News From the College

NAPLES, FLA. – Complication rates are similar for advanced clinical practitioners and resident physicians performing key routine procedures in the ICU or trauma setting, a retrospective study found.

Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) performed 555 procedures with 11 complications (2%), while resident physicians (RPs) performed 1,020 procedures with 20 complications (2%).

Procedures consisted of arterial lines, central venous lines, bronchoalveolar lavage, thoracotomy tubes, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and tracheostomies, Massanu Sirleaf, a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner, said at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

No differences were observed between the ACP and RP groups in mean ICU length of stay (3.7 days vs. 3.9 days) or hospital stay (13.3 days vs. 12.2 days).

Mortality rates were also similar for ACPs and RPs (9.7% vs. 11%; P = .07), despite significantly higher age (mean 54.5 years vs. 49.9 years; P less than .05) and APACHE III scores for the ACP group (mean 47.7 vs. 40.8; P less than .05).

"Our results demonstrate that ACPs have become a very important part of our health care team and substantiate the safety of ACPs in performing surgical procedures in critically ill patients," Ms. Sirleaf said.

Restrictions in resident work hours have imposed workload challenges on trauma centers, leading some to recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to care for critically ill patients in the ICU and to perform invasive procedures previously done exclusively by physicians, she observed. Very few studies, however, have addressed ACPs’ procedural competence and complication rates.

The retrospective study included all procedures performed from January to December 2011 in the trauma and surgical ICUs at the F.H. "Sammy" Ross Jr. Trauma Center, Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Eight ACPs performed invasive procedures for surgical critical care patients under attending supervision, while three postgraduate year two (PGY2) surgical and emergency residents performed procedures for trauma patients.

Invited discussant Dr. Jeffrey Claridge, director of trauma, critical care, and burns at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, agreed with the study’s conclusion that complications were similar between ACPs and RPs, but went on to say that 2% is extremely low and that "something is missing or oversimplified."

In particular, he pressed Ms. Sirleaf on where the procedures were performed, the level of supervision provided to ACPs, and how extensive the review of complications was other than procedural notes. For example, did the authors look at whether chest tubes fell out within 24 hours because they were inappropriately secured, PEG or tracheostomy sites that got infected, or breaks occurred in sterile technique.

"Determining a more comprehensive complication panel would give more power to detect differences and, truthfully, more credibility to the paper," Dr. Claridge said.

Ms. Sirleaf replied that in addition to reviewing postprocedural notes, radiologists looked for complications 24 hours after chest tube placement and patients with a tracheostomy were followed for complications for 7 days by the attending.

Urgency of the procedure was not evaluated since the procedures were elective and most were performed at the bedside.

"For the ACPs with a level of competency, just like interns at the beginning, they assisted the attending and as they got better, the majority of the procedure was performed by the ACP at the bedside with the attending scrubbed in," she said.

At the time of the study, three ACPs had 1 year of experience, with up to 7 years’ experience in the remaining ACPs. Senior ACPs provided training along with the attendings, and both ACPs and RPs underwent quarterly simulation lab training on procedures. To maintain competency, Carolinas Medical Center also requires ACPs perform a set number of each type of procedure on a yearly basis and have these procedures witnessed and signed off on by an attending, said Ms. Sirleaf, now with Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego.

Ms. Sirleaf and her coauthors reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

NAPLES, FLA. – Complication rates are similar for advanced clinical practitioners and resident physicians performing key routine procedures in the ICU or trauma setting, a retrospective study found.

Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) performed 555 procedures with 11 complications (2%), while resident physicians (RPs) performed 1,020 procedures with 20 complications (2%).

Procedures consisted of arterial lines, central venous lines, bronchoalveolar lavage, thoracotomy tubes, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and tracheostomies, Massanu Sirleaf, a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner, said at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

No differences were observed between the ACP and RP groups in mean ICU length of stay (3.7 days vs. 3.9 days) or hospital stay (13.3 days vs. 12.2 days).

Mortality rates were also similar for ACPs and RPs (9.7% vs. 11%; P = .07), despite significantly higher age (mean 54.5 years vs. 49.9 years; P less than .05) and APACHE III scores for the ACP group (mean 47.7 vs. 40.8; P less than .05).

"Our results demonstrate that ACPs have become a very important part of our health care team and substantiate the safety of ACPs in performing surgical procedures in critically ill patients," Ms. Sirleaf said.

Restrictions in resident work hours have imposed workload challenges on trauma centers, leading some to recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to care for critically ill patients in the ICU and to perform invasive procedures previously done exclusively by physicians, she observed. Very few studies, however, have addressed ACPs’ procedural competence and complication rates.

The retrospective study included all procedures performed from January to December 2011 in the trauma and surgical ICUs at the F.H. "Sammy" Ross Jr. Trauma Center, Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Eight ACPs performed invasive procedures for surgical critical care patients under attending supervision, while three postgraduate year two (PGY2) surgical and emergency residents performed procedures for trauma patients.

Invited discussant Dr. Jeffrey Claridge, director of trauma, critical care, and burns at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, agreed with the study’s conclusion that complications were similar between ACPs and RPs, but went on to say that 2% is extremely low and that "something is missing or oversimplified."

In particular, he pressed Ms. Sirleaf on where the procedures were performed, the level of supervision provided to ACPs, and how extensive the review of complications was other than procedural notes. For example, did the authors look at whether chest tubes fell out within 24 hours because they were inappropriately secured, PEG or tracheostomy sites that got infected, or breaks occurred in sterile technique.

"Determining a more comprehensive complication panel would give more power to detect differences and, truthfully, more credibility to the paper," Dr. Claridge said.

Ms. Sirleaf replied that in addition to reviewing postprocedural notes, radiologists looked for complications 24 hours after chest tube placement and patients with a tracheostomy were followed for complications for 7 days by the attending.

Urgency of the procedure was not evaluated since the procedures were elective and most were performed at the bedside.

"For the ACPs with a level of competency, just like interns at the beginning, they assisted the attending and as they got better, the majority of the procedure was performed by the ACP at the bedside with the attending scrubbed in," she said.

At the time of the study, three ACPs had 1 year of experience, with up to 7 years’ experience in the remaining ACPs. Senior ACPs provided training along with the attendings, and both ACPs and RPs underwent quarterly simulation lab training on procedures. To maintain competency, Carolinas Medical Center also requires ACPs perform a set number of each type of procedure on a yearly basis and have these procedures witnessed and signed off on by an attending, said Ms. Sirleaf, now with Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego.

Ms. Sirleaf and her coauthors reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

NAPLES, FLA. – Complication rates are similar for advanced clinical practitioners and resident physicians performing key routine procedures in the ICU or trauma setting, a retrospective study found.

Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) performed 555 procedures with 11 complications (2%), while resident physicians (RPs) performed 1,020 procedures with 20 complications (2%).

Procedures consisted of arterial lines, central venous lines, bronchoalveolar lavage, thoracotomy tubes, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and tracheostomies, Massanu Sirleaf, a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner, said at the annual scientific assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

No differences were observed between the ACP and RP groups in mean ICU length of stay (3.7 days vs. 3.9 days) or hospital stay (13.3 days vs. 12.2 days).

Mortality rates were also similar for ACPs and RPs (9.7% vs. 11%; P = .07), despite significantly higher age (mean 54.5 years vs. 49.9 years; P less than .05) and APACHE III scores for the ACP group (mean 47.7 vs. 40.8; P less than .05).

"Our results demonstrate that ACPs have become a very important part of our health care team and substantiate the safety of ACPs in performing surgical procedures in critically ill patients," Ms. Sirleaf said.

Restrictions in resident work hours have imposed workload challenges on trauma centers, leading some to recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to care for critically ill patients in the ICU and to perform invasive procedures previously done exclusively by physicians, she observed. Very few studies, however, have addressed ACPs’ procedural competence and complication rates.

The retrospective study included all procedures performed from January to December 2011 in the trauma and surgical ICUs at the F.H. "Sammy" Ross Jr. Trauma Center, Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Eight ACPs performed invasive procedures for surgical critical care patients under attending supervision, while three postgraduate year two (PGY2) surgical and emergency residents performed procedures for trauma patients.

Invited discussant Dr. Jeffrey Claridge, director of trauma, critical care, and burns at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, agreed with the study’s conclusion that complications were similar between ACPs and RPs, but went on to say that 2% is extremely low and that "something is missing or oversimplified."

In particular, he pressed Ms. Sirleaf on where the procedures were performed, the level of supervision provided to ACPs, and how extensive the review of complications was other than procedural notes. For example, did the authors look at whether chest tubes fell out within 24 hours because they were inappropriately secured, PEG or tracheostomy sites that got infected, or breaks occurred in sterile technique.

"Determining a more comprehensive complication panel would give more power to detect differences and, truthfully, more credibility to the paper," Dr. Claridge said.

Ms. Sirleaf replied that in addition to reviewing postprocedural notes, radiologists looked for complications 24 hours after chest tube placement and patients with a tracheostomy were followed for complications for 7 days by the attending.

Urgency of the procedure was not evaluated since the procedures were elective and most were performed at the bedside.

"For the ACPs with a level of competency, just like interns at the beginning, they assisted the attending and as they got better, the majority of the procedure was performed by the ACP at the bedside with the attending scrubbed in," she said.

At the time of the study, three ACPs had 1 year of experience, with up to 7 years’ experience in the remaining ACPs. Senior ACPs provided training along with the attendings, and both ACPs and RPs underwent quarterly simulation lab training on procedures. To maintain competency, Carolinas Medical Center also requires ACPs perform a set number of each type of procedure on a yearly basis and have these procedures witnessed and signed off on by an attending, said Ms. Sirleaf, now with Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego.

Ms. Sirleaf and her coauthors reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

The American College of Surgeons (ACS), in association with Pfizer, Inc., is accepting nominations for the 2014 Surgical Volunteerism Awards and Surgical Humanitarian Award until Friday, February 28.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism Award, offered in four categories, recognizes surgeons who give back to society and contribute to surgical care through organized volunteer activities. ACS Fellows in active surgical practice whose volunteer activities exceed professional commitments, or retired Fellows who have been involved in volunteerism during their active practice and into retirement are eligible for domestic, international, and military outreach awards. Resident Members and Associate Fellows (ACS Members) who have been involved in significant surgical volunteer activities during their postgraduate surgical training are eligible for the Resident award. Surgeons of all specialties are eligible for each of these awards.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award honors surgeons who have dedicated a significant portion of their surgical careers to full-time or near full-time humanitarian efforts beyond routine surgical practice. Examples include a missionary career surgery, the founding and ongoing operations of a charitable organization that provides surgical care to the underserved, or surgical volunteer outreach during retirement. Compensation for this work may be expected and does not preclude a nominee from consideration.

The ACS Board of Governors (B/G) Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup will evaluate the nominations, and the B/G Executive Committee will approve the final award winners.

Self-nominations are permissible but require at least one outside letter of support.

Re-nomination of previous nominees is acceptable but requires an updated application.

Supplemental materials should be kept to a minimum and will not be returned.

The nomination website is open for electronic submissions and may be accessed through the "Announcements" section of the Operation Giving Back website at http://www.operationgivingback.facs.org. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS), in association with Pfizer, Inc., is accepting nominations for the 2014 Surgical Volunteerism Awards and Surgical Humanitarian Award until Friday, February 28.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism Award, offered in four categories, recognizes surgeons who give back to society and contribute to surgical care through organized volunteer activities. ACS Fellows in active surgical practice whose volunteer activities exceed professional commitments, or retired Fellows who have been involved in volunteerism during their active practice and into retirement are eligible for domestic, international, and military outreach awards. Resident Members and Associate Fellows (ACS Members) who have been involved in significant surgical volunteer activities during their postgraduate surgical training are eligible for the Resident award. Surgeons of all specialties are eligible for each of these awards.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award honors surgeons who have dedicated a significant portion of their surgical careers to full-time or near full-time humanitarian efforts beyond routine surgical practice. Examples include a missionary career surgery, the founding and ongoing operations of a charitable organization that provides surgical care to the underserved, or surgical volunteer outreach during retirement. Compensation for this work may be expected and does not preclude a nominee from consideration.

The ACS Board of Governors (B/G) Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup will evaluate the nominations, and the B/G Executive Committee will approve the final award winners.

Self-nominations are permissible but require at least one outside letter of support.

Re-nomination of previous nominees is acceptable but requires an updated application.

Supplemental materials should be kept to a minimum and will not be returned.

The nomination website is open for electronic submissions and may be accessed through the "Announcements" section of the Operation Giving Back website at http://www.operationgivingback.facs.org. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS), in association with Pfizer, Inc., is accepting nominations for the 2014 Surgical Volunteerism Awards and Surgical Humanitarian Award until Friday, February 28.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism Award, offered in four categories, recognizes surgeons who give back to society and contribute to surgical care through organized volunteer activities. ACS Fellows in active surgical practice whose volunteer activities exceed professional commitments, or retired Fellows who have been involved in volunteerism during their active practice and into retirement are eligible for domestic, international, and military outreach awards. Resident Members and Associate Fellows (ACS Members) who have been involved in significant surgical volunteer activities during their postgraduate surgical training are eligible for the Resident award. Surgeons of all specialties are eligible for each of these awards.

The ACS/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award honors surgeons who have dedicated a significant portion of their surgical careers to full-time or near full-time humanitarian efforts beyond routine surgical practice. Examples include a missionary career surgery, the founding and ongoing operations of a charitable organization that provides surgical care to the underserved, or surgical volunteer outreach during retirement. Compensation for this work may be expected and does not preclude a nominee from consideration.

The ACS Board of Governors (B/G) Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup will evaluate the nominations, and the B/G Executive Committee will approve the final award winners.

Self-nominations are permissible but require at least one outside letter of support.

Re-nomination of previous nominees is acceptable but requires an updated application.

Supplemental materials should be kept to a minimum and will not be returned.

The nomination website is open for electronic submissions and may be accessed through the "Announcements" section of the Operation Giving Back website at http://www.operationgivingback.facs.org. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently appointed Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, as the next Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT). Dr. Stewart is professor and chair of the department of surgery at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Stewart will take office in March after the COT’s 2014 Annual Meeting, when he will become the 19th Chair of the committee, succeeding Michael F. Rotondo, MD, FACS, of Rochester, NY.

"We congratulate Dr. Stewart and look forward to his leadership and direction as the COT enters its 92nd year of work to improve the care of injured patients," said Dr. Rotondo of the appointment.

Dr. Stewart received his medical degree and completed his surgical residency at from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed a two-year trauma and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and then served as the director of trauma at University Hospital in San Antonio.

In May 2000, then Texas Gov. George W. Bush appointed Dr. Stewart to the Governor’s Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Advisory Council. He was the recipient of the 2013 National Safety Council Surgeon\'s Award for Service to Safety and the ACS Arthur Ellenberger Award for Excellence in State Advocacy.

Dr. Stewart also served as Chair of the South Texas Chapter of the ACS COT and later as the ACS COT Region 6 Chief (Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas). In addition, he is the Southern Surgical Society’s representative to the ACS Board of Governors.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently appointed Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, as the next Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT). Dr. Stewart is professor and chair of the department of surgery at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Stewart will take office in March after the COT’s 2014 Annual Meeting, when he will become the 19th Chair of the committee, succeeding Michael F. Rotondo, MD, FACS, of Rochester, NY.

"We congratulate Dr. Stewart and look forward to his leadership and direction as the COT enters its 92nd year of work to improve the care of injured patients," said Dr. Rotondo of the appointment.

Dr. Stewart received his medical degree and completed his surgical residency at from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed a two-year trauma and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and then served as the director of trauma at University Hospital in San Antonio.

In May 2000, then Texas Gov. George W. Bush appointed Dr. Stewart to the Governor’s Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Advisory Council. He was the recipient of the 2013 National Safety Council Surgeon\'s Award for Service to Safety and the ACS Arthur Ellenberger Award for Excellence in State Advocacy.

Dr. Stewart also served as Chair of the South Texas Chapter of the ACS COT and later as the ACS COT Region 6 Chief (Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas). In addition, he is the Southern Surgical Society’s representative to the ACS Board of Governors.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently appointed Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, as the next Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT). Dr. Stewart is professor and chair of the department of surgery at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Stewart will take office in March after the COT’s 2014 Annual Meeting, when he will become the 19th Chair of the committee, succeeding Michael F. Rotondo, MD, FACS, of Rochester, NY.

"We congratulate Dr. Stewart and look forward to his leadership and direction as the COT enters its 92nd year of work to improve the care of injured patients," said Dr. Rotondo of the appointment.

Dr. Stewart received his medical degree and completed his surgical residency at from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed a two-year trauma and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and then served as the director of trauma at University Hospital in San Antonio.

In May 2000, then Texas Gov. George W. Bush appointed Dr. Stewart to the Governor’s Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Advisory Council. He was the recipient of the 2013 National Safety Council Surgeon\'s Award for Service to Safety and the ACS Arthur Ellenberger Award for Excellence in State Advocacy.

Dr. Stewart also served as Chair of the South Texas Chapter of the ACS COT and later as the ACS COT Region 6 Chief (Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas). In addition, he is the Southern Surgical Society’s representative to the ACS Board of Governors.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Research and Education Foundation is accepting applications until February 1 for 2014 Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency General Surgery Scholarships. The one-year, $50,000 awards, which will run from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, will support post-residency research by young surgeons who have completed their training within the last seven years and are committed to a career in acute care surgery, including trauma, surgical critical care, and emergency general surgery. For more information and an application, visit the AAST website at www.aast.org or contact Jermica Smith, AAST Project Specialist, at [email protected].

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Research and Education Foundation is accepting applications until February 1 for 2014 Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency General Surgery Scholarships. The one-year, $50,000 awards, which will run from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, will support post-residency research by young surgeons who have completed their training within the last seven years and are committed to a career in acute care surgery, including trauma, surgical critical care, and emergency general surgery. For more information and an application, visit the AAST website at www.aast.org or contact Jermica Smith, AAST Project Specialist, at [email protected].

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Research and Education Foundation is accepting applications until February 1 for 2014 Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency General Surgery Scholarships. The one-year, $50,000 awards, which will run from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, will support post-residency research by young surgeons who have completed their training within the last seven years and are committed to a career in acute care surgery, including trauma, surgical critical care, and emergency general surgery. For more information and an application, visit the AAST website at www.aast.org or contact Jermica Smith, AAST Project Specialist, at [email protected].

The 2014 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) will select nominees for the three Officer-Elect positions of the American College of Surgeons (ACS): President-Elect, First Vice-President Elect, and Second Vice-President Elect. The NCF will use the following guidelines:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and medical statesmanship, along with an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.

• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities that might be reflected by service and active participation on ACS Committees or in other components of the College.

• Members of the Nominating Committee recognize the importance of achieving representation of all who practice surgery.

• The College encourages consideration of women and other under-represented minorities.

All nominations must include:

• A letter of recommendation

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing ACS service (for president-elect position only)

• A current curriculum vitae

• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference.

In addition, nominating entities, such as surgical special societies, ACS Advisory Councils, and ACS Chapters, must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed. Any attempt to contact members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, February 28. Submit nominations to [email protected]. If you have questions, call 312-202-5360.

The 2014 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) will select nominees for the three Officer-Elect positions of the American College of Surgeons (ACS): President-Elect, First Vice-President Elect, and Second Vice-President Elect. The NCF will use the following guidelines:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and medical statesmanship, along with an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.

• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities that might be reflected by service and active participation on ACS Committees or in other components of the College.

• Members of the Nominating Committee recognize the importance of achieving representation of all who practice surgery.

• The College encourages consideration of women and other under-represented minorities.

All nominations must include:

• A letter of recommendation

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing ACS service (for president-elect position only)

• A current curriculum vitae

• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference.

In addition, nominating entities, such as surgical special societies, ACS Advisory Councils, and ACS Chapters, must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed. Any attempt to contact members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, February 28. Submit nominations to [email protected]. If you have questions, call 312-202-5360.

The 2014 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) will select nominees for the three Officer-Elect positions of the American College of Surgeons (ACS): President-Elect, First Vice-President Elect, and Second Vice-President Elect. The NCF will use the following guidelines:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and medical statesmanship, along with an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.

• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities that might be reflected by service and active participation on ACS Committees or in other components of the College.

• Members of the Nominating Committee recognize the importance of achieving representation of all who practice surgery.

• The College encourages consideration of women and other under-represented minorities.

All nominations must include:

• A letter of recommendation

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing ACS service (for president-elect position only)

• A current curriculum vitae

• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference.

In addition, nominating entities, such as surgical special societies, ACS Advisory Councils, and ACS Chapters, must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed. Any attempt to contact members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, February 28. Submit nominations to [email protected]. If you have questions, call 312-202-5360.

Help the American College of Surgeons (ACS) keep pace in a changing health care environment and meet the goals of its Inspiring Quality: Highest Standards, Better Outcomes initiative by nominating your chapter’s brightest, most engaged, responsible and forthright members to serve a three-year term on the ACS Board of Governors. Nominations for 2014 appointments must be submitted to your local ACS Chapter or surgical specialty society by February 28, 2014.

The Board of Governors is the representative body of the ACS. The membership-at-large nominates two-thirds of the Governors, who are elected during the Annual Meeting of the Members at the ACS Clinical Congress. Certain surgical specialty societies, ACS Chapters, and federal medical services nominate one-third of the Board of Governors.

The Governors shall act as a liaison between the Board of Regents and the Fellows, and serve as a clearinghouse for the Regents on general assigned subjects and local problems.

A Governor’s duties include:

• Provide bi-directional communication between the Board of Governors and the Fellows

• Actively participate in a minimum of one Board of Governors Workgroup

• Attend the spring Leadership Summit (spring meeting attendance is not required for international governors)

• Participate in Board of Governors’ meetings, Convocation, and the Annual Meeting of Members at the annual Clinical Congress

• Complete an Annual Survey

• Attend Chapter or Specialty Society meetings

• Assist in establishing an ACS Chapter and serve on the Chapter governing board

• Participate in local Committee on Applicants meetings and interviews

• Provide reports to the ACS Chapter or specialty society and the Board of Governors Communications Pillar

• Promote ACS Fellowship in state and specialty society

Welcome new Fellows into the ACS

An inclusive, transparent Board of Governors depends upon members who can actively serve as a link to their local community and as a resource for the ACS. For more information, go to http://www.facs.org/about/governors/candidates.html. If you have questions, call Betty Sanders, ACS Senior Administrator, Board of Governors, at 312-202-5360.

Help the American College of Surgeons (ACS) keep pace in a changing health care environment and meet the goals of its Inspiring Quality: Highest Standards, Better Outcomes initiative by nominating your chapter’s brightest, most engaged, responsible and forthright members to serve a three-year term on the ACS Board of Governors. Nominations for 2014 appointments must be submitted to your local ACS Chapter or surgical specialty society by February 28, 2014.

The Board of Governors is the representative body of the ACS. The membership-at-large nominates two-thirds of the Governors, who are elected during the Annual Meeting of the Members at the ACS Clinical Congress. Certain surgical specialty societies, ACS Chapters, and federal medical services nominate one-third of the Board of Governors.

The Governors shall act as a liaison between the Board of Regents and the Fellows, and serve as a clearinghouse for the Regents on general assigned subjects and local problems.

A Governor’s duties include:

• Provide bi-directional communication between the Board of Governors and the Fellows

• Actively participate in a minimum of one Board of Governors Workgroup

• Attend the spring Leadership Summit (spring meeting attendance is not required for international governors)

• Participate in Board of Governors’ meetings, Convocation, and the Annual Meeting of Members at the annual Clinical Congress

• Complete an Annual Survey

• Attend Chapter or Specialty Society meetings

• Assist in establishing an ACS Chapter and serve on the Chapter governing board

• Participate in local Committee on Applicants meetings and interviews

• Provide reports to the ACS Chapter or specialty society and the Board of Governors Communications Pillar

• Promote ACS Fellowship in state and specialty society

Welcome new Fellows into the ACS

An inclusive, transparent Board of Governors depends upon members who can actively serve as a link to their local community and as a resource for the ACS. For more information, go to http://www.facs.org/about/governors/candidates.html. If you have questions, call Betty Sanders, ACS Senior Administrator, Board of Governors, at 312-202-5360.

Help the American College of Surgeons (ACS) keep pace in a changing health care environment and meet the goals of its Inspiring Quality: Highest Standards, Better Outcomes initiative by nominating your chapter’s brightest, most engaged, responsible and forthright members to serve a three-year term on the ACS Board of Governors. Nominations for 2014 appointments must be submitted to your local ACS Chapter or surgical specialty society by February 28, 2014.

The Board of Governors is the representative body of the ACS. The membership-at-large nominates two-thirds of the Governors, who are elected during the Annual Meeting of the Members at the ACS Clinical Congress. Certain surgical specialty societies, ACS Chapters, and federal medical services nominate one-third of the Board of Governors.

The Governors shall act as a liaison between the Board of Regents and the Fellows, and serve as a clearinghouse for the Regents on general assigned subjects and local problems.

A Governor’s duties include:

• Provide bi-directional communication between the Board of Governors and the Fellows

• Actively participate in a minimum of one Board of Governors Workgroup

• Attend the spring Leadership Summit (spring meeting attendance is not required for international governors)

• Participate in Board of Governors’ meetings, Convocation, and the Annual Meeting of Members at the annual Clinical Congress

• Complete an Annual Survey

• Attend Chapter or Specialty Society meetings

• Assist in establishing an ACS Chapter and serve on the Chapter governing board

• Participate in local Committee on Applicants meetings and interviews

• Provide reports to the ACS Chapter or specialty society and the Board of Governors Communications Pillar

• Promote ACS Fellowship in state and specialty society

Welcome new Fellows into the ACS

An inclusive, transparent Board of Governors depends upon members who can actively serve as a link to their local community and as a resource for the ACS. For more information, go to http://www.facs.org/about/governors/candidates.html. If you have questions, call Betty Sanders, ACS Senior Administrator, Board of Governors, at 312-202-5360.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) will present its 33rd annual Point/Counterpoint Acute Care Surgery Conference, June 1–4, 2014, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. ACS Past-President L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, FACS, FCCM, is the Course Director. The conference is designed for general surgeons and other specialty surgeons, as well as emergency physicians and intensivists, residents, nurses, and paramedics who participate in a high-performance acute care team.

Using the point/counterpoint format, a speaker offers a case in favor of a specific treatment option, and another speaker offers evidence against it. An audience discussion then follows. For more information on the conference and to register online, visit the course website at http://www.pointcounterpoint-acs.com/.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) will present its 33rd annual Point/Counterpoint Acute Care Surgery Conference, June 1–4, 2014, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. ACS Past-President L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, FACS, FCCM, is the Course Director. The conference is designed for general surgeons and other specialty surgeons, as well as emergency physicians and intensivists, residents, nurses, and paramedics who participate in a high-performance acute care team.

Using the point/counterpoint format, a speaker offers a case in favor of a specific treatment option, and another speaker offers evidence against it. An audience discussion then follows. For more information on the conference and to register online, visit the course website at http://www.pointcounterpoint-acs.com/.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) will present its 33rd annual Point/Counterpoint Acute Care Surgery Conference, June 1–4, 2014, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. ACS Past-President L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, FACS, FCCM, is the Course Director. The conference is designed for general surgeons and other specialty surgeons, as well as emergency physicians and intensivists, residents, nurses, and paramedics who participate in a high-performance acute care team.

Using the point/counterpoint format, a speaker offers a case in favor of a specific treatment option, and another speaker offers evidence against it. An audience discussion then follows. For more information on the conference and to register online, visit the course website at http://www.pointcounterpoint-acs.com/.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program^® (ACS NSQIP^®) with the International Relations Committee co-sponsor International ACS NSQIP Scholarships for two surgeons from countries other than the U.S. or Canada who demonstrate strong interests in surgical quality improvement. Completed applications for the 2014 scholarships and all of the supporting documentation must be received by the International Liaison Section no later than February 14.

The scholarships of $10,000 each provide the recipients with an opportunity to attend the 2014 ACS NSQIP National Conference July 26-29 in New York, NY, and meet with program leadership and surgeon champions from ACS NSQIP participating hospitals. Following the ACS NSQIP conference, the candidate is encouraged to visit one to two hospitals reflecting the candidate’s specific clinical interests. These hospitals should also have strong quality programs.

The scholarship requirements are:

• Applicants must be graduates of schools of medicine.

• Applicants must submit their applications from their intended permanent institution.

• Applications will be accepted for processing only when the applicants have been in surgical practice, teaching, or research for a minimum of one year at their intended permanent location, following completion of all formal training (including fellowships and scholarships).

• Applicants must be younger than 55 years of age at the time of application.

• Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to surgical quality improvement.

• Applicants must submit a fully completed application form provided by the College on its website. The application and accompanying materials must be typewritten and in English. Submission of a curriculum vitae only is unacceptable.

• Applicants must provide information regarding their work setting, including their hospital and the patients they see, as well as their participation in quality improvement activities in this setting. They must also indicate their career goals, indicating how they plan to transfer their newly acquired learning to their current workplace.

• Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from three of their colleagues. One letter must be from the chair of the department of their hospital or in the program in which they hold academic appointment, or an ACS Fellow residing in their country. The chair’s or the Fellow’s letter is to include a specific statement detailing the nature and extent of the quality improvement involvement of the applicant. Letters recommendation should be submitted separately by the the references.

• Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae of 10 or fewer pages.

The International ACS NSQIP Scholarships must be used in the year for which they are designated. They cannot be postponed.

Applicants who are awarded scholarships will submit a full written report of the experiences provided through the scholarships upon completion of their scholarships.

An unsuccessful applicant may reapply only twice and only by completing and submitting a current application form provided by the College, together with new supporting documentation.

The scholarships provide successful applicants with the privilege of participating in the ACS NSQIP National Conference. Assistance will be provided in arranging hotel accommodations during the conference.

More information regarding the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program can be found at http://www.acsnsqip.org.

To qualify for consideration by the selection committee, applicants must fulfill all requirements. The formal International ACS NSQIP Scholar application appears on the ACS Scholarships web page at http://www.facs.org/memberservices/isnsqip.html. Supporting materials and questions should be sent to the International Liaison, Kate Early, via e-mail at [email protected].

All submissions must be received by the February 14 deadline for the selection committee to consider each application. All applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision by April 30.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program^® (ACS NSQIP^®) with the International Relations Committee co-sponsor International ACS NSQIP Scholarships for two surgeons from countries other than the U.S. or Canada who demonstrate strong interests in surgical quality improvement. Completed applications for the 2014 scholarships and all of the supporting documentation must be received by the International Liaison Section no later than February 14.

The scholarships of $10,000 each provide the recipients with an opportunity to attend the 2014 ACS NSQIP National Conference July 26-29 in New York, NY, and meet with program leadership and surgeon champions from ACS NSQIP participating hospitals. Following the ACS NSQIP conference, the candidate is encouraged to visit one to two hospitals reflecting the candidate’s specific clinical interests. These hospitals should also have strong quality programs.

The scholarship requirements are:

• Applicants must be graduates of schools of medicine.

• Applicants must submit their applications from their intended permanent institution.

• Applications will be accepted for processing only when the applicants have been in surgical practice, teaching, or research for a minimum of one year at their intended permanent location, following completion of all formal training (including fellowships and scholarships).

• Applicants must be younger than 55 years of age at the time of application.

• Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to surgical quality improvement.

• Applicants must submit a fully completed application form provided by the College on its website. The application and accompanying materials must be typewritten and in English. Submission of a curriculum vitae only is unacceptable.

• Applicants must provide information regarding their work setting, including their hospital and the patients they see, as well as their participation in quality improvement activities in this setting. They must also indicate their career goals, indicating how they plan to transfer their newly acquired learning to their current workplace.

• Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from three of their colleagues. One letter must be from the chair of the department of their hospital or in the program in which they hold academic appointment, or an ACS Fellow residing in their country. The chair’s or the Fellow’s letter is to include a specific statement detailing the nature and extent of the quality improvement involvement of the applicant. Letters recommendation should be submitted separately by the the references.

• Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae of 10 or fewer pages.

The International ACS NSQIP Scholarships must be used in the year for which they are designated. They cannot be postponed.

Applicants who are awarded scholarships will submit a full written report of the experiences provided through the scholarships upon completion of their scholarships.

An unsuccessful applicant may reapply only twice and only by completing and submitting a current application form provided by the College, together with new supporting documentation.

The scholarships provide successful applicants with the privilege of participating in the ACS NSQIP National Conference. Assistance will be provided in arranging hotel accommodations during the conference.

More information regarding the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program can be found at http://www.acsnsqip.org.

To qualify for consideration by the selection committee, applicants must fulfill all requirements. The formal International ACS NSQIP Scholar application appears on the ACS Scholarships web page at http://www.facs.org/memberservices/isnsqip.html. Supporting materials and questions should be sent to the International Liaison, Kate Early, via e-mail at [email protected].

All submissions must be received by the February 14 deadline for the selection committee to consider each application. All applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision by April 30.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program^® (ACS NSQIP^®) with the International Relations Committee co-sponsor International ACS NSQIP Scholarships for two surgeons from countries other than the U.S. or Canada who demonstrate strong interests in surgical quality improvement. Completed applications for the 2014 scholarships and all of the supporting documentation must be received by the International Liaison Section no later than February 14.

The scholarships of $10,000 each provide the recipients with an opportunity to attend the 2014 ACS NSQIP National Conference July 26-29 in New York, NY, and meet with program leadership and surgeon champions from ACS NSQIP participating hospitals. Following the ACS NSQIP conference, the candidate is encouraged to visit one to two hospitals reflecting the candidate’s specific clinical interests. These hospitals should also have strong quality programs.

The scholarship requirements are:

• Applicants must be graduates of schools of medicine.

• Applicants must submit their applications from their intended permanent institution.

• Applications will be accepted for processing only when the applicants have been in surgical practice, teaching, or research for a minimum of one year at their intended permanent location, following completion of all formal training (including fellowships and scholarships).

• Applicants must be younger than 55 years of age at the time of application.

• Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to surgical quality improvement.

• Applicants must submit a fully completed application form provided by the College on its website. The application and accompanying materials must be typewritten and in English. Submission of a curriculum vitae only is unacceptable.

• Applicants must provide information regarding their work setting, including their hospital and the patients they see, as well as their participation in quality improvement activities in this setting. They must also indicate their career goals, indicating how they plan to transfer their newly acquired learning to their current workplace.

• Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from three of their colleagues. One letter must be from the chair of the department of their hospital or in the program in which they hold academic appointment, or an ACS Fellow residing in their country. The chair’s or the Fellow’s letter is to include a specific statement detailing the nature and extent of the quality improvement involvement of the applicant. Letters recommendation should be submitted separately by the the references.

• Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae of 10 or fewer pages.

The International ACS NSQIP Scholarships must be used in the year for which they are designated. They cannot be postponed.

Applicants who are awarded scholarships will submit a full written report of the experiences provided through the scholarships upon completion of their scholarships.

An unsuccessful applicant may reapply only twice and only by completing and submitting a current application form provided by the College, together with new supporting documentation.

The scholarships provide successful applicants with the privilege of participating in the ACS NSQIP National Conference. Assistance will be provided in arranging hotel accommodations during the conference.

More information regarding the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program can be found at http://www.acsnsqip.org.

To qualify for consideration by the selection committee, applicants must fulfill all requirements. The formal International ACS NSQIP Scholar application appears on the ACS Scholarships web page at http://www.facs.org/memberservices/isnsqip.html. Supporting materials and questions should be sent to the International Liaison, Kate Early, via e-mail at [email protected].

All submissions must be received by the February 14 deadline for the selection committee to consider each application. All applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision by April 30.

The American Medical Association (AMA) awarded Kenneth L. Mattox, MD, FACS, the 2013 Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service on November 16, during the opening session of the 2013 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in National Harbor, MD. Dr. Mattox, the American College of Surgeons Second Vice-President-Elect, is Distinguished Service Professor, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine; and chief of staff and chief of surgery, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX. The Benjamin Rush Award annually recognizes a physician who has exceeded professional responsibilities and contributed significantly to public service.

Dr. Mattox provided exemplary service in the medical response to several natural disasters, including the 2001 tropical storm Allison and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. As part of the Katrina Joint Unified Command, Dr. Mattox helped form an "evacuation city" to house, treat, clothe, and feed more than 27,000 evacuees from New Orleans, LA, in only 18 hours.

Dr. Mattox is a past-president of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, past-president of the Harris County Medical Society in Texas, and was the Texas representative to the AMA House of Delegates from 2004 to 2006. He developed the internationally known Ben Taub Hospital Emergency Center and its Trauma Center and currently serves as board chair of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, Houston. View an AMA press release announcing the award at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2013/2013-11-18-houston-surgeon-receives-award-for-citizenship.page.

The American Medical Association (AMA) awarded Kenneth L. Mattox, MD, FACS, the 2013 Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service on November 16, during the opening session of the 2013 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in National Harbor, MD. Dr. Mattox, the American College of Surgeons Second Vice-President-Elect, is Distinguished Service Professor, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine; and chief of staff and chief of surgery, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX. The Benjamin Rush Award annually recognizes a physician who has exceeded professional responsibilities and contributed significantly to public service.

Dr. Mattox provided exemplary service in the medical response to several natural disasters, including the 2001 tropical storm Allison and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. As part of the Katrina Joint Unified Command, Dr. Mattox helped form an "evacuation city" to house, treat, clothe, and feed more than 27,000 evacuees from New Orleans, LA, in only 18 hours.

Dr. Mattox is a past-president of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, past-president of the Harris County Medical Society in Texas, and was the Texas representative to the AMA House of Delegates from 2004 to 2006. He developed the internationally known Ben Taub Hospital Emergency Center and its Trauma Center and currently serves as board chair of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, Houston. View an AMA press release announcing the award at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2013/2013-11-18-houston-surgeon-receives-award-for-citizenship.page.

The American Medical Association (AMA) awarded Kenneth L. Mattox, MD, FACS, the 2013 Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service on November 16, during the opening session of the 2013 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in National Harbor, MD. Dr. Mattox, the American College of Surgeons Second Vice-President-Elect, is Distinguished Service Professor, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine; and chief of staff and chief of surgery, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX. The Benjamin Rush Award annually recognizes a physician who has exceeded professional responsibilities and contributed significantly to public service.

Dr. Mattox provided exemplary service in the medical response to several natural disasters, including the 2001 tropical storm Allison and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. As part of the Katrina Joint Unified Command, Dr. Mattox helped form an "evacuation city" to house, treat, clothe, and feed more than 27,000 evacuees from New Orleans, LA, in only 18 hours.

Dr. Mattox is a past-president of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, past-president of the Harris County Medical Society in Texas, and was the Texas representative to the AMA House of Delegates from 2004 to 2006. He developed the internationally known Ben Taub Hospital Emergency Center and its Trauma Center and currently serves as board chair of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, Houston. View an AMA press release announcing the award at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/2013/2013-11-18-houston-surgeon-receives-award-for-citizenship.page.

Joseph B. Cofer, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and program director, department of surgery, and professor of surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, president of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Tennessee Chapter, and current chair of the American Board of Surgery, was named a 2014 recipient of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.

The award honors program directors who find innovative ways to teach residents and remain committed to providing quality patient care.

Stephen R. T. Evans, MD, FACS, has been elected 2014-2015 vice-chair of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and will serve as chair in 2015-2016. Dr. Evans is executive vice-president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at MedStar Health in Washington, DC. He also is a professor of surgery at Georgetown University. He is a former President of the American College of Surgeons Metropolitan Washington, DC, Chapter and, in 2009, was elected as an ABS director representing the American Medical Association.

David Rothenberger, MD, FACS, on October 1, 2013, became head of the department of surgery at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Minneapolis. He previously held the John P. Delaney Chair of Clinical Surgical Oncology and was deputy chairman of the department of surgery (2006-2013) at UM

Dr. Rothenberger, an internationally known surgical leader, is past-president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Rothenberger is founder and co-director of the UMN Medical School Emerging Physician Leaders Program, which fosters collaboration and develops skills among faculty from all departments.

Arthur J. Vayer, Jr., MD, FACS, recently was installed as vice-speaker of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) during the organization’s annual meeting at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. Dr. Vayer, a MSV member since 2006 and a general surgeon at Stafford Surgical, Sentara Medical Group, also worked at Robert Cohen, MD, PC, Riverside Gloucester Surgery Associates and in private practice. Dr. Vayer serves as an MSV delegate and associate director, an officer with the Prince William County Medical Society, a committee member at Potomac Hospital, Woodridge, and chairs the performance evaluation committee of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Joseph B. Cofer, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and program director, department of surgery, and professor of surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, president of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Tennessee Chapter, and current chair of the American Board of Surgery, was named a 2014 recipient of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.

The award honors program directors who find innovative ways to teach residents and remain committed to providing quality patient care.

Stephen R. T. Evans, MD, FACS, has been elected 2014-2015 vice-chair of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and will serve as chair in 2015-2016. Dr. Evans is executive vice-president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at MedStar Health in Washington, DC. He also is a professor of surgery at Georgetown University. He is a former President of the American College of Surgeons Metropolitan Washington, DC, Chapter and, in 2009, was elected as an ABS director representing the American Medical Association.

David Rothenberger, MD, FACS, on October 1, 2013, became head of the department of surgery at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Minneapolis. He previously held the John P. Delaney Chair of Clinical Surgical Oncology and was deputy chairman of the department of surgery (2006-2013) at UM

Dr. Rothenberger, an internationally known surgical leader, is past-president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Rothenberger is founder and co-director of the UMN Medical School Emerging Physician Leaders Program, which fosters collaboration and develops skills among faculty from all departments.

Arthur J. Vayer, Jr., MD, FACS, recently was installed as vice-speaker of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) during the organization’s annual meeting at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. Dr. Vayer, a MSV member since 2006 and a general surgeon at Stafford Surgical, Sentara Medical Group, also worked at Robert Cohen, MD, PC, Riverside Gloucester Surgery Associates and in private practice. Dr. Vayer serves as an MSV delegate and associate director, an officer with the Prince William County Medical Society, a committee member at Potomac Hospital, Woodridge, and chairs the performance evaluation committee of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Joseph B. Cofer, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and program director, department of surgery, and professor of surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, president of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Tennessee Chapter, and current chair of the American Board of Surgery, was named a 2014 recipient of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.

The award honors program directors who find innovative ways to teach residents and remain committed to providing quality patient care.

Stephen R. T. Evans, MD, FACS, has been elected 2014-2015 vice-chair of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and will serve as chair in 2015-2016. Dr. Evans is executive vice-president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at MedStar Health in Washington, DC. He also is a professor of surgery at Georgetown University. He is a former President of the American College of Surgeons Metropolitan Washington, DC, Chapter and, in 2009, was elected as an ABS director representing the American Medical Association.

David Rothenberger, MD, FACS, on October 1, 2013, became head of the department of surgery at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Minneapolis. He previously held the John P. Delaney Chair of Clinical Surgical Oncology and was deputy chairman of the department of surgery (2006-2013) at UM

Dr. Rothenberger, an internationally known surgical leader, is past-president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Rothenberger is founder and co-director of the UMN Medical School Emerging Physician Leaders Program, which fosters collaboration and develops skills among faculty from all departments.

Arthur J. Vayer, Jr., MD, FACS, recently was installed as vice-speaker of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) during the organization’s annual meeting at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. Dr. Vayer, a MSV member since 2006 and a general surgeon at Stafford Surgical, Sentara Medical Group, also worked at Robert Cohen, MD, PC, Riverside Gloucester Surgery Associates and in private practice. Dr. Vayer serves as an MSV delegate and associate director, an officer with the Prince William County Medical Society, a committee member at Potomac Hospital, Woodridge, and chairs the performance evaluation committee of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.