College of Surgeons New President: Patricia J. Numann MD

Posted on | October 25, 2011 | Comments Off on College of Surgeons New President: Patricia J. Numann MD

Mike Magee

Forty years ago, my new wife had reason to see a general surgeon in Syracuse, NY. The surgeon made her feel very comfortable and resolved the issue. As a second year medical student, I was very grateful and my wife still remembers the surgeon fondly. This week she became the 41st President of the American College of Surgeons. Here’s what she had to say in her inaugural address as captured in the College press release:

“We all became physicians—not only because of our interest in science—but also because of our commitment to humanity,” said Patricia J. Numann, MD, FACS, newly installed President of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), to the College’s 1,591 Initiates during the Convocation ceremony Sunday evening at the Moscone Center.

“Each of us is a steward of our profession by the example we set in our personal and professional behavior,” said Dr. Numann. “In this time of health care reform we must be ever more vigilant in protecting our patients and our profession. We must take on the responsibility of continuing to contribute to resolving the issues of the day and advancing our discipline.”

Dr. Numann’s address emphasized the importance of stewardship, which she defined as “the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.” As stewards of the profession of surgery, the Fellows of the ACS have made notable contributions to the field over the last 100 years, according to Dr. Numann, particularly in the area of trauma care with the launch of the Advanced Trauma Life Support® program, and in the area of cancer care with the launch of the Commission on Cancer.

Dr. Numann also highlighted the accomplishments of other College programs, including the Division Education and the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program, and the Division of Advocacy and Health Policy and their efforts to represent the College to elected officials and health care organizations.

“Assuring all people access to excellent surgical care is also part of our stewardship,” added Dr. Numann. “Distribution and numbers of surgeons are becoming critical issues. Rural America already has a severe shortage of surgeons. The ACS Committee on Rural Surgery is working to support rural surgeons and is investigating ways to increase their numbers through loan forgiveness and practice support.”

The College’s “mission of stewardship” also extends beyond our borders, particularly through the efforts of Operation Giving Back, added Dr. Numann, who noted that access to surgical care though the world continues to be variable and limited.

Dr. Numann underscored the importance of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP® as an integral component of the stewardship of the profession. “The College is working diligently to disseminate this program and see that it is in place in all hospitals,” said Dr. Numann. “Monitoring outcomes will result in increasing the quality of our care. It behooves all of us to track our own outcome data.”

In closing, Dr. Numann urged physicians not to hesitate to rely on each other for support. “Part of the stewardship of our profession is our responsibility to one another,” said Dr. Numann. “As we see our colleagues in need of assistance, whether it be acquiring knowledge or skills, or in dealing with personal or professional crises or disabilities, we should help them. Should we see colleagues who have cognitive or physical impairments that do not allow them to continue practice, we must encourage them to modify or change their practice or to step down,” noted Dr. Numann. “If individually we are unable to advise them or influence them, we must ask for assistance from our leaders. Stewardship of our profession does not allow us to look the other way.”