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.  

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. 
 

Planning Committee Disclosures

Lena Napolitano, MD, MAMSE, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Ajit Sachdeva, MD, MAMSE, FACS – Nothing to disclose
John Armstrong, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Paula Ferrada, MD, MAMSE, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Ellen Hagopian, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Amy Halverson, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD, PhD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Jeffrey Marks, MD, FACS – Consultant to Boston Scientific and Steris Endoscopy
Carla Pugh, MD, PhD, FACS – Consultant to Intuitive Foundation and PrecisionOS; Founder of 10 Newtons Inc. and Medical Teaching Systems
Raul Rosenthal, MD, FACS – Advisory Board Member for Diagnostic Green; Cofounding Member of Medicad Simulation; CEO/President/Founder of Dendrite Imaging
Stefan Scholz, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
 

Faculty Disclosures

Ezra Teitelbaum, MD, FACS | Course Chair – Consultant to Boston Scientific

Marcoandrea Giorgi, MD, FACS – Course Faculty for Becton Dickson

Charles Parsons, MD, FACS – Consultant for Intuitive Surgical

Elan Witkowski, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose

Josh Davies, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose

Emily Ortega-Goddard, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose