Surgeons and trainees from across North and South Carolina gathered August 14–16 in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, for the annual meeting of the North Carolina and South Carolina Chapters of the ACS. ACS Second Vice-President-Elect Robert P. Sticca, MD, FACS, represented the ACS at the meeting, where he connected with chapter members and provided an update on current ACS programs and initiatives.
The joint meeting brought together surgeons at different stages of their careers, with particularly strong involvement from young and midcareer surgeons. Dr. Sticca noted strong participation by Fellows, Associate Fellows, and medical students, reflecting the many medical schools and academic medical centers across the two states. He also observed considerable engagement with the ACS among attendees and chapter leaders.
The scientific program was another highlight. Dr. Sticca was impressed by the quality of the research presentations and, in particular, the extent to which presenters drew on data from ACS programs to investigate questions in surgical care.
Many of the presentations used data from the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, National Cancer Database®, National Trauma Data Bank, and other ACS resources. The presentations demonstrated how surgeons and researchers can use ACS clinical data not only to examine outcomes and trends but also to generate research that can help inform surgical practice.
Dr. Sticca also presented an ACS update that provided attendees with a broad overview of current initiatives and programs across the College. He noted the value of having sufficient time at chapter meetings to give members a more comprehensive picture of the ACS and its work. Based on his experience, he recommended the longer presentation format for future chapter meetings.
The meeting also provided an important opportunity for direct interaction between national ACS leadership and chapter members. In addition to participating in the formal program, Dr. Sticca met with South Carolina ACS Governor Cynthia Talley, MD, FACS, and discussed ongoing activities and priorities across the ACS.
That interaction reflects a broader purpose of ACS chapter meetings: providing opportunities for surgeons to engage with colleagues in their region while maintaining connections with the national organization.
For Dr. Sticca, the level of engagement at this year’s meeting was particularly notable. Having previously practiced in South Carolina, he observed that participation in and commitment to the ACS appeared substantially stronger than during his time practicing in the state approximately 30 years ago.
The meeting highlighted a strong connection between the two chapters and the ACS, as well as enthusiasm among the next generation of surgeons and trainees. From research drawing on ACS clinical databases to conversations about current College initiatives, the gathering demonstrated how chapter meetings can connect national ACS resources with the surgeons and surgical communities putting them into practice.
