News From the College

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has been working with members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to advocate for inclusion of trauma research language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2018. More specifically, the ACS is requesting that the committee report language stress the importance of trauma research and encourage the National Institutes of Health to establish a trauma research agenda to minimize death, disability, and injury by ensuring that patient-specific trauma care is based on scientifically validated findings. Committee report language is included in appropriations legislation to guide the administration and departments in their support of the committee’s priorities. The report and bill await further action in the Senate. The bill contains base discretionary funding for the agencies.

For more information about the College’s policy positions on trauma, contact Justin Rosen, ACS Congressional Lobbyist, at jrosen@facs.org or 202-672-1528.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has been working with members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to advocate for inclusion of trauma research language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2018. More specifically, the ACS is requesting that the committee report language stress the importance of trauma research and encourage the National Institutes of Health to establish a trauma research agenda to minimize death, disability, and injury by ensuring that patient-specific trauma care is based on scientifically validated findings. Committee report language is included in appropriations legislation to guide the administration and departments in their support of the committee’s priorities. The report and bill await further action in the Senate. The bill contains base discretionary funding for the agencies.

For more information about the College’s policy positions on trauma, contact Justin Rosen, ACS Congressional Lobbyist, at jrosen@facs.org or 202-672-1528.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has been working with members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to advocate for inclusion of trauma research language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2018. More specifically, the ACS is requesting that the committee report language stress the importance of trauma research and encourage the National Institutes of Health to establish a trauma research agenda to minimize death, disability, and injury by ensuring that patient-specific trauma care is based on scientifically validated findings. Committee report language is included in appropriations legislation to guide the administration and departments in their support of the committee’s priorities. The report and bill await further action in the Senate. The bill contains base discretionary funding for the agencies.

For more information about the College’s policy positions on trauma, contact Justin Rosen, ACS Congressional Lobbyist, at jrosen@facs.org or 202-672-1528.

ACS weighs in on surgeon workforce bill

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) submitted a statement for the record (available at facs.org/~/media/files/email/091417_workforce.ashx) September 14 to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding its hearing on Supporting Tomorrow’s Health Providers: Examining Workforce Programs under the Public Health Service Act. The statement emphasizes that building a solid foundation of accurate and actionable workforce data is critical to making rational, informed decisions for building an optimal health care workforce. The ACS reiterates its support for the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2017 (H.R. 2906/ S.1351), sponsored by Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD, FACS (R-IN), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to conduct a study to define and identify general surgery workforce shortage areas. Additionally, it would grant the Secretary the authority to provide a general surgery shortage area designation.

The ACS maintains that a shortage of general surgeons is a critical component of the nation’s health care workforce crisis. Consequently, the ACS is urging policymakers to recognize through the designation of a formal surgical shortage area that only surgeons are uniquely trained and qualified to provide certain necessary, lifesaving procedures. Surgeons play a pivotal role in the community-based health care system, but unlike other key community providers, surgery has no official shortage area designation.

The ACS encourages Fellows to contact their members of Congress through SurgeonsVoice (member login required) at www.surgeonsvoice.org to urge them to sign on in support of this legislation. For more information about surgical workforce shortage legislation, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at czlatos@facs.org or 202-672-1508.

ACS weighs in on surgeon workforce bill

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) submitted a statement for the record (available at facs.org/~/media/files/email/091417_workforce.ashx) September 14 to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding its hearing on Supporting Tomorrow’s Health Providers: Examining Workforce Programs under the Public Health Service Act. The statement emphasizes that building a solid foundation of accurate and actionable workforce data is critical to making rational, informed decisions for building an optimal health care workforce. The ACS reiterates its support for the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2017 (H.R. 2906/ S.1351), sponsored by Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD, FACS (R-IN), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to conduct a study to define and identify general surgery workforce shortage areas. Additionally, it would grant the Secretary the authority to provide a general surgery shortage area designation.

The ACS maintains that a shortage of general surgeons is a critical component of the nation’s health care workforce crisis. Consequently, the ACS is urging policymakers to recognize through the designation of a formal surgical shortage area that only surgeons are uniquely trained and qualified to provide certain necessary, lifesaving procedures. Surgeons play a pivotal role in the community-based health care system, but unlike other key community providers, surgery has no official shortage area designation.

The ACS encourages Fellows to contact their members of Congress through SurgeonsVoice (member login required) at www.surgeonsvoice.org to urge them to sign on in support of this legislation. For more information about surgical workforce shortage legislation, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at czlatos@facs.org or 202-672-1508.

ACS weighs in on surgeon workforce bill

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) submitted a statement for the record (available at facs.org/~/media/files/email/091417_workforce.ashx) September 14 to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding its hearing on Supporting Tomorrow’s Health Providers: Examining Workforce Programs under the Public Health Service Act. The statement emphasizes that building a solid foundation of accurate and actionable workforce data is critical to making rational, informed decisions for building an optimal health care workforce. The ACS reiterates its support for the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2017 (H.R. 2906/ S.1351), sponsored by Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD, FACS (R-IN), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to conduct a study to define and identify general surgery workforce shortage areas. Additionally, it would grant the Secretary the authority to provide a general surgery shortage area designation.

The ACS maintains that a shortage of general surgeons is a critical component of the nation’s health care workforce crisis. Consequently, the ACS is urging policymakers to recognize through the designation of a formal surgical shortage area that only surgeons are uniquely trained and qualified to provide certain necessary, lifesaving procedures. Surgeons play a pivotal role in the community-based health care system, but unlike other key community providers, surgery has no official shortage area designation.

The ACS encourages Fellows to contact their members of Congress through SurgeonsVoice (member login required) at www.surgeonsvoice.org to urge them to sign on in support of this legislation. For more information about surgical workforce shortage legislation, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at czlatos@facs.org or 202-672-1508.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce that the Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety manual is now available for purchase. This manual is intended to serve as a trusted resource for surgical leaders seeking to improve patient care in their institutions, departments, and practices. It introduces key concepts in quality, safety, and reliability and explores the essential elements that all hospitals should have in place to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care.

Specific topics covered include the following: the domains and phases of surgical care, peer and case review, responsibilities of the surgical quality officer, institutional infrastructure, privileging and credentialing, high reliability, applications to the unique surgical disciplines, data analytics, clinical practice guidelines, quality collaboratives, and education and training. The manual also includes a look at some of the “soft skills” that influence quality and safety in health care, as well as the individual surgeon’s responsibility to patients, colleagues, and the next generation of surgeons.

Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety is available on the ACS website at facs.org/quality-programs/about/optimal-resources-manual for $44.95 (includes shipping) for single copies (up to a quantity of nine) or $39.95 (includes shipping) per copy for 10 copies or more.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce that the Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety manual is now available for purchase. This manual is intended to serve as a trusted resource for surgical leaders seeking to improve patient care in their institutions, departments, and practices. It introduces key concepts in quality, safety, and reliability and explores the essential elements that all hospitals should have in place to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care.

Specific topics covered include the following: the domains and phases of surgical care, peer and case review, responsibilities of the surgical quality officer, institutional infrastructure, privileging and credentialing, high reliability, applications to the unique surgical disciplines, data analytics, clinical practice guidelines, quality collaboratives, and education and training. The manual also includes a look at some of the “soft skills” that influence quality and safety in health care, as well as the individual surgeon’s responsibility to patients, colleagues, and the next generation of surgeons.

Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety is available on the ACS website at facs.org/quality-programs/about/optimal-resources-manual for $44.95 (includes shipping) for single copies (up to a quantity of nine) or $39.95 (includes shipping) per copy for 10 copies or more.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce that the Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety manual is now available for purchase. This manual is intended to serve as a trusted resource for surgical leaders seeking to improve patient care in their institutions, departments, and practices. It introduces key concepts in quality, safety, and reliability and explores the essential elements that all hospitals should have in place to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care.

Specific topics covered include the following: the domains and phases of surgical care, peer and case review, responsibilities of the surgical quality officer, institutional infrastructure, privileging and credentialing, high reliability, applications to the unique surgical disciplines, data analytics, clinical practice guidelines, quality collaboratives, and education and training. The manual also includes a look at some of the “soft skills” that influence quality and safety in health care, as well as the individual surgeon’s responsibility to patients, colleagues, and the next generation of surgeons.

Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety is available on the ACS website at facs.org/quality-programs/about/optimal-resources-manual for $44.95 (includes shipping) for single copies (up to a quantity of nine) or $39.95 (includes shipping) per copy for 10 copies or more.

The eighth annual Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP^®) Scientific Meeting and Training will take place November 11−13 at the Hilton Chicago. Register online for the meeting at facs.org/tqipmeeting.

This meeting will bring together trauma medical directors, program managers, coordinators, and registrars from participating and prospective TQIP hospitals. The conference will have multiple presentations from TQIP participants highlighting how they are using the program to improve care in their hospitals. Breakout sessions focused on registrar and abstractor concerns, matters that relate to the trauma medical director, and trauma program manager-focused issues will enhance the learning experience and instruct participants about their role on the TQIP team. In addition, dedicated sessions for staff who are new to the TQIP program will take place and may be invaluable to medical centers joining TQIP in the near future.

Conference topics of note for 2017 will include TQIP Collaboratives, Pediatric TQIP, management of bleeding pelvic fractures, and the continued integration of verification, TQIP, and performance improvement and patient safety. The TQIP Best Practices project team will present on adult and pediatric imaging, followed by a discussion by a panel of experts. The keynote address will be given by Lenworth M. Jacobs, Jr., MD, MPH, FACS, Chair, Hartford Consensus Joint Committee to Enhance Survivability from Active Shooter and Intentional Mass Casualty Events.

Visit the TQIP annual meeting website at facs.org/tqipmeeting to view the conference schedule and to obtain information about lodging and transportation options.

The eighth annual Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP^®) Scientific Meeting and Training will take place November 11−13 at the Hilton Chicago. Register online for the meeting at facs.org/tqipmeeting.

This meeting will bring together trauma medical directors, program managers, coordinators, and registrars from participating and prospective TQIP hospitals. The conference will have multiple presentations from TQIP participants highlighting how they are using the program to improve care in their hospitals. Breakout sessions focused on registrar and abstractor concerns, matters that relate to the trauma medical director, and trauma program manager-focused issues will enhance the learning experience and instruct participants about their role on the TQIP team. In addition, dedicated sessions for staff who are new to the TQIP program will take place and may be invaluable to medical centers joining TQIP in the near future.

Conference topics of note for 2017 will include TQIP Collaboratives, Pediatric TQIP, management of bleeding pelvic fractures, and the continued integration of verification, TQIP, and performance improvement and patient safety. The TQIP Best Practices project team will present on adult and pediatric imaging, followed by a discussion by a panel of experts. The keynote address will be given by Lenworth M. Jacobs, Jr., MD, MPH, FACS, Chair, Hartford Consensus Joint Committee to Enhance Survivability from Active Shooter and Intentional Mass Casualty Events.

Visit the TQIP annual meeting website at facs.org/tqipmeeting to view the conference schedule and to obtain information about lodging and transportation options.

The eighth annual Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP^®) Scientific Meeting and Training will take place November 11−13 at the Hilton Chicago. Register online for the meeting at facs.org/tqipmeeting.

This meeting will bring together trauma medical directors, program managers, coordinators, and registrars from participating and prospective TQIP hospitals. The conference will have multiple presentations from TQIP participants highlighting how they are using the program to improve care in their hospitals. Breakout sessions focused on registrar and abstractor concerns, matters that relate to the trauma medical director, and trauma program manager-focused issues will enhance the learning experience and instruct participants about their role on the TQIP team. In addition, dedicated sessions for staff who are new to the TQIP program will take place and may be invaluable to medical centers joining TQIP in the near future.

Conference topics of note for 2017 will include TQIP Collaboratives, Pediatric TQIP, management of bleeding pelvic fractures, and the continued integration of verification, TQIP, and performance improvement and patient safety. The TQIP Best Practices project team will present on adult and pediatric imaging, followed by a discussion by a panel of experts. The keynote address will be given by Lenworth M. Jacobs, Jr., MD, MPH, FACS, Chair, Hartford Consensus Joint Committee to Enhance Survivability from Active Shooter and Intentional Mass Casualty Events.

Visit the TQIP annual meeting website at facs.org/tqipmeeting to view the conference schedule and to obtain information about lodging and transportation options.

Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), Past-First Vice-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), received the prestigious Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” at the 47th Annual World Congress of Surgery in Basel, Switzerland. The prize is awarded to “the surgeon who has published work which has made the most notable and useful contributions to surgical science.” Read more about the Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” on the International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie website.

Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), Past-First Vice-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), received the prestigious Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” at the 47th Annual World Congress of Surgery in Basel, Switzerland. The prize is awarded to “the surgeon who has published work which has made the most notable and useful contributions to surgical science.” Read more about the Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” on the International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie website.

Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), Past-First Vice-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), received the prestigious Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” at the 47th Annual World Congress of Surgery in Basel, Switzerland. The prize is awarded to “the surgeon who has published work which has made the most notable and useful contributions to surgical science.” Read more about the Prize of the “Société Internationale de Chirurgie” on the International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie website.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has chosen Richard J. Finley, MD, FACS, FRCSC, a general thoracic surgeon, Vancouver General and Surrey Memorial Hospitals, BC, and emeritus professor, department of surgery, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, to receive the 2017 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The Regents will present the award—the College’s highest honor—Sunday, October 22, during the Convocation preceding Clinical Congress 2017 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA.

The Board of Regents is presenting the DSA to Dr. Finley in appreciation for his longstanding and devoted service as an ACS Fellow, the Chair (1993−1995) and Vice-Chair (1992−1993) of the Board of Governors (B/G), a member of the Board of Regents (2000−2009), and as ACS First Vice-President (2010). The award citation recognizes his “long-term commitment to improving graduate education for future generations” and his pioneering contributions in the area of health information technology, including his service as Chair of the ACS Web Portal Editorial Board (2005−2012) and Chair of the ACS Education Task Force on Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (2002−2009).

Commitment to education

Dr. Finley has devoted much of his career to surgical education. The many residents and fellows he has trained describe Dr. Finley as an outstanding teacher and mentor, enthusiastic and innovative, and an asset to residency education. Dr. Finley has participated in the training of 14 general thoracic surgeons who now practice in academic hospitals across Canada. He is the recipient of several teaching and scholarship awards, including the UBC department of surgery Master Teaching Award (1991) and Best Teacher, Interns and Residents, University of Western Ontario, London.

Prior to assuming the position of emeritus professor at UBC, he was professor of surgery (1989−2016); head, department of surgery (1989−2001); and head, division of thoracic surgery (1994−2014) at UBC. In addition, Dr. Finley was surgeon-in-chief at Vancouver Hospital (1997–2001); head (1989–2001), department of surgery, and medical director (1992), clinical practice unit, Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Center, BC; and consultant staff at British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver (1989–2015). Previously, Dr. Finley was chief of surgery (1985–1988) and attending surgeon, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, and a consulting surgeon, University Hospital & Ontario Cancer Foundation (1979–1988).

After graduating with honors from the University of Western Ontario Medical School, he did an internship at Vancouver General Hospital, followed by residency in surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Western Ontario. He then completed a medical research fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and another year of postgraduate training at the University of Toronto, department of surgery, division of thoracic surgery. Dr. Finley then returned to the University of Western Ontario, working his way up from assistant professor (1979–1983) to associate professor (1983–1989), department of surgery.

He has chaired multiple committees at the institutions where he has practiced and taught, including the faculty executive committee and surgical advisory committee at UBC and the surgical advisory committee, minimally invasive surgery, operating room council, and operating room executive team at Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre.

Dr. Finley’s areas of special interest and accomplishment include pulmonary and esophageal surgery; metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to sepsis, trauma, and cancer; computed tomography-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of small peripheral lung cancers; quality improvement of perioperative processes; and regionalization of thoracic surgery services in British Columbia. He has been awarded 12 competitive research or equivalent grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the National Cancer Institute, and a number of health care organizations.

Dedicated leader

Dr. Finley has been a Fellow of the ACS since 1983. In addition to his many achievements within the organization described earlier, he served as an ACS Governor (1989–1995), working on the B/G Ambulatory Surgery (1991), Surgical Infection (1993), Surgical Practice (1993), Communications (1991–1995), and Executive (1990–1995) Committees. As an ACS Regent, he served on the Advisory Council for General Surgery (2000–2009), the Research and Optimal Patient Care Committee (Chair, 2009), the Nominating Committee (2005–2007, Chair 2008), and the Finance Committee (2002–2004).

Dr. Finley has served as president of the International James IV Surgical Association (1998–2001), the British Columbia Surgical Association (2006), and the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons (2004–2006). He also served as a Vice-President of the American Surgical Association and Chair of the Canadian Association of Surgical Chairs. He has been a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (1999–2006), Annals of Surgery (2002–2015), and Canadian Journal of Surgery (2004–2009). He has authored or co-authored 103 journal articles and 23 book chapters and has delivered 117 invited lectureships.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has chosen Richard J. Finley, MD, FACS, FRCSC, a general thoracic surgeon, Vancouver General and Surrey Memorial Hospitals, BC, and emeritus professor, department of surgery, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, to receive the 2017 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The Regents will present the award—the College’s highest honor—Sunday, October 22, during the Convocation preceding Clinical Congress 2017 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA.

The Board of Regents is presenting the DSA to Dr. Finley in appreciation for his longstanding and devoted service as an ACS Fellow, the Chair (1993−1995) and Vice-Chair (1992−1993) of the Board of Governors (B/G), a member of the Board of Regents (2000−2009), and as ACS First Vice-President (2010). The award citation recognizes his “long-term commitment to improving graduate education for future generations” and his pioneering contributions in the area of health information technology, including his service as Chair of the ACS Web Portal Editorial Board (2005−2012) and Chair of the ACS Education Task Force on Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (2002−2009).

Commitment to education

Dr. Finley has devoted much of his career to surgical education. The many residents and fellows he has trained describe Dr. Finley as an outstanding teacher and mentor, enthusiastic and innovative, and an asset to residency education. Dr. Finley has participated in the training of 14 general thoracic surgeons who now practice in academic hospitals across Canada. He is the recipient of several teaching and scholarship awards, including the UBC department of surgery Master Teaching Award (1991) and Best Teacher, Interns and Residents, University of Western Ontario, London.

Prior to assuming the position of emeritus professor at UBC, he was professor of surgery (1989−2016); head, department of surgery (1989−2001); and head, division of thoracic surgery (1994−2014) at UBC. In addition, Dr. Finley was surgeon-in-chief at Vancouver Hospital (1997–2001); head (1989–2001), department of surgery, and medical director (1992), clinical practice unit, Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Center, BC; and consultant staff at British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver (1989–2015). Previously, Dr. Finley was chief of surgery (1985–1988) and attending surgeon, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, and a consulting surgeon, University Hospital & Ontario Cancer Foundation (1979–1988).

After graduating with honors from the University of Western Ontario Medical School, he did an internship at Vancouver General Hospital, followed by residency in surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Western Ontario. He then completed a medical research fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and another year of postgraduate training at the University of Toronto, department of surgery, division of thoracic surgery. Dr. Finley then returned to the University of Western Ontario, working his way up from assistant professor (1979–1983) to associate professor (1983–1989), department of surgery.

He has chaired multiple committees at the institutions where he has practiced and taught, including the faculty executive committee and surgical advisory committee at UBC and the surgical advisory committee, minimally invasive surgery, operating room council, and operating room executive team at Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre.

Dr. Finley’s areas of special interest and accomplishment include pulmonary and esophageal surgery; metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to sepsis, trauma, and cancer; computed tomography-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of small peripheral lung cancers; quality improvement of perioperative processes; and regionalization of thoracic surgery services in British Columbia. He has been awarded 12 competitive research or equivalent grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the National Cancer Institute, and a number of health care organizations.

Dedicated leader

Dr. Finley has been a Fellow of the ACS since 1983. In addition to his many achievements within the organization described earlier, he served as an ACS Governor (1989–1995), working on the B/G Ambulatory Surgery (1991), Surgical Infection (1993), Surgical Practice (1993), Communications (1991–1995), and Executive (1990–1995) Committees. As an ACS Regent, he served on the Advisory Council for General Surgery (2000–2009), the Research and Optimal Patient Care Committee (Chair, 2009), the Nominating Committee (2005–2007, Chair 2008), and the Finance Committee (2002–2004).

Dr. Finley has served as president of the International James IV Surgical Association (1998–2001), the British Columbia Surgical Association (2006), and the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons (2004–2006). He also served as a Vice-President of the American Surgical Association and Chair of the Canadian Association of Surgical Chairs. He has been a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (1999–2006), Annals of Surgery (2002–2015), and Canadian Journal of Surgery (2004–2009). He has authored or co-authored 103 journal articles and 23 book chapters and has delivered 117 invited lectureships.

The Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has chosen Richard J. Finley, MD, FACS, FRCSC, a general thoracic surgeon, Vancouver General and Surrey Memorial Hospitals, BC, and emeritus professor, department of surgery, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, to receive the 2017 Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The Regents will present the award—the College’s highest honor—Sunday, October 22, during the Convocation preceding Clinical Congress 2017 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA.

The Board of Regents is presenting the DSA to Dr. Finley in appreciation for his longstanding and devoted service as an ACS Fellow, the Chair (1993−1995) and Vice-Chair (1992−1993) of the Board of Governors (B/G), a member of the Board of Regents (2000−2009), and as ACS First Vice-President (2010). The award citation recognizes his “long-term commitment to improving graduate education for future generations” and his pioneering contributions in the area of health information technology, including his service as Chair of the ACS Web Portal Editorial Board (2005−2012) and Chair of the ACS Education Task Force on Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (2002−2009).

Commitment to education

Dr. Finley has devoted much of his career to surgical education. The many residents and fellows he has trained describe Dr. Finley as an outstanding teacher and mentor, enthusiastic and innovative, and an asset to residency education. Dr. Finley has participated in the training of 14 general thoracic surgeons who now practice in academic hospitals across Canada. He is the recipient of several teaching and scholarship awards, including the UBC department of surgery Master Teaching Award (1991) and Best Teacher, Interns and Residents, University of Western Ontario, London.

Prior to assuming the position of emeritus professor at UBC, he was professor of surgery (1989−2016); head, department of surgery (1989−2001); and head, division of thoracic surgery (1994−2014) at UBC. In addition, Dr. Finley was surgeon-in-chief at Vancouver Hospital (1997–2001); head (1989–2001), department of surgery, and medical director (1992), clinical practice unit, Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Center, BC; and consultant staff at British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver (1989–2015). Previously, Dr. Finley was chief of surgery (1985–1988) and attending surgeon, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, and a consulting surgeon, University Hospital & Ontario Cancer Foundation (1979–1988).

After graduating with honors from the University of Western Ontario Medical School, he did an internship at Vancouver General Hospital, followed by residency in surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Western Ontario. He then completed a medical research fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and another year of postgraduate training at the University of Toronto, department of surgery, division of thoracic surgery. Dr. Finley then returned to the University of Western Ontario, working his way up from assistant professor (1979–1983) to associate professor (1983–1989), department of surgery.

He has chaired multiple committees at the institutions where he has practiced and taught, including the faculty executive committee and surgical advisory committee at UBC and the surgical advisory committee, minimally invasive surgery, operating room council, and operating room executive team at Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre.

Dr. Finley’s areas of special interest and accomplishment include pulmonary and esophageal surgery; metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to sepsis, trauma, and cancer; computed tomography-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of small peripheral lung cancers; quality improvement of perioperative processes; and regionalization of thoracic surgery services in British Columbia. He has been awarded 12 competitive research or equivalent grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the National Cancer Institute, and a number of health care organizations.

Dedicated leader

Dr. Finley has been a Fellow of the ACS since 1983. In addition to his many achievements within the organization described earlier, he served as an ACS Governor (1989–1995), working on the B/G Ambulatory Surgery (1991), Surgical Infection (1993), Surgical Practice (1993), Communications (1991–1995), and Executive (1990–1995) Committees. As an ACS Regent, he served on the Advisory Council for General Surgery (2000–2009), the Research and Optimal Patient Care Committee (Chair, 2009), the Nominating Committee (2005–2007, Chair 2008), and the Finance Committee (2002–2004).

Dr. Finley has served as president of the International James IV Surgical Association (1998–2001), the British Columbia Surgical Association (2006), and the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons (2004–2006). He also served as a Vice-President of the American Surgical Association and Chair of the Canadian Association of Surgical Chairs. He has been a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (1999–2006), Annals of Surgery (2002–2015), and Canadian Journal of Surgery (2004–2009). He has authored or co-authored 103 journal articles and 23 book chapters and has delivered 117 invited lectureships.

L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Henry Ford Professor and Edward Brickhouse Chairman, department of surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, and a Past-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), was recently awarded a multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant. The grant will be used to develop strategies to address health care disparities in the various surgical specialties. Specifically, the emphasis of this research is “to determine the specific measures of health care disparities in the various surgical specialties in order to develop targeted interventions to mitigate such disparities,” said Dr. Britt, principal investigator of the research project.

The NIH R01 grants are among the most competitive awards in scientific research. Dr. Britt’s research team comprises experts in the field who work in medical organizations and academic institutions, such as the ACS; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Britt has dedicated his career to patient care and addressing the multifaceted disparities in health care, and he believes that this research grant is a pivotal step toward countering one of the greatest challenges facing this country. He is particularly thankful for the unwavering support of David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director; the Board of Regents; and the ACS Committee on Health Care Disparities, which he chairs. Adil Haider, MD, MPH, FACS, professor and director of the Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, serves as Vice-Chair of the committee.

“This is a big step for the American College of Surgeons,” Dr. Britt said. “With its 100-plus year history of using data to address quality of care in surgery, if the College, in collaboration with the NIH, can’t solve this problem, no one can.”

Dr. Britt added that he anticipates that the College’s efforts to address disparities in health care with the help of the NIH will serve as a template for other professional organizations so that all patients have access to the services they need, from primary care to obstetrics-gynecology, and from cardiology to psychiatry. “Dr. Hoyt and I hope this is the start of movement to address health care disparities in all specialties, but it starts with the College.”

L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Henry Ford Professor and Edward Brickhouse Chairman, department of surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, and a Past-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), was recently awarded a multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant. The grant will be used to develop strategies to address health care disparities in the various surgical specialties. Specifically, the emphasis of this research is “to determine the specific measures of health care disparities in the various surgical specialties in order to develop targeted interventions to mitigate such disparities,” said Dr. Britt, principal investigator of the research project.

The NIH R01 grants are among the most competitive awards in scientific research. Dr. Britt’s research team comprises experts in the field who work in medical organizations and academic institutions, such as the ACS; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Britt has dedicated his career to patient care and addressing the multifaceted disparities in health care, and he believes that this research grant is a pivotal step toward countering one of the greatest challenges facing this country. He is particularly thankful for the unwavering support of David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director; the Board of Regents; and the ACS Committee on Health Care Disparities, which he chairs. Adil Haider, MD, MPH, FACS, professor and director of the Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, serves as Vice-Chair of the committee.

“This is a big step for the American College of Surgeons,” Dr. Britt said. “With its 100-plus year history of using data to address quality of care in surgery, if the College, in collaboration with the NIH, can’t solve this problem, no one can.”

Dr. Britt added that he anticipates that the College’s efforts to address disparities in health care with the help of the NIH will serve as a template for other professional organizations so that all patients have access to the services they need, from primary care to obstetrics-gynecology, and from cardiology to psychiatry. “Dr. Hoyt and I hope this is the start of movement to address health care disparities in all specialties, but it starts with the College.”

L. D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Henry Ford Professor and Edward Brickhouse Chairman, department of surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, and a Past-President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), was recently awarded a multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant. The grant will be used to develop strategies to address health care disparities in the various surgical specialties. Specifically, the emphasis of this research is “to determine the specific measures of health care disparities in the various surgical specialties in order to develop targeted interventions to mitigate such disparities,” said Dr. Britt, principal investigator of the research project.

The NIH R01 grants are among the most competitive awards in scientific research. Dr. Britt’s research team comprises experts in the field who work in medical organizations and academic institutions, such as the ACS; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Britt has dedicated his career to patient care and addressing the multifaceted disparities in health care, and he believes that this research grant is a pivotal step toward countering one of the greatest challenges facing this country. He is particularly thankful for the unwavering support of David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, ACS Executive Director; the Board of Regents; and the ACS Committee on Health Care Disparities, which he chairs. Adil Haider, MD, MPH, FACS, professor and director of the Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, serves as Vice-Chair of the committee.

“This is a big step for the American College of Surgeons,” Dr. Britt said. “With its 100-plus year history of using data to address quality of care in surgery, if the College, in collaboration with the NIH, can’t solve this problem, no one can.”

Dr. Britt added that he anticipates that the College’s efforts to address disparities in health care with the help of the NIH will serve as a template for other professional organizations so that all patients have access to the services they need, from primary care to obstetrics-gynecology, and from cardiology to psychiatry. “Dr. Hoyt and I hope this is the start of movement to address health care disparities in all specialties, but it starts with the College.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 10–14, in Chicago, IL. The agenda included 62 reports from the AMA board and councils and 186 resolutions from state medical associations, specialty societies, and AMA sections.

The uncertain mood of the HOD was shaped by congressional activity on the Affordable Care Act and a competitive election for AMA president-elect. At the start of the meeting’s final day, the HOD paused to remember the lives lost and changed one year earlier at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. The HOD also noted the value of American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed® training in response to the shooting June 14 at the Republican congressional baseball team practice in Alexandria, VA.

In the AMA House of Delegates, which is composed of 545 members, the College was represented by its six-member delegation.

The meeting has eight reference committees that focus on the following issues: bylaws and medical ethics, health care system, legislation, medical education, public health, medical science and technology, governance, and medical practice. John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, co-author of this article, chaired Reference Committee A, which reviewed items pertaining to the health care system. This article provides an overview of several issues of relevance to ACS members.

Medical education

The priority issue for the ACS at this meeting was protecting the profession’s autonomy in defining the standards of lifelong learning through Maintenance of Certification (MOC). Five items related to MOC and Continuing Medical Education (CME) resulted in considerable debate. Internists and medical specialists were particularly frustrated by their experiences with their certifying boards. While acknowledging opportunities to improve MOC, the College delegation took the lead in collaborating with other specialty and state societies to argue against referring MOC to the state legislatures and in creating a new solely CME-based certification system.

• Council on Medical Education Report 2, Update on Maintenance of Certification and Osteopathic Continuous Certification, provided an overview of board-specific MOC innovations that increase relevance and reduce cost. The report was amended to have the AMA advocate that physicians who participate in programs related to quality improvement and/or patient safety should receive credit for MOC Part IV.

• Resolution 302, Comprehensive Review of CME Process, directed the AMA, in collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, to conduct a comprehensive review of the CME process on a national level, with the goal of decreasing costs and simplifying the process of providing CME.

• Resolution 316, Action Steps Regarding Maintenance of Certification, sponsored by the largest state delegations in the HOD (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas), sought to extend AMA model state legislation against MOC by barring hospitals, health care insurers, and state licensing boards from linking nonparticipation in the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) MOC process to exclusion from credentialing. Further, it sought to create AMA policy that would replace MOC with high-quality CME under the purview of a physician’s specialty society solely as the demonstration of lifelong learning in hospital, insurance, and licensing credentialing. The HOD conversation shifted from restricting how hospitals, licensing boards, and insurers can use MOC, to redefining MOC.

To address this challenge to professional autonomy while emphasizing the need for responsiveness to concerns across boards, the ACS Delegation applied a strategy that involved prepared talking points; caucus presentations by ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, and Dr. Armstrong; reference committee testimony from Dr. Hoyt and Vice-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, and ACS Regent James Denneny, MD, FACS, executive director, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; as well as hallway conversations and HOD floor discussion. As a result, the AMA affirmed that lifelong learning is a fundamental obligation of the profession and recognizes that, for a physician, it is best achieved through ongoing participation in a program of high-quality CME appropriate to the physician’s medical practice as determined by the relevant specialty society. The concept of the AMA lobbying hospital associations, health care insurers, and state licensing boards to not use the ABMS-sponsored MOC process with lifelong interval high stakes testing for credentialing, in addition to the idea of the AMA partnering with state medical associations and specialty societies to undertake a study to establish a separate program of certification by 2020, were referred for further consideration. The ACS will continue to emphasize that a core element of professionalism is self-regulation of lifelong learning through standard-setting.

• Resolution 318, Oppose Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of the ABMS MOC Product, asked the AMA to oppose direct-to-consumer marketing of the ABMS MOC product in print media, social media, apps, and websites that specifically target patients and their families, including but not limited to the promotion of false or misleading claims linking MOC participation with improved patient health outcomes and experiences where limited evidence exists. This item was referred for further study.

• Resolution 319, Public Access to Initial Board Certification Status of Time-Limited ABMS Diplomates, was adopted. The AMA now advocates that the initial certification status of time-limited diplomates be listed and publicly available on all ABMS and ABMS member board websites and physician certification databases and that the names and initial certification status of time-limited diplomates remain on ABMS and ABMS member board websites or physician certification databases, even if the diplomate opts out of MOC participation.

Health system

• Council on Medical Service Report 6, Expansion of U.S. Veterans’ Health Care Choices, was adopted with an amendment offered by the ACS delegation. The AMA will encourage the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to engage with VHA physicians to explore and develop solutions to improve the health care choices of veterans. The AMA also will continue to support efforts to improve the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) and make it permanent, advocate for new funding to support expansion of the VCP, and encourage the acceleration of interoperability of electronic personal and health records and the exchange of medical records between VHA and non-VHA physicians.

• Substitute Resolution 115, Out-of-Network Care, combined four resolutions on the subject of greatest interest in the Reference Committee A hearing—surprise (unanticipated) billing for out-of-network care. It was adopted with eight AMA principles regarding unanticipated out-of-network care and AMA development of model state legislation addressing the coverage of and payment for unexpected unanticipated out-of-network care.

Public health

• Resolution 419, Improving Physicians’ Ability to Discuss Firearm Safety, was adopted with minor amendments. As a result, the AMA is working with appropriate stakeholders to develop state-specific guidance for physicians on how to counsel patients to reduce their risk for firearm-related injury or death by suicide, including guidance on when and how to ask sensitive questions about firearm ownership, access, and use; and clarification on the circumstances under which physicians are permitted or may be required to disclose the content of such conversations to family members, law enforcement, or other third parties.

Medical practice

• Substitute Resolution 706, Concurrent and Overlapping Surgery, was adopted. The AMA will work with interested national medical specialty societies on issues related to concurrent and overlapping surgery.

AMA elections

The June meeting is when AMA officers, trustees, and councilors are elected. Barbara McAneny, MD, an oncologist from New Mexico, was elected AMA president-elect. Three ACS-endorsed candidates were successful in their bids to serve on the Council on Medical Education. Liana Puscas, MD, MHS, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, and Luke Selby, MD, a general surgery resident, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, were reelected; Krystal Tomei, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, was elected.

Surgical Caucus

The Surgical Caucus hosted a well-attended educational session, Cultivating and Protecting Your Digital Presence: Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media. Speakers included Deanna Attai, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon and assistant clinical professor of surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and Ravi Goel, MD, an ophthalmologist in private practice in Cherry Hill, NJ, and delegate from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Both presentations emphasized that surgeons need to manage their online reputation in practice reviews and other web content. Drs. Attai and Goel provided constructive ideas for personal and professional branding through social media, as well as practical ways for surgeons to build and protect their social media reputation. Both presentations are available on the Surgical Caucus web page at facs.org/advocacy/ama-house-of-delegates/surgical-caucus.

The ACS delegation successfully put forth the College’s priorities at the June AMA HOD meeting. The delegation is now working with the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, the Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and other committees to develop next steps in shaping AMA policy consistent with College principles.

The next AMA meeting is the Interim Meeting in Honolulu, HI, November 11–14. The College’s delegation welcomes input from Fellows regarding issues of importance to surgeons. Comments and questions should be directed to jsutton@facs.org.

ACS delegation at the AMA HOD

John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), acute care surgery, Ocala, FL

Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Vice-Chair, ACS Board of Regents

Naveen F. Sangji, MD, (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA

Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; Chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

Dr. Armstrong is affiliate associate professor of surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and former Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health (2012–2016). He is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and Past-Chair, ACS Professional Association political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC).

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy.

The American Medical Association (AMA) annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 10–14, in Chicago, IL. The agenda included 62 reports from the AMA board and councils and 186 resolutions from state medical associations, specialty societies, and AMA sections.

The uncertain mood of the HOD was shaped by congressional activity on the Affordable Care Act and a competitive election for AMA president-elect. At the start of the meeting’s final day, the HOD paused to remember the lives lost and changed one year earlier at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. The HOD also noted the value of American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed® training in response to the shooting June 14 at the Republican congressional baseball team practice in Alexandria, VA.

In the AMA House of Delegates, which is composed of 545 members, the College was represented by its six-member delegation.

The meeting has eight reference committees that focus on the following issues: bylaws and medical ethics, health care system, legislation, medical education, public health, medical science and technology, governance, and medical practice. John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, co-author of this article, chaired Reference Committee A, which reviewed items pertaining to the health care system. This article provides an overview of several issues of relevance to ACS members.

Medical education

The priority issue for the ACS at this meeting was protecting the profession’s autonomy in defining the standards of lifelong learning through Maintenance of Certification (MOC). Five items related to MOC and Continuing Medical Education (CME) resulted in considerable debate. Internists and medical specialists were particularly frustrated by their experiences with their certifying boards. While acknowledging opportunities to improve MOC, the College delegation took the lead in collaborating with other specialty and state societies to argue against referring MOC to the state legislatures and in creating a new solely CME-based certification system.

• Council on Medical Education Report 2, Update on Maintenance of Certification and Osteopathic Continuous Certification, provided an overview of board-specific MOC innovations that increase relevance and reduce cost. The report was amended to have the AMA advocate that physicians who participate in programs related to quality improvement and/or patient safety should receive credit for MOC Part IV.

• Resolution 302, Comprehensive Review of CME Process, directed the AMA, in collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, to conduct a comprehensive review of the CME process on a national level, with the goal of decreasing costs and simplifying the process of providing CME.

• Resolution 316, Action Steps Regarding Maintenance of Certification, sponsored by the largest state delegations in the HOD (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas), sought to extend AMA model state legislation against MOC by barring hospitals, health care insurers, and state licensing boards from linking nonparticipation in the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) MOC process to exclusion from credentialing. Further, it sought to create AMA policy that would replace MOC with high-quality CME under the purview of a physician’s specialty society solely as the demonstration of lifelong learning in hospital, insurance, and licensing credentialing. The HOD conversation shifted from restricting how hospitals, licensing boards, and insurers can use MOC, to redefining MOC.

To address this challenge to professional autonomy while emphasizing the need for responsiveness to concerns across boards, the ACS Delegation applied a strategy that involved prepared talking points; caucus presentations by ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, and Dr. Armstrong; reference committee testimony from Dr. Hoyt and Vice-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, and ACS Regent James Denneny, MD, FACS, executive director, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; as well as hallway conversations and HOD floor discussion. As a result, the AMA affirmed that lifelong learning is a fundamental obligation of the profession and recognizes that, for a physician, it is best achieved through ongoing participation in a program of high-quality CME appropriate to the physician’s medical practice as determined by the relevant specialty society. The concept of the AMA lobbying hospital associations, health care insurers, and state licensing boards to not use the ABMS-sponsored MOC process with lifelong interval high stakes testing for credentialing, in addition to the idea of the AMA partnering with state medical associations and specialty societies to undertake a study to establish a separate program of certification by 2020, were referred for further consideration. The ACS will continue to emphasize that a core element of professionalism is self-regulation of lifelong learning through standard-setting.

• Resolution 318, Oppose Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of the ABMS MOC Product, asked the AMA to oppose direct-to-consumer marketing of the ABMS MOC product in print media, social media, apps, and websites that specifically target patients and their families, including but not limited to the promotion of false or misleading claims linking MOC participation with improved patient health outcomes and experiences where limited evidence exists. This item was referred for further study.

• Resolution 319, Public Access to Initial Board Certification Status of Time-Limited ABMS Diplomates, was adopted. The AMA now advocates that the initial certification status of time-limited diplomates be listed and publicly available on all ABMS and ABMS member board websites and physician certification databases and that the names and initial certification status of time-limited diplomates remain on ABMS and ABMS member board websites or physician certification databases, even if the diplomate opts out of MOC participation.

Health system

• Council on Medical Service Report 6, Expansion of U.S. Veterans’ Health Care Choices, was adopted with an amendment offered by the ACS delegation. The AMA will encourage the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to engage with VHA physicians to explore and develop solutions to improve the health care choices of veterans. The AMA also will continue to support efforts to improve the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) and make it permanent, advocate for new funding to support expansion of the VCP, and encourage the acceleration of interoperability of electronic personal and health records and the exchange of medical records between VHA and non-VHA physicians.

• Substitute Resolution 115, Out-of-Network Care, combined four resolutions on the subject of greatest interest in the Reference Committee A hearing—surprise (unanticipated) billing for out-of-network care. It was adopted with eight AMA principles regarding unanticipated out-of-network care and AMA development of model state legislation addressing the coverage of and payment for unexpected unanticipated out-of-network care.

Public health

• Resolution 419, Improving Physicians’ Ability to Discuss Firearm Safety, was adopted with minor amendments. As a result, the AMA is working with appropriate stakeholders to develop state-specific guidance for physicians on how to counsel patients to reduce their risk for firearm-related injury or death by suicide, including guidance on when and how to ask sensitive questions about firearm ownership, access, and use; and clarification on the circumstances under which physicians are permitted or may be required to disclose the content of such conversations to family members, law enforcement, or other third parties.

Medical practice

• Substitute Resolution 706, Concurrent and Overlapping Surgery, was adopted. The AMA will work with interested national medical specialty societies on issues related to concurrent and overlapping surgery.

AMA elections

The June meeting is when AMA officers, trustees, and councilors are elected. Barbara McAneny, MD, an oncologist from New Mexico, was elected AMA president-elect. Three ACS-endorsed candidates were successful in their bids to serve on the Council on Medical Education. Liana Puscas, MD, MHS, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, and Luke Selby, MD, a general surgery resident, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, were reelected; Krystal Tomei, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, was elected.

Surgical Caucus

The Surgical Caucus hosted a well-attended educational session, Cultivating and Protecting Your Digital Presence: Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media. Speakers included Deanna Attai, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon and assistant clinical professor of surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and Ravi Goel, MD, an ophthalmologist in private practice in Cherry Hill, NJ, and delegate from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Both presentations emphasized that surgeons need to manage their online reputation in practice reviews and other web content. Drs. Attai and Goel provided constructive ideas for personal and professional branding through social media, as well as practical ways for surgeons to build and protect their social media reputation. Both presentations are available on the Surgical Caucus web page at facs.org/advocacy/ama-house-of-delegates/surgical-caucus.

The ACS delegation successfully put forth the College’s priorities at the June AMA HOD meeting. The delegation is now working with the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, the Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and other committees to develop next steps in shaping AMA policy consistent with College principles.

The next AMA meeting is the Interim Meeting in Honolulu, HI, November 11–14. The College’s delegation welcomes input from Fellows regarding issues of importance to surgeons. Comments and questions should be directed to jsutton@facs.org.

ACS delegation at the AMA HOD

John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), acute care surgery, Ocala, FL

Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Vice-Chair, ACS Board of Regents

Naveen F. Sangji, MD, (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA

Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; Chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

Dr. Armstrong is affiliate associate professor of surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and former Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health (2012–2016). He is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and Past-Chair, ACS Professional Association political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC).

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy.

The American Medical Association (AMA) annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 10–14, in Chicago, IL. The agenda included 62 reports from the AMA board and councils and 186 resolutions from state medical associations, specialty societies, and AMA sections.

The uncertain mood of the HOD was shaped by congressional activity on the Affordable Care Act and a competitive election for AMA president-elect. At the start of the meeting’s final day, the HOD paused to remember the lives lost and changed one year earlier at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. The HOD also noted the value of American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed® training in response to the shooting June 14 at the Republican congressional baseball team practice in Alexandria, VA.

In the AMA House of Delegates, which is composed of 545 members, the College was represented by its six-member delegation.

The meeting has eight reference committees that focus on the following issues: bylaws and medical ethics, health care system, legislation, medical education, public health, medical science and technology, governance, and medical practice. John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, co-author of this article, chaired Reference Committee A, which reviewed items pertaining to the health care system. This article provides an overview of several issues of relevance to ACS members.

Medical education

The priority issue for the ACS at this meeting was protecting the profession’s autonomy in defining the standards of lifelong learning through Maintenance of Certification (MOC). Five items related to MOC and Continuing Medical Education (CME) resulted in considerable debate. Internists and medical specialists were particularly frustrated by their experiences with their certifying boards. While acknowledging opportunities to improve MOC, the College delegation took the lead in collaborating with other specialty and state societies to argue against referring MOC to the state legislatures and in creating a new solely CME-based certification system.

• Council on Medical Education Report 2, Update on Maintenance of Certification and Osteopathic Continuous Certification, provided an overview of board-specific MOC innovations that increase relevance and reduce cost. The report was amended to have the AMA advocate that physicians who participate in programs related to quality improvement and/or patient safety should receive credit for MOC Part IV.

• Resolution 302, Comprehensive Review of CME Process, directed the AMA, in collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, to conduct a comprehensive review of the CME process on a national level, with the goal of decreasing costs and simplifying the process of providing CME.

• Resolution 316, Action Steps Regarding Maintenance of Certification, sponsored by the largest state delegations in the HOD (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas), sought to extend AMA model state legislation against MOC by barring hospitals, health care insurers, and state licensing boards from linking nonparticipation in the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) MOC process to exclusion from credentialing. Further, it sought to create AMA policy that would replace MOC with high-quality CME under the purview of a physician’s specialty society solely as the demonstration of lifelong learning in hospital, insurance, and licensing credentialing. The HOD conversation shifted from restricting how hospitals, licensing boards, and insurers can use MOC, to redefining MOC.

To address this challenge to professional autonomy while emphasizing the need for responsiveness to concerns across boards, the ACS Delegation applied a strategy that involved prepared talking points; caucus presentations by ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, and Dr. Armstrong; reference committee testimony from Dr. Hoyt and Vice-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, and ACS Regent James Denneny, MD, FACS, executive director, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; as well as hallway conversations and HOD floor discussion. As a result, the AMA affirmed that lifelong learning is a fundamental obligation of the profession and recognizes that, for a physician, it is best achieved through ongoing participation in a program of high-quality CME appropriate to the physician’s medical practice as determined by the relevant specialty society. The concept of the AMA lobbying hospital associations, health care insurers, and state licensing boards to not use the ABMS-sponsored MOC process with lifelong interval high stakes testing for credentialing, in addition to the idea of the AMA partnering with state medical associations and specialty societies to undertake a study to establish a separate program of certification by 2020, were referred for further consideration. The ACS will continue to emphasize that a core element of professionalism is self-regulation of lifelong learning through standard-setting.

• Resolution 318, Oppose Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of the ABMS MOC Product, asked the AMA to oppose direct-to-consumer marketing of the ABMS MOC product in print media, social media, apps, and websites that specifically target patients and their families, including but not limited to the promotion of false or misleading claims linking MOC participation with improved patient health outcomes and experiences where limited evidence exists. This item was referred for further study.

• Resolution 319, Public Access to Initial Board Certification Status of Time-Limited ABMS Diplomates, was adopted. The AMA now advocates that the initial certification status of time-limited diplomates be listed and publicly available on all ABMS and ABMS member board websites and physician certification databases and that the names and initial certification status of time-limited diplomates remain on ABMS and ABMS member board websites or physician certification databases, even if the diplomate opts out of MOC participation.

Health system

• Council on Medical Service Report 6, Expansion of U.S. Veterans’ Health Care Choices, was adopted with an amendment offered by the ACS delegation. The AMA will encourage the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to engage with VHA physicians to explore and develop solutions to improve the health care choices of veterans. The AMA also will continue to support efforts to improve the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) and make it permanent, advocate for new funding to support expansion of the VCP, and encourage the acceleration of interoperability of electronic personal and health records and the exchange of medical records between VHA and non-VHA physicians.

• Substitute Resolution 115, Out-of-Network Care, combined four resolutions on the subject of greatest interest in the Reference Committee A hearing—surprise (unanticipated) billing for out-of-network care. It was adopted with eight AMA principles regarding unanticipated out-of-network care and AMA development of model state legislation addressing the coverage of and payment for unexpected unanticipated out-of-network care.

Public health

• Resolution 419, Improving Physicians’ Ability to Discuss Firearm Safety, was adopted with minor amendments. As a result, the AMA is working with appropriate stakeholders to develop state-specific guidance for physicians on how to counsel patients to reduce their risk for firearm-related injury or death by suicide, including guidance on when and how to ask sensitive questions about firearm ownership, access, and use; and clarification on the circumstances under which physicians are permitted or may be required to disclose the content of such conversations to family members, law enforcement, or other third parties.

Medical practice

• Substitute Resolution 706, Concurrent and Overlapping Surgery, was adopted. The AMA will work with interested national medical specialty societies on issues related to concurrent and overlapping surgery.

AMA elections

The June meeting is when AMA officers, trustees, and councilors are elected. Barbara McAneny, MD, an oncologist from New Mexico, was elected AMA president-elect. Three ACS-endorsed candidates were successful in their bids to serve on the Council on Medical Education. Liana Puscas, MD, MHS, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, and Luke Selby, MD, a general surgery resident, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, were reelected; Krystal Tomei, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, was elected.

Surgical Caucus

The Surgical Caucus hosted a well-attended educational session, Cultivating and Protecting Your Digital Presence: Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media. Speakers included Deanna Attai, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon and assistant clinical professor of surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and Ravi Goel, MD, an ophthalmologist in private practice in Cherry Hill, NJ, and delegate from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Both presentations emphasized that surgeons need to manage their online reputation in practice reviews and other web content. Drs. Attai and Goel provided constructive ideas for personal and professional branding through social media, as well as practical ways for surgeons to build and protect their social media reputation. Both presentations are available on the Surgical Caucus web page at facs.org/advocacy/ama-house-of-delegates/surgical-caucus.

The ACS delegation successfully put forth the College’s priorities at the June AMA HOD meeting. The delegation is now working with the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, the Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and other committees to develop next steps in shaping AMA policy consistent with College principles.

The next AMA meeting is the Interim Meeting in Honolulu, HI, November 11–14. The College’s delegation welcomes input from Fellows regarding issues of importance to surgeons. Comments and questions should be directed to jsutton@facs.org.

ACS delegation at the AMA HOD

John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), acute care surgery, Ocala, FL

Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Vice-Chair, ACS Board of Regents

Naveen F. Sangji, MD, (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA

Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; Chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

Dr. Armstrong is affiliate associate professor of surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and former Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health (2012–2016). He is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and Past-Chair, ACS Professional Association political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC).

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) presented the 2017 Jacobson Innovation Award to Timothy A. M. Chuter, MB, BS, DM, FACS, at a dinner in his honor June 9 in Chicago. Dr. Chuter is professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he practices vascular surgery with a focus on the endovascular reconstruction of aneurysms involving the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta.

The Jacobson Innovation Award honors living surgeons who have developed innovative devices or techniques in any field of surgery and is made possible through a gift from Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, FACS, and his wife Joan. Dr. Jacobson is a general vascular surgeon known for his pioneering work in the development of microsurgery.

Leading the way in endovascular aneurysm repair, Dr. Chuter was recognized for his role in the development of endovascular aneurysm repair. He was the first individual to design and implant bifurcated stent grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, based on the idea that if an aneurysm has branches—at the aortic arch or the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, for example—the endovascular prosthesis also should have branches. Because the most common site for aortic aneurysm involves the distal abdominal aorta, bifurcated endovascular repair has become the most accepted method of aneurysm repair worldwide.

In the years between 1993 and 2000, the scope of endovascular repair rapidly expanded, with several firsts in the field, such as the first bifurcated stent grafts in 1993, the first endovascular repair of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in 1994, the first fenestrated stent grafts for aneurysms of the pararenal aorta in 1998, and the first branched stent grafts for the thoracoabdominal aorta in 2000. Dr. Chuter played a role in many of these developments, though none was the work of a single inventor. Dr. Chuter has said that he is proud to have contributed to several advances in endovascular aneurysm repair, not only by inventing new forms of repair, but also by mentoring surgical residents, fellows, and faculty.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) presented the 2017 Jacobson Innovation Award to Timothy A. M. Chuter, MB, BS, DM, FACS, at a dinner in his honor June 9 in Chicago. Dr. Chuter is professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he practices vascular surgery with a focus on the endovascular reconstruction of aneurysms involving the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta.

The Jacobson Innovation Award honors living surgeons who have developed innovative devices or techniques in any field of surgery and is made possible through a gift from Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, FACS, and his wife Joan. Dr. Jacobson is a general vascular surgeon known for his pioneering work in the development of microsurgery.

Leading the way in endovascular aneurysm repair, Dr. Chuter was recognized for his role in the development of endovascular aneurysm repair. He was the first individual to design and implant bifurcated stent grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, based on the idea that if an aneurysm has branches—at the aortic arch or the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, for example—the endovascular prosthesis also should have branches. Because the most common site for aortic aneurysm involves the distal abdominal aorta, bifurcated endovascular repair has become the most accepted method of aneurysm repair worldwide.

In the years between 1993 and 2000, the scope of endovascular repair rapidly expanded, with several firsts in the field, such as the first bifurcated stent grafts in 1993, the first endovascular repair of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in 1994, the first fenestrated stent grafts for aneurysms of the pararenal aorta in 1998, and the first branched stent grafts for the thoracoabdominal aorta in 2000. Dr. Chuter played a role in many of these developments, though none was the work of a single inventor. Dr. Chuter has said that he is proud to have contributed to several advances in endovascular aneurysm repair, not only by inventing new forms of repair, but also by mentoring surgical residents, fellows, and faculty.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) presented the 2017 Jacobson Innovation Award to Timothy A. M. Chuter, MB, BS, DM, FACS, at a dinner in his honor June 9 in Chicago. Dr. Chuter is professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he practices vascular surgery with a focus on the endovascular reconstruction of aneurysms involving the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta.

The Jacobson Innovation Award honors living surgeons who have developed innovative devices or techniques in any field of surgery and is made possible through a gift from Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, FACS, and his wife Joan. Dr. Jacobson is a general vascular surgeon known for his pioneering work in the development of microsurgery.

Leading the way in endovascular aneurysm repair, Dr. Chuter was recognized for his role in the development of endovascular aneurysm repair. He was the first individual to design and implant bifurcated stent grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, based on the idea that if an aneurysm has branches—at the aortic arch or the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, for example—the endovascular prosthesis also should have branches. Because the most common site for aortic aneurysm involves the distal abdominal aorta, bifurcated endovascular repair has become the most accepted method of aneurysm repair worldwide.

In the years between 1993 and 2000, the scope of endovascular repair rapidly expanded, with several firsts in the field, such as the first bifurcated stent grafts in 1993, the first endovascular repair of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in 1994, the first fenestrated stent grafts for aneurysms of the pararenal aorta in 1998, and the first branched stent grafts for the thoracoabdominal aorta in 2000. Dr. Chuter played a role in many of these developments, though none was the work of a single inventor. Dr. Chuter has said that he is proud to have contributed to several advances in endovascular aneurysm repair, not only by inventing new forms of repair, but also by mentoring surgical residents, fellows, and faculty.

Today in America, more people survive serious injury than any time in the past. Yet trauma remains the leading killer of young people and military service members during combat. Trauma has been characterized as the “neglected epidemic of our time.”

A 2016 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has added new momentum to the effort to complete the nation’s trauma system. It found one in five trauma deaths could be prevented through stronger Federal leadership, greater research funding to improve outcomes, strengthening prehospital care, distributing trauma centers based on need and integrating military and civilian trauma care into one national trauma system.

In a five-part series of stories, “Putting the Pieces Together: A National Effort to Complete the U.S. Trauma System,” the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma will share steps being taken to complete the nation’s trauma system. Stories will look at the history of trauma care and the trauma system in America, partnerships with the military to translate battlefield lessons to the home front and back again, the challenges facing America’s trauma systems, and the steps leading experts are taking to fill the gaps in the system and achieve the goal of zero preventable deaths and disability from injury.

Read the series online at www.facs.org/trauma or follow the ACS COT on Twitter @ACSTrauma.

Today in America, more people survive serious injury than any time in the past. Yet trauma remains the leading killer of young people and military service members during combat. Trauma has been characterized as the “neglected epidemic of our time.”

A 2016 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has added new momentum to the effort to complete the nation’s trauma system. It found one in five trauma deaths could be prevented through stronger Federal leadership, greater research funding to improve outcomes, strengthening prehospital care, distributing trauma centers based on need and integrating military and civilian trauma care into one national trauma system.

In a five-part series of stories, “Putting the Pieces Together: A National Effort to Complete the U.S. Trauma System,” the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma will share steps being taken to complete the nation’s trauma system. Stories will look at the history of trauma care and the trauma system in America, partnerships with the military to translate battlefield lessons to the home front and back again, the challenges facing America’s trauma systems, and the steps leading experts are taking to fill the gaps in the system and achieve the goal of zero preventable deaths and disability from injury.

Read the series online at www.facs.org/trauma or follow the ACS COT on Twitter @ACSTrauma.

Today in America, more people survive serious injury than any time in the past. Yet trauma remains the leading killer of young people and military service members during combat. Trauma has been characterized as the “neglected epidemic of our time.”

A 2016 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has added new momentum to the effort to complete the nation’s trauma system. It found one in five trauma deaths could be prevented through stronger Federal leadership, greater research funding to improve outcomes, strengthening prehospital care, distributing trauma centers based on need and integrating military and civilian trauma care into one national trauma system.

In a five-part series of stories, “Putting the Pieces Together: A National Effort to Complete the U.S. Trauma System,” the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma will share steps being taken to complete the nation’s trauma system. Stories will look at the history of trauma care and the trauma system in America, partnerships with the military to translate battlefield lessons to the home front and back again, the challenges facing America’s trauma systems, and the steps leading experts are taking to fill the gaps in the system and achieve the goal of zero preventable deaths and disability from injury.

Read the series online at www.facs.org/trauma or follow the ACS COT on Twitter @ACSTrauma.