It's me, hi!
(if you can't tell - I've been on a Taylor Swift loop all week.)

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: of the biggest and most repetitive pieces of feedback the ARAS EC gets after every conference is a variation of the statement "we always see the EC presenting" or "it's the same people that always present."

• Trust me. The EC gets it. But this happens because we don't get a lot of submissions.

I had a few ARAS members reach out and tell me that they are hesitant to submit an abstract because they don't want it rejected.

If you are going to put the time and effort into submitting an abstract - we will be accepting it to be presented in San Diego 2023

• If we aren't sure where it fits or the best way to present it - we will work with you on ideas so it will be a success!

Submit your idea/abstract here! http://www.arasurgery.org/abstract-form.html

If you need ideas on what your colleagues want to see - here's the feedback from 2022:

• More information regarding osteopathic surgery programs
• Fostering/teaching professionalism to our trainees
• Best practices for MedHub/NI/other RMS
• EPAs
• More "how we do it" sessions!
• Overcoming burnout/maintaining momentum
• Annual Program Evaluations
• Managing data - scholarly activity, PECs, etc. Maybe a panel to see how different programs (large/small) do it
• Learned best virtual recruitment practices over the past two years
• How to monitor and stay on top of potential issues before they turn into large problems
• Managing up! to new PDs, current PDs, etc.
• Navigating HR issues with trainees
• How can we make data work for us? Software breakout sessions?
• Back to basics for seasoned coordinators
• SOAP
• Remediation for the resident when the issue is professionalism
• Meeting the needs of the new generation of trainees - moving from lectures/powerpoints to more interactive experiences
• Working relationships with your PDs
• Managing change
• Creating career growth
• More personal stories from PC perspectives in this job

Let's see some new faces, ideas, inspiration, and all the things this year!
-B

​Please read the message below from the American Board of Surgery. 
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) announced in February 2022 the ABS Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) Project, launching in July 2023 for general surgery residency programs.

As the ABS moves forward with this EPA initiative, one thing has become abundantly apparent - the feedback that we receive from participants is invaluable. Without this feedback, we have no way to know what is or is not working, where information is unclear, or what can be improved. Additionally, local champions who serve as promoters and exemplars for the project will be critical to its success. That's where you come in!

We are looking for program director, administrator, faculty and resident volunteers from each general surgery residency program to become an EPA Program Champion, serving as a local leader and liaison between your program and the ABS. These individuals will be our direct line of contact with your program, and we will rely on them to provide feedback on how the implementation of EPAs is going.
 
Until the implementation process begins, these individuals will serve as a ‘reactor panel’ to the various training documents and related materials that are being developed for use by programs.
To volunteer to be an ABS EPA Program Champion, please complete this form. 
 
Please also consider forwarding this email to your faculty and trainees for their consideration and hopeful participation.
 
If you have any questions, please contact epas@absurgery.org. 
 
Thank you.