Ep 202 [MVP] The benefits of ACS membership with Dr. Michael Sutherland
Summary
This meeting record transcript is a conversation between a host and Dr. Michael Sutherland, the membership director of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The discussion covers various aspects of the ACS, including its mission, membership benefits, educational resources, advocacy efforts, international outreach programs, and the annual Clinical Congress event. Dr. Sutherland shares his personal journey of getting involved with the ACS as a resident and highlights the opportunities for surgeons at different career stages to participate and contribute to the organization. He emphasizes the value proposition of ACS membership, which includes access to discounted insurance programs, practice management resources, coding and reimbursement support, and personal financial management services. The ACS is described as the largest surgical organization in the world, representing over 92,000 members across 13 surgical specialties. Its mission is to safeguard the standards of surgical practice and elevate the quality of care through various programs, registries, and data-driven initiatives. The organization also plays a crucial role in advocacy and health policy, engaging with government agencies and insurance companies to shape policies that impact surgical practice. Internationally, the ACS has chapters in over 120 countries and runs programs like ACS HOPE (Health Outreach in Underserved Areas) to enhance surgical education and workforce development in underserved regions. The annual Clinical Congress event is highlighted as a premier educational and networking opportunity, offering cutting-edge education, vendor exhibits, surgical simulations, and social networking events. Overall, the conversation aims to raise awareness about the extensive resources and benefits available to ACS members, encouraging surgeons, particularly younger ones, to get involved and take advantage of the organization's offerings.
Chapters
Dr. Sutherland's Journey with the ACS 00:01:10
Dr. Sutherland shares his personal journey of getting involved with the ACS as a resident when the 80-hour work week was implemented. He started participating in discussions and committees, eventually becoming the chair of the Resident Associate Society and the Young Fellows Association. He emphasizes that the ACS offers opportunities for passionate individuals to engage and contribute to improving patient care and surgical quality.
The Value Proposition of ACS Membership 00:18:22
Dr. Sutherland highlights various benefits and resources available to ACS members, including discounted insurance programs (life, disability, accidental death), practice management materials, contract negotiation services, personal financial management resources, coding and reimbursement support, and access to data-driven initiatives like surgical risk calculators. The goal is to provide value-added benefits that make ACS membership a worthwhile investment for surgeons.
The ACS as the House of Surgery 00:08:33
The ACS is described as the largest surgical organization in the world, representing over 92,000 members across 13 surgical specialties. Its mission is to safeguard the standards of surgical practice and elevate the quality of care through various programs, registries, and data-driven initiatives. The organization has a strong voice in advocacy and health policy discussions, shaping policies that impact surgical practice.
International Outreach and Education 00:11:29
The ACS has chapters in over 120 countries and runs programs like ACS HOPE (Health Outreach in Underserved Areas) to enhance surgical education and workforce development in underserved regions. The program has training hubs in countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zambia, where attending physicians and residents from the U.S. help educate local surgeons and build self-sustaining surgical capabilities.
The Annual Clinical Congress 00:29:07
The Clinical Congress is highlighted as the premier event for the ACS, offering cutting-edge education from subject matter experts, vendor exhibits, surgical simulations, and social networking opportunities. Dr. Sutherland emphasizes the importance of networking and building lasting connections with peers at the event. The Congress also features named lectures, convocation ceremonies, and cultural experiences like the "Taste of the City" event.
Engaging Younger Surgeons 00:41:12
Dr. Sutherland acknowledges the challenge of communicating the value proposition of ACS membership to younger surgeons, particularly residents and fellows. The organization aims to eliminate cost barriers by offering free membership during residency and highlighting the various resources and opportunities available to engage and contribute to the ACS at different career stages.
Action Items
- Explore the ACS website (facs.org) and update your member dashboard to ensure your profile information is accurate and tailored to your surgical specialty and interests. 00:37:04
- Bookmark and utilize the Surgical Risk Health Calculator available on the ACS website to facilitate informed discussions with patients about potential surgical outcomes based on real data. 00:39:09
- Attend the annual Clinical Congress event to access cutting-edge education, vendor exhibits, surgical simulations, and networking opportunities with peers from around the world. 00:31:26
- Investigate the various ACS podcasts, including 'House of Surgery,' 'Surgical Readings from SRGS,' and 'The Operative Word,' to stay updated on surgical topics and research. 00:46:01
- Reach out to the ACS Member Services team ([email protected]) for assistance in finding resources or exploring opportunities to get involved with the organization. 00:43:42
- Encourage medical students, residents, and younger surgeons to join the ACS and take advantage of the free membership during residency to experience the value proposition and resources available. 00:41:46
