The Rural Surgeon: Thanksgiving
The College has stepped up its advocacy efforts to have an impact on policy and legislation to support all surgeons. The ACS Washington office is vital and Dr. Pat Bailey, ACS medical director of advocacy, has worked with the ACRS to make sure the concerns of rural surgeons are incorporated into the advocacy strategy.
One of the four pillars of the ACRS is communication. The rural surgeons listserv was developed in by the ACRS in 2012 and has been a great success. With more than 1,000 members, and several million emails exchanged, the listserv has become meeting place for the community of rural surgeons. During the numerous rural listserv discussions and threads, many of the emails expressed thanks and appreciation. One rural surgeon volunteered, “This is the most tangible, personally applicable arm of the College I have been exposed to in nearly 40 years as a Fellow.” The conversation continued with this sentiment, “I am terrifically gratified to find that the guilt I have suffered all these years (30+) is misplaced.” As the thread continued, the word thanks appeared multiple times. The communication mission of the ACRS will continue with the development of the ACS Communities platform.
The ACS support for rural surgeons came at an ideal time. And for many in the community, this support is a cause for thankfulness.
In participating in the listserv, rural surgeons identified many topics of interest and some actual concerns to them. Call and locum tenens coverage were the most prominent potential issues. The ACS leadership is aware of both subjects and is currently investigating each one. These matters are vital to rural surgeons, and this publication, ACS Surgery News, invites rural surgeons (or any reader) to respond with any additional information. A productive dialogue could follow and be useful to the ACS. Regardless, the ACS will continue without interruption the process of support rural surgeons.
By its actions, the ACS gives living proof to its motto – “inspiring quality, highest standards, better outcomes” – which now have improved chances for surgeons to continue their work in rural communities. Rural surgeons have experienced the true meaning of ACS Fellowship. Indeed, during this Thanksgiving, rural surgeons will be giving thanks for food, friends, family, and the calling to the surgical profession. Rural surgeons will also be grateful for their College and its personal support of their profession and their practices. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Dr. Caropreso is a general surgeon at Keokuk (Iowa) Area Hospital and Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He has practiced surgery in the rural communities of Mason City, Iowa; Keokuk, Iowa; and Carthage, Ill., for 37 years.
