Committee Missions & Job Descriptions

Education Committee:

The mission of the AAS Education Committee is to further the education of medical students, residents, and faculty in the field of surgery. This shall be accomplished through coordinating speakers at the annual meeting, contributing to publications (in the society’s website, newsletter, and/or journal), and developing special programs (i.e. Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course). The committee members shall strive to bring education to the forefront of the society’s membership.

Education Committee Member

1. Shall be an active or candidate member of the society with a strong interest in education or who is actively involved in the education of physicians, residents, medical students, allied health persons, etc.
2. Shall actively participate in the work of the committee including planning for the annual meeting and the annual Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course
3. Bring new and exciting developments in the realm of surgical education to the attention of the AAS membership
4. Enthusiastically promotes education within the committee and society

Education Committee Chair

1. Shall be a senior member of the committee chosen by the majority of the committee members to serve as chair
2. Possesses leadership qualities necessary to run the committee
3. Shall attend all of the executive council meetings, which are held three times a year: at the annual Academic Surgical Congress in February, at a summer retreat, and at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October.
4. Guides the committee’s yearly work including planning for the annual meeting and Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course
5. Facilitates the sharing of new ideas and advances in education among committee members and the AAS membership at large
6. Seeks input from and includes all members of the committee while completing projects
7. Enthusiastically promotes education to the committee and society

Information and Technology Committee:

It shall be the duty of the Committee on Information and Technology to recommend and implement newer methods to optimize communication or dissemination of information within the organization. The committee's mission shall be to bring advances in informatics to the benefit of the Association membership and to serve as liaison between the Association and industry in developing and showcasing new and emerging technologies as they apply to clinical care and research important to academic surgeons and surgical scientists.

1. The chair shall preside over committee meetings during the AAS administrative year.
2. The chair shall direct the committee in recommending and implementing newer methods to optimize AAS communication.
3. The chair or designee should oversee AAS website content and functionality. [Note: It is not the chair’s responsibility to “operate” the AAS Website.]
4. The chair or designee will evaluate and assess novel technologies as part of the Annual assembly.
5. The chair or designee shall develop links between industrial developers of novel technologies and the AAS membership.
6. The chair must attend all executive council meetings, which are held three times a year: at the annual Academic Surgical Congress in February, at a summer retreat, and at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October.
7. The committee shall vet any research project targeting AAS membership.

Issues Committee:

The Committee on Issues serves two important functions. First, the committee members work in conjunction with the Society of Univeristy Surgeons' Committee on Social and Legislative Issues to design a sessopm for the Academic Surgical Congress. Typically, the committees work together to select a topic of general interest that addresses contemporary concerns important to academic surgeons. Recent topics have included "Health Care Policy and Academic Surgery" and "Academic-Industry Relations." Once the topic is selected, the committee works to invite and confirm the speakers for the session.

The AAS strives to meet the needs of its members by providing opportunities that support young surgeons in establishing their careers in academic surgery. In order to meet this objective, the AAS has encouraged the committees to assume an additional function by initiating and completing a project over the course of the year. The goal of the project will be to generate information for the membership that will broaden their understanding of issues that impact their practice and future career development. The completed work will be published in the newsletter and/or posted on the AAS Website for members to download. Working together on such a project will facilitate interactions among committee members and allow them to network with peers who can provide friendship and mentoring. The AAS Executive Offices will provide infrastructure for the Committees by setting up conference calls, and facilitating communications among committee members to enable these goals to be realized.

Issues Committee Member Requirements:
Committee members may be expected to participate in 4-6 conference calls over the course of the year and to spend 6-10 additional hours assisting in the preparation of a topic for the membership.

Issues Committee Chair Requirements:
Activities of the Issues Committee are coordinated by the committee chair, who is selected by the committee’s members. In addition, the Issues Committee chair represents the committee and its activities on the Executive Council where they are involved in important decision-making and strategic planning for the AAS. The Issues Committee chair is expected to attend the Executive Council meetings, which are held three times a year: at the annual ACademic Surgical Congress in February, at a summer retreat, and at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October. In addition to these travel commitments, the chair is expected to take a leadership role in the committee’s activities by coordinating the selection of topics for the Issuce Session at the Academic Surgical Congress and for the annual project.

Leadership Committee:

The Leadership Committee was established to maintain the society's focus and commitment to leadership and faculty development. It is comprised of members who are elected to 2 year terms. The chair of the committee is appointed by the president. The committee's chief responsibility is to coordinate the fall Career Development Course which immediately precedes the annual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. In doing so, the committee members develop the course curriculum, coordinate speakers for each topic, and serve as moderators for each of the sessions. The chair is expected to attend all the Executive Council meetings, which are held three times a year: at the annual Academic Surgical Congress in February, at a summer retreat, and at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October. The chair of the Leadership Committee is appointed by the president.

Membership Committee:

It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to evaluate, establish eligibility, and accept all qualified applicants for active, senior or candidate membership and keep the secretary informed of newly accepted members. From this group, the committee shall nominate three new members to stand for election as the councilor representing their class of applicants. The committee shall further strive to develop and promote methods for recruitment of the best and brightest from throughout academic surgery to join active AAS membership. In addition, the committee shall continuously re-evaluate membership benefits and propose improvements in order to strive to maintain the highest standards for AAS members. Finally, the committee shall be responsible for maintaining accurate member records, promoting compliance with dues, and encouraging active participation from the membership.

Chair
The chair of the Membership Committee shall facilitate the direction and flow of the committee activities in accordance with its Mission Statement defined above. This includes, but is not limited to, oversight and improvement of the membership application review and acceptance process; development/encouragement of new initiatives aimed at recruitment of new members, expanding membership pool, and/or improving benefits for existing members; coordination of membership recruitment or recognition events; communication with the membership through the institutional representative network; coordination of collaborative activities with representative chairs of other AAS committees; and appointment of five ad hoc members to the committee. The chair will formally report activities of the Membership Committee at least quarterly to the president and Executive Council. The Chair shall serve for a 2-year term after being appointed by the outgoing AAS president with input from the outgoing Membership Committee chair and the Nominating Committee. The chair is expected to attend all the Executive Council meetings, which are held three times a year: at the annual Academic Surgical Congress in February, at a summer retreat, and at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October.

Elected members
Elected Membership Committee members shall participate in all committee meetings and activities on a regular basis. The primary committee member responsibility will be the review and acceptance of applications from qualified candidates for AAS membership on a quarterly basis. Further activities for committee members may include recruitment of new members, recruitment of institutional representatives, updating and verifying membership information, and other activities at the discretion of the committee chair.

Ad hoc members
Ad hoc members of the AAS Membership Committee shall represent important underrepresented subgroups of the overall AAS membership - two from subspecialty practice, one a PhD researcher, and one an international member. Through their involvement in the committee, they will act as liaison to the respective subgroups they represent. They shall participate in committee activities in a consultant role to bring relevant issues/topics to the attention of committee members and, in turn, communicate back to the membership changes and offerings specific to their specialty. They will not have voting privileges and, as such, will not be asked to review applications for membership. Their term shall be for 2 years upon appointment by the president, based on the suggestions of the incoming committee Chair.

 

Global Affairs Committee:

The Global Affairs Committee’s charge is to recommend and implement programs that enhance the exchange of educational opportunities between the AAS and international surgical organizations. For example, tThe Global Affairs Committee members will also participate in the development of international courses, coordinate international exchange programs, reviewing the applications for the AAS Visiting Professorship Awards and for assisting in hosting the AAS’ international guests during the Academic Surgical Congress.

The Global Affairs Committee shall consist of no fewer than six (6) members elected by the membership to serve staggered two-year terms. One-half of the total number of members will be elected each year. The Chair shall be appointed by the President for a two-year term.

Global Affairs Committee Member Requirements:
Committee members may be expected to participate in 4-6 conference calls over the course of the year and to meet at least once in person during the Academic Surgical Congress.

Global Affairs Committee Chair Requirements:
Activities of the Global Affairs Committee are coordinated by the Committee Chair, who is appointed by the President. The Global Affairs Committee Chairs will also participate in reviewing applications for the AAS Visiting Professorship Awards. In addition, the Global Affairs Committee Chair represents the Committee and its activities on the Executive Council where they are involved in important decision-making and strategic planning for the AAS. The Global Affairs Chair is expected to attend the Executive Council meetings, which are held three times a year, at the Annual Meeting in February, at a summer retreat, and at the ACS Clinical Congress in October.

Ethics Committee:

The Ethics Committee’s charge is to address issues related to academic ethics, including conflicts of interest, disclosure, and scientific professionalism. This may includes providing input during the development of sessions related to ethical issuesinto a possible Ethics Session forduring the Academic Surgical Congress in February.

The Ethics Committee shall consist of no fewer than four (4) members elected by the membership to serve staggered two-year terms. One-half of the total number of members will be elected each year. The Chair shall be appointed by the President for a two-year term.

Ethics Committee Member Requirements:
Committee members may be expected to participate in 4-6 conference calls over the course of the year and to meet at least once in person during the Academic Surgical Congress. 

Ethics Committee Chair Requirements:
Activities of the Ethics Committee are coordinated by the Committee Chair and Co-Chair, who are is appointed by the President. In addition, the Ethics Committee Chairs represents the Committee and its activities on the Executive Council where they are involved in important decision-making and strategic planning for the AAS. The Ethics Committee Chairs is are expected to attend the Executive Council meetings, which are held three times a year, at the Annual Meeting in February, at a summer retreat, and at the ACS Clinical Congress in October. The Ethics Committee Chair may s are also assist in responsible for planning and moderating aconducting  sessions related to ethical issues forduring the Academic Surgical Congress.

Program Committee:

According to the AAS Constitution, the Program Committee shall be chaired by the Recorder and consist of at least 12 additional members who are appointed by the president to two-year terms. The committee should have an adequate number of representatives from each of the major subspecialties within academic surgery. The principal responsibility of Program Committee members is to review the abstracts submitted for presentation at the annual Academic Surgical Congress. Typically, this review process occurs over a 3 week period in August. During this time, reviewers will be asked to read and score between 100 and 150 abstracts. Committee members need to commit a significant amount of time during this 3 week period to accomplish their goal. The members are also required to attend the Program Committee meeting to formalize the program; this meeting typically occurs at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress in October. In addition to selecting abstracts for the meeting, the committee members will also be asked to review manuscripts associated with the meeting that are submitted for publication in the Journal of Surgical Research. The number of papers reviewed by each member ranges between 10 and 20 over a 1 year period. Members of the committee are usually asked to either formally discuss presented abstracts or moderate sessions at the annual Academic Surgcial Congress. This is a very busy committee, so be prepared to work!

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