President's Message
February 13, 2015

Bright beginnings are within the College this month! Realizing each new day is a new beginning, we will continue to take what we have learned yesterday and focus on how that can assist us in pursuing our dreams and goals into tomorrow. 
 
As we move forward into the single accreditation system with ACGME, questions and issues will continue to be raised. On behalf of the College and staff, I want our members to know that we will continue to assist in any way possible.  Working closely with the AOA and AOBS is of utmost importance to resolve any problems should they occur.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact myself or CEO, Linda Ayers.
 
The Association of Program Directors in Surgery’s Surgical Education Week is taking place April 21 – 25, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. A New Program Directors Workshop will be offered in conjunction. All surgery program directors have been invited to attend. In preparation for the changing standards that may focus on new duty hour rules, supervision, fatigue management, outcome measures, core competencies, and proper documentation, they will honor their membership fee for the meeting/workshop. ACGME representatives are typically present at this meeting. This is an excellent opportunity to network with other surgeons and program directors facing similar challenges that may lie ahead and discuss how best to resolve them. I strongly encourage all program directors to attend.
 
As expected, the ACOS continues to face multiple mega-issues this year. The Board of Governors and the Strategic Planning Committee convened to develop our new strategic plan. This event was facilitated by the insightful counsel of Mr. Glenn Tecker of Tecker and Associates. Personally, I would like to thank participating members for their time, efforts, energy, and enthusiasm during a thought provoking weekend.  We continue to center our short and long term goals around the College’s core values as we strive to provide the best value to you, our members. 
  
As we move forward this quarter, we will continue increasing our advocacy efforts and monitoring key pieces of legislation that have the potential to affect members. We have planned to meet with the AOA and specialty college representatives during the AOA Board of Trustees Meeting at the end of the month and again during DO Day on Capitol Hill  on Thursday, March 5, 2015. I encourage all of you who can attend D.O. Day on the Capitol Hill to join us in Washington, D.C. It allows for face-to-face interactions with our legislators to discuss our key health policy issues and educate members of Congress and their staff about osteopathic medicine. Presently, this event has been approved for 1.5 AOA Category 1-A CME credits.  
 
A German legend has it that if a furry rodent sees his shadow on February 2nd, winter will last another six weeks.  If not, spring comes early. This year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, our beloved groundhog saw its shadow predicting six more weeks of winter. Therefore, please stay safe, stay healthy and stay warm!!

Valerie L. Sheridan, D.O., FACOS, FACS
President
American College of Osteopathic Surgeons