Save the date! The 22nd Annual Academic Surgical Congress is heading to Washington, D.C., February 9–11, 2027. Jointly sponsored by the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) and the Society of University Surgeons (SUS), the ASC is the premier meeting for surgeon scientists, trainees, and academic surgical leaders. After an incredible ASC 2026, we're already looking forward to what's next. Stay tuned for abstract submission details, registration, and programming announcements. academicsurgicalcongress.org #ASC2027 #AcademicSurgery

Hiring in academic surgery? List your open positions on the AAS Job Board and connect with top surgical talent at every career stage. Post your listing today: aasurg.org/post-a-job/

Residency Prep Series: How to Interview TONIGHT, October 19 at 6PM ET Preparing for residency interviews? Join us for an informative discussion designed to help medical students approach interview season with confidence. Gain practical tips on answering common questions, highlighting your strengths, sharing your experiences, and making a lasting impression. Learn strategies to help you navigate the interview process and put your best foot forward. Register Here: aasurg.org/webinar-residency…

JOIN US TONIGHT! You don't need a big institution or a large budget to build a meaningful research program. Join the AAS Clinical and Health Services Research Committee on October 14th for a practical webinar on building high-impact surgical research with limited resources — featuring academic surgeons who have done exactly that. 📅 October 14, 2026 ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM EST aasurg.org/webinar-building-…

Ship, Shipmate, Self. That was the moral order Phillip Jenkins learned at the U.S. Naval Academy. When he entered surgical residency, the words changed. The compass stayed exactly the same. Patient, People, Self — a framework for servant leadership in medicine, written by a Naval Aviator turned surgical resident. Read now on The Academic Surgeon: aasurg.org/patient-people-se…

Register today for the AAS webinar on October 14th: Building a High-Impact Surgical Research Program with Limited Resources. Presented by the AAS Clinical and Health Services Research Committee, this one-hour session is designed for residents, fellows, and early to mid-career faculty who are building a research portfolio, working toward promotion, or positioning for external funding at any size institution. 📅 October 14, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 PM EST Spots are free! Share this with a colleague or trainee who should join. aasurg.org/webinar-building-…

Meet October's AAS Member Spotlight — Joceline Vu, MD, colorectal surgeon at the Richmond VA Medical Center and a nearly decade-long AAS member. Dr. Vu has contributed to the AAS Education Committee, organized the inaugural Surgical Family Feud at ASC, received a teaching award from Temple University chief residents, and published thoughtful work on using positive psychology to improve patient-centered surgical care. She is also, by all accounts, a memorable ASC karaoke performer! Read her full spotlight: aasurg.org/aas-member-spotli…

Congratulations to the new 2027 AAS Councilors! 🎉 We are proud to introduce the six members who will represent their classes on the AAS Executive Council: Benjamin James, MD, MS — Class of 2015 Jennifer Freeman, MD, MPH — Class of 2017 Priya Dedhia, MD, PhD — Class of 2019 Shannon Small, MD — Class of 2021 Tarik Yuce, MD, MS — Class of 2023 Grace Chao, MD, MSC — Class of 2025 Councilors are elected to a two-year term and serve as the voice of their membership class on the AAS Executive Council. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited for what they will bring to this community. aasurg.org/announcing-new-aa…

You don't need a big institution or a large budget to build a meaningful research program. Join the AAS Clinical and Health Services Research Committee on October 14th for a practical webinar on building high-impact surgical research with limited resources — featuring academic surgeons who have done exactly that. 📅 October 14, 2026 ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM EST aasurg.org/webinar-building-…

Know an undergraduate student who is interested in medicine, surgery, or research? The AAS LEAN Scholars Program is now accepting applications for its next cohort — and a simple share or introduction from you could be the opportunity that changes their path. LEAN Scholars receive longitudinal mentorship from medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty surgeons, along with practical support through the medical school application process. The program welcomes students at all stages of exploration, including those who are early in their journey or who have not yet had access to established professional networks. Application deadline: October 5, 2026. aasurg.org/aas-l-e-a-n-progr… Share this with a student who should apply.

AWS and AAS have partnered to support women surgeons in accessing core academic programming! Applications are open now. The AWS/AAS Surgical Investigators' Course Award covers complimentary registration to the AAS/SUS Surgical Investigators' Course in Washington, DC, February 2027. Deadline: October 23rd. Apply: womensurg.memberclicks.net/a…

We're less than 2 weeks away from the AAS 2026 Fall Courses. Don't miss out! Spend a full day investing in your academic surgery career in Washington, D.C. on September 25, right before the ACS Clinical Congress. Choose the Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course or the Early Career Development Course, depending on where you are in your path. Register today: cvent.me/XmKyBr

In Canada, her colleagues couldn't believe she was returning to work so soon after delivery. In the US, she was told how fortunate she was to have gotten 11 weeks off. Same surgeon. Same baby. Two very different systems. Elise Di Lena writes honestly about pregnancy, parenthood, and surgical training on both sides of the border — and what needs to change. Now on The Academic Surgeon: aasurg.org/surgical-educatio…

REMINDER: Just a few days left to save with Early Bird Rates for the 2026 AAS Fall Courses! Spend a full day investing in your academic surgery career in Washington, D.C. on September 25, right before the ACS Clinical Congress. Choose the Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course or the Early Career Development Course, depending on where you are in your path. Early bird rates end September 14, and space is limited. Register today: cvent.me/XmKyBr

New on The Academic Surgeon: The Art of Healing by Manuel Quiroz Flores Submitted as part of the AAS Ethics Committee’s 2026 Essay & Cover Art Challenge, “Living Your Values,” The Art of Healing offers a unique visual perspective inspired by the theme of the challenge. Learn more: aasurg.org/the-art-of-healin…

Maymona Choudry's reflection on her first surgical mission to Lugus, Philippines — the island of her ancestors — is one of the most beautifully written pieces we have shared on The Academic Surgeon. It is about global surgery, yes. But it is also about homecoming, representation, and what it means to live your values in the places that formed you. Read the post: aasurg.org/where-the-sea-mee…

TWO DAYS LEFT: Residents, are you looking for a way to get more involved in AAS? The AAS Resident Task Force is recruiting. It brings together residents in clinical and research years through structured opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and connection within a national academic surgery organization. Two minutes to express your interest. Deadline: September 4th. Fill out the interest form: forms.gle/46Rjupf176P7LwwB9

Residents, are you looking for a way to get more involved in AAS? The AAS Resident Task Force is recruiting. It brings together residents in clinical and research years through structured opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and connection within a national academic surgery organization. Two minutes to express your interest. Deadline: September 4th. Fill out the interest form: forms.gle/46Rjupf176P7LwwB9

REMINDER: Registration is open for the AAS 2026 Fall Courses! Spend a full day investing in your academic surgery career in Washington, D.C. on September 25, right before the ACS Clinical Congress. Choose the Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course or the Early Career Development Course, depending on where you are in your path. Early bird rates end September 14, and space is limited. Register today: cvent.me/XmKyBr

The latest on The Academic Surgeon is a piece every surgeon and surgical trainee should read. Christian Crannell writes about surgical endurance — what it is, why it is context-dependent, and how being intentional about the physical, mental, and emotional demands of surgery can help us perform better and take better care of our patients. Simple, practical, and long overdue as a conversation in surgical culture. Read the full piece: aasurg.org/what-is-surgical-…

We are no longer just training surgeons to operate robotic systems. We are beginning to prepare them to work alongside intelligent ones. Kristy Hawley writes about what robotic surgery education needs to become, and why academic surgeons should be shaping that transition, not reacting to it. A timely and thought-provoking read on The Academic Surgeon. Read the full post: aasurg.org/the-future-of-rob…