Society News

The workings of Congress and other governmental agencies frequently seem obscure and the impact of their decisions unclear. Yet collectively, these entities in Washington, D.C., wield huge power over vascular surgeons’ careers and lives. Do you have questions about what goes on in Washington and the efforts of SVS advocacy staff to shape legislation and policies on your behalf? Email questions to Mindi Walker at [email protected].

The workings of Congress and other governmental agencies frequently seem obscure and the impact of their decisions unclear. Yet collectively, these entities in Washington, D.C., wield huge power over vascular surgeons’ careers and lives. Do you have questions about what goes on in Washington and the efforts of SVS advocacy staff to shape legislation and policies on your behalf? Email questions to Mindi Walker at [email protected].

The workings of Congress and other governmental agencies frequently seem obscure and the impact of their decisions unclear. Yet collectively, these entities in Washington, D.C., wield huge power over vascular surgeons’ careers and lives. Do you have questions about what goes on in Washington and the efforts of SVS advocacy staff to shape legislation and policies on your behalf? Email questions to Mindi Walker at [email protected].

The SVS is working to ascertain members' experiences in meeting federal regulatory requirements, with responses due by Dec. 31. Approximately 135 members have already responded – join them. Read more and find the survey link here. 

The SVS is working to ascertain members' experiences in meeting federal regulatory requirements, with responses due by Dec. 31. Approximately 135 members have already responded – join them. Read more and find the survey link here. 

The SVS is working to ascertain members' experiences in meeting federal regulatory requirements, with responses due by Dec. 31. Approximately 135 members have already responded – join them. Read more and find the survey link here. 

NAMDRC focuses on keeping its members informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting their practices.

Today, those agreements have been replaced by employment contracts or simply disappeared entirely, replaced by various business models that have invariably shifted the focus of coverage and payment issues away from the group practice into significantly different financial incentives. The challenge for NAMDRC is to keep its members informed about structural changes in coverage and payment rules that could impact their decision making. In November 2018, CMS published three distinctly separate sets of rules slated to take effect in 2019, all of which affect physicians in the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep landscapes. Through the monthly membership publication, the Washington Watchline, members get timely information that impact their practices. Excerpts from a recent Watchline include:

Physician fee schedule: As most physicians know, CMS had proposed dramatic changes to payment for Level 4 and Level 5 E&M codes, but due to strong reaction from many within the medical community, CMS is withdrawing that specific proposal, at least in the short term. Related provisions include:

• For CY 2019 and 2020, CMS will continue the current coding and payment structure for E/M office/outpatient visits,



• Effective January 1, 2019, for new and established patients for E/M office/outpatient visits, practitioners need not re-enter in the medical record information on the patient’s chief complaint and history that has already been entered by ancillary staff or the beneficiary. The practitioner may simply indicate in the medical record that he or she reviewed and verified this information.



• For 2021, CMS is finalizing a significant reduction in the current payment variation in office/outpatient E/M visit levels by paying a single rate for E/M office/outpatient visit levels 2, 3, and 4 (one for established and another for new patients) beginning in 2021. However, CMS is not finalizing the inclusion of E/M office/outpatient level 5 visits in the single payment rate, to better account for the care and needs of particularly complex patients.



• CMS policy for 2021 will adopt add-on codes that describe the additional resources inherent in visits for primary care and particular kinds of specialized medical care. As discussed further below, these codes will only be reportable with E/M office/outpatient level 2 through 4 visits, and their use generally will not impose new per-visit documentation requirements.



Hospital outpatient rules: There are two particularly relevant issues addressed in this final regulation. The payment rates for pulmonary rehab are:

Pulmonary Rehab via G0424 – APC 5733, $55.90 with co-pay of $11.18

Pulmonary Rehab via G0237, 38, 39 – APC 5732, $32.12 with co-pay of $6.43

This regulation is also the vehicle for CMS addressing issues related to Section 603/site of service payment issues. As physicians know, CMS enacted Section 603 of the 23015 Budget Act that puts notable restrictions on payment for certain hospital outpatient services provided off campus (more than 250 yards from main campus of the hospital). NAMDRC is most concerned about the impact on pulmonary rehab – under the rules, off-campus programs that are grandfathered (“excepted” is the CMS term) as long as they were billing for those services at that location November 2015. However, if a hospital chooses to open a new program, or relocate an existing program to a different location, the payment principles that apply are physician fee schedule rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. In the proposed rule posted this past July, CMS had proposed that even a new service provided in an excepted (grandfathered) setting would be subject to PFS payment rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. CMS has withdrawn that proposal for the coming year, so new services in excepted settings will be covered. “Excepted” is actually CMS’ terminology, which is used to refer to off-campus outpatient facilities that were offering services in November 2015. Services that do not meet that singular criterion are considered nonexcepted (not grandfathered), and those services are paid at the physician fee schedule rate.



DME: In its proposed rule this past summer, CMS actually acknowledged flaws in the structure of the competitive bidding system for DME (including oxygen, CPAP, and certain ventilators referred to by CMS as respiratory assist devices). Specifically, related to oxygen, there is also acknowledgement of reductions in liquid oxygen utilization, a story we have been pushing for years. The CMS proposed rule would have tied liquid portable payment rates to portable concentrator and transfill system payment rates, a genuine bump in actual $$. More than a dozen societies joined to respond to the proposed rule, including NAMDRC, CHEST, and ATS.

In the final rule, CMS is moving forward with its proposal, acknowledging that it will need to monitor shifts in the oxygen marketplace and adjust their payment policies accordingly.
 

NAMDRC focuses on keeping its members informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting their practices.

Today, those agreements have been replaced by employment contracts or simply disappeared entirely, replaced by various business models that have invariably shifted the focus of coverage and payment issues away from the group practice into significantly different financial incentives. The challenge for NAMDRC is to keep its members informed about structural changes in coverage and payment rules that could impact their decision making. In November 2018, CMS published three distinctly separate sets of rules slated to take effect in 2019, all of which affect physicians in the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep landscapes. Through the monthly membership publication, the Washington Watchline, members get timely information that impact their practices. Excerpts from a recent Watchline include:

Physician fee schedule: As most physicians know, CMS had proposed dramatic changes to payment for Level 4 and Level 5 E&M codes, but due to strong reaction from many within the medical community, CMS is withdrawing that specific proposal, at least in the short term. Related provisions include:

• For CY 2019 and 2020, CMS will continue the current coding and payment structure for E/M office/outpatient visits,



• Effective January 1, 2019, for new and established patients for E/M office/outpatient visits, practitioners need not re-enter in the medical record information on the patient’s chief complaint and history that has already been entered by ancillary staff or the beneficiary. The practitioner may simply indicate in the medical record that he or she reviewed and verified this information.



• For 2021, CMS is finalizing a significant reduction in the current payment variation in office/outpatient E/M visit levels by paying a single rate for E/M office/outpatient visit levels 2, 3, and 4 (one for established and another for new patients) beginning in 2021. However, CMS is not finalizing the inclusion of E/M office/outpatient level 5 visits in the single payment rate, to better account for the care and needs of particularly complex patients.



• CMS policy for 2021 will adopt add-on codes that describe the additional resources inherent in visits for primary care and particular kinds of specialized medical care. As discussed further below, these codes will only be reportable with E/M office/outpatient level 2 through 4 visits, and their use generally will not impose new per-visit documentation requirements.



Hospital outpatient rules: There are two particularly relevant issues addressed in this final regulation. The payment rates for pulmonary rehab are:

Pulmonary Rehab via G0424 – APC 5733, $55.90 with co-pay of $11.18

Pulmonary Rehab via G0237, 38, 39 – APC 5732, $32.12 with co-pay of $6.43

This regulation is also the vehicle for CMS addressing issues related to Section 603/site of service payment issues. As physicians know, CMS enacted Section 603 of the 23015 Budget Act that puts notable restrictions on payment for certain hospital outpatient services provided off campus (more than 250 yards from main campus of the hospital). NAMDRC is most concerned about the impact on pulmonary rehab – under the rules, off-campus programs that are grandfathered (“excepted” is the CMS term) as long as they were billing for those services at that location November 2015. However, if a hospital chooses to open a new program, or relocate an existing program to a different location, the payment principles that apply are physician fee schedule rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. In the proposed rule posted this past July, CMS had proposed that even a new service provided in an excepted (grandfathered) setting would be subject to PFS payment rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. CMS has withdrawn that proposal for the coming year, so new services in excepted settings will be covered. “Excepted” is actually CMS’ terminology, which is used to refer to off-campus outpatient facilities that were offering services in November 2015. Services that do not meet that singular criterion are considered nonexcepted (not grandfathered), and those services are paid at the physician fee schedule rate.



DME: In its proposed rule this past summer, CMS actually acknowledged flaws in the structure of the competitive bidding system for DME (including oxygen, CPAP, and certain ventilators referred to by CMS as respiratory assist devices). Specifically, related to oxygen, there is also acknowledgement of reductions in liquid oxygen utilization, a story we have been pushing for years. The CMS proposed rule would have tied liquid portable payment rates to portable concentrator and transfill system payment rates, a genuine bump in actual $$. More than a dozen societies joined to respond to the proposed rule, including NAMDRC, CHEST, and ATS.

In the final rule, CMS is moving forward with its proposal, acknowledging that it will need to monitor shifts in the oxygen marketplace and adjust their payment policies accordingly.
 

NAMDRC focuses on keeping its members informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting their practices.

Today, those agreements have been replaced by employment contracts or simply disappeared entirely, replaced by various business models that have invariably shifted the focus of coverage and payment issues away from the group practice into significantly different financial incentives. The challenge for NAMDRC is to keep its members informed about structural changes in coverage and payment rules that could impact their decision making. In November 2018, CMS published three distinctly separate sets of rules slated to take effect in 2019, all of which affect physicians in the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep landscapes. Through the monthly membership publication, the Washington Watchline, members get timely information that impact their practices. Excerpts from a recent Watchline include:

Physician fee schedule: As most physicians know, CMS had proposed dramatic changes to payment for Level 4 and Level 5 E&M codes, but due to strong reaction from many within the medical community, CMS is withdrawing that specific proposal, at least in the short term. Related provisions include:

• For CY 2019 and 2020, CMS will continue the current coding and payment structure for E/M office/outpatient visits,



• Effective January 1, 2019, for new and established patients for E/M office/outpatient visits, practitioners need not re-enter in the medical record information on the patient’s chief complaint and history that has already been entered by ancillary staff or the beneficiary. The practitioner may simply indicate in the medical record that he or she reviewed and verified this information.



• For 2021, CMS is finalizing a significant reduction in the current payment variation in office/outpatient E/M visit levels by paying a single rate for E/M office/outpatient visit levels 2, 3, and 4 (one for established and another for new patients) beginning in 2021. However, CMS is not finalizing the inclusion of E/M office/outpatient level 5 visits in the single payment rate, to better account for the care and needs of particularly complex patients.



• CMS policy for 2021 will adopt add-on codes that describe the additional resources inherent in visits for primary care and particular kinds of specialized medical care. As discussed further below, these codes will only be reportable with E/M office/outpatient level 2 through 4 visits, and their use generally will not impose new per-visit documentation requirements.



Hospital outpatient rules: There are two particularly relevant issues addressed in this final regulation. The payment rates for pulmonary rehab are:

Pulmonary Rehab via G0424 – APC 5733, $55.90 with co-pay of $11.18

Pulmonary Rehab via G0237, 38, 39 – APC 5732, $32.12 with co-pay of $6.43

This regulation is also the vehicle for CMS addressing issues related to Section 603/site of service payment issues. As physicians know, CMS enacted Section 603 of the 23015 Budget Act that puts notable restrictions on payment for certain hospital outpatient services provided off campus (more than 250 yards from main campus of the hospital). NAMDRC is most concerned about the impact on pulmonary rehab – under the rules, off-campus programs that are grandfathered (“excepted” is the CMS term) as long as they were billing for those services at that location November 2015. However, if a hospital chooses to open a new program, or relocate an existing program to a different location, the payment principles that apply are physician fee schedule rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. In the proposed rule posted this past July, CMS had proposed that even a new service provided in an excepted (grandfathered) setting would be subject to PFS payment rates rather than hospital outpatient rates. CMS has withdrawn that proposal for the coming year, so new services in excepted settings will be covered. “Excepted” is actually CMS’ terminology, which is used to refer to off-campus outpatient facilities that were offering services in November 2015. Services that do not meet that singular criterion are considered nonexcepted (not grandfathered), and those services are paid at the physician fee schedule rate.



DME: In its proposed rule this past summer, CMS actually acknowledged flaws in the structure of the competitive bidding system for DME (including oxygen, CPAP, and certain ventilators referred to by CMS as respiratory assist devices). Specifically, related to oxygen, there is also acknowledgement of reductions in liquid oxygen utilization, a story we have been pushing for years. The CMS proposed rule would have tied liquid portable payment rates to portable concentrator and transfill system payment rates, a genuine bump in actual $$. More than a dozen societies joined to respond to the proposed rule, including NAMDRC, CHEST, and ATS.

In the final rule, CMS is moving forward with its proposal, acknowledging that it will need to monitor shifts in the oxygen marketplace and adjust their payment policies accordingly.
 

This year’s Vascular Annual Meeting will have a new and elegant air about it, with the introduction of a Gala to benefit the SVS Foundation. It is replacing the traditional President’s Reception, at the request of SVS President Michel S. Makaroun. Tickets are $250 each, of which $150 is a tax-deductible contribution to the SVS Foundation’s general fund, the Greatest Need Fund. The Gala will be held Friday, June 14, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site for VAM. The event will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and entertainment. Many details are still in the planning stages and a link to purchase tickets will be available in January. Keep checking the SVS site for future details.

This year’s Vascular Annual Meeting will have a new and elegant air about it, with the introduction of a Gala to benefit the SVS Foundation. It is replacing the traditional President’s Reception, at the request of SVS President Michel S. Makaroun. Tickets are $250 each, of which $150 is a tax-deductible contribution to the SVS Foundation’s general fund, the Greatest Need Fund. The Gala will be held Friday, June 14, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site for VAM. The event will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and entertainment. Many details are still in the planning stages and a link to purchase tickets will be available in January. Keep checking the SVS site for future details.

This year’s Vascular Annual Meeting will have a new and elegant air about it, with the introduction of a Gala to benefit the SVS Foundation. It is replacing the traditional President’s Reception, at the request of SVS President Michel S. Makaroun. Tickets are $250 each, of which $150 is a tax-deductible contribution to the SVS Foundation’s general fund, the Greatest Need Fund. The Gala will be held Friday, June 14, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site for VAM. The event will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and entertainment. Many details are still in the planning stages and a link to purchase tickets will be available in January. Keep checking the SVS site for future details.

SVSConnect, your online community, is now open! This online space gives members a place for discussion, collaboration and a chance to expand their professional networks. This initial launch starts with a single forum for all members to get signed up and post discussions on everything from case complications and surgical procedures, to research projects, wellness topics and more. Users also have an opportunity to leave general questions for SVS. Login to engage and help shape this community, and your Society, for the future.

SVSConnect, your online community, is now open! This online space gives members a place for discussion, collaboration and a chance to expand their professional networks. This initial launch starts with a single forum for all members to get signed up and post discussions on everything from case complications and surgical procedures, to research projects, wellness topics and more. Users also have an opportunity to leave general questions for SVS. Login to engage and help shape this community, and your Society, for the future.

SVSConnect, your online community, is now open! This online space gives members a place for discussion, collaboration and a chance to expand their professional networks. This initial launch starts with a single forum for all members to get signed up and post discussions on everything from case complications and surgical procedures, to research projects, wellness topics and more. Users also have an opportunity to leave general questions for SVS. Login to engage and help shape this community, and your Society, for the future.

A total of 91 surgeons from seven countries comprised the inaugural class of esteemed surgeon educators who were admitted into the new American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™ as Members or Associate Members. The Academy’s inaugural induction ceremony occurred on October 3 at the John B. Murphy Memorial Auditorium in Chicago, IL. Academy Members and Associate Members in attendance were publicly recognized at the annual Convocation Sunday, October 21, at the ACS Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA.

Developed under the auspices of the ACS Division of Education, the Academy recognizes surgeon educators who have devoted their careers to surgical education. Individuals are selected as Members or Associate Members following stringent peer review. The Academy’s mission is to play a leadership role in advancing the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties, promoting the highest achievements in the lifetimes of surgeons. Academy membership carries an obligation for commitment to the Academy’s goals, which are to identify, recognize, and recruit innovators and thought leaders committed to advancing lifelong surgical education; translate innovation into actions; offer mentorship to surgeon educators; foster exchange of creative ideas; disseminate advances in surgical education; and positively impact the quality of surgical care and patient safety. 
In addition to supporting the mission and goals of the Academy, members must actively participate in Academy programs and activities. “To start, small groups of Members and Associate Members will be assembled to work on addressing these goals. We also plan to publish an annual publication, Proceedings of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, which will be launched in late 2019,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, Director of the ACS Division of Education and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy. 

“With highest quality patient care through education being the paramount theme of the American College of Surgeons, the establishment of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is an important new chapter for the ACS, the world’s largest organization for surgeons,” explained L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Past-President of the ACS and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy.

A complete list of selected Members and Associate Members is available at www.facs.org/education/academy/2018selection.
 

A total of 91 surgeons from seven countries comprised the inaugural class of esteemed surgeon educators who were admitted into the new American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™ as Members or Associate Members. The Academy’s inaugural induction ceremony occurred on October 3 at the John B. Murphy Memorial Auditorium in Chicago, IL. Academy Members and Associate Members in attendance were publicly recognized at the annual Convocation Sunday, October 21, at the ACS Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA.

Developed under the auspices of the ACS Division of Education, the Academy recognizes surgeon educators who have devoted their careers to surgical education. Individuals are selected as Members or Associate Members following stringent peer review. The Academy’s mission is to play a leadership role in advancing the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties, promoting the highest achievements in the lifetimes of surgeons. Academy membership carries an obligation for commitment to the Academy’s goals, which are to identify, recognize, and recruit innovators and thought leaders committed to advancing lifelong surgical education; translate innovation into actions; offer mentorship to surgeon educators; foster exchange of creative ideas; disseminate advances in surgical education; and positively impact the quality of surgical care and patient safety. 
In addition to supporting the mission and goals of the Academy, members must actively participate in Academy programs and activities. “To start, small groups of Members and Associate Members will be assembled to work on addressing these goals. We also plan to publish an annual publication, Proceedings of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, which will be launched in late 2019,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, Director of the ACS Division of Education and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy. 

“With highest quality patient care through education being the paramount theme of the American College of Surgeons, the establishment of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is an important new chapter for the ACS, the world’s largest organization for surgeons,” explained L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Past-President of the ACS and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy.

A complete list of selected Members and Associate Members is available at www.facs.org/education/academy/2018selection.
 

A total of 91 surgeons from seven countries comprised the inaugural class of esteemed surgeon educators who were admitted into the new American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators™ as Members or Associate Members. The Academy’s inaugural induction ceremony occurred on October 3 at the John B. Murphy Memorial Auditorium in Chicago, IL. Academy Members and Associate Members in attendance were publicly recognized at the annual Convocation Sunday, October 21, at the ACS Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA.

Developed under the auspices of the ACS Division of Education, the Academy recognizes surgeon educators who have devoted their careers to surgical education. Individuals are selected as Members or Associate Members following stringent peer review. The Academy’s mission is to play a leadership role in advancing the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties, promoting the highest achievements in the lifetimes of surgeons. Academy membership carries an obligation for commitment to the Academy’s goals, which are to identify, recognize, and recruit innovators and thought leaders committed to advancing lifelong surgical education; translate innovation into actions; offer mentorship to surgeon educators; foster exchange of creative ideas; disseminate advances in surgical education; and positively impact the quality of surgical care and patient safety. 
In addition to supporting the mission and goals of the Academy, members must actively participate in Academy programs and activities. “To start, small groups of Members and Associate Members will be assembled to work on addressing these goals. We also plan to publish an annual publication, Proceedings of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, which will be launched in late 2019,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, Director of the ACS Division of Education and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy. 

“With highest quality patient care through education being the paramount theme of the American College of Surgeons, the establishment of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is an important new chapter for the ACS, the world’s largest organization for surgeons,” explained L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACS, FCCM, FRCSEng(Hon), FRCSEd(Hon), FWACS(Hon), FRCSI(Hon), FCS(SA)(Hon), FRCSGlasg(Hon), Past-President of the ACS and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy.

A complete list of selected Members and Associate Members is available at www.facs.org/education/academy/2018selection.
 

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has posted a document that outlines key changes in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule for the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the 2019 Quality Payment Program (QPP). The final rule and its effects on payment to surgeons will be described in greater detail in the January 2019 issue of the Bulletin, and the ACS will continue to develop resources to assist Fellows in meeting the requirements for these programs.


The document is available at bit.ly/2PH566U.


For more information, contact the Regulatory and Quality Affairs team, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, at [email protected].

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has posted a document that outlines key changes in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule for the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the 2019 Quality Payment Program (QPP). The final rule and its effects on payment to surgeons will be described in greater detail in the January 2019 issue of the Bulletin, and the ACS will continue to develop resources to assist Fellows in meeting the requirements for these programs.


The document is available at bit.ly/2PH566U.


For more information, contact the Regulatory and Quality Affairs team, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, at [email protected].

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has posted a document that outlines key changes in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule for the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the 2019 Quality Payment Program (QPP). The final rule and its effects on payment to surgeons will be described in greater detail in the January 2019 issue of the Bulletin, and the ACS will continue to develop resources to assist Fellows in meeting the requirements for these programs.


The document is available at bit.ly/2PH566U.


For more information, contact the Regulatory and Quality Affairs team, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, at [email protected].

As health care changes, it is critical that surgeons continue to have a strong voice and seat at the table in all patient care decisions. A video encouraging Fellows to become actively involved in helping the American College of Surgeons (ACS) take bold steps and speak with a unified voice on behalf of patients was released during Clinical Congress. The ACS encourages Fellows to share the video with colleagues and at your chapter meetings.

As health care changes, it is critical that surgeons continue to have a strong voice and seat at the table in all patient care decisions. A video encouraging Fellows to become actively involved in helping the American College of Surgeons (ACS) take bold steps and speak with a unified voice on behalf of patients was released during Clinical Congress. The ACS encourages Fellows to share the video with colleagues and at your chapter meetings.

As health care changes, it is critical that surgeons continue to have a strong voice and seat at the table in all patient care decisions. A video encouraging Fellows to become actively involved in helping the American College of Surgeons (ACS) take bold steps and speak with a unified voice on behalf of patients was released during Clinical Congress. The ACS encourages Fellows to share the video with colleagues and at your chapter meetings.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2019 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors (NCBG) will be selecting nominees for leadership positions in the College as follows.

Call for nominations for Officers-Elect

The 2019 NCF will select nominees for the three Officers-Elect positions of the ACS: President-Elect, First Vice-President-Elect, and Second Vice-President-Elect. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCF will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter/letters of nomination
• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

In addition, nominations for President-Elect must include the following:

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters that provide a letter of nomination must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations must be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

Call for nominations for Board of Regents

The 2019 NCBG will select nominees for two pending vacancies on the Board of Regents to be filled at Clinical Congress 2019. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCBG will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.
• Only individuals who are currently and expected to remain in active surgical practice for their entire term may be nominated for election or reelection to the Board of Regents.

The NCBG recognizes the importance of the Board of Regents representing all who practice surgery in both academic and community practice, regardless of practice location or configuration. Nominations are open to surgeons of all specialties, but particular consideration will be given in this nomination cycle to the following specialties:

• Burn and critical care surgery
• Gastrointestinal surgery
• General surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Transplant surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Vascular surgery

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter of nomination
• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position
• A current CV
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters who wish to provide a letter of nomination must provide at least two nominees, and a description of their selection process, along with the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCBG by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed in a negative manner and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations may be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

For information only, the current members of the Board of Regents who will be considered for reelection are (all MD, FACS): Anthony Atala, James W. Gigantelli, and Fabrizio Michelassi.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2019 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors (NCBG) will be selecting nominees for leadership positions in the College as follows.

Call for nominations for Officers-Elect

The 2019 NCF will select nominees for the three Officers-Elect positions of the ACS: President-Elect, First Vice-President-Elect, and Second Vice-President-Elect. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCF will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter/letters of nomination
• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

In addition, nominations for President-Elect must include the following:

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters that provide a letter of nomination must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations must be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

Call for nominations for Board of Regents

The 2019 NCBG will select nominees for two pending vacancies on the Board of Regents to be filled at Clinical Congress 2019. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCBG will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.
• Only individuals who are currently and expected to remain in active surgical practice for their entire term may be nominated for election or reelection to the Board of Regents.

The NCBG recognizes the importance of the Board of Regents representing all who practice surgery in both academic and community practice, regardless of practice location or configuration. Nominations are open to surgeons of all specialties, but particular consideration will be given in this nomination cycle to the following specialties:

• Burn and critical care surgery
• Gastrointestinal surgery
• General surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Transplant surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Vascular surgery

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter of nomination
• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position
• A current CV
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters who wish to provide a letter of nomination must provide at least two nominees, and a description of their selection process, along with the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCBG by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed in a negative manner and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations may be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

For information only, the current members of the Board of Regents who will be considered for reelection are (all MD, FACS): Anthony Atala, James W. Gigantelli, and Fabrizio Michelassi.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2019 Nominating Committee of the Fellows (NCF) and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors (NCBG) will be selecting nominees for leadership positions in the College as follows.

Call for nominations for Officers-Elect

The 2019 NCF will select nominees for the three Officers-Elect positions of the ACS: President-Elect, First Vice-President-Elect, and Second Vice-President-Elect. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCF will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter/letters of nomination
• A current curriculum vitae (CV)
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

In addition, nominations for President-Elect must include the following:

• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters that provide a letter of nomination must provide a description of their selection process and the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCF by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed negatively and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations must be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

Call for nominations for Board of Regents

The 2019 NCBG will select nominees for two pending vacancies on the Board of Regents to be filled at Clinical Congress 2019. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 22, 2019.

Criteria for consideration

The NCBG will use the following guidelines when considering potential candidates:

• Nominees must be loyal members of the College who have demonstrated outstanding integrity and an unquestioned devotion to the highest principles of surgical practice.
• Nominees must have demonstrated leadership qualities, such as service and active participation on ACS committees or in other areas of the College.
• The ACS encourages consideration of women and underrepresented minorities for all leadership positions.
• Only individuals who are currently and expected to remain in active surgical practice for their entire term may be nominated for election or reelection to the Board of Regents.

The NCBG recognizes the importance of the Board of Regents representing all who practice surgery in both academic and community practice, regardless of practice location or configuration. Nominations are open to surgeons of all specialties, but particular consideration will be given in this nomination cycle to the following specialties:

• Burn and critical care surgery
• Gastrointestinal surgery
• General surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Transplant surgery
• Trauma surgery
• Vascular surgery

All nominations must include the following:

• A letter of nomination
• A personal statement from the candidate detailing their ACS service and interest in the position
• A current CV
• The name of one individual who can serve as a reference

Further details

Entities such as surgical specialty societies, ACS Advisory Councils, ACS Committees, and ACS chapters who wish to provide a letter of nomination must provide at least two nominees, and a description of their selection process, along with the total list of applicants reviewed.

Any attempt to contact or influence members of the NCBG by a candidate or on behalf of a candidate will be viewed in a negative manner and may result in disqualification. Applications submitted without the requested information will not be considered.

Nominations may be submitted to [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Emily Kalata, staff liaison for the NCBG, at 312-202-5360 or [email protected].

For information only, the current members of the Board of Regents who will be considered for reelection are (all MD, FACS): Anthony Atala, James W. Gigantelli, and Fabrizio Michelassi.

The Board of Governors (B/G) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) elected two new members of the Board of Regents at the October 24 Annual Business Meeting of the Members.

Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM, is the Massey Foundation Professor of Surgery; founding division chief, acute care surgery; and director, surgical critical care, department of surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. A Fellow of the ACS since 1995, Dr. Napolitano has been a tireless volunteer for the College and has served in several important leadership roles within the organization, including as Chair of the B/G.

Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, is professor of surgery and vice-chair, department of surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, and is a highly regarded surgical educator and mentor. He became an ACS Fellow in 1987 and has subsequently served in many roles for the ACS, starting as the Young Surgeon Representative for the Tennessee Chapter in 1989 and rising to serve on the ACS B/G.

The B/G has elected Steven C. Stain, MD, FACS, Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair, department of surgery, Albany Medical Center, NY, to serve as its Chair; he previously was Vice-Chair. The newly elected Vice-Chair is Daniel L. Dent, MD, FACS, Distinguished Teaching Professor, general surgery residency program director, and professor of surgery, University of Texas Health School of Medicine, San Antonio; he previously was Secretary. The new Secretary is Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chair of surgery, associate vice-president for UI Health Alliance, professor of surgery-surgical oncology and endocrine surgery, professor of biochemistry, professor of anatomy and cell biology, and professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Other newly elected members of the B/G Executive Committee include Andre R. Campbell, MD, FACS, FACP, FCCM, professor of surgery, division of general surgery, director, surgery clerkship, and director, surgical critical care fellowship, University of California-San Francisco; Taylor Sohn Riall, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chief, division of general surgery and surgical oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson; and Mika N. Sinanan, MD, PhD, FACS, a general surgeon, UW Medical Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and professor of general surgery and an adjunct professor of electrical engineering, University of Washington, Seattle.

Read more about the newly elected Regents, reelected Regents, and members of the B/G Executive Committee in the December Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons at www.bulletin.facs.org.

The Board of Governors (B/G) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) elected two new members of the Board of Regents at the October 24 Annual Business Meeting of the Members.

Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM, is the Massey Foundation Professor of Surgery; founding division chief, acute care surgery; and director, surgical critical care, department of surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. A Fellow of the ACS since 1995, Dr. Napolitano has been a tireless volunteer for the College and has served in several important leadership roles within the organization, including as Chair of the B/G.

Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, is professor of surgery and vice-chair, department of surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, and is a highly regarded surgical educator and mentor. He became an ACS Fellow in 1987 and has subsequently served in many roles for the ACS, starting as the Young Surgeon Representative for the Tennessee Chapter in 1989 and rising to serve on the ACS B/G.

The B/G has elected Steven C. Stain, MD, FACS, Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair, department of surgery, Albany Medical Center, NY, to serve as its Chair; he previously was Vice-Chair. The newly elected Vice-Chair is Daniel L. Dent, MD, FACS, Distinguished Teaching Professor, general surgery residency program director, and professor of surgery, University of Texas Health School of Medicine, San Antonio; he previously was Secretary. The new Secretary is Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chair of surgery, associate vice-president for UI Health Alliance, professor of surgery-surgical oncology and endocrine surgery, professor of biochemistry, professor of anatomy and cell biology, and professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Other newly elected members of the B/G Executive Committee include Andre R. Campbell, MD, FACS, FACP, FCCM, professor of surgery, division of general surgery, director, surgery clerkship, and director, surgical critical care fellowship, University of California-San Francisco; Taylor Sohn Riall, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chief, division of general surgery and surgical oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson; and Mika N. Sinanan, MD, PhD, FACS, a general surgeon, UW Medical Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and professor of general surgery and an adjunct professor of electrical engineering, University of Washington, Seattle.

Read more about the newly elected Regents, reelected Regents, and members of the B/G Executive Committee in the December Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons at www.bulletin.facs.org.

The Board of Governors (B/G) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) elected two new members of the Board of Regents at the October 24 Annual Business Meeting of the Members.

Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM, is the Massey Foundation Professor of Surgery; founding division chief, acute care surgery; and director, surgical critical care, department of surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. A Fellow of the ACS since 1995, Dr. Napolitano has been a tireless volunteer for the College and has served in several important leadership roles within the organization, including as Chair of the B/G.

Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, is professor of surgery and vice-chair, department of surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, and is a highly regarded surgical educator and mentor. He became an ACS Fellow in 1987 and has subsequently served in many roles for the ACS, starting as the Young Surgeon Representative for the Tennessee Chapter in 1989 and rising to serve on the ACS B/G.

The B/G has elected Steven C. Stain, MD, FACS, Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair, department of surgery, Albany Medical Center, NY, to serve as its Chair; he previously was Vice-Chair. The newly elected Vice-Chair is Daniel L. Dent, MD, FACS, Distinguished Teaching Professor, general surgery residency program director, and professor of surgery, University of Texas Health School of Medicine, San Antonio; he previously was Secretary. The new Secretary is Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chair of surgery, associate vice-president for UI Health Alliance, professor of surgery-surgical oncology and endocrine surgery, professor of biochemistry, professor of anatomy and cell biology, and professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Other newly elected members of the B/G Executive Committee include Andre R. Campbell, MD, FACS, FACP, FCCM, professor of surgery, division of general surgery, director, surgery clerkship, and director, surgical critical care fellowship, University of California-San Francisco; Taylor Sohn Riall, MD, PhD, FACS, professor and chief, division of general surgery and surgical oncology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson; and Mika N. Sinanan, MD, PhD, FACS, a general surgeon, UW Medical Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and professor of general surgery and an adjunct professor of electrical engineering, University of Washington, Seattle.

Read more about the newly elected Regents, reelected Regents, and members of the B/G Executive Committee in the December Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons at www.bulletin.facs.org.