Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons March 2023

The March issue of the ACS Bulletin includes a cover story on trends in hernia repair, as well as features on inclusion for LGBTQ+ surgeons, surgeons helping the environment, injury prevention and trauma outreach, and the first woman surgeon in Texas.

In this issue:
Executive Director’s Update
Bringing Our Quality Programs to Every Community
Dr. Patricia Turner highlights the Power of Quality—a multiyear, national campaign to promote the important role the ACS surgical quality programs can play in improving patient outcomes while enhancing hospital efficiencies. She also details how surgeons can serve as champions of the programs.

Features
New Approaches, Trends Are Emerging in Hernia Repair 
Among the trends in hernia repair surgery are increased use of robotics, non-permanent mesh, shared video learning, machine learning applications, and a more holistic approach that encompasses abdominal core health.

The Doctor Is Out: Supporting Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Surgeons 
The Association of Out Surgeons and Allies—an organization comprising LGBTQ+ surgeons and allies from all surgical specialties—is committed to providing a “space for LGBTQ+ surgeons and trainees that promotes a dignified and successful surgical career without stigma, judgment, or discrimination.”

Surgeons Can Drive Quality—and Help the Environment 
As an energy- and resource-intensive field, surgery plays an outsized role in carbon output, and surgeons are beginning to take action and address the unintended environmental impact of their practice.

Brazen in Brazoria: Dr. Sofie Herzog Was First Woman Surgeon in Texas 
Railway surgeons were some of the first physicians to practice new ideas, form specialized societies, and revolutionize medical transport of critically ill patients. Among them was one of the first female surgeons in America—Dr. Sofie Herzog.

Outreach Program Teaches Teens about Trauma, Injury Prevention 
Since 2012, the EAST Community Outreach Program has educated several thousand high school students from different regions of the country about distracted driving, firearm safety, interpersonal violence, substance abuse, STOP THE BLEED®, burn safety, and trauma survivorship.

Viewpoint
Surgeons Have a Duty to Improve Planetary Health 

Reports
Mutational Profiling Using Circulating Tumor DNA Helps Guide Treatment Decisions for Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Andean Adventure Brings Together the ACS and Latin American Surgeons

News
Leadership & Advocacy Summit Promises to Inspire, Bring Fresh Focus
ABS Changes CME Reporting Process, Submit Existing CME by April 3
Report on ACSPA/ACS Activities February 2023
Members in the News
Apply or Nominate a Colleague for Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

 

Target Audience

All members of the ACS, including:

  • Medical students
  • Residents
  • Practicing surgeons
  • Retired surgeons
  • Members of the surgical care team

Learning Objectives

To provide readers with information they can apply as leaders of their institutions and in their daily practices, as well as timely updates on ACS activities and initiatives.

Contact

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Certificate of Completion
Course opens: 
03/01/2023
Course expires: 
06/01/2023

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible company

The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships

Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit.  Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.  ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

Conflict of Interest

Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity.  Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation. 

Editorial Committee Disclosures

Natalie Boden, MBA - Nothing to disclose
Director, Division of Integrated Communications
 

Continuing Medical Education Credit Information

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

The American College of Surgeons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American College of Surgeons and ACGME Logos

CME Credit Claiming Information

All learners must complete the course evaluation in order to claim a CME Certificate or a Certificate of Completion. Participants may only claim a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per month.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Certificate of Completion
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