Congratulations to AAS Past President Dr. Henri Ford, who was just named President-Elect of the American College of Surgeons (ACS)! We know his experience and knowledge, mixed with his empathetic and compassionate leadership style, will provide many benefits to this long-standing surgical association.
We stand behind Dr. Ford and all his accomplishments, both professionally and personally. That is why it is my distinct honor to write to you about the new AAS Junior Faculty Research Award named in honor of Dr. Henri Ford. The award is being offered by the AAS and funded by the Association for Academic Surgery Foundation (AASF).
Dr. Ford has had an indelible impact on academic surgery and on the AAS and AASF. He is the first Black president of the AAS and it is our distinct pleasure to be able to introduce this award in his name. It is well known that he has given selflessly of his time and expertise throughout all the stages of his career, helping to guide and mentor young surgeons that have become academic surgery leaders. Among those whose lives he has touched are former AAS presidents, AASF board members, current department chairs, and luminaries in academic surgery across the country.
The Henri Ford Junior Faculty Research Award will provide annual funding to a full-time faculty member who is under-represented in the academic surgical community, is in good standing at their institution and has not yet attained the rank of Associate Professor. The scholarship aims to increase racial/ethnic diversity in the surgical research workforce by enhancing the path to independent funding.
Our sincere hope is that this award will last in perpetuity so our society can honor Dr. Ford’s legacy long-term. To do this, we need to reach $1,000,000. We are already almost halfway there and we need your help to hit our goal! Please consider donating to support this impactful award. You will not only be recognizing Dr. Ford’s extraordinary contributions to the advancement of academic surgery but also ensuring that underrepresented young surgeons can carry out vital research to improve patient care.
One-time donations and multi-year pledges are welcomed. Donors will be acknowledged on the AASF and AAS websites, on signage at the Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), and in eblasts and tweets sent to AAS members. You can learn more about the Award and donate online with :
https://www.aasfoundation.org/henri-ford-junior-faculty-research-award/
We have listed suggested donations below based on where you are in your career, but please donate whatever you can.
AAS Executive Council Members: $150
Professor: $100
Associate: $75
Assistant: $50
Resident/Fellow: $25
By fostering young surgeon scientists through awards such as this, we can safeguard surgical research today and in the future. Thank you in advance for your consideration of our request for support of this important award.
Sincerely,
Timothy M. Pawlik, MD, PhD, MPH, MTS, MBA
AASF President
