Dear AAS/SUS Members and Colleagues,

As this unprecedented year unfolds, the AAS and SUS leadership are carefully watching the evolving crisis to understand its impact on our members. While much remains uncertain, it is clear that all of us have been significantly impacted – either by the pandemic itself or the financial implications of the shutdowns. At many of our institutions, elective surgery, research programs and labs have been put on hold. After discussions with many of you across the U.S. and internationally, we have learned that there are widespread institutional restrictions on travel and discretionary funding for next year. There is also significant uncertainty beyond travel or budget restrictions, including the safety of convening a large in-person meeting.

We feel that it is important for us to continue our mission of providing a rich and diverse environment for the development of academic surgical leaders in line with our core values: scholarship, leadership, professional development, mentorship, innovation, community, and inclusion.

With this in mind, we have decided the 2021 Academic Surgical Congress will take place on a virtual platform. The program committee and leadership are working hard to make our first virtual meeting exciting, impactful, and reflective of the issues confronting our societies.

Please save the dates for the first week in February! More details to come.

Stay safe, healthy and strong,
Carrie Lubitz, MD, MPH, AAS Recorder, ASC Program Chair
Melanie Morris, MD, SUS Publication Chair, ASC Program Chair
Eugene Kim, MD, AAS President
Sandra Wong, MD, MS, SUS President