From the ICSUS President...

It is my great pleasure to invite you to the 79th Annual Surgical Update of the International College of Surgeons-United States Section. Our Annual Meeting will be held from June 15 to June 17, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel located in Seattle, Washington just minutes from the airport. I also extend an invitation to the members of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons (AANOS) who will once again be joining us for their 41st Annual Scientific Meeting.

Our program has been titled Surgical Access for All and a large portion of the program will incorporate various aspects of global surgery, focusing on how this important concept impacts all our practices in some way. This activity will provide unique continuing education for the general surgeon and surgical specialist as well as present both multidisciplinary and specialty specific educational opportunities. There will also be selected non-surgical topics that address professional practice gaps as determined by the Planning Committee. The overall goal of this conference will be to enhance overall technique, to advance current surgical knowledge, foster continued training and improve patient care.

As always, we are planning a high quality program that includes a number of special presentations. I am extremely delighted that Dr. John Tarpley from Vanderbilt University in Nashville has agreed to participate. Dr. Tarpley will present the Dr. Andre Crotti Lecture during a special lunchtime presentation on Saturday. We also welcome Dr. Daniel Rader from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania who will present the Dr. Arno Roscher Endowed Lecture. A number of distinguished faculty members from the University of Washington have agreed to participate in our educational activity and will provide numerous updates on a wide range of topics. Included from UW is Professor Edward Verrier who will present a keynote lecture during our Thoracic Surgery Symposium on Friday as well as Professor Richard Ellenbogen who will present a keynote lecture during the Saturday session of the AANOS.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, our destination provides access to high quality health care institutions such as the University of Washington Hospitals, but it is also one of the most beautiful parts of our country that provides something for everyone. Seattle and Tacoma have a myriad number of attractions for you and your family to explore.

Please watch your mail, email and check our website regularly for updates. Whether you know the Seattle area well or have never had a chance to visit, this is a perfect opportunity to discover everything there is to do in this gorgeous part of the country. Sightseeing, dining, entertainment as well as top notch education will all be part of the ICSUS 79th Annual Surgical Update in Seattle this June.

I truly hope to see you there!

Chand Ramaiah, MD
President, United States Section
International College of Surgeons