing autonomy throughout the year in a broad-based clinical setting, build their competence and confidence in general surgery, develop practice management skills, and gain practical experience for the next phase of their careers. Working closely with experienced surgeons, TTP Associates have the ability to concentrate on specific areas within general surgery to refine operative skills based on their career goals.

Registration is open for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, April 18–21, at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC. This fourth annual Summit is a dual meeting that offers volunteer leaders and advocates educational sessions focused on effective surgeon leadership, as well as interactive advocacy training with coordinated visits to congressional offices.

The 2015 Leadership Summit will commence the evening of April 18 with a Welcome Reception and continue the next morning with presentations on moving from transactional to transformational leadership, overcoming resistance to change, and conquering physician burnout. In addition, Michael Burke, JD, an attorney with Kalogredis, Sansweet, Dearden and Burke, Ltd, Wayne, PA, will discuss the key elements of a physician employment agreement. Over lunch, Summit attendees will meet in small groups by state/region to identify areas for unified efforts in the upcoming year.

The Advocacy Summit will begin the evening of Sunday, April 19, with a keynote address by General Stanley McChrystal on the tools for successful leadership. Monday, April 20, attendees will hear from speakers who will discuss the political environment in Washington, DC, and across the nation, and will provide information on the status of important health care issues. Monday’s program will include a luncheon sponsored by the ACS Professional Association’s political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC), featuring a talk by Washington Post political reporter Chris Cillizza. Monday evening, the ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC will sponsor another event and a raffle. Tuesday morning, attendees will use what they have learned at the Summit during meetings with their senators and representative and/or congressional staff. This portion of the program provides an opportunity to rally surgery’s collective grassroots advocacy voice on such issues as physician payment, professional liability, and the physician workforce.

For more information or to register for the 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, go to the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/advocacy/participate/summit. Advance registration ends April 10, and the hotel reservation deadline is March 12. Rooms are going quickly, so make your reservations now.

Registration is open for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, April 18–21, at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC. This fourth annual Summit is a dual meeting that offers volunteer leaders and advocates educational sessions focused on effective surgeon leadership, as well as interactive advocacy training with coordinated visits to congressional offices.

The 2015 Leadership Summit will commence the evening of April 18 with a Welcome Reception and continue the next morning with presentations on moving from transactional to transformational leadership, overcoming resistance to change, and conquering physician burnout. In addition, Michael Burke, JD, an attorney with Kalogredis, Sansweet, Dearden and Burke, Ltd, Wayne, PA, will discuss the key elements of a physician employment agreement. Over lunch, Summit attendees will meet in small groups by state/region to identify areas for unified efforts in the upcoming year.

The Advocacy Summit will begin the evening of Sunday, April 19, with a keynote address by General Stanley McChrystal on the tools for successful leadership. Monday, April 20, attendees will hear from speakers who will discuss the political environment in Washington, DC, and across the nation, and will provide information on the status of important health care issues. Monday’s program will include a luncheon sponsored by the ACS Professional Association’s political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC), featuring a talk by Washington Post political reporter Chris Cillizza. Monday evening, the ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC will sponsor another event and a raffle. Tuesday morning, attendees will use what they have learned at the Summit during meetings with their senators and representative and/or congressional staff. This portion of the program provides an opportunity to rally surgery’s collective grassroots advocacy voice on such issues as physician payment, professional liability, and the physician workforce.

For more information or to register for the 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, go to the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/advocacy/participate/summit. Advance registration ends April 10, and the hotel reservation deadline is March 12. Rooms are going quickly, so make your reservations now.

Registration is open for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, April 18–21, at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC. This fourth annual Summit is a dual meeting that offers volunteer leaders and advocates educational sessions focused on effective surgeon leadership, as well as interactive advocacy training with coordinated visits to congressional offices.

The 2015 Leadership Summit will commence the evening of April 18 with a Welcome Reception and continue the next morning with presentations on moving from transactional to transformational leadership, overcoming resistance to change, and conquering physician burnout. In addition, Michael Burke, JD, an attorney with Kalogredis, Sansweet, Dearden and Burke, Ltd, Wayne, PA, will discuss the key elements of a physician employment agreement. Over lunch, Summit attendees will meet in small groups by state/region to identify areas for unified efforts in the upcoming year.

The Advocacy Summit will begin the evening of Sunday, April 19, with a keynote address by General Stanley McChrystal on the tools for successful leadership. Monday, April 20, attendees will hear from speakers who will discuss the political environment in Washington, DC, and across the nation, and will provide information on the status of important health care issues. Monday’s program will include a luncheon sponsored by the ACS Professional Association’s political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC), featuring a talk by Washington Post political reporter Chris Cillizza. Monday evening, the ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC will sponsor another event and a raffle. Tuesday morning, attendees will use what they have learned at the Summit during meetings with their senators and representative and/or congressional staff. This portion of the program provides an opportunity to rally surgery’s collective grassroots advocacy voice on such issues as physician payment, professional liability, and the physician workforce.

For more information or to register for the 2015 Leadership & Advocacy Summit, go to the ACS website at https://www.facs.org/advocacy/participate/summit. Advance registration ends April 10, and the hotel reservation deadline is March 12. Rooms are going quickly, so make your reservations now.

Two Clinical Performance and Oral Examinations in Surgery courses will take place on the East Coast in 2015, including Amelia Island, FL, May 7–12; and Stowe, VT, September 16–21. Register online now for 2015 courses at http://www.oralboardreview.net/.

The course provides an opportunity for surgeons who have not passed the certifying examination or senior residents/fellows who anticipate difficulty with the certifying examination to receive individual feedback on their oral examination skills and knowledge base. The expanded course will begin with an evening reception on the first day and allow for more individual assessment. All participants will be videotaped in a mock certifying examination on the fifth day of the course and participate in a debriefing session on the final day. Each debriefing will include a behavioral analysis, areas of content weakness, a plan, and questions for review along with a video of the participant’s mock exam. View a full description of the course at http://www.oralboardreview.net. Direct questions about the program to Pamela Rowland, PhD, at [email protected], or [email protected], or by phone, 603-359-0824.

Two Clinical Performance and Oral Examinations in Surgery courses will take place on the East Coast in 2015, including Amelia Island, FL, May 7–12; and Stowe, VT, September 16–21. Register online now for 2015 courses at http://www.oralboardreview.net/.

The course provides an opportunity for surgeons who have not passed the certifying examination or senior residents/fellows who anticipate difficulty with the certifying examination to receive individual feedback on their oral examination skills and knowledge base. The expanded course will begin with an evening reception on the first day and allow for more individual assessment. All participants will be videotaped in a mock certifying examination on the fifth day of the course and participate in a debriefing session on the final day. Each debriefing will include a behavioral analysis, areas of content weakness, a plan, and questions for review along with a video of the participant’s mock exam. View a full description of the course at http://www.oralboardreview.net. Direct questions about the program to Pamela Rowland, PhD, at [email protected], or [email protected], or by phone, 603-359-0824.

Two Clinical Performance and Oral Examinations in Surgery courses will take place on the East Coast in 2015, including Amelia Island, FL, May 7–12; and Stowe, VT, September 16–21. Register online now for 2015 courses at http://www.oralboardreview.net/.

The course provides an opportunity for surgeons who have not passed the certifying examination or senior residents/fellows who anticipate difficulty with the certifying examination to receive individual feedback on their oral examination skills and knowledge base. The expanded course will begin with an evening reception on the first day and allow for more individual assessment. All participants will be videotaped in a mock certifying examination on the fifth day of the course and participate in a debriefing session on the final day. Each debriefing will include a behavioral analysis, areas of content weakness, a plan, and questions for review along with a video of the participant’s mock exam. View a full description of the course at http://www.oralboardreview.net. Direct questions about the program to Pamela Rowland, PhD, at [email protected], or [email protected], or by phone, 603-359-0824.

A panel of health care leaders and policymakers gathered January 16 for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Health Care Quality Forum Sacramento, CA, the 21st such meeting in a series of community forums held throughout the U.S. since 2011. Participants discussed the state of health care in Northern California and highlighted ways that health leaders and government officials can collaborate to improve patient outcomes and the quality of the health care system. Forum presenters shared their views on policy recommendations, hospital and health system initiatives, physician satisfaction issues, and the role of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in measuring and improving patient care. Panelists discussed examples of state and national quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in higher standards, reduced costs, and better outcomes.

Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, vice-chancellor for human health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, University of California (UC) Davis Health System, and Immediate Past-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents; and David H. Wisner, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine, co-moderated the forum. U.S. Congressional Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) delivered keynote speeches. Forum panelists included:

• Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPH, Director and State Health Officer, California Department of Public Health

• Diana L. Farmer, MD, FACS, FRCS, Pearl Stamps Stewart Professor and Chair; chair, department of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine; surgeon-in-chief, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, UC Davis Health System; and member, ACS Board of Governors Executive Committee

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, Executive Director, ACS

• Mark P. Owens, MD, FACS, vice-president of medical affairs, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Dignity Health

• Glenn S. Tse, MD, general surgeon, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center; senior partner, The Permanente Medical Group

• Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate vice-chancellor for nursing, dean and professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC DavisView the full program video on the ACS website [www.facs.org ].

For more information, e-mail [email protected].

A panel of health care leaders and policymakers gathered January 16 for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Health Care Quality Forum Sacramento, CA, the 21st such meeting in a series of community forums held throughout the U.S. since 2011. Participants discussed the state of health care in Northern California and highlighted ways that health leaders and government officials can collaborate to improve patient outcomes and the quality of the health care system. Forum presenters shared their views on policy recommendations, hospital and health system initiatives, physician satisfaction issues, and the role of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in measuring and improving patient care. Panelists discussed examples of state and national quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in higher standards, reduced costs, and better outcomes.

Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, vice-chancellor for human health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, University of California (UC) Davis Health System, and Immediate Past-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents; and David H. Wisner, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine, co-moderated the forum. U.S. Congressional Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) delivered keynote speeches. Forum panelists included:

• Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPH, Director and State Health Officer, California Department of Public Health

• Diana L. Farmer, MD, FACS, FRCS, Pearl Stamps Stewart Professor and Chair; chair, department of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine; surgeon-in-chief, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, UC Davis Health System; and member, ACS Board of Governors Executive Committee

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, Executive Director, ACS

• Mark P. Owens, MD, FACS, vice-president of medical affairs, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Dignity Health

• Glenn S. Tse, MD, general surgeon, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center; senior partner, The Permanente Medical Group

• Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate vice-chancellor for nursing, dean and professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC DavisView the full program video on the ACS website [www.facs.org ].

For more information, e-mail [email protected].

A panel of health care leaders and policymakers gathered January 16 for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Health Care Quality Forum Sacramento, CA, the 21st such meeting in a series of community forums held throughout the U.S. since 2011. Participants discussed the state of health care in Northern California and highlighted ways that health leaders and government officials can collaborate to improve patient outcomes and the quality of the health care system. Forum presenters shared their views on policy recommendations, hospital and health system initiatives, physician satisfaction issues, and the role of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in measuring and improving patient care. Panelists discussed examples of state and national quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in higher standards, reduced costs, and better outcomes.

Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, vice-chancellor for human health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, University of California (UC) Davis Health System, and Immediate Past-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents; and David H. Wisner, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine, co-moderated the forum. U.S. Congressional Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) delivered keynote speeches. Forum panelists included:

• Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPH, Director and State Health Officer, California Department of Public Health

• Diana L. Farmer, MD, FACS, FRCS, Pearl Stamps Stewart Professor and Chair; chair, department of surgery, UC Davis School of Medicine; surgeon-in-chief, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, UC Davis Health System; and member, ACS Board of Governors Executive Committee

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, Executive Director, ACS

• Mark P. Owens, MD, FACS, vice-president of medical affairs, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Dignity Health

• Glenn S. Tse, MD, general surgeon, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center; senior partner, The Permanente Medical Group

• Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate vice-chancellor for nursing, dean and professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC DavisView the full program video on the ACS website [www.facs.org ].

For more information, e-mail [email protected].