ASSOCI ATION FOR ACA DEMIC SURGERY • W INTER 2010

Ne w sl e t te r
PR E SI DE N T ’ S M E S S AG E
Dr. Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be the President of the AAS. Over the past year, I have had the good
fortune to work with an incredibly talented group of AAS officers and Executive Council members. This
year, Dr. Melina Kibbe has been outstanding in her first year as Recorder. The Recorder position requires an
enormous amount of work, and Melina has made handling this workload seem effortless while putting together
a stimulating scientific program for this year’s Academic Surgical Congress. Dr. Scott LeMaire will be ending
his term as Secretary, and there is no question in my mind that the job has never been done as well. Scott has kept
the Society running smoothly, completing all action items in a seamless and timely fashion. In particular, he has
served as a leader in establishing our extremely successful courses in conjunction with the Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons. In addition, he has had a leadership role in developing our broader international initiatives,
designing and organizing our international task force to increase our presence globally. Treasurer Dr. Max
Schmidt will also be completing his term. His leadership, dedication, and fund-raising efforts have positioned
the Society for future success. This year, we accrued more funding for the ASC than ever before, and this is
Dr. Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll completely the result of Max’s creativity in working with industry to establish hot topics sessions. There is no
question that Max has brought the most innovation, creativity, and industry that anyone in this position has
ever had. To aid his initiatives, Max also created two deputy treasurer positions that were filled by Dr. Eric
Kimchi, who previously served our Society as co-chair of the Leadership Committee, and Dr. Tim Pawlick,
both of whom have been outstanding in the performance of their duties. I know that the AAS will continue to
IN THIS ISSUE thrive under the guidance of President-Elect Dr. Daniel Albo. Daniel was absolutely fabulous in his tenure as
President’s Message Recorder, and I am humbled and honored to hand over the Society to an individual of his caliber.
1 The 5th Annual ASC in San Antonio, Texas, is just around the corner. This is the first year that the AAS has held
online elections, which will have a dramatic impact on our business meeting. As you will read in the following
Secretary’s Report: report from AAS Secretary Dr. Scott LeMaire, the Executive Council has been working very hard to ensure that
AAS Elections Update this election and business meeting will be the most efficient and productive that we have ever had.
2 The AAS offers research fellowship awards for residents and young faculty members, and we are very proud of
the accomplishments that the recipients of these awards have achieved. In this issue, Dr. Daniel Popowich
Research Fellowship Awards: provides our third in a series of articles about the impact of receiving an AAS Research Fellowship Award in
Paving the Road to Success in his article, Paving the Road to Success in Academic Surgery.
Academic Surgery The AAS Foundation has been developed to work closely with our Society to promote the development of young
2 academic surgeons. In this issue, you will learn more about how this synergistic relationship has been constructed.
AAS Foundation The Global Affairs Committee has now overseen the second Fundamentals of Surgical Research and Career
Development Course in West Africa, which was held in Nigeria last summer. Once again, this course was
3 a tremendous success. Several surgeons from Africa and around the world have now taken advantage of our
Fundamentals Course reduced international membership rate to enjoy the benefits of the AAS. Co-chairs of the Global Affairs
Committee, Drs. Evan Nadler and Benedict Nwomeh, give an overview of the course in this issue.
a Success in Nigeria
This issue also features another in a series of timely reviews by the Information and Technology Committee,
5 which has been led by Chair Dr. Gretchen Purcell Jackson. In this quarter’s review, Dr. Carter Smith offers
Information & Technology Review: practical advice for choosing applications for your smartphone device.
Applications for Your Smartphone Last year, we created a membership category for medical students who wish to join the AAS. We also put
together a number of awards and contests that have successfully increased medical student participation in
6 our Society. Joel Adler has been intimately involved with the Society since the beginning of this initiative,
AAS: A Student’s Perspective and he shares his views in the article, “AAS: A Student’s Perspective.”
8 Finally, the AAS Education Committee, under the leadership of Co-chairs Drs. Clifford Cho and Carmen
Solórzano, has been busy organizing our Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course, as well as a session
Update from the Education at the ASC. They report on these activities, as well as their committee’s work on the SCORE curriculum
Committee initiative in collaboration with the American Board of Surgery.
9 All the best,
Kevin
1
 S E C R E T A R Y ’ S R E P O R T:
UPDATE ON A A S EL ECTIONS & A N NUA L BUSINE SS MEETING
Dr. Scott LeMaire
As presented in detail in the previous newsletter, this year’s AAS elections are occurring in two distinct
phases. In December, for the first time, the AAS held online elections for three of its committees. Please join
me in congratulating the newly elected committee members listed below (in alphabetical order):
Education Committee Issues Committee Leadership Committee
Paul DiMusto* Danny Chu Adam Berger
Jon Gould John Lew Clifford Cho
Joshua Mammen Kaye Reid Lombardo Eugene Kennedy
Joshua Mezrich Julie Margenthaler HJ Kim
Bethany Sacks Matthew Neal* Stacey Moore-Olufemi
Stephen Yang Heather Neuman*
Dr. Scott LeMaire Wei Zhou Carmen Solorzano
*candidate member position
At this year’s Annual Business Meeting, which will begin at 5:30 PM on February 4, 2010, at the ASC
in San Antonio, the AAS will hold elections for president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and positions on the
“Join me in Ethics, Global Affairs, Information and Technology, and Membership Committees. Interested candidate
and active members have submitted online self-nominations that include brief statements of interest. These
congratulating statements will be compiled and posted on the AAS Web site so that they can be reviewed by the membership
the newly elected before the meeting. In addition, printed copies of the statements will be distributed along with the ballots
at the meeting. Members who have submitted self-nominations online will not need to be present at the
committee members!” meeting to be elected. Members who have not submitted self-nominations will be able to nominate themselves
from the floor during the business meeting but will not be able to provide a statement of interest. Please see
www.aasurg.org/index.htm for more information about the election process.
New members of the Program Committee will be appointed by the president, Dr. Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll,
during the business meeting. Further information about the responsibilities of Program Committee members
is available at http://www.aasurg.org/nominations/committeejobs.php. Only active AAS members are eligible
for this committee; please remember that members may only serve on one committee at a time. Interested
members should send a brief statement of interest (100 words or less) and an abbreviated (4-page) curriculum
vitae to Dr. Staveley-O’Carroll at ksoc@psu.edu.
As always, the business meeting will also feature reports from committee chairs and AAS representatives; the
reports will highlight the many successful AAS endeavors of 2009 and provide updates about several exciting
new initiatives. Finally, several important proposed changes to our Constitution and Bylaws will be presented to
the membership for consideration; many of these changes will be voted on during the business meeting. Proposed
changes have been developed to address several important needs, including the addition of AAS representatives
to the Plastic Surgery Research Council and the Surgical Outcomes Club, a more streamlined membership
application process, and clarifications regarding Executive Council voting privileges. Please do not hesitate to
contact me at slemaire@bcm.edu if you have any questions about the Annual Business Meeting.
In closing, as my term as Secretary draws to an end, please accept my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to
serve the membership of this terrific organization. It has truly been an honor and a privilege. I look forward
to seeing you at the 5th Annual ASC.

R E S E A R C H F E L L O W S H I P AWA R D S :
PAV ING THE ROA D TO SUCCE SS IN AC A DEMIC SURGERY
Dr. Daniel Popowich, recipient of the 2006-2008 AAS Resident Research Fellowship Award
Secretary’s Note: This is the third article in a series that highlights the impact of AAS Research Fellowship Awards
Dr. Daniel Popowich on the careers of previous recipients. The AAS began giving these awards in 1988 with the goal of providing the
necessary support to enable residents and fellows to spend two years in full-time basic or clinical research under
was the recipient of the mentorship of an AAS member. Until recently, the awards were made possible through the generous support of
several corporate sponsors, including Davis & Geck, Bayer Pharmaceutical, Inc., US Surgical Corporation, Astra
the 2006-2008 AAS Zeneca, Ethicon, Inc., and Karl Storz Endoscopy. In 2008, the AAS Foundation committed to supporting future
Research Fellowship Awards. In recognition of their strong support and commitment to the development of young
Resident Research academic surgeons, the award has been renamed the AAS Foundation Research Fellowship Award.
Fellowship Award. Dr. Daniel Popowich was the recipient of the 2006-2008 AAS Resident Research Fellowship Award. In the following
article, Dr. Popowich describes how receiving a Research Fellowship Award enabled him to build a foundation for a
career as a surgeon-scientist by spending two years studying strategies for preventing neointimal hyperplasia.
Continued… 2
 Amongst all human societies, the history of medicine and the art of patient care have been passed down from
healers/scientists/doctors to apprentices/disciples/students over and over again. The primary drive for nearly all
advancements in medicine has been the curiosity and interest of individuals who seek to answer fundamental
questions and to improve upon the current standards of care. I realized early in my medical school training
that the foundation and fund of knowledge from which I was now learning was laid by the work of all those
who had come before me. Consequently, it became clear to me that embedded in my decision to become a
“physician-healer” was my decision to become a “physician-scientist.”
Upon starting my general surgical residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, I was fortunate to have
had the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by, Dr. Melina Kibbe, the current AAS Recorder and
Program Committee chair. With her guidance and encouragement, I began to explore opportunities for
research funding, and I was privileged and honored to receive the AAS Resident Research Fellowship Award
for 2006-2008. The title of my awarded project was “Nitric Oxide Eluting Prosthetic Grafts: Innovative
Therapy for Prolongation of Graft Patency.” After completing my third year of clinical duty in 2006, I entered
the lab, eager to begin my research experience, yet uncertain as to what lay ahead.
Dr. Daniel Popowich That fall, I attended the AAS Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course that immediately preceded the
annual American College of Surgeons meeting. Th rough this course, I began to understand what defined
a “surgeon-scientist.” My research included evaluating the basic mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO)
prevents neointimal hyperplasia. Specifically, my work involved studying the pathways by which NO
induces smooth muscle cell apoptosis in a p53-independent manner through the formation of reactive
“The primary oxygen species (ROS) and increased oxidative stress. I was able to apply this mechanism to help further
elucidate a finding our lab had already made, that NO decreases neointimal hyperplasia after vascular
drive for nearly all intervention. In particular, I attempted to elucidate the character and amount of different ROS within the
walls of balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. The results suggested that the periadventitial application of
advancements in NO decreases neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury by differentially modulating the character and
medicine has been location of ROS within the vessel wall.
As for the research project for which I received the Research Fellowship Award, I collaborated with Dr.
the curiosity and Guillermo Ameer at Northwestern University and Drs. Larry Keefer and Joe Hrabie at the NIH. Dr. Ameer
designed a novel biodegradable polymer that could be used to coat expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)
interest of individuals vascular bypass grafts. Not only was this polymer shown to have some favorable anti-inflammatory and
who seek to answer anti-platelet effects in a pig carotid artery bypass model, but the polymer was also able to hold and deliver
known quantities of NO-releasing compounds when in solution. By the end of my two years in the lab, we
fundamental questions had demonstrated that we could manufacture ePTFE bypass grafts that could release predictable amounts of
NO into solution over extended periods of time. Work is being now done to evaluate these grafts’ efficacy and
and to improve upon safety in small and large animal models.
I feel that my time in the lab was extremely valuable. During those two years, I was able to write and contribute
the current standards to many peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication. I was able to travel to and present at many basic science
of care.” and clinical research meetings across the country. This afforded me the opportunity to meet many other
established researchers and clinicians, as well as fellow young investigators. These experiences allowed me to
see what other novel work was being done in my area of research and beyond.
I began my endeavor to become a “surgeon-scientist” with great eagerness and feelings of intimidation and
uncertainty. I credit the AAS and my mentor, Dr. Kibbe, for providing the opportunity, direction, and leadership
I needed to realize my goals. I hope that I may one day be able to devote some aspect of my past, current, or
future research to improving patient care. It was invaluable to me as a surgical resident with an interest in surgical
research to have had this opportunity. My time in the lab taught me that regardless of the extent of my surgical
training and future surgical practice, I will forever be a student in the school of medicine.

DO YOU K NOW A BOU T T H E

A A S FOU N DAT ION ?
As the new year starts, we want to make sure that all AAS members know about the Association for Academic
Surgery Foundation (AASF). The AASF was founded in 2006 to help foster and advance the educational and
scientific research activities of the AAS. The AASF also exists to generally support education and scientific
research concerning surgery and surgical care.
The AASF takes an active role in ensuring that the lights stay on in surgical laboratories across the country,
which is why they established the Annual AASF Research Fellowship Award (see preceding article). The
purpose of this award is to support research conducted by academic surgeons who are in the early phases of
their career, so the award is given to residents and fellows working with faculty AAS members.
Continued…
3
 Currently, the grant review committee is choosing the top five finalists for the 2010 AASF Research
Previous AASF Fellowship Award. Potential recipients will be interviewed during the upcoming Academic Surgical
Research Fellowship Congress, which will take place in San Antonio on February 3-5, 2010. The recipient will be awarded
$20,000 per year for two years.
Award winners To learn more about the award criteria or how to apply, please visit www.aasurg.org, or visit us at the AASF
include: table during the Academic Surgical Congress.
We also want to inform you that the AASF has begun identifying new projects that will help support
2008
translational research and has plans to launch its new Web site soon to help connect the AAS membership to
Sung W. Cho, MD the Foundation and its purpose, to educate the public about our mission, and much more. Be sure to visit the
University of Pittsburgh AAS Web site for AASF updates and upcoming news.

2009 HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Seth B. Krantz, MD The number of available research grants is far below the number needed to sustain surgical research in this
Northwestern University country. If you would like to make a contribution that will help the AASF fund grants and fellowships for
Feinberg School of those people who will ensure that surgical research will continue to thrive, please complete the gift form
printed below or contact us at:
Medicine
The Association for Academic Surgery Foundation
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 600 • Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone: 310-437-1606 or email: jill@aasurg.org.

AAS FOUNDATION 2010 DONATION FORM

If you would like to I would like to give:

make a contribution ‰ $1000 or more (Benefactor)

that will help the
AASF fund grants
and fellowships for
those people who
will ensure that
surgical research will
continue to thrive,
‰ $500 - $999 (Sponsor)
‰ $250 - $499 (Supporter)
‰ $1 - $249 (Donor)
‰ Other:
Please make checks out to AASF or complete the credit card information below. Return this donation
form with your payment.
For Credit Card Payments ONLY:

please complete this Name of Cardholder:

gift form! Billing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Type (circle one): Visa AMEX MasterCard

Number: Exp. Date:

Signature (required):

Contributions made to the Association for Academic Surgery Foundation are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law.
Our Federal Tax ID is 41-2135059.

4

Dr. Evan Nadler
Dr. Benedict Nwomeh
The US-based faculty for the course in Abuja.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Larry Kim)
Attendees included physicians from diverse medical
specialties. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Larry Kim)
A A S PR E SE N T S SE C ON D F U N DA M E N TA L S
COU R SE I N W E ST A F R IC A
Drs. Evan Nadler & Benedict Nwomeh, Co-Chairs of the Global Affairs Committee
Like our inaugural course held in Sierra Leone in 2008, the Second Annual Fundamentals of Research and
Career Development Course in West Africa, held in Abuja, Nigeria, in July 2009, was a resounding success.
We implemented several changes to the course, all of which were designed to heighten the experience of
the attendees. For example, we extended the research and career development curriculum to two full days.
We were thus able to expand coverage of topics like statistics and clinical research and to add small group
sessions on topics such as outcomes research and using statistical software. These changes were made in
direct response to requests made by the 2008 course participants in their post-course evaluations. Another
major change was the addition of a third full day that was entirely devoted to training in minimal access
surgery. The topics included ranged from the basics of “Camera Operation and Instrument Holding” and
“Complication Avoidance” to more advanced topics such as “Thoracoscopy for Empyema.” Many video
demonstrations of both relatively straightforward and complex surgical procedures were provided for the
audience, and a great deal of interest in bringing these procedures to Nigeria was expressed. The conference
culminated in a live laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at University of Texas-Southwestern in
Dallas, Texas, by Dr. Homero Rivas. The operation was broadcast via satellite to a newly installed dish
at the National Hospital in Abuja; the transmission was then relayed to our conference room. Dr. Fiemu
Nwariaku, our Past President, was largely responsible for the monumental task of managing the logistics
of broadcasting the operation during the course, and we thank him and the various companies that helped
provide the infrastructure and capability.
The faculty devoted a large amount of time and effort to ensuring that the course content was appropriate and
meaningful. The course faculty included eight US-based AAS members—Drs. Susan Brundage, Lawrence
Kim, T. Peter Kingham, Sanjay Krishnaswami, Evan Nadler, Fiemu Nwariaku, Benedict Nwomeh, and
Oluyinka Olutoye; Seifu Tesfay, RN, MS, and Dr. Homero Rivas from the University of Texas-Southwestern
Medical Center, who helped with the MIS training; two Nigerian AAS members, Drs. Emmanuel Ameh
and Charles Adisa; and Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun, the Provost of the College of Medicine in Ibadan,
Nigeria, and the Coordinator of Courses for the West African College of Surgeons (WACS). The keynote
address was given by the WACS President, Professor O. Mbonu, who pledged to continue the College’s
support of our efforts in West Africa.
As in 2008, it was standing room only in the auditorium at the course. There were nearly
90 registrants, who again included physicians from diverse backgrounds such as radiology,
hematology, and internal medicine. In fact, the non-surgeons in the audience requested
that we pair with their local organizations in the future so that we may bring the course
to more of their colleagues. The possibility of including these societies in future courses,
which would be held in a much bigger venue, is currently being explored. Indeed, our hosts
at the National Hospital, Dr. Oluwole Olaomi (a trauma surgeon) and Dr. Z.O. Ajuwon
(the Chief Medical Director), have committed to helping us organize future courses at
their hospital.
The course was again very well received by the attendees. The overall value of the conference
was rated as excellent by 50% of those who filled out the course evaluation and as either
good or excellent by 96% of respondents. The most common suggestions for improving
the course were similar to last year’s suggestions: attendees requested “more days to permit
exhaustive discussions of lectures” and “hands-on workshops on the course content,”
specifically with regard to statistics. We will certainly try to accommodate these requests
during the development of our next course.
In closing, the Second Annual Fundamentals of Research and Career Development
Course in West Africa was a significant accomplishment. For providing much of the
funding for the course, we gratefully acknowledge Johnson & Johnson International
and the Association for Academic Surgery Foundation. In addition, Afrinvest, a local
asset management firm that was our major benefactor in 2008, has pledged additional
support for the 2009 course. In the future, we hope to continue our partnership with the
National Hospital in Abuja to provide this course on a yearly basis, with the eventual
goal of enabling the Nigerian members of the AAS to teach the course themselves, with
only a few US-based faculty providing supplemental instruction. There is clearly a need
for and an interest in the course in this developing region, and a sustainable course
led by local physicians could be a template for disseminating research methodology to
underserved areas around the globe.
5
 I N F O R M A T I O N & T E C H N O L O G Y R E V I E W:
A PPL IC AT IONS FOR YOU R SM A RT PHON E
Dr. Carter Smith, on behalf of the Information & Technology Committee
QUESTION: “What Applications Should I Get for My Smartphone?”
With the boom of smartphones in the mobile technology sphere, many surgeons wonder how these new
machines can make their life easier and their time more productive; but with the plethora of applications
available for smartphones today, it is difficult to know which ones can actually help. Downloads from the
iPhone app store alone have topped two billion. Certainly, there are too many applications to sort through,
and with hundreds of new ones released every day, it is difficult to keep up. I have put together a list of
applications that are worth a look.

Medical Reference

Dr. Carter Smith Epocrates is the most commonly downloaded medical reference. The basic version is available on all major
smartphones. The free version has basic drug information, including pill identification (except on Palm and
Windows mobile) and a drug interaction checker. Several premium versions with more modules are available
for a yearly subscription fee between $99 and $199. Many modules only work on certain phones, so double-
check compatibility before you buy.
Up-to-date is available through any smartphone’s Internet browser. If your hospital has an institutional
subscription and you can link to the hospital network, you should be able to gain access. Some hospitals (like
mine) do not allow many smartphones onto the hospital network because of security concerns.
Merck Medicus is a free online service sponsored by Merck pharmaceuticals. They have free applications for
“Epocrates is the all major smartphones, and some services are accessible through your phone’s browser. Several modules are
available, including the Merck Manual, Medline searches, Harrison’s Practice, and a guide to diagnostic tests.
most commonly Registration is required.

downloaded For some free medical calculators and a few paid programs, check out qxmd.com.

medical reference Travel

For checking fl ight status, Jeremy Horwitz, editor-in-chief of iLounge.com, recommends FlightTrack v.
for smartphones.” 2.1 from Appropos Mobile/Ben Kazez for casual travelers and Flight Update v. 2.5 ($5) from Silverware
Software for the more serious trekker (both for the iPhone only). Both apps have a free version, but the $5
upgrade to pro offers many great features, including compatibility with TripIt. TripIt and Dopplr are two
relatively new online services that allow you to forward you travel confirmation emails to their servers,
which build an itinerary for you. You can then use the mobile apps to can track the status of your fl ights,
and you can send your itinerary to colleagues or friends so they will know your plans. The services will
even tell you if other users in your social network are going to be close by. Silverware Software also offers a
program called TravelTracker, which allows you to organize and monitor all of your travel plans via TripIt
and even has a module for expenses. For the Blackberry users out there, TripIt and Dopplr both have
mobile sites you can access with your browser. WorldMate Live also offers an all-in-one travel program for
a yearly fee of $49.95.

Productivity
SugarSync and Drop Box are examples of a new breed of data storage programs. They allow data backup and
synchronization across multiple computers and your mobile phone (Drop Box only supports the iPhone). You
can even share access with other users for collaboration purposes. Both services also save previous versions of
documents so you can recover an old version if needed. Both services offer 2 free gigabytes of space; upgrades
"My favorite group are available for monthly or yearly fees ranging from $99 to $250 per year.
My favorite group of programs is the mobile package from Google. I will disclose up front that I am a bit of
of smartphone a Google fan, which may affect my objectivity, but I think these programs are incredibly useful. I use Google
productivity programs calendar to keep track of all of my appointments. I can also use it to subscribe to other calendars, like the
department calendar our program coordinator updates, or my family’s calendars. Then I use Google Sync to
is the mobile package bring the calendars I want over to my mobile phone. You can even use a program called Google Calendar Sync
on your desktop to sync with Outlook. I also use the Gmail app to get my Gmail on my phone, in addition
from Google." to my work email.
For Blackberry users, Viigo is an RSS reader that allows you to monitor stocks, news, weather, or anything else
that interests you that is available via an RSS feed. Viigo is not available for the iPhone, but there are many
other RSS readers out there.

Continued… 6
 Voice Programs
Most phones come with some functionality to place calls by voice. These programs allow you to extend
that functionality. My newest download is Drivesafe.ly, powered by iSpeech.org. This program is currently
available for the Blackberry and Android; Palm and iPhone versions are coming in the near future. If you
activate the program while you are driving, your phone will automatically read emails and SMS text messages
to you hands-free. It will even send an auto reply if you choose. This way, you don’t have to take your hands off
"New to the scene the wheel to see if that last ping was something urgent. The basic version is free but limits message length to 25
words. The pro version is available for a one-time fee of $13.95 and will read up to 500 words per message.
of mobile voice
To command your phone by voice, give Vlingo a try. Available on iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and
dictation is Nokia phones, this voice recognition software allows you to accomplish many tasks simply by speaking. The
conversion is done on a remote server, so you need good data service, but it’s fairly accurate and even learns the
DragonDictation... more you use it. The free version allows you to open programs, update Facebook and Twitter, dial the phone,
search the Web, and send text to other Vlingo users. Vlingo Plus is available for $19.99 and allows you to send,
this program allows reply, and forward text messages and emails to any contact. I find it especially helpful when trying to compose
you to dictate to the a text while walking to my car or across the medical campus.
If you frequently find yourself trying to reply to emails while walking down the hall, give this one a try: Email
phone and then copy ‘n Walk (available for the iPhone). The program overlays your email text on a video image from the camera,
so you can compose your reply and see where you are going at the same time.
and paste the text Peak-a-Who is a Blackberry app that shows you the sender of an incoming email and a snippet of the message
into any program." in a pop-up. Now you don’t have to exit the email you are writing (or the game you are playing) to see if the
incoming email is important.
New to the scene of mobile voice dictation is DragonDictation (also for iPhone). From the same company
that makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking, this program allows you to dictate to the phone and then copy and
paste the text into any program. Like Vlingo, it sends the data to an external server for processing, so it needs
a good data or Wi-Fi connection. Initial reviews are very promising. It’s free for now, but I bet that won’t last
long. For the iPhone, try Voxie. The app costs only $1.99 and allows users to record dictations for download
to your desktop over Wi-Fi. A recently added transcription service is available for a monthly fee ranging from
$4.95 to $159.95, depending on the number of words transcribed per month. For the Blackberry, Audioworxs
from Dataworxs is a free program that allows you to dictate and send the audio files to your secretary or
transcription service. I am not entirely sure how well this will interface with hospital transcription services,
but your IT officer may be able to help.

Social Networking
The most downloaded free application of all time for the iPhone is Facebook. This social networking program
is available on all major smartphone platforms. On my Blackberry, it automatically syncs with my address
book to add pictures of contacts, and it even adds their birthdays to my calendar so I don’t forget to call and
"The biggest benefit wish them well.
For those who are still wondering what Twitter is, it is basically text messaging for the Internet, except that it
of services like is easier to send your messages to a larger audience. The biggest benefit of services like Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and for me is that I can stay in the loop with friends and family without having to send and reply to emails. I get
to see pictures of my friends’ children, and I know when my brothers will be in Singapore or Philadelphia.
Twitter for me is Having these two applications on my mobile phone means that I can accomplish this in my short periods of
down time during the day. My wife and I are expecting our first child in March, but for those with teens,
that I can stay in or preteens, or even college students, social networking can be a great way keep up with them. There are
multiple apps for every phone that allow access to Twitter. For the iPhone, Tweetie 2 is very popular. For the
the loop with friends Blackberry, Twitterberry seems to rule the roost. The jury is still out on the Android platform, but Twidroid
seems to be a popular free app.
and family without
Maps & Augmented Reality
having to send and Google also makes Google Maps and Google Earth, both of which are great for navigating a new city or
reply to emails." searching for local businesses or services. The new trend in this type of application is called augmented reality,
in which the phone’s GPS and compass are used to return information on what you are looking at. The
phone’s camera provides a picture and the program overlays data on the image, much like the yellow line in
televised football. Wikitude from Mobilizy software allows users to aim their phone at landmarks and local
businesses to get info about them. Layar is another program that is available for the Android and is awaiting
approval from Apple for the iPhone. Yelp and Urban Spoon give you info on restaurants in the area. This area
of mobile phone technology is just getting started. The Android even has a new app called Google Goggles
that allows you to perform image-based searches.
Continued… 7
 PACS Images
Dr. Antoine Rosset, a radiologist specializing in MRI and CT, has developed an iPhone application called
OSIRX that allows users to view DICOM and other images. PACS systems use these formats routinely, and
the program allows clinicians to review films from their iPhone. They are not diagnostic quality, but in an
article on Healthleaders Media, Dr. Henry Feldman, chief information architect at Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center in Boston, said the images are good enough for a majority of what we do. With the rumor mill
churning about an Apple tablet PC in the works, the potential for mobile images seems even more exciting.

Visit us online at Further Reading:

WWW.AASURG.ORG • Chen, Brian, “Wired’s 20 Favorite iPhone Apps of 2009,” Wired Magazine, December 28, 2009; http://
www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/12/wired-favorite-iphone-apps
• Horwitz, Jeremy, “iPhone Gems: Flight Trackers for Casual and Serious Travelers,” iLounge.com,
February 2, 2009; http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/16167/
• Johnson, Cynthia, “Top 10 Smartphone App Trends for 2010,” HealthLeaders Media, December 11, 2009;
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/243427/topic/WS_HLM2_TEC/Top-10-Smartphone-
App-Trends-for-2010.html
• Levitus, Bob, “The Year Has Been a Sweet One for Apple”, The Houston Chronicle on Chron.com, Dec.
29, 2009, 12:27AM; http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tech/drmac/6790183.html
• Solomon, Sam, “The 7 Best Medical Smartphone Apps: The Latest Generation of PDA/Phones Can Help
You Work Smarter and Faster,” Parkhurst Exchange, November 2009; http://www.parkhurstexchange.
com/practicemanagement/nov09/smartphone?pm=practicemanagement/nov09/smartphone

A A S : A ST U DE N T ’S PE R SPEC T I V E
Joel Adler, Medical Student Member
The world of academic surgery is a fascinating and exciting place. Academic surgeons endeavor to push the
boundaries of patient care, research, and surgical education. As the premier organization for academic surgeons,
the AAS strives to fulfill these goals by providing mentorship to young surgeons. Importantly, the AAS recently
began a more focused effort at medical student outreach by creating a medical student membership category.
This was an important decision that will benefit the Society and all of academic surgery for years to come.
My involvement with the AAS began during my second year of medical school. I had been fortunate enough
to have an abstract accepted at the 2nd Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), which was held in Phoenix in
2007. This was my first national meeting, and I was simply awestruck. I was incredibly impressed by the
breadth of topics presented, the quality of the research, and the palpable excitement of the attendees. It was a
friendly, collegial atmosphere in which I had the opportunity to meet many students, residents, and faculty.
As a medical student contemplating my career, not only within surgery but also within academia, this was an
amazingly influential experience.
At that very meeting, the student membership category was created. Because of this, I felt welcome within
Joel Adler the organization. That fall, I had the opportunity to attend the Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course.
Next, I was appointed to the Membership Committee as a medical student representative. Perhaps most
importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to attend the ASC yearly. This year, I was fortunate to have been
selected for the Medical Student Research Award, which will enable me to attend the ASC this year.
"I am extraordinarily Without a doubt, the most important aspect of my involvement in the AAS has been its membership,
from whom I have received mentorship in many areas, including research, career direction, and leadership
grateful to the AAS, opportunities. I’ve been very lucky to be involved with the AAS, learning from the leaders of academic surgery
in preparation for my future career. Not only have I been mentored, but I have begun to learn how to mentor
and I encourage any other medical students myself. These are skills and opportunities that I have acquired through the AAS, and
these are the skills that will strengthen academic surgery in the future.
and all medical
Looking ahead, I plan to continue my involvement in the AAS through my residency and eventual assistant
students to join and professorship. As the interview season progresses, I continue to find the connections I formed within the AAS,
with both residents and faculty, to be extremely helpful. A few years from now, I plan to attend the Career
to get involved." Development Course. I continue to look to the AAS for membership connections and mentorship opportunities.
All of these chances have come about because the AAS is a welcoming organization to medical students.
I am extraordinarily grateful to the AAS, and I encourage any and all medical students to join and to get
involved. In particular, I hope that the faculty members of the AAS continue to encourage medical students
to submit abstracts and to attend the ASC. Early involvement and encouragement of medical students is so
crucial to the future of academic surgery, and there is no organization better positioned to accomplish this
than the AAS. In the future, this focus on medical students will pay dividends.

8
 U PDAT E F ROM T H E E DUC AT ION
COM MIT T E E
Drs. Cliff ord Cho & Carmen Solórzano, Co-Chairs of the Education Committee
As we prepare for the 5th Academic Surgical Congress (ASC) in San Antonio, we are privileged to provide this
progress report on the work of the AAS Education Committee. In this report, we highlight our completed and
ongoing work in the following areas: the recently completed and highly successful Fundamentals of Surgical
Research Course (FSRC), our contributions to the Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE) national
surgical curriculum, and the final preparations for the upcoming ASC Education Committee Session.
The 2009 AAS FSRC took place this past October under the leadership of FSRC director Dr. Adam Berger
and Past President Dr. Herbert Chen, and it was an enormous success. A curricular revision incorporating
basic science and outcomes research courses into two parallel sessions proved to be an effective means of
maximizing course attendance. Members of the Education Committee participated as faculty and moderators.
Dr. Clifford Cho Committee members also had the extra privilege of contributing to the development of the Fall Courses
Survey; we are very hopeful that this instrument (prepared by Drs. Lillian Kao and Peter Nelson of the AAS
Leadership Committee) will be a very useful resource for evaluating and refining the implementation of this
important event in years to come.
The Education Committee made a lasting contribution to surgical education by creating educational modules
for the new SCORE curriculum, which has since been released. SCORE is a consortium formed by the principal
organizations involved in US surgical education with the stated mission of improving surgical education by
developing a standard national curriculum for general surgery residency training. This curriculum is centered
on the core competencies of medical knowledge, professionalism, communication, practice-based learning,
and systems-based practice, as well as the new competency of technical ability. The Web-based General
Surgery Resident Curriculum Portal (http://www.surgicalcore.org/about.html) is now available to general
surgery programs and residents, and we anticipate that this competency-based curriculum will define the
educational core of general surgery and permit greater assurance that residents are receiving sufficient training
in all areas.
Finally, preparations have been finalized for the Committee on Education Session to be held at the 2010
ASC at 11:00 AM on February 5. Organized in collaboration with Dr. Sharon Weber, Chair of the Society of
Dr. Carmen Solórzano University Surgeons Education Committee, this year’s session will have the theme “Contemporary Challenges
to Resident Education.” During this symposium, our invited speakers will address the new and unanticipated
difficulties that face surgical education in the modern era of work-hour restrictions. First, Dr. John Tarpley of
Vanderbilt University will highlight resident competency testing in the setting of work-hour mandates. Then,
Dr. Paula Termuhlen of Wright State University will outline recommendations on how training programs can
most effectively accommodate the mandates of the new Institute of Medicine report on house officer training.
Finally, Dr. Erik van Eaton of the University of Washington will discuss the implications and pitfalls of the
patient handoffs that are now required between resident shift rotations. We are looking forward to what we
anticipate will be a highly topical and controversial discussion, which we hope will be as successful as last
year’s symposium entitled “Surgical Education in the Internet Era” (summarized in a recent article by Pugh
et al in the Journal of Surgical Research 2009;156:177-82).
We remain enormously grateful for the privilege of serving the AAS in this important capacity, and we look
forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio.