The American College of Surgeons is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and to safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

Oct. 11, 2009
Oct. 14, 2009
Oct. 15, 2009

Contents:
• Opening Ceremony kicks off Clinical Congress
• Professionalism and the 21st century
• Board of Regents and ACS Officers annual luncheon
• Fellows honored for volunteerism in care of underserved
• Health system reforms are needed, regardless of what government does
• Association of Women Surgeons presents awards
• Medical Student Program provides education, networking opportunities
• Improving education in general surgery
• Surgery: Then and now

Association of Women Surgeons presents awards

The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) held their annual Awards Dinner on Monday evening at Everest restaurant. With over 100 people in attendance, A.J. Copeland, MD, presented the awards to recipients for their professional achievements. The Association’s most prestigious award, the Nina Starr Braunwald Award, was presented to Susan Miller Briggs, MD, MPH, FACS of Harvard Medical School, for her work with the association and leadership in advancing women in surgery.

The Olga Jonasson Distinguished Member Award is given to an AWS member surgeon who exemplifies the ideals and mission of the association. This year’s award was presented to Kimberly Ephgrave, MD, FACS, of the University of Iowa.

Renamed in 2007 in honor of Claude Organ, MD, FACS, the Claude Organ Honorary Member Award is given to an individual who is supportive of the goals of the association. This year’s award was presented to two individuals: John Davis, MD, Emeritus Professor of Surgery of the University of Vermont, and Carlos Pellegrini, MD, FACS, professor and chairman, department of surgery, University of Washington, Seattle.

The 2009 Outstanding Woman Resident Award is given to a resident who demonstrates potential as a future leader in surgery. This year we have a number of female residents who received this award, they include: Nancy Cho, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Lesly Dossett, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Traci Hedrick, MD, University of Virginia; Amy Vertrees, MD, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and Jennifer Waljee, MD, University of Michigan.

The Patricia Numann, MD, FACS, Medical Student Award was established to encourage and support female medical students pursuing a career in surgery. The winner is chosen based on her expressed interest in surgery, potential leadership qualities or research contributions to the field of surgery and recommendations. The 2009 recipient is Juliet Emamaulee, of the University of Alberta.

The Association of Women Surgeons’ mission is to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to realize their professional and personal goals. For more information, contact: AWS, 5204 Fairmount Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515; phone 630-655-0392; fax 630-493-0798; e-mail info@WomenSurgeons.org; Web site www.WomenSurgeons.org.

Reminder: AWS and Nordstrom will host a complimentary networking breakfast for members and non-members Tuesday morning. No registration is required. The Networking Breakfast will be held at Nordstrom Department Store at 10 E. Grand Ave. (corner of Grand and Wabash). Take this opportunity to meet and network with other women surgeons while enjoying a private shopping hour throughout the store. Five $100 gift cards will be raffled off to breakfast attendees arriving today between 8:00 and 9:00 am. Registration opens at 7:45 am and breakfast is available from 8:00 to 10:00 am.